When you create a character in Baldur's Gate 3, you can choose a class to specialize in, and each class will have skills or spells unique to that class. One class you can choose from is the monk, and monks are unique for their prowess in hand-to-hand combat and special abilities.

You can deepen your specialization in your class by picking a specific subclass. One subclass that monks can pick is the way of shadow.

Way Of Shadow Monk Features Overview

Baldur's Gate 3 a level one wood elf monk

Those in the way of shadow monk subclass specialize in using the shadows to their advantage. This is a melee attacker that can teleport to enemies from a hidden position. They can also hide in a dark cloud they can cast in order to evade attacks.

Monks can use certain abilities similar to spellcasters, but instead of spell points or sorcery points, monks use Ki. Ki can be replenished by taking a short or a long rest.

Level

Features

3

5

Gain Ability: Cloak of Shadows

6

Gain Ability: Shadow Step

11

Gain Abilities:

  • Shadow Strike
  • Shadow Strike: Unarmed

The way of shadow monk offers a unique playstyle compared to the other monk subclasses thanks to the use of obscured spots. This is a great subclass to pick if you like the idea of moving around the shadows like a ninja, picking off targets one-by-one as you go.

Best Race For A Way Of Shadow Monk

Baldur's Gate 3 a wood elf monk in character creation

The wood elf makes for a perfect way of shadow monk thanks to the increased movement speed. A wood elf enjoys Fleet of Foot, which allows them to have a base movement of 10.5m or 35ft.

The elf race also enjoys proficiency in shortswords, longswords, shortbows, and longbows, some of which are the classifications of the recommended weapons for a way of shadow monk. Elves also enjoy Darkvision, which is a passive that allows them to see in the dark up to 12m or 40ft.

Best Starting Ability Scores For A Way Of Shadow Monk

Baldur's Gate 3 ability score distribution for a way of shadow monk

You'll want to invest in Strength for this build because you'll be getting the Tavern Brawler feat later on.

Dexterity is an important ability to focus on because you'll need any boost you can get to initiative to maximize the way of shadow monk's attack style. You'll also need the armour class boost that a higher Dexterity gives.

The idea behind having a high Dexterity score is to ensure that the way of shadow monk can be the first to attack. Their ability to stun enemies using Stunning Strike can give you an early advantage, and they can get away to avoid taking any damage at all.

Another ability you'll want to prioritize is Wisdom, which improves abilities that use Ki, in addition to your increasing your armour class.

You'll be using clothing for your build, so any increase to your armour class is essential.

Ability

Score

Strength

15

Dexterity

16

Wisdom

(above 10)

Best Level-By-Level Build For A Way Of Shadow Monk

While your build will be primarily in the monk class, investing three levels in the rogue class mid-game will increase the value of your monk's abilities tremendously.

At rogue level three, you can pick the thief subclass to gain the fast hands passive. This will allow you to make an additional bonus action during your turn.

Level

Features

1

Class: monk

3

Subclass: way of shadows

4

Feat: tavern brawler (Strength +1)

7

Class: rogue

8

Class: rogue

9

Class: rogue

Subclass: thief

10

Class: monk

11

Class: monk

Feat: ability improvement (Dexterity +2)

12

Class: monk

Best Equipment For A Way Of Shadow Monk

Baldur's Gate 3 a way of shadow monk overlooking Rivington

You'll get a lot of benefits when you forego armour as a monk. That being said, there are certain pieces of equipment that complement this type of setup.

Best Early-Game Equipment For A Way Of Shadow Monk

Equipment

Description

Location

Clothing: The Graceful Cloth

Armour Class: 10 + Dexterity modifier

Cat's Grace: You gain Cat's Grace and increase your Dexterity by 2, to a maximum of 20.

Nimble As a Cat: You gain a +1 bonus to your Dexterity saving throws and also increase your jump distance by 1.5m.

Act 1: This can be purchased from Lady Esther at the Rosymorn Monastery Trail.

Headwear: Haste Helm

Smooth Start: Gain momentum for 3 turns.

Act 1: This can be looted from a chest in the Blighted Village.

Cloak: Cloak of Protection

Armour class +1

Saving throws +1

Act 2: This can be purchased from Quartermaster Talli at the Last Light Inn.

Gloves: Gloves of Dexterity

Set the wearer's Dexterity score to 18. The enchantment has no effect if their dexterity score is higher without it.

+1 to attack

Act 1: This can be purchased from A'jak'nir Jeera in Crèche Y'llek.

Footwear: Evasive Shoes

Armour class +1

Acrobatics +1

Act 2: This can be purchased from Mattis at Last Light Inn.

