Baldur's Gate 3: Best Monk Multiclass Build (2024)

The Monk is one of the most unusual classes in Baldur's Gate 3, combining multiple attacks, extraordinary abilities, and high evasion but without the benefit of armor class or certain weapons. A creative player can find several ideal combinations with other classes for the Monk, but one of the best options is with one that shares the same AC options: the Barbarian.

The Barbarian class is equally versatile when it comes to useful stats, focusing on either Strength or Constitution, so it makes sense to focus on Constitution for this build. However, there are several other steps a player can take to improve a character's Strength stat as they progress to level 12, should they so choose.

Updated June 15, 2024, by Kristy Ambrose: The numerous updates and bug fixes that have been applied to BG3 in the months since its release have changed a few details about character creation and multiclassing, but the basic rules are the same. Monks and Barbarians are a nice mix because they have a lot in common when it comes to unarmed combat, extra movement options, using no armor, and improvised weapons. Remember that the choices you make as you level, which might include skills related to race as much as class, are also important determining factors.

Recommended Races

Prioritize Dexterity, Constitution, And Wisdom

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Choosing certain races can give your Monk some advantages when it comes to weapon proficiencies, useful cantrips, and movement speed. These are the ideal choices for those who plan to multiclass into Barbarian:

• Human: Proficiency in long-reach weapons like spears and pikes along with extra carrying capacity.
• Wood Elf: Natural talents with ranged weapons like bows and extra Strength abilities.
• Drow: A variety of magical abilities are available to each subrace, including extra resistance to spells like Charm.
• Githyanki: Get access to cantrips like Enhanced Leap, Mage Hand, and Misty Step.
• Zariel Tiefling: For the Barbarian build specifically. Choose this subrace for abilities that include Thermaturgy and Searing Smite.
• Dragonborn: A wide variety of subraces are available with various magical abilities and resistances. It's an ideal choice for those who want to add some AoE power to their build.

Background, Feats, and Gear

Building A Constitution-Based Multiclass Character

Use role-play, backstory, and future leveling plans as a guide when selecting Backgrounds and Feats for your Barbarian/Monk character.

Backgrounds

A Monk can come from a variety of places, and a Barbarian Monk has a few obvious choices:

• Acolyte: Raised in a monastery or temple, this gives a bonus to Insight and Religion (both Wisdom-based). It would be typical for a Monk.
• Soldier: Either class could have a soldier's background. It gives a bonus to Athletics (Strength) and Intimidation (Charisma).
• Outlander: Typical for a Barbarian and certain kinds of Monks that lean into the survivalist lifestyle. Characters get a bonus to Athletics (Strength) and Survival (Wisdom).
• Folk Hero: Animal Handling and Survival are both Wisdom skills, so this is a better choice if you started as a Monk and multiclass later into a Barbarian.

Feats

• Tavern Brawler: Increases a character's Strength or Constitution by +1, and allows them to add their Strength score twice to the attack and damage rolls of unarmed, thrown, and improvised weapon attacks.
• Alert: Get a +5 to Intiative and never be Surprised again. This ensures the Barbarian Monk gets the first turn in combat.
• Sentinel: Protect your allies with an Attack of Oppurtunity when an enemy within melee range moves against them. This only works if the targeted ally doesn't have the same Feat.
• Athlete: This is another way to give your character even more movement speed, increase Jump distance, and time needed to recover from Prone, and give a +1 to either Strength or Dexterity.
• Magic Initiate: Druid: Use a common casting ability (in this case, Wisdom) to add to a spellcasting Monk Barbarian build. This way, players can add either healing or DPS abilities without actually having to multiclass.

Gear

Strength is an important stat for Barbarians, but not so much for Monks. Chose clothing and weapons that improve the Strength stat. Constitution is a stat that both classes share, which makes this another good choice.

• The Mighty Cloth:Rare Clothing, +2 Strength. Provides Bull Rush, which knocks enemies back, and Unwavering Bull, which provides resistance to the Restrained Condition.
• Moon Devotion Robe: Very Rare Clothing. Provides advantage to Constitution saving throws, and the ability to cast Mage Armor.
• Gauntlets of Hill Giant Strength: Very Rare, raises Strength to 23. Steal them from the House of Hope in Act 3.
• Harmonium Halberd:Rare. Gives the wielder a bonus to Strength, at the cost of -1 to both Intelligence and Wisdom.

Monk, Levels 1 to 7

Choose A Subclass And Extra Ki Points

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Players can also switch to Barbarian as early as Level 4, which still gives them a choice of Subclass and Slow Fall. Another option is to go to level 8 as a Monk and gain an extra Feat along with Ki Empowered Strikes. Monks gain an equal amount of extra Ki points for every level.

• Levels 1 to 2: Unarmoured Defence, Flurry of Blows, and three Martial Arts abilities, including Dexterous Attacks, which scale damage to whatever stat is higher (Strength or Dexterity).
• Level 3: Gain the Deflect Missles ability and choose a subclass. Way of the Open Hand works the best with the Monk Barbarian build.
• Level 4: Get the Slow Fall cantrip and choose one Feat. Tavern Brawler is recommended for this specific build.
• Levels 5 to 7: Get an extra attack, subclass feature, and Improved Unarmoured Movement. You can also get another Feat if you choose to continue to Level 8.

Barbarian, Levels 1 to 5

Use Constitution Or Strength

Players can also start with Barbarian instead if they would prefer a melee DPS build that uses Strength or Constitution more than Wisdom or Dexterity. Regardless, here's how the Barbarian leveling shakes out.

• Levels 1 to 2: The basic Barbarian scaffolding - Rage, Unarmoured Defence, Reckless Attack, and Danger Sense (this overlaps nicely into Dexterity).
• Level 3: Choose a subclass. Berserker uses Rage to grant the Barbarian extra abilities and actions, and is the best option for this build.
• Levels 4 to 5: An extra Attack, Fast Movement, and another Feat. Alert or Athlete are the best options at this point.

Other Multiclass Options

Should the player opt for a third class, or decide that the Barbarian isn't for them, other classes are equally effective, perhaps even better. The following options are based on common ability scores and skill modifiers.

• Druid. For those that want a Monk with spellcasting power, in the form of either DPS or healing, both Druids and Monks use Wisdom.
• Rogue. The obvious choice for a Dexterity-based build is a Monk with various uses for their Sleight of Hand and Sleath abilities.
• Cleric. Another Wisdom-based caster, the variety of deities and party roles available make this an interesting and versatile choice.

Baldur's Gate 3

Developer(s)

Larian Studios

Franchise

Baldur's Gate

Metascore

96

Released

August 3, 2023