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Balance Through Change: The 2014 vs. 2024 Monk Core Class

The Monk has long been one of D&D’s most unique martial classes—channeling spiritual energy, physical mastery, and cinematic flair into a single, punch-heavy package. However, the 2014

Monk was often criticized for its ki bottlenecks, MADness (Multiple Ability Score Dependence), and falling behind in raw power at higher levels.

With the 2024 update, Wizards of the Coast has sought to rebalance and re-energize the class, aiming to make Monks feel more fluid, consistent, and impactful across all tiers of play. You can check us out talking about it here. Or you can get more monk mayhem here.

Let’s break down the mechanical differences between the 2014 and 2024 Monk classes—no subclasses, just the core.

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1. Martial Arts: A Stronger Foundation

2014:

• Martial Arts die starts at d4 and scales up to d10 by level 17.

• Only works with Monk weapons or unarmed strikes.

• Bonus unarmed strike if you made an unarmed or Monk weapon attack.

2024:

• Martial Arts die starts at d6 (up from d4) and scales faster: d8 by level 5, d10 at level 11, and d12 by level 17.

• Still works with Monk weapons and unarmed strikes, but weapon options are clarified.

• You now gain two unarmed strikes with a bonus action once you hit Level 5, without spending energy.

🧠 Takeaway: The 2024 Monk hits harder sooner, and it has more consistent output in combat thanks to extra bonus action strikes.

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2. Discipline Points vs Ki Points

2014:

• The Monk used Ki Points, equal to their Monk level.

• Spent on Flurry of Blows, Step of the Wind, Patient Defense, and some subclass/optional features.

• Easy to burn out early in the day.

2024:

• Renamed to Discipline Points, still scales with level.

• Recovered on Short Rest, just like before.

• Used more efficiently thanks to streamlined abilities.

• Certain features now don’t cost points that used to (e.g., Flurry is cheaper and Step of the Wind includes Disengage and Dash without extra cost).

🧠 Takeaway: Discipline Points feel less punishing, and the core kit is more sustainable and satisfying.

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3. Unarmored Defense: Simpler, Still Solid

Both Versions:

• Armor Class = 10 + Dex + Wis.

• No change, but the 2024 Monk receives Striking Discipline features (below) that let you better leverage mobility and defenses.

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4. Deflect Attacks: Buffed and Broad

2014 (Deflect Missiles):

• Use your reaction to reduce damage from a ranged weapon attack.

• Catch and throw the projectile at ki cost.

2024 (Deflect Attacks):

• Applies to both ranged AND melee weapon attacks.

• Can now impose disadvantage or retaliate with an unarmed strike.

• No ki cost for basic use.

• Throws are still there, but the feature has much more combat relevance.

🧠 Takeaway: What used to be a niche feature is now a reliable defensive tool and threat.

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5. Empowered Strikes: Better Scaling, Fewer Gaps

2014:

• At Level 6, Monk attacks count as magical for overcoming resistance.

• No additional enhancements beyond Martial Arts die scaling.

2024:

• You gain Monastic Strikes at Level 3: unarmed strikes now deal magical damage.

• Plus, you can deal extra damage a few times per turn (scaling with Proficiency Bonus).

• Makes Monk damage less flat and more consistently useful, especially in the early-to-mid game.

🧠 Takeaway: Monks hit harder and more often, with more satisfying scaling.

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6. Movement: Still the Master of Mobility

2014:

• Unarmored movement bonus increases with level.

• Step of the Wind allows Dash/Disengage as a bonus action (ki cost).

2024:

• Similar unarmored movement bonus progression.

• Step of the Wind no longer costs points to use Dash or Disengage.

• New features let you run up walls or over water at earlier levels.

• Heightened Mobility gives a climb speed and fall resistance.

🧠 Takeaway: The Monk’s iconic movement freedom is now more accessible and expressive in actual play.

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7. Stunning Strike: Reined In and Refined

2014:

• Spammable at-will attempt (ki cost) on any melee weapon hit.

• Target makes a Con save or is stunned until end of your next turn.

• Considered too swingy and abusable at high levels.

2024:

• Rebalanced as “Stunning Strike”, usable Proficiency Bonus times per long rest.

• Now forces a Dex save, targeting a weaker save more thematically appropriate.

• More potent but less spammable—makes usage feel impactful rather than routine.

🧠 Takeaway: A reined-in but tactically potent control feature—less spam, more punch.

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8. New High-Level Features: Monk 2.0

2014:

• Level 18: Empty Body for invisibility and etherealness.

• Level 20: Perfect Self – regain 4 ki if you start combat without any.

2024:

• Level 18: Defy Death – when reduced to 0 HP, spend Discipline to stay at 1 instead.

• Level 20: Choose an Epic Boon, tailored toward your style of play (more damage, better movement, etc.).

🧠 Takeaway: Monks in 2024 have more reactive survivability, and the Epic Boon model offers meaningful capstone choice.

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🧘‍♂️ TL;DR – Monk Mechanics Comparison Table

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🌟 Final Thoughts: A Disciplined Rebirth

The 2024 Monk doesn’t abandon its roots—it sharpens them. Instead of just “more punches,” this version offers more agency, smoother power curves, and tactical decision-making that rewards players at every level.

By reimagining features like Stunning Strike, Deflect Attacks, and Martial Arts, the 2024 Monk becomes a true blend of mobility, damage, and defensive finesse. It finally feels like the class plays as cool as it looks on the character sheet.

Thanks for reading. Until Next Time, Stay Nerdy!!