Would you multiclass a Shadow Monk?

[Odessa333]

Hey all!

Topic. I have a level 8 Shadow Monk, variant human with the mobile feat (for the record, 20 DEX and 16 WIS from rolling stats). We're having fun in the Underdark, and shadows abound there. I like my monk action, and as we near our next level, I've been asked: what multiclass am I taking?

I didn't know I was taking a multiclass, to be honest.

Seems the table's optimization specialist has read various builds for monks, and wanted to know if I was going to do rogue for sneak attack, or fighter for action surge, or warlock, or something from Xanathar's (I don't even have it yet!), and so on. I've done some digging on the forums/online and have found a few of the ideas he mentioned, yet I'm leaning towards staying monk myself. I was curious to see what others thought, if you would multiclass or not.

Anywho, thanks for reading, and happy gaming out there.

[dejarnjc]

Hey all!

Topic. I have a level 8 Shadow Monk, variant human with the mobile feat (for the record, 20 DEX and 16 WIS from rolling stats). We're having fun in the Underdark, and shadows abound there. I like my monk action, and as we near our next level, I've been asked: what multiclass am I taking?

I didn't know I was taking a multiclass, to be honest.

Seems the table's optimization specialist has read various builds for monks, and wanted to know if I was going to do rogue for sneak attack, or fighter for action surge, or warlock, or something from Xanathar's (I don't even have it yet!), and so on. I've done some digging on the forums/online and have found a few of the ideas he mentioned, yet I'm leaning towards staying monk myself. I was curious to see what others thought, if you would multiclass or not.

Anywho, thanks for reading, and happy gaming out there.

Generally speaking single class characters are greater than multi-class. There are some specific multi-class builds that compete but I can't think of any monk ones that really do so. Monks are usually best as a single class IMO.

[Foxhound438]

I've been asked: what multiclass am I taking?

I didn't know I was taking a multiclass, to be honest.

Seems the table's optimization specialist has read various builds for monks, and wanted to know if I was going to do rogue for sneak attack, or fighter for action surge, or warlock, or something from Xanathar's (I don't even have it yet!), and so on.

step one: tell that guy to stay in his god damn lane

step two: stay monk

step three: profit


If you don't want to multiclass, don't let some d&d spike force you to. I blue text that phrase because it is in itself a joke.

[Nifft]

It's quite possible to do awesome things by multi-classing.

But you've got one of my favorite straight-up-to-20 classes in the game.

IMHO the default plan for Shadow Monks should be more Shadow Monk, until it runs out.

[guachi]

Shadow Monk + Rogue is really fun.

Even one or two levels of Rogue give you a large variety of things to do. On the plus side, since you have a 20 Dex and 18 WIS already you don't need those ASIs as badly as someone else might.

[lunaticfringe]

Would I? Sure. You don't have to. Optimizers like to think about builds, everyone's build. I don't think they meant anything by it. It's a compulsion I think.

I don't think you need much help in the Underdark, you are in your element. Maybe if the Campaign took place on the Plane of No Shadows....

[Arcangel4774]

In the underdark darkness is everywhere. You can shadow step all day long (my favorite thing about shadow monk). If you were out of darkness alot, id consider warlock or shadow sorcer for darkvison in darkness/your own darkness spells.

In the xanathars, the gloom stalker ranger (our whatever its called) ignores enemy darkvision. It may be be worthwile multiclass. Otberwise just stay monk

[Nifft]

Maybe if the Campaign took place on the Plane of No Shadows....

Yep, the Quasi-Elemental Plane of Radiance would be a pretty bad place to play a Shadow Monk.

(Does that place even exist in this edition?)

[furby076]

If you are in underdark, why not the new shade ranger? Its great for dungeon delving

[bid]

I have a level 8 Shadow Monk, variant human with the mobile feat (for the record, 20 DEX and 16 WIS from rolling stats). We're having fun in the Underdark, and shadows abound there. I like my monk action, and as we near our next level, I've been asked: what multiclass am I taking?
You don't want moar monk?

Do you need moar sneak?
Shadow 11 is too nice, but after you might want expertise in stealth (rogue 1).

