Gnome Warrior of Shadow Monk Build Guide
Combining gnomish resilience with the stealthy magic of the Warrior of Shadow makes you a slippery, spell-resistant ninja who thrives in the dark.
Is a Gnome Warrior of Shadow Monk a good build in D&D 5e?
The Gnome Warrior of Shadow Monk rates 4/10 for synergy in D&D 5e and plays as a workable striker. Its defining advantage is Darkvision — Gnome Darkvision helps Monks scout ahead and fight in darkness without needing a torch. Recommended ability scores using the standard array are DEX 15, WIS 14, CON 13, STR 12, INT 10, CHA 8, prioritising DEX and WIS as the Monk's main abilities, with a d8 hit die. It has 33 hit points at level 5 and 69 at level 11, with a baseline of about 7.2 melee damage per round at level 11 before magic items and feats. Main strength: Warrior of Shadow grants Shadow Arts at level 3. Trade-off: Low Charisma limits social interactions. Overall difficulty to play: hard.
Calculated from the 2024 D&D rules (SRD 5.2) using the standard array. Full breakdown below.
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Why Warrior of Shadow?
The Warrior of Shadow Monk is D&D's ultimate magical ninja, focusing on high-speed strikes and battlefield control. By choosing a Gnome, you gain unique defensive tools that cover a Monk's typical weaknesses. While your Shadow Arts feature lets you manipulate darkness and silence to confuse your foes, your natural Gnomish Cunning provides advantage on mental saving throws against magic. This means that while you are darting through the shadows, enemy spellcasters will have an incredibly hard time shutting you down with mind-controlling spells.
Furthermore, your innate Darkvision is a perfect match for a subclass that thrives in the dark. As a Striker, your job is to slip past frontline defenders, assassinate high-priority targets, and escape unscathed. With the ability to see in pitch-black environments without needing a torch, you can fully exploit your mobility. When you eventually unlock Shadow Step to teleport between shadows, your gnomish heritage ensures you can see exactly where you are landing and plan your next strike with absolute precision.
Warrior of Shadow Features
Shadow Arts
Level 3When you finish a Short or Long Rest, you can pick one leveled spell from the Wizard spell list that has a casting time of an action and is of a rank you can cast (see the Monk Spellcasting table for the ranks of spells you can cast). You can cast this spell without expending Focus Points. You can cast this spell in this way until you finish a Short or Long Rest, at which point you choose a different spell. When you cast this spell, you can use Wisdom as your spellcasting ability instead of Intelligence. You can spend 1 Focus Point when you cast a spell in this way to increase the spell's rank by one rank (if the spell scales).
Shadow Step
Level 6When you take the Hide action in dim light or darkness, you can use a Bonus Action to take the Dash action as well. When you move at least 30 feet in one turn while in dim light or darkness, you gain the benefits of the Hide action for that turn.
Improved Shadow Step
Level 11You can move through nonmagical dim light and darkness without provoking opportunity attacks. When you end your turn in dim light or darkness, you can use a Bonus Action and spend 1 Focus Point to become Invisible until the start of your next turn.
Cloak of Shadows
Level 17When you are in dim light or darkness, you can use an action and spend 2 Focus Points to become Invisible. You remain Invisible until you make an attack, cast a spell, or until you are in bright light.
Recommended Ability Scores
Gnome Traits That Benefit Warrior of Shadow Monk
Darkvision
Gnome Darkvision helps Monks scout ahead and fight in darkness without needing a torch.
Gnomish Cunning
Extra saving throw advantages protect against debilitating spells and effects.
Combat Effectiveness
| Level | HP | Melee DPR | Ranged DPR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 5 | 33 | 7.8 | 7.8 |
| Level 11 | 69 | 7.15 | 7.15 |
| Level 17 | 105 | 7.15 | 7.15 |
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Strengths & Weaknesses
Strengths
- ♦ Warrior of Shadow grants Shadow Arts at level 3
- ♦ Darkvision for dungeon exploration
- ♦ Good armor class and initiative
Weaknesses
- ♦ Low Charisma limits social interactions
- ♦ Limited ranged and magical options without multiclassing
- ♦ Small size limits heavy weapon usage
Pro Tips
Use Shadow Arts to cast Silence on enemy spellcasters, then use your high Monk speed to keep them trapped inside the quiet zone.
Your Darkvision lets you fight comfortably inside your own darkness spells, giving you a massive tactical advantage over blinded enemies.
Once you unlock Shadow Step, use your bonus action teleport to bypass obstacles and immediately gain advantage on your next melee attack.
Lean on Gnomish Cunning to confidently duel enemy wizards; your mental saving throw advantages protect you from their worst disabling spells.
Other Monk Subclasses for Gnome
Other Races for Warrior of Shadow Monk
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Warrior of Shadow a good subclass for Gnome Monk?
What makes Warrior of Shadow different from other Monk subclasses?
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