The Way of the Dragon

Monastic Tradition: Way of the Dragon

Monks of the Way of the Dragon seek to channel the raw power of the elements, embodying the strength and majesty of dragons. They harness elemental forces to enhance their combat prowess and protect themselves from harm.

 

Deflect Missile Becomes Deflect Attack

At 3rd level, your training allows you to deflect a broader range of attacks. When you are hit by an attack, you can spend 1 ki point to use your reaction to deflect it. Roll a d10 and add your Dexterity modifier to the result. If the total is equal to or higher than the attack's roll, you deflect the attack, taking no damage. You can use this feature even if the attack has multiple damage types.

Elemental Attunement

At 3rd level, you gain the ability to harness the elemental energies within you. You can spend ki points to cast elemental spells, which are considered monk spells for you. The spells can be upcast as you gain subclass features through monk level. The equation for the Ki it costs to cast a spell is Spell Level / 2, rounded up. i.e. A 5th level spell would be 3 Ki Points.

MONK LEVEL	SPELLS
3rd	Burning Hands, Thunderwave
6th	Aganazzar's Scorcher, Lightning Bolt
11th	Cone of Cold, Flame Strike
17th	Chain Lightning, Fire Storm

MONK LEVEL	SPELL LEVEL
3rd	1
6th	3
11th	5
17th	7

Elemental Fury

Starting at 6th level, your strikes become infused with elemental fury. Once per turn, when you hit with a Flurry of Blows, you can choose to deal additional damage equal to your Martial Arts die in one of the following damage types: fire, cold, lightning, or thunder.

 

Elemental Mastery

Upon reaching 11th level, you gain mastery over the elements. You can add your Wisdom modifier to the damage rolls of your elemental spells.

 

Dragon's Wrath

At 11th level, you can channel the raw power of a dragon to unleash devastating attacks. Once per long rest, as an action, you can release a wave of elemental energy in a 30-foot cone. Each creature in that area must make a Dexterity saving throw, taking 8d8 damage on a failed save or half as much on a successful one. The damage type is based on your Elemental Attunement feature.

Feel free to adjust the damage numbers and specifics to fit the power level of your campaign.

Draconic Resilience

At 17th level, your connection to the elemental forces grants you resistance to the damage type associated with your Elemental Attunement feature. Additionally, when you use your Elemental Fury feature, you can choose two damage types instead of one.

Elemental Attunement

At 3rd level, you gain the ability to harness the elemental energies within you. You can spend ki points to cast elemental spells, which are considered monk spells for you. The spells at this level are cast at level 1.

Monk Level	Spells
3rd	Burning Hands, Thunderwave
6th	Aganazzar's Scorcher, Lightning Bolt
11th	Cone of Cold, Flame Strike
17th	Chain Lightning, Fire Storm

Burning Hands

At 3rd level, you can cast Burning Hands by expending 1 ki point and using 1 action.

Thunderwave

At third level you can cast Thunderwave by expending a ki point and an action

Deflect Attack

At 3rd level, when hit with an attack, you can use a reaction and expend 1 ki point to deflect or catch the attack. The damage of the attack is reduced by 1d10 + Dex mod + Monk Level. If the damage is reduced to 0 or lower, you can make a free unarmed attack at the attacker or redirect the attack back at them.

Elemental Fury

Starting at 6th level, your strikes become infused with elemental fury. Once per turn, when you hit with a Flurry of Blows, you can choose to deal additional damage (1d6) in one of the following damage types: fire, cold, lightning, or thunder.

Spellcasting

At third level, you gain the ability to cast elemental [fire, ice, lightning, wind, thunder] spells, including scrolls.

Improved Elemental Attunement

At 6th Level you gain the ability to harness the elemental energies within you. You can spend ki points to cast elemental spells, which are considered monk spells for you. All spells can now be up-cast to 3rd level for 2 ki.

Monk Level	Spells
3rd	Burning Hands, Thunderwave
6th	Aganazzar's Scorcher, Lightning Bolt
11th	Cone of Cold, Flame Strike
17th	Chain Lightning, Fire Storm

Aganazzar's Scorcher

Expend 2 ki and 1 action to cast this spell

Burning Hands

Can cast this at level 3

Lightning Bolt

Expend 2 ki and 1 action to cast this spell

Thunderwave

Expend 2 ki and 1 action to cast this spell

Astral Wings

At level 12, your connection with dragons of planes beyond your own deepens and their blessing grants you Astral Wings that gift you the ability of flight. The wings can carry triple your bodyweight and allow you to treat your move speed as a straight line, ignoring obstructions that do not fully block travel over them. But remember, flying recklessly does not come without it's downsides. The table for how exhaustion is applied when using the wings is below. To remove 1 stack of exhaustion you need to spend 6 seconds uninterrupted, move less than 5 feet, and not consume an action.

