Monks in Baldur’s Gate 3 offer one of the most dynamic and versatile playstyles in the game. Fast, mobile, and capable of dealing significant damage without relying on weapons or armor, Monks excel at hit-and-run tactics, crowd control, and utility. Choosing the best Monk subclass can make a huge difference in how your character performs in combat and exploration. Each subclass offers unique tools that complement different builds and strategies, so determining which Monk subclass is best in BG3 depends on your preferred approach to the game. However, there are clear standouts depending on your playstyle.
Understanding Monk Subclasses in BG3
Monks in Baldur’s Gate 3 gain access to their subclass at Level 3. Each subclass dramatically changes how the Monk plays, affecting combat abilities, movement, and defense. The available Monk subclasses are:
- Way of the Open Hand
- Way of Shadow
- Way of the Four Elements
All Monk subclasses benefit from core features like Unarmored Movement, Martial Arts, Ki abilities, and Deflect Missiles. But the subclass you pick enhances different aspects of the Monk’s identity whether that’s pure martial prowess, stealthy infiltration, or magical versatility.
Way of the Open Hand
Overview
The Way of the Open Hand is the most straightforward and traditional Monk subclass, centered on physical martial mastery. It enhances the Monk’s Flurry of Blows with extra effects and focuses on controlling enemies through unarmed attacks.
Key Features
- Open Hand Technique: When using Flurry of Blows, you can knock enemies prone, push them away, or prevent them from taking reactions.
- Wholeness of Body (later levels): Provides powerful healing and self-sustain.
Playstyle and Strengths
This subclass excels in melee combat, offering incredible crowd control and consistency. The ability to knock enemies prone or disable reactions can drastically turn the tide of battle. The lack of reliance on Ki for the subclass abilities also makes Open Hand highly sustainable in long fights.
Pros:
- Simple but highly effective combat style
- Free crowd control on every Flurry of Blows
- Best subclass for pure Monk martial damage
Cons:
- No ranged or magical options
- Limited utility outside of combat
If you’re looking for the best Monk subclass in BG3 for raw physical dominance and straightforward melee combat, Way of the Open Hand is arguably the strongest pick.
Way of Shadow
Overview
The Way of Shadow turns the Monk into a stealthy assassin, combining elements of the Rogue with Monk agility. With access to invisibility and shadow manipulation, this subclass offers high burst damage potential and infiltration power.
Key Features
- Shadow Arts: Gain access to spells like Pass Without Trace, Darkness, and Minor Illusion.
- Shadow Step (later levels): Teleport between areas of dim light and become invisible temporarily.
Playstyle and Strengths
Way of Shadow Monks shine in ambushes, sneak attacks, and tactical positioning. Their spell access allows them to create darkness to control the battlefield, and their stealth proficiency lets them set up deadly first strikes. They pair very well with Rogue multiclassing for even more critical strike potential.
Pros:
- High burst damage from surprise attacks
- Excellent battlefield mobility and teleportation
- Stealth-based utility for exploration and escape
Cons:
- More dependent on environmental conditions like light and shadows
- Weaker in sustained direct combat compared to Open Hand
If your goal is to build a Monk with strong stealth, magical tricks, and high single-target burst, Way of Shadow is a strong contender for best Monk subclass in Baldur’s Gate 3, especially for players who enjoy a ninja or rogue-like theme.
Way of the Four Elements
Overview
The Way of the Four Elements offers a Monk that blends martial arts with elemental spellcasting. This subclass allows you to spend Ki to cast spells representing fire, water, earth, and air, giving you access to damage-dealing abilities at range.
Key Features
- Elemental Disciplines: Use Ki to cast spells like Burning Hands, Fireball, or Fangs of the Fire Snake.
- Versatile toolkit: Covers both damage and utility magic
Playstyle and Strengths
Way of the Four Elements gives Monks much-needed ranged capabilities and magical utility. This subclass lets you function as a secondary spellcaster while still maintaining Monk mobility and survivability. However, its reliance on Ki for spellcasting can make it feel limited during long fights.
Pros:
- Access to powerful elemental spells
- Versatile combat style melee and magic combined
- More options for dealing AoE damage
Cons:
- Very Ki-dependent can run out of resources quickly
- Many abilities are underwhelming compared to actual spellcasters
Four Elements is a flavorful and flexible subclass, but it’s not considered the best Monk subclass in BG3 from a power-gaming perspective. It’s excellent for players who want a magical martial artist with flashy attacks and utility, even if the efficiency isn’t always top-tier.
Best Monk Subclass Overall
When evaluating all three subclasses,Way of the Open Handtypically stands out as the best Monk subclass in Baldur’s Gate 3 for most players. It offers unmatched consistency, strong crowd control, and excellent damage output without heavy reliance on Ki. Its simplicity makes it beginner-friendly, but its strength carries into late-game content as well.
However, the best subclass can vary depending on your preferences:
- PickWay of the Open Handfor raw melee power and battlefield control.
- PickWay of Shadowfor stealth, ambushes, and infiltration.
- PickWay of the Four Elementsfor versatility, ranged spells, and magical flair.
Subclass Synergies and Multiclassing
Monk subclasses in BG3 can be enhanced through multiclassing. Each subclass pairs well with different options:
- Open Hand + Fighter: Gain Action Surge for an explosive round of attacks.
- Shadow + Rogue: Maximize sneak attack damage and critical hits from stealth.
- Four Elements + Sorcerer: Blend Ki with metamagic for powerful spellcasting combos.
Exploring these combinations can help elevate the Monk beyond its basic design, especially for higher difficulty playthroughs or specialized builds.
Choosing the best Monk subclass in Baldur’s Gate 3 depends on your preferred playstyle, but Way of the Open Hand is the most balanced and consistently powerful choice for most situations. It provides excellent crowd control, reliable unarmed damage, and durability that scales well throughout the game. Meanwhile, Way of Shadow excels for stealth-focused players, and Way of the Four Elements appeals to those who want a more spellcasting-flavored experience. No matter which subclass you choose, the Monk is a fast-paced and engaging class that brings unique strengths to any party configuration.