Oozing Vanguard

The Oozing Vanguard is a master of corrosive combat, channeling acidic energy through their strikes and movements. Inspired by the flowing grace of water and the destructive potency of acid, these monks adapt to any battlefield with unparalleled mobility and precision. Their training involves not only physical mastery but also an almost alchemical control of the acid that emanates from their bodies.

From the moment they begin their path, Oozing Vanguards enhance their strikes with acidic power, melting through armor and leaving their foes weakened. Their ability to secrete acid extends to their movement, allowing them to glide across surfaces and evade attacks while turning the terrain into a slippery hazard for their enemies. This subclass excels in hit-and-run tactics, creating chaos on the battlefield as they dodge attacks and force enemies to reposition.

As they grow in power, the Oozing Vanguard gains the ability to manipulate acid in increasingly destructive ways. They can coat entire areas in corrosive liquid, melting through enemies and obstacles alike. Their mastery allows them to climb sheer surfaces with adhesive acid and grapple foes with corrosive grips. By the pinnacle of their abilities, Oozing Vanguards become avatars of corrosion, radiating an aura of acid that dissolves everything around them while unleashing devastating waves of acidic energy.

This subclass is perfect for players who want to embody an unpredictable and fluid combat style, balancing high mobility, area control, and bursts of devastating damage. Whether sliding past foes, grappling them with adhesive acid, or blanketing the battlefield in corrosive energy, the Oozing Vanguard brings a unique and destructive edge to any adventuring party.

Acid Flow Techniques

When you choose this subclass at 3rd level, your training allows you to channel acidic energy into your strikes and movement.

• Corrosive Strikes:
  When you hit a creature with an unarmed strike, you can spend 1 ki point to deal an additional 1d6 acid damage. This damage increases as you gain monk levels (1d8 at 6th level, 1d10 at 11th level, and 1d12 at 17th level).

• Acid Slide:
  You can secrete a slick layer of acid under your feet to enhance your mobility. As a bonus action, you can spend 1 ki point to increase your speed by 20 feet and gain the ability to move through enemy spaces without provoking opportunity attacks until the end of your turn. Enemies in your wake must make a Dexterity saving throw (DC = 8 + your proficiency bonus + your Wisdom modifier) or fall prone.

Slippery Defense

Your acid-coated form makes you difficult to pin down, and you’ve learned to use it for self-defense.

• Reactive Slip:
  When a creature hits you with a melee attack, you can use your reaction to release a burst of acidic energy. The attacker must make a Dexterity saving throw or take 2d8 acid damage and have disadvantage on their next attack against you before the end of their next turn.

• Adhesive Grasp:
  You can secrete adhesive acid to grip surfaces and creatures. You gain a climb speed equal to your walking speed, and you can use your unarmed strikes to grapple creatures. Grappled creatures take 1d8 acid damage at the start of each of their turns while grappled by you.

Acidic Mastery

You’ve mastered the art of controlling your acid to manipulate the battlefield and overwhelm your foes.

• Corrosive Terrain:
  As an action, you can spend 3 ki points to coat a 20-foot radius centered on you with corrosive acid for 1 minute. The area becomes difficult terrain, and any creature that starts its turn there or moves through it takes 2d8 acid damage. You are immune to the effects of this terrain.

• Acid Bomb:
  When you use your Flurry of Blows, you can replace one of your unarmed strikes with an explosive burst of acid. Choose a point within 30 feet; all creatures in a 10-foot radius must make a Dexterity saving throw or take 3d8 acid damage, or half as much on a success.

Avatar of Corrosion

You become a walking embodiment of acid, effortlessly melting through obstacles and enemies.

• Meltdown Aura:
  As a bonus action, you can spend 4 ki points to exude an aura of potent acid for 1 minute. Creatures of your choice within 10 feet of you at the start of their turn take 3d10 acid damage. Additionally, objects and structures in the aura take double damage from your attacks.

• Acid Surge:
  As an action, you unleash a surge of acid in a 30-foot cone. Creatures in the cone must make a Dexterity saving throw or take 8d10 acid damage, or half as much on a success. After using this feature, you must finish a long rest before you can use it again unless you spend 6 ki points to use it again.