Level of exhaustion	effect
1 (30 mins)	Disadvantage on ability checks
2 (60 mins)	Speed halved
3 (80 mins)	Disadvantage on attack rolls and saving throws
4 (90 mins)	Hit point maximum halved

5 (95 mins)

Speed reduced to 10ft (5ft if already >=10ft)

6 (100 mins)

Wings Stop Working Until Exhaustion Reduced to 3

 

Lastly, if the dragon's deem your objective unworthy of their blessing, the wings may malfunction or outright not work until your objective is deemed worthy.

Improved Elemental Attunement

At 11thlevel, you gain the ability to harness the elemental energies within you. You can spend ki points to cast elemental spells, which are considered monk spells for you. All spells can now be up-cast to 5th level for 3 ki.

Monk Level	Spells
3rd	Burning Hands, Thunderwave
6th	Aganazzar's Scorcher, Lightning Bolt
11th	Cone of Cold, Flame Strike
17th	Chain Lightning, Fire Storm

Aganazzar's Scorcher

Use 3 ki to cast this spell

Burning Hands

Use 3 ki to cast this spell

Cone of Cold

Use 3 ki to cast this spell

Flame Strike

Use 3 ki to cast this spell

Lightning Bolt

Use 3 ki to cast this spell

Thunderwave

Use 3 ki to cast this spell

Dragon's Wrath

At 11th level, you can channel the raw power of a dragon to unleash devastating attacks. Once per long rest, as an action, you can release a wave of elemental energy in a 30-foot cone. Each creature in that area must make a Dexterity saving throw, taking 8d8 damage on a failed save or half as much on a successful one. The damage type is based on your Elemental Attunement feature.

Draconic Resilience

At 17th level, your connection to the elemental forces grants you double resistance to the damage type associated with your Elemental Attunement feature. Additionally, when you use your Elemental Fury feature, you can choose two damage types instead of one.

Elementally Attuned

At 17th level, you gain the ability to harness the elemental energies within you. You can spend ki points to cast elemental spells, which are considered monk spells for you. All spells can now be up-cast to 7th level for 4 ki points.

Monk Level	Spells
3rd	Burning Hands, Thunderwave
6th	Aganazzar's Scorcher, Lightning Bolt
11th	Cone of Cold, Flame Strike
17th	Chain Lightning, Fire Storm

Aganazzar's Scorcher

Use 4 ki and an action to cast this spell

Burning Hands

Use 4 ki and an action to cast this spell

Chain Lightning

Use 4 ki and an action to cast this spell

Cone of Cold

Use 4 ki and an action to cast this spell

Fire Storm

Use 4 ki and an action to cast this spell

Flame Strike

Use 4 ki and an action to cast this spell

Lightning Bolt

Use 4 ki and an action to cast this spell

Thunderwave

Use 4 ki and an action to cast this spell

Dragonform

Description: At 16th level, you gain the ability to channel the essence of a dragon, temporarily transforming yourself into a powerful dragon-like form. This transformation enhances your physical capabilities and grants you abilities reminiscent of a dragon.

Activation: As a bonus action, you can spend 6 ki points to enter Dragonform for 1 minute. Once you use this feature, you can't use it again until you finish a long rest.

Effects of Dragonform:

1. Dragon Scales: Your AC increases by 2, as your skin becomes covered in tough dragon scales and you double in size, increasing HP by 6d6 + proficiency.

2. Dragon Strength: You gain advantage on Strength checks and Strength saving throws. Additionally, your unarmed strikes deal an extra 1d8 damage of your choice of the following types: acid, cold, fire, lightning, or poison.

3. Dragon Wings: Your wings sprout into larger dragon wings, granting you a flying speed of 60 feet.

4. Dragon's Roar: As an action, you can unleash a terrifying roar. Each creature of your choice within 30 feet of you must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw (DC = 8 + your proficiency bonus + your Wisdom modifier) or be frightened of you for 1 minute. A frightened creature can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success. Once you use this roar, you can't use it again until you use Dragonform again.

5. Dragon's Breath: As an action, you can exhale destructive energy in a 30-foot cone. Each creature in that area must make a Dexterity saving throw (DC = 8 + your proficiency bonus + your Wisdom modifier), taking 6d6 damage of your choice of the following types on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one: acid, cold, fire, lightning, or poison. Once you use this breath weapon, you can't use it again until you use Dragonform again.

6. Blink or Banish: By expending a ki point, you can Blink or Banish. You can do this two total times while in dragonform.

Appearance: While in Dragonform, your eyes glow with draconic power, your skin takes on the texture and color of dragon scales, and you exude an aura of awe-inspiring might.

End of Dragonform: When the Dragonform ends, you cannot use it again until you finish a long rest. Additionally, you gain 1 level of exhaustion as the strain of channeling such powerful energy takes its toll on your body.