Amulet: Periapt of Wound Closure

Wound Closure: When downed, automatically stabilise at the start of the turn.

Potent Healing: Maximise the number of hit points restored.

Act 1: This can be purchased from Lady Esther at the Rosymorn Monastery Trail.

Ring 1: Crusher's Ring

Movement speed increased by 3m/10ft.

Act 1: This can be looted from Crusher in the Goblin Camp. This can also be obtained by using sleight of hand on the ring if you choose to kiss his feet during your first interaction with him.

Ring 2: Ring of Twilight

Treader by Twilight: You gain a +1 bonus to armour class while obscured.

Act 2: This can be found inside a chest inside a tower located in the Ruined Battlefield.

If you're playing as the Dark Urge, you can use the Deathstalker Mantle you'll receive as your cloak throughout the entire game.

Best Late-Game Equipment For A Way Of Shadow Monk

Equipment

Description

Location

Clothing: Vest of Soul Rejuvenation

Armour Class: 10 + Dexterity modifier

Defier's Rejuvenation: Whenever the wearer succeeds on a saving throw against a spell, they regain 1~4 hit points.

Greater Kushigo Counter: The wearer can use a reaction to make an unarmed strike against any attacker that misses.

Armour Class +2

Act 3: This can be purchased from Rolan in Sorcerer's Sundries in the Lower City of Baldur's Gate.

Headwear: Mask of Soul Perception

Soul Perception: Gain a +2 bonus to attack rolls, initiative rolls, and perception checks.

Act 3: This can be retrieved from a chest on the second floor of Devil's Fee in the Lower City of Baldur's Gate.

Cloak: Cloak of Displacement

Displacement: At the beginning of the wearer's turn, the cloak activates, granting enemies disadvantage on attack rolls that target the wearer. This effect lasts until the wearer takes damage.

Act 3: This can be purchased from Entharl Danthelon in Wyrm's Crossing.

Gloves: Gloves of Soul Catching

Soul Fist: Your unarmed attacks deal an additional 1d10 force damage.

Soul Catching: Once per turn, on an unarmed hit, you regain 10 hit points. Alternatively, you may forego healing to gain advantage on attack rolls and saving throws until the end of your next turn.

Constitution +2, up to a maximum of 20.

Act 3: This can be received as a reward from Hope if you rescue her in the House of Hope.

Footwear: Boots of Uninhibited Kushigo

Experienced And Deadly: The wearer deals additional damage equal to their Wisdom modifier with unarmed strikes.

Act 3: This can be retrieved from Prelate Lir'i'c's body in the Astral Prism at the very start of Act 3.

Amulet: Amulet of Greater Health

Set the wearer's Constitution score to 23. The enchantment has no effect if their Constitution score is higher without it.

Advantage on Constitution saving throws.

Act 3: This can be looted from a pedestal in the Archive Room located in the House of Hope.

Optional Ring Upgrade: Killer's Sweetheart

Executioner: When you kill a creature, your next attack roll will be a critical hit. This refreshes after a long rest.

Act 2: This can be picked up from the ground of the Self-Same Trial at the Gauntlet of Shar. The exact spot is where your player's copy died.

Best Weapons For A Way Of Shadow Monk

Baldur's Gate 3 a way of shadow monk equipped with Corellon's Grace

Best Early-Game Weapons For A Way Of Shadow Monk

Weapon

Description

Location

Darkfire Shortbow

1d6+8 (Piercing damage)

Weapon Enchantment +2

Grants Resistance to fire and cold damage.

Gain spell: Haste

Act 2: Can be purchased from Dammon in Last Light Inn.

Corellon's Grace

1d8 (1d8) + 6 (Bludgeoning damage)

Natural Pugilist: You gain a +1 bonus to Unarmed Attack Rolls and damage.

Unhampered Resistance: While the wielder is not wearing armour, they receive a +2 bonus to saving throws.

Act 1: Can be purchased from Auntie Ethel as a hag, or looted from her body.

Best Late-Game Weapons For A Way Of Shadow Monk

You'll be using your fists as your primary weapon thanks to all the bonuses you get to unarmed attacks with your equipment.

Weapon

Description

Location

The Dead Shot

1d8+8 (Piercing damage)

Improved Critical: The number you need to roll a critical hit while attacking is reduced by 1. This effect can stack.

Keen Attack: The wielder doubles their proficiency bonus when rolling ranged attacks with this weapon, unless they have disadvantage.

Weapon Enchantment +2

Act 3: Can be purchased from Fytz in the Lower City of Baldur's Gate.