I've been looking to make a Monk, but the problem I keep running into is that they are severly underpowered at lvl. 1, as their only defining ability is doing 1d4 damage for an unnarmed strike. They get exponentially better at lvl. 2, but how can I make a good one-shot Monk that will survive the adventure and be fun for me to play.
Among the best races to choose for the monk are the bugbear and the variant human. Bugbear offers a great system for attacking and escaping. Bugbear Especially could solve your problem since it offers a bonus to damage with Surprise Attack.
Long-Limbed. When you make a melee attack on your turn, your reach for it is 5 feet greater than normal.
Surprise Attack. If you surprise a creature and hit it with an attack on your first turn in combat, the attack deals an extra 2d6 damage to it. You can use this trait only once per combat.
You are practiced in the art of crushing your enemies, granting you the following benefits:
Increase your Strength or Constitution by 1, to a maximum of 20.
Once per turn, when you hit a creature with an attack that deals bludgeoning damage, you can move it 5 feet to an unoccupied space, provided the target is no more than one size larger than you.
When you score a critical hit that deals bludgeoning damage to a creature, attack rolls against that creature are made with advantage until the start of your next turn.
You are exceptionally speedy and agile. You gain the following benefits:
Your speed increases by 10 feet.
When you use the Dash action, difficult terrain doesn't cost you extra movement on that turn.
When you make a melee attack against a creature, you don't provoke opportunity attacks from that creature for the rest of the turn, whether you hit or not.
I've been looking to make a Monk, but the problem I keep running into is that they are severly underpowered at lvl. 1, as their only defining ability is doing 1d4 damage for an unnarmed strike. They get exponentially better at lvl. 2, but how can I make a good one-shot Monk that will survive the adventure and be fun for me to play.
Orange Juice!
At lower level one shots try Open Hand at higher level one shots go long death.
Also just use the quarter staff or take the unarmed fighting style feat if your human for quick 1d8.
Among the best races to choose for the monk are the bugbear and the variant human. Bugbear offers a great system for attacking and escaping. Bugbear Especially could solve your problem since it offers a bonus to damage with Surprise Attack.
Bugbear [Long-Limbed-Surprise Attack]
str: 8
dex: 16
con: 14
int: 10
wis: 16
cha: 10
Long-Limbed. When you make a melee attack on your turn, your reach for it is 5 feet greater than normal.
Surprise Attack. If you surprise a creature and hit it with an attack on your first turn in combat, the attack deals an extra 2d6 damage to it. You can use this trait only once per combat.
human variant (crusher feat)
str: 8
dex: 16 [+1human]
con: 14 [+1crusher]
int: 10
wis: 16 [+1human]
cha: 10
Crusher
Source: Tasha's Cauldron of Everything
You are practiced in the art of crushing your enemies, granting you the following benefits:
human variant (mobile feat)
str: 8
dex: 16 [+1human]
con: 13
int: 10
wis: 16 [+1human]
cha: 10
Mobile
Source: Player's Handbook
You are exceptionally speedy and agile. You gain the following benefits:
Thanks for the suggestions, I think I'll make a Variant Human with Unnarmed Fighting Style Feat
Orange Juice!
Or... you could just start them at lvl 2.