Way of Cresting Wave

The Way of Cresting Wave practices a form of martial combat centered around the perfection of the physical body. With muscles forged in the flames of adversity, they stand uncontested at the pinnacle of mortal strength.

Perfect Defense

At 3rd level, your mastery of your muscles gives you superbly tough skin. You can replace Dexterity with Strength when calculating your Unarmored Defense.

Cut a Pose

When you choose this tradition at 3rd level, you learn to control the flow of ki through your surroundings by striking a dramatic pose.

As a bonus action, you can expend 1 ki point to take up a fearsome stance in an attempt to frighten your assailants. Up to three creatures within 30 feet of you that can see you must succeed a Wisdom saving throw or be frightened of you for 1 minute. A creature frigtened of you in this way must spend its turns trying to move as far away from you as it can. It also can’t take reactions. For its action, it can use only the Dash action or try to escape from an effect that prevents it from moving. If there’s nowhere to move, the creature can use the Dodge action.

A creature can repeat this saving throw at the end of it's turn, ending the frightened condition on a success. Additionally, if another creature uses their action to calm the creature, or if you or an ally damages the creature, the condition ends early.

Eroding Fist

At 6th level, all your unarmed strikes and attacks with monk weapons are automatically critical hits on nonmagical objects.

Volcanic Release

At 11th level, you cease to flinch from pain. When a creature within 5 feet of you hits you with a melee attack, you can use your reaction to make a single unarmed strike against them. If the attack hits, you can choose to shove them away up to 15 feet away if they are no more than one size larger than you.

Unbridled Might

At 17th level, your strength has become the stuff of legends, and the energy building within you must be released in one way or another. As an action, you can expend 6 ki points and unleash your true strength in a searing wave of heat. For 1 minute, you gain the following benefits:

• Each creature of your choice takes fire damage equal to your Strength modifier when they move within 20 feet of you for the first time on their turn, or when they start their turn within 20 feet of you.
• Your weapon attacks are a critical hit on a roll of 19 or 20.
• Your unarmed strikes can add your Strength modifier to damage rolls twice, instead of once.