Way of Shaolin

Following the "Way of Shaolin," you draw inspiration from the legendary Shaolin Monastery, a revered center of Chinese martial arts mastery and spiritual enlightenment. As Shaolin monks, you undergo rigorous training, blending physical discipline with inner cultivation to develop unmatched prowess in combat. Known for your mastery over a wide range of martial arts techniques, you embody a unique harmony between strength, speed, and wisdom.

Through years of rigorous training, you temper your hands by hitting sand, gravel and iron pellets, gradually hardening your fists and palms to an incredible level of toughness. As part of your Shaolin martial arts instruction and meditation, you gain a deep understanding of the human body, including the channels (meridians) and acupuncture points (acupuncture points) responsible for the flow of vital energy and blood, regulating various functions of the body.

 

Shaolin Martial Arts

Whenever you hit a target with an attack granted by your Flurry of Blows, you can impose one of the following effects on that target:

1. Shaolin Iron Palm (少林铁砂掌)

• Description: Channel your internal energy into your strikes, you can deliver blows that feel as if they are infused with the force of iron itself.
• Effect: Each unarmed strike deals an additional 1d4 Force damage (1d6 at level 6, 1d8 at level 11 and 1d10 at level 17). 

2. Shaolin Dim Mak Art: Energy Block (少林点穴法：封气)

• Description: Using your fingers or palms to strike specific points on the target's body, you can temporarily blocks the flow of energy and blood of the target, and prevent them from casting spells and using Ki.
• Effect: The target must make a Constitution saving throw (DC = 8 + your proficiency bonus + your Dexterity modifier). On a failed save, the target is unable to cast any spells or use any Focus (Ki) Point until the end of your next turn.
• Target: At level 3, your Energy Block can only be used against humanoid creatures. At level 6, it can be also used non-humanoid creatures, provided that you have gained Weakness Insight of the target. 
• Immunity and Resistance: If your target is wearing medium or heavy armor, they gain advantage on their saving throw against your Energy Block. Creatures that do not possess a biological structure with a flow of life energy, nervous system, or meridian points (e.g., Undead, Constructs, Oozes, Elementals, Plants) are immune to your Energy Block.

 3. Shaolin Disarm Technique (少林缴械术)

• Description: With lightning speed, you strike the pressure points on your opponent's wrist and forearm, temporarily numbing their muscles and causing them to lose control of their weapon.
• Effect: The target must make a Constitution saving throw (DC = 8 + your proficiency bonus + your Dexterity modifier). On a failed save, the target immediately drops their weapon, which falls within 5 feet of them. If the target succeeds on their saving throw, they still suffer disadvantage on their next attack.

 

Weakness Insight

As an Action or a Bonus Action, you can concentrate on a target and perceive the flow of energy in its body, allowing you to learn the target's current resistances, immunities, and vulnerabilities. While you maintain concentration on this target:

• You have advantage on all melee attack rolls against the target.
• The target has disadvantage on all attack rolls against you, whether melee or ranged.
• You have advantage on saving throws against any effects caused by the target.

Number of use: You can use this ability a number of times equal to your Wisdom modifier per long rest.

Duration: 1 minute or until you lose concentration.

 

Golden Bell Shield

As a Bonus Action, you can expend 3 Focus (Ki) Points to channel your internal energy, reinforcing your skin and muscle. Until the start of your next turn, you ignore the first 10 (increased to 12 at level 14, and 15 at level 17) points of damage dealt by each attack you receive. 

Perfect Shield: After the shield ends, you regain 1 Focus (Ki) Point if you completely avoid damage while this shield is active.

At Higher Level: At level 14, you also gain resistance to all types of damage (whether magic or non-magic). 

 

Perceptive Strike

As you practice, your perception of everything increases, and every unarmed attack can accurately hit the target's vital points, dealing additional Force damage.

Effect: As a passive feature, your Wisdom modifier is added twice to the damage you deal with your unarmed strikes. The damage type is Force damage.