Way of the Beast (5e Subclass)
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Way of the Beast
A Monk taught in the Way of the Beast has great respect for animals and learns from them to achieve strength and enlightenment.
- Beast Stance
Upon following this monastic tradition at level 3, you gain the ability to enter a Beast Stance as a bonus action for 2 ki points. The Beast Stance lasts for 1 minute, until you enter another Beast Stance, or until you become incapacitated. You know 2 stances and learn an additional stance at levels 6, 11, and 17.
The possible Beast Stances are:
Monkey: You draw from the mobility of a monkey. You gain a climbing speed of 20 and gain advantage on Dexterity saves as well as Acrobatics checks. Your high jump and long jump distances are doubled.
Tortoise: Shape your ki into a shell to protect you from harm. You gain +1 AC and resistance to piercing, slashing and bludgeoning damage.
Crane: You channel the grace of a swan. Creatures cannot make attacks of opportunity against you, and you have advantage on saving throws against being pushed or knocked prone.
Mantis: You adopt the reach of a mantis. Your unarmed strikes gain the Reach property and deal slashing damage.
Bear: You embrace the power of a bear. Treat your Str ability score as if it were your Dex for all purposes, and add your proficiency bonus to Athletics checks.
Cobra: You strike with the deadly speed and accuracy of a cobra. Your attacks made with unarmed strikes or monk weapons score a critical hit on a roll of 19-20, and your unarmed strikes deal piercing damage.
Dragon: You ignite the dragon's burning spirit to course through you. As an action, all creatures within a 15ft cone in front of you must make a dexterity saving throw. Creatures take 1D6 for every 2 monk levels rounded down fire damage on a failed save, and half of that on a successful one. The damage increases to 2d6 at 6th level, 3d6 at 10th level, 4d6 at 14th level and 5d6 at 18th level.
Owl: You are granted the wisdom and senses of the owl, the nocturnal predator. You gain proficiency on Wisdom saving throws and ability checks, as well as proficiency in Perception. You also gain Darkvision up to a distance of 60 feet. If you are targeted by a melee attack and hit, you may use your reaction to half the damage and take an opportunity attack against them.
Panther: You hunt your pray and manifest the strength of the primal nightstalker. You gain proficiency on Stealth checks while in dim light and darkness. Whenever you make an unarmed strike, take a -2 penalty to your attack roll to deal an additional 1D6 damage on a hit. This is decreased to 1d4 if you are rolling with advantage.
- Friend of Fauna
At 6th Level, you may spend 2 ki points to cast Speak with Animals. Add your Wisdom modifier to any Charisma checks made while interacting with animals.
- Hybrid Style
At 11th Level, you may spend 3 ki points to enter 2 Beast Stances simultaneously. When you change stances you can spend 1 ki point to enter 1 stance or spend 3 ki points to enter 2 stances.
- Embrace the Land
At Level 17, you may spend 10 ki points to enter all stances simultaneously for 1 minute. After this effect ends, this ability cannot be used again until you have taken a long rest.
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