Play Your Next 5E D&D Game as a Way of the Unseen Fist Monk

Over at Nerdarchy the YouTube channel Nerdarchists Dave and Ted channel their inner energy to create a new Monastic Tradition for fifth edition Dungeons & Dragons. They set out to develop an idea for a 5E D&D monk utilizing the ki of their mind to affect the physical world. The concept begins with the mage hand spell and by using ki a Way of the Unseen Fist monk can strike at enemies by channeling their energy through an invisible fist. So let’s get into it.

Discover new videos every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at Nerdarchy the YouTube channel

Way of the Unseen Hand Monastic Tradition

Essentially the idea is creating a 5E D&D Monastic Tradition keyed off the mage hand cantrip. If I’m honest when I first heard the idea I immediately thought, “But what about Way of the Astral Self monks?” While the newest Monastic Tradition found alongside Way of Mercy in Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything might seem to share some similarity with this Way of the Unseen Fist they are vastly different.

Whereas Way of the Astral Self monks tap into what they believe to be their true forms in the manifestation of their astral selves this monk remains firmly grounded in the physical realm and uses their mind to affect the world around them.

Summon Unseen Fist

Starting when you choose this tradition at 3rd level you learn the mage hand cantrip and the hand is invisible when you cast the cantrip with this feature. As a bonus action you can use your mage hand to interact with an object. When you reach 6th level the range of your mage hand is doubled.

Wisdom is your spellcasting ability for this spell. When you cast it with this feature it doesn’t require components.

Empower Unseen Fist

When you choose this tradition at 3rd level when you use your Summon Unseen Fist feature you can spend a ki point to empower your mage hand. For the duration of the spell whenever you make an unarmed strike as a bonus action or as part of your Flurry of Blows. The unarmed strikes you make with your mage hand use your Martial Arts die and their damage type is force. You can use your Wisdom modifier in place of your Strength or Dexterity modifier for the attack and damage rolls.

Whenever you use your Empower Unseen Fist feature the next unarmed strike you make that hits deals an additional Martial Arts die of damage.

No Hands

At 6th level you can use your Empower Unseen Fist feature when you take the Attack action on your turn.

Powerful Unseen Fists

The unarmed strikes you make with your mage hand hit like hammer blows. Whenever you hit a creature with your mage hand it must make a Strength saving throw against your ki save DC. On a failure you can push the creature up to 10 feet away. If the creature can’t see your mage hand they make this saving throw with disadvantage.

Focused Unseen Fist

Beginning at 11th level after you hit with your mage hand you can choose to expend ki points. For every ki point you spend the attack deals an additional Martial Arts die of damage.

Many Unseen Fists

At 17th level you can use an action to dismiss your mage hand and create a flurry of Unseen Fists that explode outward. Make an unarmed strike using your mage hand with your Powerful Unseen Fist feature against each creature you choose within 60 feet of you.

Once you use this feature you can’t use it again until you finish a long rest.