Baldur's Gate 3: Way of the Drunken Master Monk

How to play as the Way of the Drunken Master subclass in Baldur's Gate 3? This guide page contains useful information about this Monk subclass. You will learn what the Drunk status does and what the Drunken Master subclass specializes in.

• The Way of the Drunken Master subclass - who is it for?
• Most important features of this subclass
• How to play as a Drunken Master?

The Way of the Drunken Master subclass - who is it for?

1. The discussed subclass will turn your Monk into a Drunken Master. You can unlock this subclass at level 2. Although drinking alcohol yourself may bring you some benefits, you will focus more on getting your enemies drunk and sobering them up with powerful attacks, all with high mobility.
2. The most important statistics for a Monk are Dexterity (affects armor class and attacks) and Wisdom (affects the effectiveness of Ki effects). If you want to drastically increase damage dealt by a Monk, purchase the Tavern Brawler feat (you will need Strength to make use of it - the easiest way is to either buy or steal a supply of Elixirs of Hill Giant Strength and drink them at the beginning of each day).

Most important features of this subclass

1. At level 2, you unlock a unique Ki attack, Drunken Technique. It replaces Flurry of Blows and is its upgraded version. For the price of 1 bonus action and 1 Ki point, you will perform 2 unarmed attacks, Disengage, and will receive an additional three meters of movement. This makes you highly mobile - you can approach the target, attack, and then retreat to a safer place without provoking opportunity attacks.
2. At level 2, you will also gain proficiency in Performances and the Cheeky Tipple feature. From now on, being drunk has no negative effects on you. Once a day, when you drink any kind of alcohol, you will also regain half of your Ki points. Since Ki points are restored during short rests, it is good to take advantage of this feature during a fight - if you run out of Ki in the middle of a tough clash, take a drink to restore its supply. Make sure to always have some alcohol with you.
3. At level 4, you receive another unique Ki attack - Intoxicating Strike. You deliver a single blow without a weapon (you can use an action or a bonus action). The opponent must perform a Constitution saving throw or become drunk. Upon hitting the target, you will also receive the Life of the Party buff - it gives you a bonus to armor class and attack rolls against drunk targets.
4. At level 6, you will receive two features. The first one is Leap to Your Feet - if you are Prone, standing up uses only 1.5m of your movement range. The second is Redirect Attack - if an opponent misses you with a melee attack, you can spend a reaction and a Ki point to immediately make an unarmed attack against that opponent.
5. At level 9, you will receive your last unique Ki attack - Sobering Realisation. You will perform one unarmed attack - if you hit a drunk enemy with it, this enemy will sober up and receive additional 2d8 Psychic damage.
6. At level 11, you will receive the Drunkard's Luck feature. Once per turn, if you have a Disadvantage on an attack roll, saving throw, or skill check, you can spend two Ki points to cancel the Disadvantage.

How to play as a Drunken Master?

1. In terms of game mechanics, Drunken Master is a classic, uncomplicated Monk who puts a lot of emphasis on mobility. As a Drunken Master, you will be running around the battlefield, constantly changing targets, while not taking any opportunity attacks thanks to Drunken Technique and skillfully eliminating delicate targets. While fighting stronger opponents, you can intoxicate them with an Intoxicating Strike and then sober them up with a Sobering Realisation, dealing high damage.

1. There are items that give bonuses when you are drunk, but most of them can only be found in Act 3. These include, for example, Amulet of the Drunkard that regenerates health every turn when you are drunk (you can buy it in Sharess' Caress) or a robe that gives temporary health points when you are drunk (you can buy it in the thieves' guild in the Baldur's Gate sewers).

See also

1. Game guide
2. Description of the Monk class
3. Recommended Monk build

Baldur's Gate 3

August 3, 2023

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