Baldur's Gate 3: The Tavern Brawler Monk Build (Honor Mode Ready)
If you want to trivialize Honor Mode, look no further. The Way of the Open Hand Monk combined with the Thief Rogue subclass and the Tavern Brawler feat is mathematically the highest consistent damage dealer in the game. You can punch bosses like Raphael or the Netherbrain into submission in a single turn.
This guide explains the stat distribution, leveling order, and essential gear to make this build work.
The Core Mechanic: Tavern Brawler
The "Tavern Brawler" feat adds your Strength modifier TWICE to your unarmed attack rolls and damage rolls. Normally, Monks use Dexterity. For this build, we dump Dexterity and pump Strength (or use Elixirs of Hill/Cloud Giant Strength).
- Level Split: 8 Monk (Open Hand) / 4 Rogue (Thief).
- Why Thief? It grants an extra Bonus Action. Monks use "Flurry of Blows" with bonus actions. This means 4 punches per turn just from bonus actions.
Leveling Guide
Levels 1-4: The Foundation
Start as Monk. High Wisdom and Strength (17). At Level 3, choose "Way of the Open Hand". At Level 4, take the Tavern Brawler feat and put +1 into Strength (18). You are now online.
Levels 5-8: Power Spike
Level 5 Monk gives Extra Attack. Now, multiclass into Rogue for 3 levels to get "Thief" subclass (Fast Hands). At Character Level 8 (Monk 5 / Rogue 3), you have 2 main attacks + 2 bonus action flurries.
Gear Checklist
Gloves: Gloves of Soul Catching (Act 3) or Gloves of Cinder and
Sizzle.
Boots: Boots of Uninhibited Kushigo (Adds Wis modifier to damage).
Chest: Vest of Soul Rejuvenation.
Elixir Strategy
For maximum optimization, set your base Strength to 8 and rely entirely on Elixirs of Hill Giant Strength (sets STR to 21) or Cloud Giant (27). This allows you to max out Wisdom and Constitution for AC and HP, while still hitting like a truck.
Comments
I did 300 damage in one turn to Myrkul on Honor Mode. This build is illegal.