A monk who follows the Way of the Astral Self believes their body is an illusion. They see their ki as a representation of their true form, an astral self. This astral self has the capacity to be a force of order or disorder, with some monasteries training students to use their power to protect the weak and other instructing aspirants in how to manifest their true selves in service to the mighty.

Astral Vessel

When you choose this tradition at 3rd level, your connection to your astral self grants you an otherworldly aspect that is both alluring and frightening. You gain proficiency in the Intimidation and Persuasion skills, and you can use your Wisdom modifier in place of your Charisma modifier when you make an ability check using one of those proficiencies.

Arms of the Astral Self

3rd-level Way of the Astral Self feature

Your mastery of your ki allows you to summon a portion of your astral self. As a bonus action, you can summon the arms of your astral self. For 10 minutes, these spectral arms hover near your shoulders or surround your arms (your choice). You determine the arms' appearance, and they vanish early if you are incapacitated or die.

While the spectral arms are present, you gain the following benefits:

• You can use the spectral arms to make unarmed strikes or grapple opponents. 
• When you make an unarmed strike or grapple with the arms, your reach for it is 5 feet greater than normal.
• The unarmed strikes you make with the arms can use your Wisdom modifier in place of your Strength or Dexterity modifier for the attack and damage rolls, and their damage type is force. You can use your Wisdom modifier in place of your Strength modifier when making Strength checks and Strength saving throws.
• When you make an unarmed strike with the spectral arms as part of a Flurry of Blows, you can make one additional unarmed strike with them (to a total of three attacks). The number of additional unarmed strikes you can make with the arms increases as you gain levels in this class: two strikes at 11th level (to a total of four attacks), and three strikes at 17th level (to a total of five attacks).

You can use this feature a number of times equal to your proficiency bonus, and you regain all expended uses when you finish a long rest.

Visage of the Astral Self

6th-level Way of the Astral Self feature

You can summon the visage of your astral self along with the arms. The spectral visage covers your face like a helmet or mask. It vanishes early if you are incapacitated or die. While the visage is present, you gain the following benefits:

Astral Sight. You can see normally in darkness, both magical and nonmagical, to a distance of 120 feet.

Wisdom of the Spirit. You have advantage on Wisdom checks.

Word of the Spirit. When you speak, you can direct your words to creatures of your choice that you can see within 60 feet of you, making it so only those creatures can hear you. Alternatively, you can amplify your voice so that all creatures within 600 feet can hear you.

Body of the Astral Self

11th-level Way of the Astral Self feature

When you have both your astral arms and visage summoned, you can cause the body of your astral self to appear (no action required). This spectral body covers your physical form like a suit of armor, connecting with the arms and visage. You determine its appearance.

While the spectral body is present, you gain the following benefits.

Deflect Energy. When you take acid, cold, fire, force, lightning, necrotic, radiant, or thunder damage, you can use your reaction to deflect it. When you do so, the damage you take is reduced by your Wisdom modifier + your monk level.

Empowered Arms. Unarmed strikes you make with the spectral arms as part of a Flurry of Blows deal additional force damage equal to one roll of your Martial Arts die on a hit.

Spirit Shroud. You gain resistance to bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing damage from nonmagical attacks.

Awakened Astral Self

17th-level Way of the Astral Self feature

Your connection to your astral self is complete, allowing you to unleash its full potential. This awakening ends early if you are incapacitated or die. While the arms, visage, and body of your astral self are summoned, you can use an action or a bonus action to cause your astral self to fully awaken for 10 minutes. While your astral self is awakened, you gain the following benefits: 

Armor of the Spirit. You gain a +2 bonus to Armor Class.

Astral Barrage. Whenever you use the Extra Attack feature to attack twice, you can instead attack three times if all the attacks are made with your astral arms.