Mixed Martial Arts (Multiclassing)

The purpose of this Monk guide is to assist players relatively new to the Monk class to train a Monk to level 20 and beyond as a non-multiclassed character.

Aside from build information on the naturally multiclassing Kensei Fighter, the guide intentionally limits any further discussions or build suggestions on multiclassing since this requires an advanced knowledge of other classes not discussed in this guide. Check the DDO Forums for build guides and suggestions that cannot be provided here.

Classes with good synergy with Monks are marked as "Suited."

Classes that could benefit from monastic training are "Possible."

Classes that can never combine with a Monk are "Impossible."

Classes that require serious player skill to combine with monastic training are marked as "Unsuitable" or "Challenging."

With the introduction of the Iconic classes, the line between race and class is more blurred. For the purposes of inclusion, Iconic classes are listed here in italics.

• Artificer: Challenging.
  • This class relies on INT, which is a nearly worthless stat on Monks. Further, use of the common tools of this class, the rune arm or crossbow, will uncenter you. As a developer said, "Rune arms damage your calm."
  • If you skip the runearm and go completely melee, however, the alignment and weapon damage type buffs might be useful, especially if Single Weapon Fighting is used.
• Barbarian: Impossible.
  • Barbarians must be non-Lawful, so you can’t multiclass a Monk with them. You can still train in barbaric fighting prowess with the Fury of the Wild epic destiny.
• Bard: Impossible.
  • Bards must be non-Lawful like Barbarians. You will find that the Fatesinger epic destiny can be chosen as a Monk.
• Cleric: Suited.
  • Often nicknamed as "Clonks," this is one of the better multiclass options since Monks and Clerics share WIS as their magical stat that empowers their abilities. Monk levels gives them more attack flexibility and speed.
  • You miss out on the higher-end Cleric abilities but have many more options in undead fighting, buffs and healing.
  • For just spell buffing, consider being a Half-Elf instead and adding the Cleric dilettante for high-end wand and scroll proficiency without compromising Monk training.
• Druid: Suited.
  • The "Favored Soul" version of the Ranger casts divine spells. They use WIS as their magical stat, so multiclassing works well. You can only go Druid/Monk as Lawful Neutral since Druids are always Neutral.
  • The class's animal forms might get a boost in their unarmed attacks with Monk levels as well.
  • Teacher Syncletica knows of a former student that has trained well in the druidic arts and has substantially improved his powers over the elements. In Epic levels and Epic Destinies, a Druid/Monk may be able to boost doublestrike percentages to the highest of any class (even a pure Monk).
  • Do consider the power of the Henshin Mystics before this class. Adding druidic staff training may yield a stronger Mystic.
• Favored Soul: Challenging.
  • Not quite a better fit than a Cleric. While you'll miss out on more level 9 spells and the Favored Soul's Epic DR at capstone, this class uses WIS for DCs as does the Monk.
  • If you add enough CHA for spell points, but still keep other abilities in balance, it might work.
• Fighter: Suited.
  • As a Monk is a melee fighter, the blending of the many granted feats from the diverse Fighter class can generate some of the strongest damage and greater overall protections in the game.
  • You can gain greater difficulty save numbers for better stunning and other tactical feats.
  • Of the class trees, the Kensei is ideal. It's a variation of the D&D Weapon Master, and it has been revised to synergize quite well with Monks.
  • You'll need lots of STR to make the most of this build, and no fewer than 8 Fighter levels for a Kensei.
• Paladin: Possible.
  • CHA rules this divine fighter. They also have the best saves in the game when played as a pure class.
  • Not a best fit unless you are trying to blend a holy undead killer flavor. Like the Favored Soul, you just need to keep balance in abilities.
• Ranger: Suited.
  • Builds that also add this class and maybe a bit of Wizard or Fighter are often nicknamed "monkchers."
  • A fascinating option since they get Two-Weapon Fighting feats for free, leaving you to use your feats for other things. They hide better as well if you can get Hide in Plain Sight.
  • With Zen Archery, you gain bows as ki weapons (but not longbow weapon proficiency, which this class will provide). The divine spells Rangers receive are few but very very useful.
  • Update 19 added Arcane Archer as an optional class tree addition, which adds archery without sacrificing Monk training if you are an Elf, Half-Elf or Morninglord.
  • See also Zen Archer, an non-AA sniping all-Monk archer.
• Rogue/Shadar-Kai Assassin: Possible.
  • A fun mix with better Hide and Move Silently skills, more skill points, powerful sneak attacking, trapfinding and Evasion.
  • The Shadar-Kai iconic racial class is a more attack-centered Rogue.
  • Rogues have Use Magic Device as a class skill if you blend this class with a Dark Monk. Best to go Halfling to max this one. You'll look a bit weird to your fellows as a Lawful Rogue, however, being prohibited from many weapons with Chaotic alignment--until you use your UMD, that is.
  • Or, be a Half-Elf for Cleric or other dilettantes for some spell abilities.
  • The Shadar-Kai's infamous whirling chain attack is not considered a weapon in terms of Monk abilities, and will NOT cause you to be uncentered if using it.
• Sorcerer and Wizard: Unsuitable, more so for Sorcerer than Wizard.
  • Sorcerers need CHA and Wizards need INT for improving their spell casting. In higher levels you will find ability stats more spread out and leaving your fighting ability dampened.
  • Avoid unless you are desperate for the Evasion splash. This does not mean that these classes cannot be multiclassed at all with Monk levels. The discouragement is to warn you away from casual consideration of this blend. A spellcasting Monk is advanced stuff.
  • But...if you're really itching for some arcane training, a level or two of Wizard is part of the key to the "Monkcher," a multiclassed blend of Monk, Fighter (or Ranger) and Wizard that is very deadly in Epic play. What INT you may apply in such a build can be used for Combat Expertise and, at least, a few more skill points per level. Contrast this to the Zen Archer.
  • Consider the new Henshin Mystic class tree, which uses renewable ki for fighting and spell-like abilities, while gaining spell power boosts to boot.
  • Like the Fatesinger destiny, Henshin Mystics that train the Draconic Incarnation epic destiny might see some very impressive Fire and Force spell power boosts.
• Warlock: Unsuitable/Impossible.
  • Doesn't mean you can't experiment with a Henshin Mystic's innate spell power and ki blasts while combining eldrich blasts.
  • While Warlocks work much like Wizards, the primary unsuitability stems from the class's pacts, similar to Monk philosophy in terms of the character's theme. Any character with Monk levels must be Lawful. You can never choose the "Great Old One" pact (must not be Lawful) and cannot choose the "Fiend" pact if you are of Good alignment, leaving only the "Fey" pact for any alignment and "Fiend" for Lawful Neutral. These choices will affect your gear selections down the road.
• Purple Dragon Knight: Suited.
  • Treat this race as you would a Human Fighter.
  • This option gives STR-to-Damage or CHA-to-Damage for shortswords (add 1 AP to Ninja Spy for Centered weapons).
  • The race also presents several interesting weapon damage upgrades depending on your weapon fighting style.
  • This race may present an excellent Kensei Fighter.
• Sun-Elf Morninglord: Possible.
  • This iconic class has an Arcane Archer class tree option.
  • Recent changes have made this more comparable to the Elf.
• Bladeforged Paladin: Possible.
  • This iconic class variant of the Warforged gets better healing amplification.
  • It has -2 DEX and -2 WIS--two stats that Monks shouldn't have as low.
  • As with any Warforged race, you can only wear Composite Armor if staying Centered is important to you.
  • Like the Purple Dragon Knight, this build might also benefit as a Kensei Fighter.