Do you need moar pain?
Flurry adds 1 attack for 1d8+5 damage, less than 3 rounds of dueling style (fighter 1).
Action surge adds 23 damage, more than 2 ki in flurry (fighter 2).

Do you need moar magic?
Guidance and mending are great cantrips.
Underdark druid fits thematically.
Tempest or trickery cleric work well.


You say you'd rather continue monk. I think that's a good plan for the moment. Unless something fits your RP concept, take a few levels to think it through.

[warsawwombats]

I recently went through a similar decision and I can definitively say, "MOAR MONK!"

At level 9, you can walk on vertical surfaces and across liquids! This synergizes great with Mobile and all your extra unarmored movement.

Level 10 makes you immune to poison and disease, which you'll likely see a lot of in the Underdark.

Level 11 lets you take an action to become invisible in dim light or darkness.

Those are some pretty awesome abilities to delay when you multiclass. Not to mention three more ki points and your martial arts die bumping up to d8.

[SharkForce]

i might multiclass a shadow monk if the character i wanted to create had abilities that could only be obtained through multiclassing. mechanically there isn't really a need to do so... monk has lots of nice abilities at later levels.

now, fighter i'm not sure you could persuade me to stay in past level 11 without substantial bribes. i'd hit level 11 and then i'd ditch it for any other class mechanically speaking (flavourwise, i don't consider "fighter" to exist, for the record*). yes, literally any other class. i'd take wizard 1-9 over fighter 12-20 any day of the week.

but monk has lots of interesting stuff that can make the character more fun to play, imo.

[Llama513]

If I did multiclass I would grab Rogue for Assassin as the shadow step in conjunction with Assassinate is really powerful

[Submortimer]

If you're galavanting about in the underdark, Gloom Stalker Ranger can do wonders for you, and you already hit the requirements for multiclassing stats.

[Dalebert]

I thought a two-level warlock dip was a reqt for shadow monks.

[Danielqueue1]

I thought a two-level warlock dip was a reqt for shadow monks.

Sure the devil's sight/darkness combo is great and all, but it is far from required.

[Lombra]

Stay monk, really, do as you fit for your character. I'm at the same split and am thinking for story reasons about getting a level of rogue or a level in ranger, possibly both, but I'll likely just stay monk and get Skilled to fluff what I need to fluff at 12.

[GreyBlack]

Here's a question: why are you multiclassing? If the answer is peer pressure, don't. If the answer is that you have a particular build in mind, then do that build.

EDIT:

Sure the devil's sight/darkness combo is great and all, but it is far from required.

Blue is generally considered sarcasm. For the future.

[LordNibbler]

IF you want to multiclass, one level of Rogue is all you need. You get Expertise in stealth and perception (see them before they see you), proficiency in thieves tools (if you don't already have is from your background), and 1d6 sneak attack damage if you use a short sword. That's a pretty good haul.
No need for two levels though. You already get a free disengage from the Mobile feat.

[Odessa333]

Here's a question: why are you multiclassing? If the answer is peer pressure, don't. If the answer is that you have a particular build in mind, then do that build.




Oh, I'm not going to multiclass out of peer pressure. Screw that. I doubt I will multiclass as the monk stuff looks better to me, I was just curious what others thought.

For myself, I figure I need at least 17 levels of monk, to get my 1d10 unarmed damage (seems a BIT high for that damage, especially since fighters can start at 1d10, yet that's a rant for another thread lol). If we get to level 18 (which I HIGHLY doubt) then I might consider a dip in something. My own two cents, as it were.

[Jethro]

I took 2 levels in warlock myself...honestly 1 would have been enough (darkness/devilsight is overrated) cause hex on the BBEG is pretty sweet with 4 attacks.

But I could easily see skipping that entirely and going monk all the way. Super fun class.

[Sigreid]

I'd do 2 levels of warlock for the ability to see in my own magical darkness. That's literally all I would want.

[Provo]

Yeah Monk usually doesn't want to multiclass. Shadow Monks though usually get two levels of Warlock so they can actually see in their own darkness.

I took Warlock. I like it, but it's not necessary.

Keep in mind though, Hex will add more damage than getting stronger unarmed attack dice.

