Baldur’s Gate 3 not only includes all twelve of the base classes from Dungeons & Dragons 5e, but it has also implemented the system’s Multiclassing methods. Multiclassing is a great way to give your build additional character and differentiate your playthroughs from one another. However, making a multiclass build can be difficult for new or casual players, as it requires a deep understanding of mechanics.
Among the most popular multiclass builds is the Open Hand Monk / Thief Rogue. This build allows the Monk to become even more mobile, do extra damage, and even make more attacks per turn. Keep reading for more on how to play the best Monk multiclass, including why it works, how to level, and what you’ll need to choose in character creation.
Updated by Abigail Angell on November 9th, 2023: Sections of this article have been rewritten and reformatted to maximiza clarity for our readers.
Why Monk/Rogue Is The Best Monk Multiclass
The Monk/Rogue Multiclass is a standard build because both the Monk and Rogue work primarily off of the Dexterity ability. As an added bonus, both classes can use Wisdom as a secondary ability and are comfortable in melee with enemies.
When it reaches its potential around level eight or nine, this build gains its power from the sheer number of attacks it can perform. It can reliably put out four attacks per turn without using resources and a whopping nine attacks in a single round once per long rest.
Why Choose The Way Of The Open Hand?
Not only do the maneuvers at level three of the Open Hand subclass give you additional CC, but they also will later allow you to easily hit your sneak attack by knocking an enemy prone. Additionally, your attacks will deal radiant, necrotic, or psychic damage starting at level six — this is excellent for overcoming resistance.
Finally, the power of Wholeness of Body cannot be understated. This level six feature allows you to heal, regain Ki, and gain an additional bonus action on each of your turns for three turns. It is the best part of this build.
Why Choose Thief?
The main reason we are choosing the Thief subclass for this build is the second bonus action. There is no limit to the amount of times a character can perform a bonus unarmed strike per turn, as long as they have a remaining bonus action. This effectively doubles the amount of free unarmed strikes your character can perform.
Best Race & Ability Score For Monk / Rogue Multiclass
When building your character at the start of the game, you’ll want to ensure that you have a high Dexterity and a respectable Constitution and Wisdom. A good ability score distribution might look like this:
Strength |
8 |
---|---|
Dexterity |
17 |
Constitution |
14 |
Intelligence |
12 |
Wisdom |
14 |
Charisma |
10 |
For race, there are no bad options here — this build is very flexible. Honorable mentions you should consider however include Deep Gnomes and Lightfoot Halflings. Both of these races provide advantage on Stealth Checks and are better at avoiding negative status conditions.
This is of utmost importance for Rogue builds in particular, as you cannot use sneak attacks when you have disadvantage, and many status conditions such as Poisoned, Fear, or Blind impose a disadvantage on attack rolls. Even if you are using non-sneak attacks, you’ll want to avoid these conditions, as they can reduce your chance of hitting by about 25% on each attack. Additionally, hiding better is always useful for a build centered around getting the drop on the enemies and moving quickly.
Best Level Split For Monk / Rogue Multiclass
Most often, the main class in this build is the Monk, as you need more levels of Monk to gain Ki Points. In the Rogue class, you’ll take a three-level dip later on in the build. This is just enough to get you access to the thief subclass.
Baldur’s Gate 3 has a level cap of twelve, so your end-game level split should be nine levels of Monk and three levels of Rogue.
Monk / Rogue Multiclass Leveling Guide
Level |
Class Level |
Features |
---|---|---|
1 |
Monk 1 |
|
2 |
Monk 2 |
|
3 |
Monk 3 |
|
4 |
Monk 4 |
|
5 |
Monk 5 |
|
6 |
Monk 6 |
|
7 |
Rogue 1 |
|
8 |
Rogue 2 |
|
9 |
Rogue 3 |
|
10 |
Monk 7 |
|
11 |
Monk 8 |
|
12 |
Monk 9 |
|
The Best Items For Monk/Rogues
As a Monk/Rogue multiclass, this build will be focusing on items that work well when wielding only one weapon, increase your hit and critical hit chance, and are not considered Medium or Heavy Armor.
Item Name |
Type |
Effects |
Location |
---|---|---|---|
Mask of Soul Perception |
Helmet |
|
Looted from a Gilded Chest in Helsik’s Room at the Devil’s Fee in the Lower City |
Gloves of the Growling Underdog |
Gloves |
|
In the treasure hoard of the Goblin Camp (behind Dror Ragzlin) |
Duelist’s Perogative |
Rapier |
||
Helmet of Grit |
Helmet |
|
Looted from a chest in the Szarr Palace of the Lower City |
Gloves of the Duelist |
Gloves |
|
Sold by Lann Tarv in Moonrise Towers |
Cloak of Cunning Brume |
Cloak |
|
Sold by Mattis in Last Light Inn |
Shade-Slayer Cloak |
Cloak |
|
Sold by Sticky Dondo in the Thieves’ Guild Hall in the Lower City Sewers. |
Knife of the Undermountain King |
Dagger |
|
Sold by d by A’jak’nir Jeera in Crèche Y’llek. |
Duelist’s Perogative |
Rapier |
|
Reward for completing the quest Save Vanra. |
Bhaalist Armor |
Light Armor |
|
Sold by Echo of Abazigal in the Murder Tribunal |
Spidersilk Armor |
Light Armor |
|
Worn by Minthara when found in the Goblin Camp |
Disintegrating Nightwalkers |
Boots |
|
Worn by Nere in Grymforge |
Evasive Shoes |
Boots |
|
Sold by Mattis at Last Light Inn |
Magic Amulet |
Amulet |
|
Given by Sarin in the Lower City Sewers after you return their skull |
Amulet of Branding |
Amulet |
|
Can be looted from A’jak’nir Jeera in Creche Y’llek |
Shadow Cloaked Ring |
Ring |
|
Looted from the Shadow Mastiff Alpha in the Ruined Battlefield (after destroying the everburning torches). |
Killer’s Sweetheart |
Ring |
|
Found lying on the landing of the Selfsame Trial in the Gauntlet of Shar. |