Hey all,

I'm playing a 6th level shadow monk at the moment.  I have Mobile feat for 55' movement and 60' teleport with BA in dim light or darkness.  I'm also in possession of a Ring of Free Action which means difficult terrain, including my party members, does not slow me down.   I'm incredibly mobile and love the speed I can whip around the battlefield.  Pass Without Trace and Darkvision make me a superb scout too.

So I've just hit 7th level and need to decide where to spend my 7th+ levels.   Though I have considered Rogue (heading for Assassin) and also Cleric (Twilight Domain looks interesting), my most likely progression is either to stay as a monk (aiming for Cloak of Shadows ability at 11th) or switch into Ranger, heading for Gloom Stalker (at 9th level overall).

Every time I read about multiclassing monks I read that it is a bad idea as their higher-level abilities are sweet.  However I'm not sure we'll reach T3 and definitely won't reach T4, I doubt. 

With all the above in mind, any advice on where to spend my 7th level?

Thanks
Blakey

Personally, I recommend just sticking with pure monk. The primary reason that most people will tell you not to MC from monk is not because higher level abilities are great, but because every level gets you more ki points, which is really a big deal. As a monk, your job is to not dish out damage, but to stun lock annoying enemies. Got a mage in the back that's Counterspelling your wizard? A BBEG with lots of Legendary Resistances?  More ki means you can make better use of your abilities. 

Plus, 8 is an ASI/feat (which are just awesome), and I'm a huge fan of the level 9 ability to run along walls - lots of fun and is a great exploration feature. Poison is one of the big damage types used by enemies after regular blunt/slash/pierce, so flat out immunity to one of those is nice too. 

Meanwhile, the big advantages from going Gloomstalker (2-skill Expertise / Natural Explorer, Hunter Marks/Favored Foe, darkvision, extra attack on first round) aren't very synergetic with monks. Shadow Monks give themselves darkvision, effectively for free. Hunter Marks conflict with all the things you can already do as a bonus action. More damage on the first turn is always good, but monks at high levels are best used to stun-lock, not DPS, and I'm leery about branching to do something your class isn't meant to do - I'd rather have the extra ki points. Expertise in one skill (or Natural Explorer) are admittedly good, but that's first level, not three.

Same with Assassin. Much of a Rogue's ability is tied up into their Cunning Action and Sneak Attacks. More damage if you do this, but Cunning Action is redundant with your monk bonus actions, less ability to do your job  as a monk, though Expertise is once again nice.

Thanks for the response, @Mephista.  That is a good point which is well made.  I hadn't really considered how significant the extra Ki Points are, as you level.  I'm already using Stunning Strike a lot, so yes I can see how having more and more Ki Points to power that particular trick would help.

I agree with Mephista. 3 levels of ranger is just too much of an investment and the synergy is lacking. Those ki points are just so good. And definitely agree about picking up wall running. You've already built for incredible mobility. Adding verticality to it is hard to quantify but very good.

I think you should consider one level of cleric however. I would take level 7 in monk and then dip the level in cleric. This sets you up to be able to take Eldritch Adept for Devil's Sight when you get your level 8 ASI. Not needing to spend ki on darkvision is nice, but combining it with darkness is the reason to take it. It's not the world stopper that certain warlock builds make it out to be but it is definitely a powerful combo. A one level dip is much more manageable. Between spells, cantrips, domain and access to Eldritch Adept you get a lot out of it.

If that isn't your thing then I highly recommend sticking to pure monk. It's the best option.

Interesting.  Why is 7th level monk worth taking now?  Is Evasion that good, do you feel?

Yeah I think Evasion and the Ki point are better than the cleric level. But taking it right before your next ASI does a lot.

I've 18 Dex so was likely going 20 Dex for my next ASI.

Anyway, I have levelled up as a 7th level monk (playing tonight) so thanks for the advice!

If you're set on pumping Dex to 20 next ASI (probably the best choice anyways) then I would just forget the cleric idea. Main reason to take it is to set up Darkness + Devil's Sight in the next couple of levels. Happy I could be helpful, enjoy the session!

Yeah, I have been trying to work out how to add Devil's Sight to my PC for a long time (8 CHR so m/c Warlock is not possible).   A level of cleric and the new feat would be a good route.  I'll keep it in mind if we crack on up to 12th/13th level.

Thanks for all the feedback!