Quote Originally Posted by Zalabim View Post
Monks have valuable actions, bonus actions, and even reactions already. Why Absorb Elements (the exact spell) instead of Deflect Missiles (something in that style). Maybe when you successfully evasion, you can spend Ki as a reaction to divert the effect/saving throw onto a nearby enemy. You could look at agile parry, where you act a certain way to gain a temporary benefit. If effects were added to the Dodge, Dash, Disengage, and/or unarmed strike with your attack action, they could easily fit in the gap of free abilities still below flurry or stunning strike in power. I'm picturing an earth Dodge that reduces the damage you take, an air Dash that is somehow distinct from step of the wind where you can push other creatures, a water Disengage that covers your retreat with difficult terrain, and fire strikes that are just a rebalanced fangs of the fire snake, sorry.
There's absolutely nothing stopping you from flavoring regular monk stuff as elemental effects.

You can create ice as you walk on water. You can cause a wind that causes a slight hover that does 3 times your jump speed. Your unarmed strikes can be close-range rock attacks. You can make your stunning strikes have electricity come out of it or freeze the target with each punch.

If flavoring is your only problem, understand you can flavor as you wish and keep mechanics consistent

But I believe your combat should be primarily monk, not primarily spellcasting. You shouldn't be able to lean into spellcasting, otherwise you're not a monk, you're a spellcaster.