Maximizing a Monk's chance to land a Stunning Strike

[Yakmala]

I'm trying to determine all of the methods a Monk has at its disposal to increase its chances of landing a Stunning Strike using any available published 5e materials. No homebrew or UA. Legendary items are fine but let's skip artifacts.

Some seem obvious:

Get your Wisdom to 20.
Boost Wisdom to 22 using a Tome of Understanding.
+3 Dragonhide Belt.
+1 Ioun Stone of Mastery.



Assuming the 22 Wisdom, +3 belt and Ioun Stone, that's a DC of 24.

Any ways to get that higher?

We could also focus on reducing the opponent's save, via things such as Bane, Curse, Portent, Unsettling Words, etc. But that would require multi-classing or having the right people in your party.

[Rukelnikov]

I'm trying to determine all of the methods a Monk has at its disposal to increase its chances of landing a Stunning Strike using any available published 5e materials. No homebrew or UA. Legendary items are fine but let's skip artifacts.

Some seem obvious:

Get your Wisdom to 20.
Boost Wisdom to 22 using a Tome of Understanding.
+3 Dragonhide Belt.
+1 Ioun Stone of Mastery.



Assuming the 22 Wisdom, +3 belt and Ioun Stone, that's a DC of 24.

Any ways to get that higher?

We could also focus on reducing the opponent's save, via things such as Bane, Curse, Portent, Unsettling Words, etc. But that would require multi-classing or having the right people in your party.

A potion of haste? More attacks = more chances to stun

+3 weapon and precise strike? You need to land the hits in order to force the enemy to save, focused aim also works but it eats more ki points.

[animorte]

You could add the mind sliver cantrip to that list. Acquire the Magic Initiate feat for it or somebody else in your party cast that before your turn.

Could also dip for Action Surge just to allow for another extra attempt. More attacks always provides more chances.

[LudicSavant]

I'm trying to determine all of the methods a Monk has at its disposal to increase its chances of landing a Stunning Strike using any available published 5e materials. No homebrew or UA. Legendary items are fine but let's skip artifacts.

Some seem obvious:

Get your Wisdom to 20.
Boost Wisdom to 22 using a Tome of Understanding.
+3 Dragonhide Belt.
+1 Ioun Stone of Mastery.



Assuming the 22 Wisdom, +3 belt and Ioun Stone, that's a DC of 24.

Any ways to get that higher?

We could also focus on reducing the opponent's save, via things such as Bane, Curse, Portent, Unsettling Words, etc. But that would require multi-classing or having the right people in your party.

There's also increasing the number of saves that the target has to succeed at. For instance the Demonweb Spider Monk build (in the Eclectic Build thread) can throw 10 saving throws in your face in a round (7 of those saving throws being Stunning Strike).

[Amnestic]

If you're grabbing Magic Initiate for Mind Sliver, may as well grab Silvery Barbs while you're at it.

[Scarytincan]

Blessing of understanding is an alternative to tome. Book of Exalted Deeds can get 24 wis.

[Scarytincan]

Of course the real deal is to apply all this to quivering palm.

[Rerem115]

With the One D&D playtest rules, there's an interesting way to increase your odds. Per the UA, shoving someone Prone is now a rider if you hit with an Unarmed Strike (replacing the damage) so you can knock someone down and try to stun them in the same attack.