Summary
The newest edition ofDungeons and Dragons, calledOne DnD, is expected to hit the shelves in 2024 with big changes to base classes like the Monk. Perhaps the most significant revision to this class from itsD&D Fifth Editionversion is related to its Martial Arts feature. One of the abilities that players can access from this is the Martial Arts Die, which lets the player roll a separate dice in place of normal unarmed strike damage. This was buffed in the sixth version of theOne DnDplaytest, as it now lets the player start with a d6 instead of a d4. Apart from this, other remarkable additions and changes to the Monk include:
The consensus forD&D 5th Edition’s Monkwas that it was under-tuned. It was bloated with out-of-combat features that just didn’t fit with the class’ martial arts-focused theme.One DnD’s designers fixed this by improving the Martial Arts Feature and replacing the roleplaying features with more combat-oriented ones.
A Look into the One D&D Monk’s New Features
Deflect Energy
This lets players use Deflect Missiles against the enemy’s ranged attacks that deal any type of damage. Before reaching this Level 13 feature, the Monk can only divert ranged attacks that deal Slashing, Piercing, or Bludgeoning damage.
Weapon Mastery
TheOne D&Dplaytestgives monks a wider array of weapons to practically use with this feature, as it lets players gain mastery over simple weapons like daggers or a quarterstaff. Each one has a different Mastery Property. For example, the quarterstaff comes with Flex, which lets the player deal versatile damage to enemies even if they use the weapon using only one hand. The dagger has the Nick property, which lets players make an extra light attack as part of their action instead of their bonus action.
Self-Restoration
This level 10 ability replaces Stillness of Mind, Purity of Body, and Timeless Body. It lets players recover immediately from conditions like charmed, poisoned, or frightened as a bonus action. Plus, forgoing food and water won’t contribute to their character’s exhaustion.
Four Elements Subclass Revisions for One D&D’s Monk
Deflect Missiles saw a significant redesign. It now deals additional damage to an enemy of choice using two Martial Arts Die rolls when the player successfully diverts a ranged attack. Meanwhile, Way of the Four Elements, which was far from one ofD&D’s best subclasses, has been redesigned and is now known as “Warrior of the Elements.” It comes with brand-new features, like:
Environmental Burst
The Monk can spend two discipline points to inflict area of effect damage with a 20-foot-radius caused by lightning, fire, cold, or acid. Creatures affected by this must win a saving throw or risk taking additional damage equal to three rolls of the player’s Martial Arts Die.
Elemental Attunement
This imbues the Monk’s unarmed strikes with elemental effects. The player can deal Acid, Cold, Lightning, or Fire damage and push or pull enemies by 10 feet on their failed Strength saving throw.
Stride of the Elements
This ability is centered around theMonk’s Step of the Wind feature, which lets the player disengage or dash as a bonus action after spending one Discipline Point. When the Monk uses this with Stride of the Elements, they also gain swim and fly speed for 10 minutes.
Elemental Epitome
This 17th-level feature enhances Elemental Attunement by introducing damage resistance and the ability to deal incidental damage to nearby enemies when the Monk uses Step of the Wind.
The Monk has come a long way since it debuted as aCleric subclassback in 1975. It was seen as underwhelming in5edue to its lack of combat features.One DnD’s designers must have been listening to fan feedback, as the Monk’s recent overhaul makes it hit harder than ever before.
Dungeons and Dragons
Created by Gary Gygax, Dungeons & Dragons is a tabletop game in which players craft their own worlds and band together to take on adventures through mysterious realms outlined in companion materials. One of the best role-playing games ever made, it has been adapted into a variety of video games and other media.
