Way of the Five Elements (5e Subclass)

Way of the Five Elements

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Monastic Tradition

The way of five elements, also known as the way of Wu Xing, is a path taken by monks similar to that of the Four Elements. However, this path focuses much more on the elements of the material world and that which creates the anchor of the mortal shell. The five elements of fire, water, earth, metal, and wood are present within all living things. They each contribute to the ki which flows within the body. Monks of this path are able to harness all five in different veins, allowing their power to be concentrated at a higher volume with more potential. Five-element monks also are aware of how these properties inhibit and augment their counterparts and complements, allowing for monks to create devastating effects in battle. The flow of these energies in harmony can be harnessed to even create ki if needed.

Most traditions of Wu Xing state that a person has only one element of ki that they are born with. This can determine a number of things about the individual, from their temperament to their likes and dislikes in life. Five-element monks, while called five elements, are not exempt. After a certain amount of training, they are tested to reveal the elemental nature of their ki, which reveals their best and worst so they can learn how to deal with these new challenges and powers. As their power grows, they can master even other elemental ki present in their environment and external to themselves and even change.

Ki Typing

Each of the five elements of the Wu Xing manifests as a specific sort of ki. Starting when you choose this tradition at 3rd level, you discover the element of your ki. Choose from one of the choices below. You then gain the benefits associated with the element.

• Fire: You can choose to have your unarmed strikes deal fire damage when you successfully hit a creature with them. If you hit a flammable object that isn't worn or carried with your fists, you ignite it.
• Water: Your movement speed increases by 5 feet and opportunity attacks have disadvantage against you.
• Wood: When you use your Patient Defense ki technique, you also reduce any damage you take by an amount equal to your proficiency bonus + your monk level until the start of your next turn. This damage reduction applies before other reductions like Deflect Missile.
• Metal: When you use a feature that spends ki, your AC increases by 1 until the start of your next turn. This effect stacks with ki features like Patient Defense.
• Earth: As a bonus action, while standing on ground made of rock, dirt, soil, or similar material, you can regain a number of ki points equal to your Wisdom modifier. You must finish a short or long rest to regain use of this feature.

Elemental Defenses

Starting when you choose this tradition at 3rd level, your elemental tendency helps to shield you from damage that might otherwise harm you, based on what it is able to hamper.

Ki Type → Damage Resistance

Fire → Poison

Wood → Cold

Water → Lightning

Metal → Necrotic

Earth → Fire

Element Augmentation

Starting at 6th level, you can change your ki typing once a week at the end of a long rest. You also gain the following benefits whenever you expend a ki point, depending on your current ki element:

• Fire: Until the end of your next turn, the range of your unarmed strikes increases by 5 feet, and deal an additional die of fire damage.
• Water: You have advantage on Dexterity saving throws until the end of your next turn.
• Wood: At the end of your current turn, you regain a number of hit points equal to your Wisdom modifier + your proficiency bonus.
• Metal: You have advantage on Constitution saving throws until the end of your next turn.
• Earth: Any melee weapon or unarmed attacks you make until the end of your next turn are critical hits on a roll of 19-20.

Cyclical Generation

Starting at 11th level, you can regenerate your ki pool by taking on an element that augments your current type, creating a positive reaction. As an action, you can change your ki typing to the element which supports your current type. When you do so, you regain ki points equal to your monk level. You can use this feature a number of times equal to your Wisdom modifier, regaining all uses after you finish a long rest.

Current Type → Supporting Type

Fire → Wood

Wood → Water

Water → Metal

Metal → Earth

Earth → Fire

Generating Pulse

Starting at 17th level, your generating reaction creates an excess of power that you can use in multiple ways. When you use your cyclical generation feature, you can have one of the following effects happen in addition to changing your ki type and regaining ki:

• Bodily Pulse: Your AC, while unarmored, gains a +1 bonus, and your movement speed increases by an additional 5 feet for 1 minute.
• Chronal Pulse: You can take one additional action.
• Reckless Pulse: You create a destructive wave that emits from your space. It spreads in a 30-foot-radius sphere centered on you. Any creatures within this area must make a Constitution saving throw. On a failed save, they take take 14d6 force damage. On a successful save, they take half as much damage. You are unaffected by this effect.

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