Way of Determination

Monks of the Way of Determination draw their strength not from martial technique alone, but from the unwavering conviction that they must continue—no matter what.

These monks often walk the path of peace, seeking resolution through compassion, understanding, and extraordinary endurance. In battle, they stand as unyielding beacons of hope, enduring attacks that would fell a lesser soul and offering nonviolent alternatives even to those who strike them down. Where others would fall, they remain, their determination pushing them past the brink of death itself.

Those who follow this tradition have trained their bodies and spirits to resist despair, fear, and even fate. Their resolve becomes so powerful that it shields allies, subdues foes without bloodshed, and allows them to act through pure will when their life should be extinguished.

Whether they are silent wanderers, empathetic defenders, or stubborn pacifists, monks of this path are defined by one truth: they do not give up. Ever.

Soul of Determination

3rd-level Way of Determination feature

Your inner spirit resists fate. When you would be reduced to 0 hit points or killed outright, you can use your reaction to instead remain at 1 hit point. You also gain temporary hit points equal to your Monk level. Once you use this feature, you can’t use it again until you finish a short or long rest.

Additionally, you gain advantage on saving throws against the charmed and frightened conditions.

Mercy's Embrace

3rd-level Way of Determination feature

Your strikes are filled with empathy and compassion. When you hit a creature with an unarmed strike, you can choose not to deal damage. Instead, compare the damage you would have dealt this turn × 3 to the creature’s current hit points. If the damage meets or exceeds their current HP, the creature falls unconscious for 1 hour or until they take damage or someone uses an action to shake them awake.

You can use this feature a number of times equal to your Wisdom modifier (minimum once), and regaining one use on a short rest, or all uses after a long rest. You may also expend 1 ki point to use this feature if no uses remain.

Patience in Adversity

6th-level Way of Determination feature

Your focus deepens under pressure. While below half your maximum hit points, you gain the following benefits:

• You have resistance to all non-magical bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing damage.

• You gain advantage on all saving throws against being grappled, restrained, or paralyzed.

• You gain temporary hit points equal to half your Wisdom Modifier at the end of your turn. These hit points last until the start of your next turn.

Endless Hope

11th-level Way of Determination feature

Even on the brink of collapse, you inspire others. When you are reduced to one fourth of your maximum hit points or fewer (but not unconscious), each creature of your choice within 30 feet gains temporary hit points equal to your Wisdom modifier at the start of their turns (minimum 1). This effect lasts for 1 minute or until you regain up to half of your hit point maximum.

You can use this feature once per long rest.

The Will to Persist

17th-level Way of Determination feature

Your determination is unbreakable. When you are reduced to 0 hit points, you may choose to enter a state of pure resolve.

• Instead of falling unconscious, your hit points become 0.1, and you ignore the effects of being at 0 hit points for up to 1 minute. You may continue to act normally, as if you had 1 HP.

• Each time you take damage during this state, your hit point value conceptually gains an additional zero before the 1 (e.g., 0.01 → 0.001 → 0.0001, and so on), representing your grip on life growing ever more tenuous. This has no numeric impact on gameplay, but tracks how many times you’ve endured harm.

• You cannot regain hit points or have your hit point maximum reduced during this state.

• If you take damage again while already at a fractional HP value, you continue to “hang on” at that new level of decimal health. Even damage that would normally instantly kill you does not end this state early.

At the end of 1 minute, or if you choose to end the effect early as a bonus action, you fall unconscious and begin making death saving throws as normal unless healed or stabilized. Once you use this feature, you gain three levels of exhaustion and cannot use it again until you finish a long rest.