Way of Five Beasts

“The Beasts each have their own lessons to teach you. But do not limit them to names or forms. Separation is a myth; the truth comes from coexistence.” – A Mysterious Monk

Turtle, Dragon, Phoenix, Tiger, and Snake: Gaison’s Five Great Animal Spirits of Balance and Freedom, colloquially known as the Five Beasts. Practitioners of the Way of Five Beasts channel their Ki into emulating these revered animal spirits through complex unarmed martial arts styles known as Beast Forms. By learning and weaving Beast Forms together, these monks display impressive martial arts showcasing the power and spirituality of the Five Beasts. Those who master this Way eventually become unbound by styles, flowing in a fluid battle dance and becoming as natural as the animal spirits that inspire them.

Artful Practitioner

3rd-level Way of Five Beasts Feature

You gain proficiency in the Religion and Performance skills.

Animal's Grace

3rd-level Way of Five Beasts Feature

You carry the natural beauty of the animal spirits whenever you demonstrate your forms. Whenever you make a Performance skill check with your martial arts, you may use your Wisdom modifier instead of your Charisma modifier.

Forms of the Five Beasts

3rd-level Way of Five Beasts Feature

You use your Ki to channel the spirits of the Five Beasts into special martial arts forms known as Beast Forms. You may spend 1 Ki point to use a bonus action enter a Beast Form, which lasts until the end of your next turn. If you are already in a Beast Form, you may spend 1 Ki point to use a bonus action to refresh the duration of your current Beast Form or enter another Beast Form. You may use a bonus action to exit a Beast Form early. Whenever you enter a Beast Form, you perform a series of techniques that embody the animal spirit that inspired it, and various characteristics of that Beast can manifest over your body in spectral form during its duration. Each Beast Form has its own approach to combat, and those well-versed in the Way of Five Beasts know when to utilize each one’s benefits.

The Way of Five Beasts espouses a balance of both structure and instinct, where one continually learns new forms of thought and movement, enriching their soul. At 3rd level, you learn one Beast Form of your choice from the list below. You learn two more Beast Forms at 6th level and two more at 11th level. Each Beast Form has two features: a Beast Strike and a Beast Stance.

Beast Strike. When you are in a Beast Form, you may make an unarmed strike as a Beast Strike of that form. This includes unarmed strikes made from bonus actions like Flurry of Blows and reactions like attacks of opportunity. Beast Strikes each gain an extra feature at 6th level.

Beast Stance. While you are in a Beast Form, you gain the effect of a Beast Stance that persists until you exit the Beast Form. Beast Stances each gain an extra feature at 11th level.

The features of each Beast Form are detailed below.

Beast Form of the Dragon

The Dragon represents nobility, prosperity, and flexibility. This form uses wide rotating movements to weave around the opponent and use their movements against them. Your constant circular motions allow for quick adaptability and unexpected takedowns. This form’s signature finisher is a combination of palm strikes and hip throws that knocks the opponent on their back. When in this form, your skin is covered in iridescent transparent scales.

Beast Strike of the Dragon. You may make an unarmed strike as a Beast Strike from this form. Whenever you hit a creature with this Beast Strike, you may make a contested Dexterity check against the creature. If you succeed, they are knocked prone. After 6th level, a creature hit with this Beast Strike is vulnerable to one damage type you choose from acid, fire, lightning, poison, or cold until the end of your next turn. This feature can nullify resistance to that damage but not immunity. 

Beast Stance of the Dragon. While you are in this Beast Form, you have advantage on Dexterity saving throws. After 11th level, all other creatures within 5 feet of you automatically make Strength saving throws with disadvantage.

Beast Form of the Phoenix

The Phoenix represents life, change, and rebirth. This form promotes balance and cultivation of inner energy, having you soar into the air with the majesty of the firebird. Techniques in this form make use of spinning backfists and kicks that project spiritual fire from unexpected ranges. After gathering enough Ki, one can even come back from the brink of death. When in this form, illusory feathered wings decorate the space under your arms.

Beast Strike of the Phoenix. You may make an unarmed strike as a Beast Strike from this form. You may make this Beast Strike as a ranged attack, projecting a wave of fire. You are proficient with this Beast Strike attack. This attack has a range of 15 feet, uses your Dexterity modifier for attack and damage rolls, and deals fire damage equal to one Martial Arts die. After 6th level, a creature hit with this Beast Strike must succeed on a Dexterity saving throw or have their AC lowered by 2 until the end of your next turn, being lit up with spectral flame. 

Beast Stance of the Phoenix. While you are in this Beast Form, you can fly up to 15 feet in the air and have a flying speed equal to your walking speed. After 11th level, if your hit points are reduced to 0 when you are in this Beast Form, you may spend 3 Ki points as a reaction to instead have your hit points be reduced to 1.

Beast Form of the Snake

The Snake represents opportunity, fortune, and death. This form focuses on precisely striking vital points to quickly dismantle an opponent’s defenses. You bend low to the ground, hands pointed and constantly circling like the snake about to strike its prey. Often, one quick jab to a pressure point is enough to decide a battle’s outcome. When in this form, your eyes remain unblinking, displaying distinct slit pupils.

Beast Strike of the Snake. You may make an unarmed strike as a Beast Strike from this form. When you have advantage on an attack and hit a creature with this Beast Strike, you may roll damage for that attack with a number of Martial Arts dice equal to your proficiency bonus. You may have these Beast Strikes deal piercing damage instead of bludgeoning damage. After 6th level, a creature hit with this Beast Strike makes their next attack with disadvantage.

