Way of Mushin

Monks of the Mushin discipline have mastered the art of having their body act independent of their mind, eliminating the brief, but vital time wasted on thought. Because of this, they are capable of moving and avoiding attacks with almost difficulty, allowing them to be more agile and and defensive than any other discipline.

Thoughtless Defense

Starting when you choose this tradition at 3rd level, you can use your ki to empower your body to dodge and react without the need for active thought. As a bonus action, you may spend a number of ki points equal to or lower than your proficiency bonus to enter your “Mushin state” for 1 minute. Due to the Mushin state’s reliance on instinct, you cannot wield weapons while using it. While in your Mushin state, you gain a bonus to your armor class equal to the number of ki points you spent, and a bonus to strength, dexterity, and constitution saving throws equal to half the number of ki points you spent. You must spend at least 2 ki points to enter your Mushin state.

Empty Mind

At 6th level, your body has become more practiced at acting without thought, letting your mind focus on expelling outside influences. While in your Mushin state, you gain a bonus to intelligence, wisdom, and charisma saving throws and equal to half the number of ki points you spent to enter it. Additionally, any attempts to read your thoughts while in this state automatically fail, and you may spend 2 ki points to end any possession effects, or effects from spells such a Dominate Person as an action.

Unreadable Movement

Beginning at 11th level, your body is not only able to react and dodge without thought, but move and attack without thought too. You gain a bonus to your initiative equal to half your proficiency bonus. While in your Mushin state, you have blindsight of 10 feet and gain a bonus to attack rolls, damage rolls, and ability checks equal to half the number of ki points you spent to enter it. Additionally, if a creature misses an attack against you while in your Mushin state, you may spend 1 ki point to use your reaction to counter attack before they can recover, making an unarmed attack against the creature. If it hits, that creature may not attempt to attack you again until the start of your next turn.

Pure Instinct

At 17th level, not only do your body and mind meld into one, but your autotomy extends to even the world around you, letting you see the movements of your opponents before they consciously make them, and react to them before they’ve even started. When you spend the maximum number of ki points possible to enter your Mushin state, you act as though you are under the effects of the Foresight spell for it’s duration. Once you use this ability, you cannot use it again until you finish a long rest.