Way of the Closed Fist

Monks of the Way of the Closed Fist dedicate their lives to the study and perfection of ancient, brutal fighting techniques rooted in the traditions of many ancient fighting styles. Their training transforms their entire body into a weapon—fists, elbows, knees, and shins strike with unrelenting force and precision. Through intense discipline and practice, they master a combat style that is as graceful as it is devastating, balancing raw power with fluid, tactical movements. To them, combat is more than survival; it is an art form forged through the wisdom of the past and the unyielding pursuit of mastery.

The Way of the Closed Fist emphasizes the study of ancient texts, murals, and oral traditions, preserving the techniques of warriors who fought with nothing but their bodies and their resolve. These monks immerse themselves in the history of battle, revering the deadly strikes and counter-techniques passed down through generations. Their training pits them against each other in grueling matches, teaching them to endure pain, anticipate their opponent’s moves, and strike with precision and purpose. Elbow strikes to shatter defenses, knees to break the strongest stances, and swift clinches to control the flow of combat—all are tools perfected through years of relentless practice.

Despite their often-brutal methods, these monks understand the responsibility that comes with their knowledge. They wield their techniques not for cruelty but to honor the traditions they uphold and to bring balance to a chaotic world. For some, this means protecting the innocent; for others, it is a pursuit of self-perfection through combat. The Way of the Closed Fist is a philosophy of strength tempered by wisdom, where every blow carries the weight of history and every movement reflects the monk’s devotion to an ancient and sacred art.

Level 3: Hardened Body

At level three your body conditioning and toughening has paid off, every time you gain a level in this class you gain an additional 2 hit points. Additionally, when you use your Flurry of Blows feature you gain temp hp equal to your proficiency bonus.  

Art of 8 Limbs

At 3rd level, you gain special strikes that can empower your attacks further by spending one ki point increasing the damage and adding another effect if they fail a constitution saving throw against your ki save. After landing a successful attack you can spend a ki point and pick one bonus from the list below:

Bouk: You land a fast punch that disorientates your enemy. Add your wisdom modifier to the damage of the attack and that enemy has disadvantage on all skill checks and attack rolls until the start of your next turn.

Sok: You land a sharp elbow strike that tears your enemy's defenses. Add your wisdom modifier to the damage of the attack and that enemy has their AC reduced by an amount equal to your wisdom modifier.

Khao: You land a knee to your enemies gut knocking the wind out of them. Add your wisdom modifier to the damage of the attack and that enemy can only take an action or bonus action on their next turn and also loses their reaction.

Femur: You strike and move with perfect precision. Add your wisdom modifier to your AC ill the start of your next turn and that attacked enemy makes opportunity attacks against you at disadvantage if you move before the start of your next turn. 

Mat: You land a hard knockout punch on your enemy. Add your wisdom modifier to the damage of the attack and that enemy is knocked prone.

Tae: You land hard roundhouse or teep kick on your enemy. Add your wisdom modifier to the damage of the attack and that enemy is pushed 5 feet in a direction of your choice.

Plam: You catch your opponent in a clinch while striking them. Add your wisdom modifier to the damage of the attack and that enemy is grappled only escaping if they roll against your ki save.

*Farang: Your training has sharpened not just your body but your mind. Add your wisdom modifier to any skill check or saving throw you make.

*used as a bonus action before knowing if the roll has passed or failed*

Level 6: Brutal Counter

 

As a reaction to being targeted with a melee attack, you can counter with an unarmed strike. If your attack roll is higher then the attack roll of the enemy then your strike lands and their's automatically misses. If you roll lower your counter still offers some protection and you reduce the amount of damage you take by an amount equal to your wisdom modifier.

This feature can be used a number of times equal to your proficiency bonus per long rest. 

Level 11: Combat Expert

When you use your Flurry of Blows feature you can apply one technique without spending a ki point. 

Level 17: Unbreakable

Upon reaching 17th level you are nearly unbeatable. Whenever you are reduced to 0 hit points but not killed outright you can spend a 4 ki points to get back up. You awaken and regain a number of hit points equal to your level.