There are a total of three BG3 Ways (subclasses) Monk players can try out, each of which focuses on different aspects of the class, and offers a selection of unique skills, proficiencies, and other features. As you level up in one of these BG3 Monk subclasses, you will gain more abilities that are unique to your subclass choice.

Absolute Bane: When the wearer hits a creature with a weapon attack, it receives a 1d4 penalty to Attack Rolls and Saving Throws. The same penalty applies to anyone using these gloves without bearing the Absolute's brand.

Here's a list of all the Boots that you can find in Baldur's Gate 3. Click on the Item in the table below to learn more about each individual item. Each post shows a tooltip with more information, such as where to get it and other helpful information.

Here's a list of all the helmets that you can find in Baldur's Gate 3. Click on the Item in the table below to learn more about each individual item. Each post shows a tooltip with more information, such as where to get it and other helpful information.

It's a dangerous world out there in Baldur's Gate 3. So make sure you're outfitted with the best armor. Below, we've compiled a list of all the Armour that you can find in Baldur's Gate 3. Click on the Armour Name/Icon in the table below to learn more about each individual item. Each post shows a tooltip with more information including Armour properties and other helpful information.

If you are dead set on including a character in your party, simply talk to Withers to respec them to one of the optimal Monk companion classes listed above. This way, you won't miss out on that character's questline, and you won't have to suffer from an improperly balanced party.

Searing Smite: Your weapon flares with white-hot intensity. It deals an extra 1d6 Fire damage and marks the target with Searing Smite. A target with Searing Smite takes 1d6 Fire damage everyt turn, until it succeeds on a Constitution saving throw.

Here's a list of all the Rings that you can find in Baldur's Gate 3. Click on the Item in the table below to learn more about each individual item. Each post shows a tooltip with more information, such as where to get it and other helpful information.

Searing Smite: Your weapon flares with white-hot intensity. It deals an extra 1d6 Fire damage and marks the target with Searing Smite. A target with Searing Smite takes 1d6 Fire damage everyt turn, until it succeeds on a Constitution saving throw.

Here's a list of all the Amulets that you can find in Baldur's Gate 3. Click on the Item in the table below to learn more about each individual item. Each post shows a tooltip with more information, such as where to get it and other helpful information.

The Way of the Open Hand and Way of the Four Elements have plenty of options and playability in their own right, but because Sneak Attacks and Stealth are so strong when used to initiate combat (or join it from the outside), the Way of Shadow reigns supreme.

This section covers the best equipment for Way of Shadow Monks in BG3 across all three Acts. Some pieces from early Acts may still be powerful in later ones, though, and will remain equipped through several Acts.

Armour is an important component of Baldur's Gate 3. Specifically, you can outfit your character with headwear often referred to as Helmets that sometimes provide specific protections or abilities alongside boosting stats. Effects range from defensive measures such as protecting the wearer from Critical Hits to offensive postures like gaining a Bonus Action. Whatever the case may be, there are plenty of helmet items to consider in your character build.

The Way of Shadow Monk plays like a mix of the Rogue and Gloomstalker Ranger classes. Way of Shadow Monks rely on Stealth and their bare fists to deal damage, and are most heavily inspired by Ninjas and other agile warriors of darkness and subterfuge.

Either way, as a Way of Shadow Monk, the most important skill proficiency to have is Stealth. So, if you go with the Outlander background, select Stealth as one of your choices. Of the remaining options, Insight should be your next pick, followed by Acrobatics or Religion (for Criminal players with Stealth already trained).

Updated April 6, 2025 by Erik Petrovich : Patch 8 for Baldur's Gate 3 Guide Gate 3 is right around the corner, and though lots of the new subclasses seem like a lot of fun to play, the base game still offers some very powerful options for the best Monk build in BG3. The Way of Shadow Monk is still the best Monk build in BG3 – but that could change with the release of Patch 8. Until then, stick with this Way of Shadow Monk guide to learn the best Monk build tips, what makes the Way of Shadow such a powerful subclass for the Monk, and other information that will help you min-max your Monk character. This Monk build guide has been updated to add in-game flavor descriptions of the class and subclass, as well as a new small section with the best consumables for the Monk, including both potions and elixirs, in the Equipment section.