[Finlam]

I once multiclassed a shadow monk with 3 levels of Warlock (Pact of Chain). This had a great amount of synergy that was defintely worth it in mid levels. Aside from the perks of the usual darkness combo and eldrich blast, choosing the pseudodrago familiar netted a lot of benefits.

A) Increased suvivability - Pseudodragon grants advantage on saves vs magic, a huge durability bump for the monk (or anyone). Darkness is also a huge plus for botb suvivability and offense.

B) Better Shadowstep - To shadowstep, the requirement is that you teleport to an area you can see within 50ft that's in dim light or darkness. As a chainlock, you can see through your familiar's eyes. This allowed me to get places (through tight spaces, on top of buildings, etc) by having my familiar scout the location, sharing sight, and then teleporting there.

C) Great Telepathy - The psedudragon is capable of some amazing telepathy that can even broadcast images into people's minds. This helped me to coordinate in battle with other party members and, in one instance, saved my monk's life.

I picked up invisibility and found it incredibly useful to have the psedodragon act as an invisble scout.

All this added up to an incredibly super-stealthy character who filled a really great combat support role in the party and was even stealthier than a normal shadow-monk.

Definitely worth giving up 3 levels of monk, especially if you don't go up to 14th level. If you are going to 14th or beyond, I'd probably tough it out and stay monk: Diamond Soul is one of the best abilities in tbe game.

[SharkForce]

Oh, I'm not going to multiclass out of peer pressure. Screw that. I doubt I will multiclass as the monk stuff looks better to me, I was just curious what others thought.

For myself, I figure I need at least 17 levels of monk, to get my 1d10 unarmed damage (seems a BIT high for that damage, especially since fighters can start at 1d10, yet that's a rant for another thread lol). If we get to level 18 (which I HIGHLY doubt) then I might consider a dip in something. My own two cents, as it were.

level 18 is crazy good for a monk. i definitely wouldn't multiclass there :P

and monks aren't a damage-focused class, they do way too many other things better than a fighter to be allowed to be just as good of a fighter as the fighter.

[ImproperJustice]

Shadow Monk + Assassin is popular in my neck of the woods

[bid]

If I did multiclass I would grab Rogue for Assassin as the shadow step in conjunction with Assassinate is really powerful
You mean to prepare the ambush, I assume. Once the initiative is rolled, you can't waste your BA on anything but the extra 4d8+10 of critical flurry.

And assassinate is overrated. You do what, double your usual damage? So... half what your party dishes out in a round? With your pals hiding 60' away, just to be sure the ambush succeeds?

Sure, as a RP concept where you infiltrate and kill sentries. Great if you play Combat As War. Overrated for normal play.

[Citan]

Hey all!

Topic. I have a level 8 Shadow Monk, variant human with the mobile feat (for the record, 20 DEX and 16 WIS from rolling stats). We're having fun in the Underdark, and shadows abound there. I like my monk action, and as we near our next level, I've been asked: what multiclass am I taking?

I didn't know I was taking a multiclass, to be honest.

Seems the table's optimization specialist has read various builds for monks, and wanted to know if I was going to do rogue for sneak attack, or fighter for action surge, or warlock, or something from Xanathar's (I don't even have it yet!), and so on. I've done some digging on the forums/online and have found a few of the ideas he mentioned, yet I'm leaning towards staying monk myself. I was curious to see what others thought, if you would multiclass or not.

Anywho, thanks for reading, and happy gaming out there.
Hi!
Easy answer.
"Would you multiclass"? Yeah, I would in many instances, but that's because I'm a multiclass lover.

Now the true question is: should YOU multiclass? And answer is obviously NO.
If you want to multiclass, go with it, plenty of good options.
But Monk is among the top three, maybe even the first of all classes, to benefit from staying single-classed. Two reasons.
- His resource is exclusive (contrarily to casters who can at least stack spell slots when multiclassing other casters).
- His best features come online late (Diamond Soul, Empty Body).

If you don't want to multiclass, stay pure Monk. That's arguably the best optimization you can make really, most multiclasses are great for a few tricks but if you have a chance to make it to higher levels you would probably regret it since it was not your own will that gave birth to it.

Also, tell your friend his optimizer-fu has still a great margin of improvment if he cannot see the potential of pure Monks. :)