Monks

Explore the Monk class in Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn. Learn about unarmed combat, special abilities, level progression, and the Dark Moon and Sun Soul kits.

Monks in Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn do not cast spells but possess unique abilities that make them mechanically similar to priest characters, with a strong emphasis on unarmed combat. Their progression grants increasing attack speed, damage, and defensive capabilities.

Monk Level Progression:

Level	Attacks	Damage	AC	Ench	MR	Special
1	1	1-6	9	0	0	-
2	1	1-6	8	0	0	-
3	3/2	1-8	8	0	0	-
4	3/2	1-8	7	0	0	-
5	3/2	1-8	7	0	0	Immune to disease; may not be slowed or hasted
6	2	1-10	6	0	0	-
7	2	1-10	6	0	0	May use Lay on Hands once per day
8	2	1-10	5	0	0	+1 weapon speed
9	5/2	1-12	5	+1	0	+1 to all saving throws; immune to charm
10	5/2	1-12	4	+1	0	-
11	5/2	1-12	4	+1	0	Immune to poison
12	3	1-12	3	+2	0	+1 weapon speed
13	3	1-12	3	+2	0	May use Quivering Palm (save vs. Spell or die) once per day
14	3	1-12	2	+2	42%	-
15	7/2	1-20	2	+3	45%	-
16	7/2	1-20	1	+3	48%	-
17	7/2	1-20	1	+3	51%	-
18	4	1-20	0	+3	54%	-
20	4	1-20	-1	+3	60%	Immune to non-magical weapons
24	4	1-20	-2	+3	72%	-
25	4	1-20	-2	+4	75%	-
27	4	1-20	-3	+4	78%	-
30	4	1-20	-4	+4	78%	-
35	4	1-20	-5	+4	78%	-
40	4	1-20	-6	+4	78%	-

Monk Class Features:

• May not wear armor.
• Proficiency in one-handed weapons usable by Thieves and Single Weapon Style.
• THAC0 progression matches a Fighter.
• Can use Thief skills: Move Silently, Hide in Shadows, Find Traps (but cannot remove traps).
• Acquires 10 skill points per level for Thief skills.
• Increased movement speed every five levels.
• When fighting with weapons, gains 1/2 attack at level 7 and an additional 1/2 attack at level 13.
• Unarmed attacks gain 1/2 attack per 3 levels, with damage increasing at higher levels.
• Unarmed strikes count as magical weapons from level 9, with effective enchantment increasing.
• +2 to saving throws vs. Spells.
• +1 bonus to AC vs. missiles every 3 levels.
• May use Stunning Blow once per day per four levels.
• Gains various abilities and immunities at higher levels.
• Magic resistance starts at level 14 (42%) and increases by 3% per level, maxing at 78%.
• Alignment restricted to Lawful.
• HP gain: 8 per level for the first nine levels, 2 per level thereafter.

Monks offer high natural AC and powerful unarmed attacks, eventually matching a Fighter's effectiveness. However, they are less front-line capable until mid-levels, relying on ranged attacks or engaging already-occupied enemies. They cannot equip shields or most headgear and have fewer HP than Fighters.

Dark Moon Monk Kit:

• May invest points in Detect Illusion (+10% to the ability).
• May use Frozen Fist (+2 cold damage) once per day per four levels.
• May cast Blindness once per day.
• At level 3, may cast Blur once per day.
• At level 7, may cast Vampiric Touch once per day.
• At level 11, may cast Mirror Image once per day.
• Cannot use Lay on Hands or Stunning Blow.
• Alignment restricted to Lawful Evil.

The Dark Moon Monk kit offers some utility spells but lacks the Monk's signature abilities.

Sun Soul Monk Kit:

• At levels 2, 6, 10, and 15, gains the ability to cast Sun Soulray (max 5d8 damage).
• At level 5, may use Flaming Fists (+2-12 fire damage for up to five rounds at level 25) once per day.
• At level 8, may use Greater Sun (Fireshield, Red) once per day.
• At level 13, may use Sun Soulbeam (9d6, 30' radius) once per day.
• Cannot use Lay on Hands or Stunning Blow.
• Alignment restricted to Lawful Good.

The Sun Soul Monk kit provides offensive magical enhancements, with Flaming Fists offering a significant damage boost and Sun Soulbeam providing area-of-effect damage.