Monks are one of the more exotic classes in BG3. They fight using unarmed strikes and utilize a special resource. Larian did a great job of adapting them from the tabletop version and introducing unique class items. Here’s my list of the best Monk gear in Baldur’s Gate 3.
What is the Best Monk Gear in Baldur’s Gate 3?
10. Hunting Bow
While this list contains various Monk-specific items, some are just generally useful for the class’ playstyle. One I love early is the Hunting Bow. Dammon sells it in the Druid Grove and the Last Light Inn later on. While you might recoil at a ranged weapon, we specifically want it for the Hunter’s Mark spell.
It adds +1d6 damage on a marked enemy and works with unarmed strikes. I carry it in my alternate weapon set slot since I still get the spell benefit without using it. Monks get many attacks through Flurry of Blows and Extra Attack, so you easily add up to 4d6 damage to your combo at Level 5. With Bracers of Defence, which I cover below, the Hunting Bow is a highly recommended early-game magic item for my Monk build.
9. Corellon’s Grace
Auntie Ethel sells Corellon’s Gracee in Druid Grove, and it’s a staff made for Monks. It increases your unarmed attack rolls and damage by +1. You also receive a +2 bonus for saving throws while not wearing armor, which we don’t want to do in the first place. Best of all, since this is a Quarterstaff, it works with our Martial Arts feature. I find it quite powerful early with Corellon’s Grace and Flurry of Blows.
8. Gloves of Uninhibited Kushigo
The Gloves of Uninhibited Kushigo are great for a Monk throwing build. They increase thrown weapon and improvised weapon damage by +1d4. You get them from Derryth Bonecloak in the Myconid village. I typically pair this item with the Tavern Brawler feat and the Ring of Flinging for max thrown weapon damage.
7. Servitor of the Black Hand
If you’re further into Baldur’s Gate 3 and have reached Wyrm’s Crossing, search for an Opulent Chest on the top floor of Wyrm’s Rock Fortress. You find the Servitor of the Black Hand Gloves inside. These bad boys increase all of your unarmed attacks with +1d4 force damage. Furthermore, you can cast the Fear spell once per Long Rest for free.
6. Armour of Uninhibited Kushigo
The Armour of Uninhibited Kushigo is an excellent clothing piece for Monks, useful throughout Act 2 — and perhaps further on. Our Monk gets the Kushigo Counter ability while wearing it, which allows us to attack any enemy that misses you as a Reaction if you have Patient Defence up. This is a powerful ability that increases your action economy and scales with Hunter’s Mark from the Hunting Bow.
To add it to your inventory, get Sergeant Thrinn’s Boots of Speed from Thulla in the Myconid village and return them to the Sergeant in Grymforge. You don’t need the Boots of Speed anyway, as you have Step of the Wind. That said, you can still loot them from Thrinn after defeating her if you decide to fight against Nere.
5. Hat of Uninhibited Kushigo
The Hat of Uninhibited Kushigo is a powerful piece of gear for Way of the Four Elements Monks who cast spells. After dealing damage with an unarmed strike, you get a +1 bonus to your spell save DC for 1 turn. It also works with the spells you cast from equipment, like the Servitor of the Black Hand Fear or the Sentient Amulet we’ll discuss later. You can buy them from Talli in front of the Last Light Inn.
4. Gloves of Crushing
Buy the Gloves of Crushing from Roah Moonglow in Moonrise Towers to increase your unarmed attack rolls by +1 and damage by +2. It’s a simple yet powerful damage upgrade that comes cheap at 160 gold. If you’re still using the Hunting Bow in your alternate weapon set, the attack roll boost helps you land more Hunter’s Mark attacks.
3. The Graceful Cloth
Another great clothing option for Monks is The Graceful Cloth. It synergizes well with the class. Monks usually use Dexterity for damage and defense, and The Graceful Cloth boosts your Dexterity by +2 permanently while wearing it. You also receive the effects of Cat’s Grace and +1 to Dexterity saving throws. It also confers a 1.5 meter/5 feet increase to your jump distance. Lady Esther gives you this item. Take the Mountain Pass and walk a small distance towards the Monastery.
2. Garb of the Land and Sky and Bracers of Defense
These two gear pieces form the core defense combination for Monks. Get the Bracers of Defense in the Necromancer’s Cellar in the Blighted Village in Act 1. Go through a trapdoor in one of the southern houses. It boosts your AC by +2 while not wearing armor.
Entharl Danthelon in the Dancing Axe in Wyrm’s Crossing has the Garb of the Land and Sky. It provides resistance to physical attacks during Patient Defence. As a late-game Monk, boosts to your survivability are always welcome. Monks who wear this garb also get a +1 to their AC (+3 with Bracers), as well as Advantage and a damage boost on their next attack after using Step of the Wind. It’s one of the best clothing options for our kung fu master in Act 3.
Gloves of Soul Catching
This is the most powerful glove option in the game for Monks. Your unarmed attacks will deal an additional 1d10 Force damage. Furthermore, you have unlimited sustain since you can regain a flat 10 HP each turn on an unarmed strike. I also found the gloves highly versatile since you can forego healing to gain a +5 bonus on attack rolls and saving throws until the end of your next turn. I ended up using the latter option most of the time. They even boost your Constitution by +2 which is the best kind of icing on a cake. I highly recommend you get Gloves of Soul Catching on any Monk by speaking to Helsik in Baldur’s Gate and going to the House of Hope to save Hope through the aptly named quest.
Honorable Mention: Sentient Amulet and Helldusk Gloves
The Sentient Amulet, found in the lava pit near the Adamantine Forge, is guarded by a Lava Elemental. And it’s worth getting in Act 1. This starts the Cursed Monk quest, full of madness and laughter. You’ll uncover a neat secret in Act 3: that this Monk is part of the Open Hand monastery in Baldur’s Gate. Wearing his amulet gives you Ki Restoration, returning all of your Ki instantly. But be careful when using it. You must make a Wisdom saving throw or lose a turn laughing.
Additionally, if you’re in the House of Hope and you’re not saving Hope to get Soul Catching gloves, there’s an alternative damage option. You can also find Helldusk Gloves in this devilish place which grant you a +1 bonus to spell attack rolls and spell save DC, which is great for Way of the Four Elements Monks. More importantly, all of your unarmed attacks deal an extra 1d6 necrotic damage and inflict Bleeding on each hit. It’s an immense DPS boost for Monks who already attack. You also get a +1 bonus to saving throws and can cast an empowered version of the Scorching Ray spell. This is one of the best magic items for Monks and certainly their best Glove choice. Haarlep drops this item.
Those are my options for the best Monk gear in Baldur’s Gate 3. For more BG3 guides, check out my best magic items and late-game spells.
Published: Feb 6, 2024 02:08 am