Way of Devotion (5e Subclass)
The Way of Devotion[edit]
Monk Subclass
Life in a monastery is not always about inner strength and martial arts. Sometimes a monastery is about dedicating life to a deity and using your abilities in furtherance of that deity's ideals. The monks of these monasteries learn devotion to their deity alongside the rigors of martial arts and the soul searching that develops Ki. While not as zealous as clerics or even paladins, the monks of devoted monasteries do form bonds with their deities that grant them power outside what an ordinary monk develops.
Any deity can be a valid candidate for this devotion. It is recommended that you choose one that reflects your character's ideals. If multiclassing, the deity could certainly be the same as your cleric domain or even some warlock patrons, though it might be more interesting from a role playing perspective to have these be different (perhaps even conflicting ) deities.
- Divine Spellcasting
At 3rd level, your devotion to your deity is rewarded with limited spellcasting. You gain one of these cantrips: Gust, Magic Stone, Resistance, Shillelagh, Thaumaturgy, True Strike or Word of Radiance. You may switch this cantrip for another on this list when you gain a Monk level.
You also acquire two 1st level Monk spell slots. Like the warlock's Pact Magic spell slots, these are separate from any spell slots acquired from other classes. You also learn two spells from the following list: Absorb Elements, Cure Wounds, Divine Favor, Heroism, Sanctuary, Shield of Faith, Wrathful Smite, and Zephyr Strike. These spells may only be cast using Monk spell slots unless you have the spell from another class. Similarly, only Monk spells may be cast using Monk spell slots. However, spells cast with Monk spell slots do not require material components. You recover expended Monk spell slots when you finish a long rest.
Through meditation of at least one hour, you may change which spell is known at the end of a long rest. Only one spell may ever be changed this way during a single rest.
Wisdom is your spellcasting ability for your Monk spells, since this power is closely tied to your Ki. You use your Wisdom whenever a spell refers to your spellcasting ability. In addition, you use your Wisdom modifier when setting the saving throw DC for a Monk spell you cast and when making an attack roll with one.
Spell save DC = 8 + your proficiency bonus + your Wisdom modifier
Spell attack modifier = your proficiency bonus + your Wisdom modifier
- Disciplined Devotion
Also at 3rd level, your deity gifts you with the ability to replenish some expended Ki. You may use a bonus action to expend a Monk spell slot to regain a number of Ki equal to your proficiency bonus. You cannot use this ability to obtain more Ki points than listed in the Monk table.
Similarly, you can spend a minute in prayer and expend 3 Ki points to regain a Monk spell slot. Once you add a Monk spell slot this way, you can't add another until you finish a long rest.
- Divine Surge
At 6th level, your devotion to your deity has enhanced your efficiency of action. Whenever you cast a Monk spell, you may use any bonus action that requires you to take the attack action (i.e. unarmed strike or flurry of blows). If you do not cast any spells on your turn, you may expend one of your Monk spell slots (no action required) to take a second bonus action on that turn.
You also gain two more Monk spell slots, which are also 1st level.
- Devoted Amplification
At 11th level, your long-standing devotion to your deity has amplified your abilities:
- You learn one cantrip from the Cleric spell list. This cantrip is a Monk spell for you.
- You gain a fifth Monk spell slot.
- All your Monk spell slots are now 2nd level.
- You learn two spells from the following: Aid, Blur, Calm Emotions, Invisibility, Lesser Restoration, Pass Without Trace, Prayer of Healing, and Rope Trick. These spells may only be cast using Monk spell slots unless you have these spells from another source. Through meditation of at least one hour, you may change which spell is known at the end of a long rest. Only one spell (regardless of level) may be changed this way during a single rest. (You should always know two 1st level and two 2nd level spells.)
- Devoted Resurgence
Also at 11th level, when you expend a spell slot to regain Ki, roll your Martial Arts die and add that number of Ki to what you replenish. Your Ki total still cannot exceed your Monk level. You can do this once, regaining the ability at the end of a short or long rest.
If you expend Ki to regain a spell slot, you can spend 2 Ki to regain a first level slot or 3 Ki to regain a 2nd level slot. You can never have more than 5 Monk spell slots at one time.
- Power of Devotion
At 17th level, you learn a new spell that may be cast using Ki rather than spell slots. That spell is one of the following: Fear, Fly, Haste, Slow, or Spirit Guardians. Through meditation of at least one hour, you may change which spell is known at the end of a long rest. Only one spell (regardless of level) may be changed this way during a single rest. The spell is cast by expending the number of Ki equal to the level you wish to cast the spell (minimum 3). You may also expend double the Ki to forego the concentration requirement. For example, you could expend 6 Ki to either cast Spirit Guardians at 6th level or at 3rd level without concentration. Spells cast this way do not require vocal, somatic, or material components.
At 20th level, this feature's spell does not require concentration even without the extra Ki.
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