Way of the Animal Spirit

Monks of The Way of the Animal Spirit channel the movement of the animals and their senses. They used their wisdom and knowledge to emulate the movements of one of 5 animals: The Leopard, Tiger, Snake, Crane or Dragon. They are powerful and just, and they are normally neutral in their ways. The attack in a mainly reactionary way, and it shows in their abilities and fighting style.







This subclass is loosely based on Shaolin Kempo

Animal Emulation

Starting when you choose this tradition at 3rd level, you can choose one animal to emulate in your attacks and impose certain conditions based on the animal you chose as a reaction:

1. Crane: It must succeed on a Dexterity saving throw or be knocked prone.
2. Snake: It must make a Strength saving throw. If it fails, you can cause the opponent to be grappled.
3. Tiger: 1 unarmed strike.
4. Leopard: Parry the strike.
5. Dragon: Gain advantage on the next attack you make.  

In addition, you gain a number of bonus reactions equal to 1/4 of your monk level rounded down, minimum 1.

Knowledge of Attack

At 6th level, you can spend an action and a Ki point to examine a specific enemy's fighting style and gain +2 bonus AC against that enemy and any enemies of that specific type. You can only analyze 1 kind of enemy at a time.

Improved Animal Knowledge

The knowledge and technique of the animals improves for you, and you can further emulate the animals.

• Crane now deals 1 martial arts die of damage as well as knocking prone.
• Tiger can attack twice as a reaction instead of once.
• Leopard can make 1 attack after a successful parry.
• Snake can make the target restrained as well as grappled.
• Dragon Imposes disadvantage of the next attack made towards them when taking advantage.

You must spend a Ki Point to use these upgraded versions of the reactions.

Total Calm

On the first round of combat of your turn, you may spend 3 Ki points as a free action to:

• Gain infinite reactions (1 per turn)
• Automatically deal critical damage on any unarmed strikes caused by a reaction.
• Examine up to 3 different kinds of enemies at once.

The effect end after 10 minutes. You must take a Long Rest before using this ability again.