Unleashing Power: The Devastating Monk/Rogue Build in Baldur's Gate 3

Baldur's Gate 3, one of the standout CRPGs of recent years, has been a resounding success for developer Larian Studios. It embraces the core ethos of the genre by offering extensive role-playing customization, bringing a level of depth typically found in tabletop experiences to the world of video games. With a wide array of 12 classes, the game has spawned numerous character builds, each with its unique strengths. While sticking to a single class throughout the game has its own advantages, experienced CRPG players often find that multiclassing opens up a realm of possibilities that are hard to ignore.

In Baldur's Gate 3, the Sorcerer/Warlock and Wizard/Fighter builds are among the more obvious and dominant choices due to their synergies. However, one class that tends to be underrated, the Monk, can shine particularly bright when combined with the Rogue class.

The Monk class may seem straightforward with its simplistic approach to combat, but it can unleash incredible damage potential when utilized effectively. The Way of the Open Hand subclass, in particular, offers damage-dealing capabilities that are unmatched. Monks gain access to Flurry of Blows, a multi-strike attack, and the Way of the Open Hand adds status-inflicting variations of this move, capable of staggering, toppling, or pushing enemies. Moreover, Manifestation of Mind, Body, and Soul enhances unarmed strikes with one of three different damage types, further amplifying the Monk's effectiveness.

While dealing deadly attacks is not unique to Monks in Baldur's Gate 3, their ability to do so with simple bonus actions sets them apart. With abilities like Patient Defence and Step of the Wind, Monks can dodge incoming attacks and maneuver freely across the battlefield without expending their regular actions. Additionally, the Tavern Brawler feat makes a Strength-based Monk a viable option, adding an extra layer of versatility to the class.

Monks share some similarities with Rogues through Cunning Actions, which grant them similar movement options at the cost of bonus actions. However, the Thief subclass of the Rogue class takes it a step further. At level 3, Rogues who choose the Thief subclass gain Fast Hands, which provides an additional bonus action. When combined with a Monk's multi-attacking Flurry of Blows enhanced by Manifestation, this extra bonus action enables devastating damage potential within a single turn.

Multiclassing typically involves sacrificing some levels in one of the chosen classes. However, pairing two front-loaded classes like Monk and Rogue offers the best of both worlds. While Monk/Rogue builds might lack high-level features, they make up for it with their damage output and maneuverability. At level 9, players can even consider dipping into Fighter or Druid for additional abilities like Action Surge or Symbiotic Entity, further enhancing their capabilities. Whether sticking to a dual-class approach or branching out further, combining the Monk and Rogue's emphasis on bonus actions results in one of the most potent builds available in Baldur's Gate 3.