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Water. Earth. Fire. Air. InDungeons & Dragons Fifth Edition, these four elements define a half-caster class for the typically martial-arts-focused monk. The Way of the Four Elements monk has a lot in common with Nickelodeon’s Avatar franchise, with masters of this subclass able to wield the four elements at will.
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Playing a Way of the Four Elements monk can be a tricky proposition for those who are new to the powers of ki. For those who are looking to command the elements without all the kicking and punching, consider playing a sorcerer or wizard. But for those looking for a challenging yet rewarding subclass, read on to discover the Way of the Four Elements.
Way Of The Four Elements Monk Features
A Way of the Four Elements monk learns to harness their ki to command the elements in addition to performing intense feats of physical prowess. Starting at third level, you become aDisciple of the Elements. This allows you to learn theElemental Attunementdiscipline as well asone other elemental disciplineof your choice.
You learnadditional elemental disciplines at sixth, 11th, and 17th levels. Whenever you learn a new elemental discipline, you may also replace an elemental discipline you already know with a new one. To learn an elemental discipline, your monk level must be equal to the required level of that discipline.
Many of these elemental disciplines allow the Way of the Four Elements monk toexpend ki points to cast spells. Others are unique abilities to the Way of the Four Elements monk. Below is a list of elemental disciplines available at each level.
11th Level
17th Level
Starting at fifth level, you may spend additional ki points to cast elemental discipline spells at higher level. This only applies to spells that have an enhanced effect at higher levels, such as Burning Hands or Thunderwave (designed by the “At Higher Levels” text on the spell’s description).
Each additional ki point spent casts the spell at one level higher, up to a maximum defined in the Spells and Ki Points table below. For example, a sixth-level Way of the Four Elements monk can only spend a maximum of three ki points per spell, meaning the maximum level they’d be able to cast Thunderwave wave would be at second level.
3
Ninth to 12th
4
13th to 16th
5
17th to 20th
6
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Best Species For A Way Of The Four Elements Monk
Most species are more than capable of becoming monks, but there are a few species that synergize better with the Way of the Four Elements' abilities than others. Here area few suggested speciesto build a Way of the Four Elements monk.
Bugbear
An extrafive feet of reachis excellent for all monks to have, andSurprise Attackcan provide you with extra damage if you’re earlier in the turn order than your opponents.Darkvision,charm resistance, andstealth proficiencyare all nice to have.
Duergar
Monks eventually gain immunity to poison, butresistance until then is nice, as is advantage to saving throws to avoid being charmed or stunned.Darkvisionup to 120 feet is great, and the Duergar’s two innate spells–Enlarge/ReduceandInvisibility–are both great additions to a monk’s arsenal.
Goblin
I will never get tired of evangelizing the benefits ofFury of the Small.Darkvisionand charm resistance are also nice.Nimble Escapeis less useful for a monk who can already disengage as a bonus action, but being able tohideis a good addition.
Goliath
The main draw to a Goliath monk is usingStone’s Enduranceto help shore up your lackluster hitpoints.Athleticsis a good skill to have, andresistance to cold damageis also a benefit.
Half-Orc
Way of the Four Elements monks don’t tend to use Flurry of Blows as often as other monks, but when they do,Savage Attackscan make crits more powerful.Relentless Endurancealso keeps a monk fighting even when they drop to zero hitpoints, and Darkvision is always a plus.
Half-Elf
Monks need three stats. Half-elves providethree stat boosts. They also provideDarkvision,charm resistance, anda few more skillstoo.
Human
Monks are extremely stat-hungry, andhumans provide a lot of stats. You can also govariant human for a starting feat, potentially providing your Way of the Four Elements monk with access to a fun cantrip.
Owlin
The best of the flying races for a monk.Flying,Darkvision, andstealth proficiencyallow you to rain elemental chaos from above while zipping between shadows.
Shifter
One way of getting more hitpoints is by choosing the class that provides a bunch oftemporary hitpoints during combat. Shifters also provideDarkvisionand a usefulskill proficiency.
Tabaxi
Claws won’t provide much benefit to a monk, butFeline Agilitylets a monk get into position while still preserving their bonus action for ki-powered abilities.Darkvisionand aclimbing speedequal to your movement speed are also both great to have.
Best Ability Scores For A Way Of The Four Elements Monk
Like other monks, the Way of the Four Elements requires three stats:Dexterity,Constitution, andWisdom. Unlike other monk subclasses, Wisdom plays a greater role as it not only helps boost your AC but also helps power your spellcasting.
Strength,Intelligence, andCharismacan be largely ignored as a monk, and probably should be given how much you’ll need to pump your Dexterity and Wisdom attributes.
If using the points-buy system for D&D 5e,a good starting ability scorespread might look something like this:
10(0)
16(+3)
14(+2)
8(-1)
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Best Starting Equipment For A Way Of The Four Elements Monk
Monks don’t start with much equipment, and most of your damage will be coming from your elemental disciplines rather than strikes with a weapon.
You may choose ashortswordorany simple weaponto start, but you will likely start to ignore this weapon entirely after leveling up once or twice. Adungeoneer’s packcontains slightly more useful equipment than anexplorer’s pack, and10 dartsprovide you with some ranged attacks prior to your elemental disciplines coming online.
Monks don’t wear armoras they benefit from both their Dexterity and Wisdom modifiers when determining their AC.
Best Elemental Disciplines For A Way Of The Four Elements Monk
There are quite a few elemental disciplines to choose from as a Way of the Four Elements monks, especially at level one. With onlyfour elemental disciplines able to be equipped at level 17, including the Prestidigitation-like Elemental Attunement, it’s important to use the most effective elemental disciplines.
Fangs of the Fire SnakeandWater Whipare your best choices at level one. Fangs of the Fire Snake add 10 feet of reach to every unarmed strike for that action and an additional 1d10 fire damage. Water Whip has better single-target damage, has reach out to 30 feet, and can pull enemies into melee range or knock them prone.
At sixth level,Clench of the North Windto cast hold person is a highly effective spell. At 11th level, eitherFlames of the PhoenixorRide the Windcan either provide Fireball or Fly, respectively. And at 17th level,River of Hungry FlameorBreath of Winterprovides both area of effect damage and crowd control.