Beast Stance of the Snake. While you are in this Beast Form, you may make an unarmed strike as a reaction against a creature that enters your melee range. After 11th level, you may make this attack with advantage if you are not incapacitated.

Beast Form of the Tiger

The Tiger represents tenacity, power, and conviction. This form focuses entirely on offensive power and unleashes brutal forward claw attacks to rip and tear at the opponent. Your wave of relentless strikes proves to be quite difficult to stop or evade. When in this form, your fingers are enveloped with the glowing visage of tiger claws.

Beast Strike of the Tiger. You may make an unarmed strike as a Beast Strike from this form. These Beast Strikes cannot be made with disadvantage. You may have these Beast Strikes deal slashing damage instead of bludgeoning damage. After 6th level, a creature hit with this Beast Strike is vulnerable to the next instance of slashing or piercing damage.

Beast Stance of the Tiger. While you are in this Beast Form, you may make a Beast Strike as a reaction to a creature within 5 feet of you whenever you take damage. After 11th level, your movement is unaffected by magic or difficult terrain.

Beast Form of the Turtle

The Turtle represents longevity, knowledge, and endurance. This form focuses on minimizing movement to build up potential energy, unleashing it in a devastating strike to immobilize the opponent. With feet firmly planted on the ground in a wide stance, you stand ready to remain unbending against incoming hostility. Notable moves of this form include straight punches and hard shoves with the shoulder and back. When in this form, the bold outline of a turtle shell appears over your back.

Beast Strike of the Turtle. You may make an unarmed strike as a Beast Strike from this form. Whenever you hit a creature with this Beast Strike, you may force that creature to make a Constitution saving throw. On a failure, their movement is halved (rounded down) until the end of your next turn. This effect can stack. After 6th level, the creature makes their next Dexterity check or saving throw with disadvantage.

Beast Stance of the Turtle. While you are in this Beast Form, you have resistance against nonmagical piercing, slashing, and bludgeoning damage. After 11th level, you also have advantage on Strength saving throws.

Refined Fists

6th-level Way of Five Beasts Feature

After learning new forms and honing your skills, your Beast Strikes achieve greater effect. You unlock another feature of each Beast Strike, detailed below.

Beast Strike of the Dragon. The Dragon’s overwhelming presence disrupts the opponent’s defense. After 6th level, a creature hit with this Beast Strike is vulnerable to one damage type you choose from acid, fire, lightning, poison, or cold until the end of your next turn. This feature can nullify resistance to that damage but not immunity.  

Beast Strike of the Phoenix. The Phoenix’s fire lights up the opponent for easier hits. After 6th level, a creature hit with this Beast Strike must succeed on a Dexterity saving throw or have their AC lowered by 2 until the end of your next turn, being lit up with spectral flame. 

Beast Strike of the Snake. The Snake’s fangs poison the opponent’s focus. After 6th level, a creature hit with this Beast Strike makes their next attack with disadvantage.

Beast Strike of the Tiger. The Tiger’s claws rend the opponent open. After 6th level, a creature hit with this Beast Strike is vulnerable to the next instance of slashing or piercing damage.

Beast Strike of the Turtle. The Turtle’s slowness wears out the opponent’s agility. After 6th level, a creature hit with this Beast Strike makes their next Dexterity check or saving throw with disadvantage.

Transcendent Connection

11th-level Way of Five Beasts Feature

After learning all five Beast Forms, your spiritual connection is stronger than ever, unlocking special features of your Beast Stances. These features are detailed below.

Beast Stance of the Dragon. The winds of the Dragon flow around you in a whirling tempest. After 11th level, all other creatures within 5 feet of you automatically make Strength saving throws with disadvantage while you are in this Beast Form.

Beast Stance of the Phoenix. With the grace of the Phoenix, you are given a second chance at life. After 11th level, if your hit points are reduced to 0 when you are in this Beast Form, you may spend 3 Ki points as a reaction to instead have your hit points be reduced to 1.

Beast Stance of the Snake. Channeling the Snake, you focus everything on the deciding strike. After 11th level, you may make this feature’s reactionary unarmed strike with advantage if you are not incapacitated while you are in this Beast Form.

Beast Stance of the Tiger. The Tiger’s ferocity ensures your onslaught remains unimpeded. After 11th level, your movement is unaffected by magic or difficult terrain while you are in this Beast Form.

Beast Stance of the Turtle. The Turtle’s resilience roots you to the earth, granting you greater stability. After 11th level, you have advantage on Strength saving throws while you are in this Beast Form.

Honed Instincts

11th-level Way of Five Beasts Feature

Your improved connection to the Five Beasts hones your natural instincts. You gain proficiency in the Nature and Animal Handling skills.

Formless Unity

17th-level Way of Five Beasts Feature

You cast aside the constrictions of form and weave Beast Strikes together with seamless fluidity. Whenever you make an unarmed strike, you may spend 1 Ki point to make the attack as any Beast Strike. You do not need to be in any Beast Form to use this feature. You can use this feature once per unarmed strike, including the unarmed strikes granted from bonus actions or reactions. You may make multiple different Beast Strikes in this manner by spending 1 Ki point per unarmed strike. When your turn ends, your active Beast Form will be the one associated with the last Beast Strike you made.

Master's Preparation

17th-level Way of Five Beasts Feature

Diligence honing your skills makes fighting as natural as breathing. If you spend 30 minutes over a short or long rest practicing your Beast Forms, you gain advantage on your next five Beast Strikes made within the next 8 hours. This does not cost Ki points. You must still meditate for 30 minutes over a short or long rest to regain Ki points as normal.