Way of the Drunken Master Monk Guide for Beginners: Mastering the Drunken Master in D&D 5e

The Way of the Drunken Master Monk is a chaotic and unpredictable fighter who turns erratic movement and misdirection into a powerful combat style. Introduced in Xanathar’s Guide to Everything, this subclass is perfect for players who want to play a fast-moving, deceptive fighter who confuses enemies and strikes with unexpected precision.

Unlike other Monks who rely on strict discipline and meditation, Drunken Masters embrace an unorthodox approach, weaving between foes with staggering agility, dodging attacks, and striking with rapid counterattacks. If you love the idea of a trickster warrior who fights with fluidity and deception, this subclass is for you!

Why Play a Way of the Drunken Master Monk?

Key Benefits

• Best Monk for Mobility – Move effortlessly around the battlefield, dodging attacks and repositioning.
• Excellent Crowd Control – Redirect attacks and knock enemies prone with Flurry of Blows.
• Unpredictable Playstyle – Confuse enemies with erratic movement and deceptive tactics.
• Strong Defense & Evasion – Gain improved disengagement and reaction-based defenses.
• Great Roleplay Potential – Play as a fun-loving martial artist, a deceptive trickster, or a deadly master of improvised combat.

Compared to other Monks, Drunken Masters are the best at battlefield repositioning and confusing enemies, making them hard to pin down.

Core Features

Key Mechanics and Abilities

Bonus Proficiencies (Level 3)

• Gain proficiency in Performance and Brewer’s Supplies.
• Example: Use Performance for dazzling combat flourishes or Brewer’s Supplies for a thematic roleplay element.

Drunken Technique (Level 3)

• When you use Flurry of Blows, you gain:
  • Disengage as a free action (preventing opportunity attacks).
  • An extra 10 feet of movement.
• Example: Rush into combat, land two Flurry of Blows strikes, and retreat without consequences.

Tipsy Sway (Level 6)

• Gain two new defensive abilities:
  • Redirect Attack – When a creature misses you with a melee attack, use your reaction to make them hit another target within 5 feet.
  • Leap to Your Feet – Standing up from prone only costs 5 feet of movement instead of half your speed.
• Example: Bait enemies into missing, then make them hit their own allies!

Drunkard’s Luck (Level 11)

• Spend 2 ki points to cancel disadvantage on any attack roll, ability check, or saving throw.
• Example: Avoid disadvantage from enemy spell effects, darkness, or poison by paying ki.

Intoxicated Frenzy (Level 17)

• When using Flurry of Blows, make up to 3 additional attacks (total of 5) if attacking different enemies.
• Example: If surrounded, hit five enemies in one turn with rapid strikes!

These abilities make Drunken Masters the most evasive and unpredictable Monks, excelling at rapid movement, misdirection, and counterattacks.

Suggested Ability Scores

• Primary: Dexterity – Boosts attack rolls, AC, and damage with unarmed strikes.
• Secondary: Wisdom – Improves Stunning Strike DC and defensive abilities.
• Tertiary: Constitution – Increases HP and resilience in battle.

Recommended Races

Since Drunken Masters rely on Dexterity and mobility, the best races include:

• Wood Elf – Increased speed, Dexterity bonus, and Stealth advantages.
• Tabaxi – Superior mobility and climbing abilities for extra evasiveness.
• Variant Human – Start with a feat like Mobile or Lucky.
• Kenku – Stealth-focused, with Dexterity bonuses and skill proficiencies.

Playing as a Way of the Drunken Master Monk

Role in a Party

• Primary Striker – Use Flurry of Blows to hit multiple enemies and reposition effortlessly.
• Evasive Combatant – Dodge attacks, redirect enemy strikes, and confuse foes.
• Crowd Control Specialist – Use Stunning Strike and Redirect Attack to manipulate fights.

Compared to other Monks, Drunken Masters are the hardest to predict, making them one of the most difficult targets to pin down in combat.

Tips for New Players

• Use Drunken Technique every turn – Flurry of Blows + free Disengage makes you untouchable.
• Redirect Attack whenever possible – Enemies missing you should always be used to your advantage.
• Stay mobile – Never stand in one place for too long; movement is your strongest weapon.
• Flurry of Blows multiple enemies at high levels – Use Intoxicated Frenzy to spread damage around.

Roleplay Suggestions

• The Chaotic Trickster – A fun-loving warrior who baffles foes with unpredictability.
• The Wandering Drunkard – A master of improvised combat who appears foolish but is deadly in battle.
• The Deceptive Master – A seemingly carefree monk whose fighting style masks deadly precision.

Gear and Dice Recommendations

Suggested Equipment

Weapons

• Quarterstaff – Fits the drunken brawler aesthetic and works well with Monk features.
• Shortswords – For dual-wielding flair when needed.

Armor

• No Armor (Unarmored Defense) – Your Dexterity and Wisdom provide natural AC.

Magic Items

• Bracers of Defense – +2 AC while unarmored.
• Cloak of Displacement – Makes enemies miss more often, perfect for Redirect Attack.
• Ring of Free Action – Prevents movement restrictions, ensuring you stay mobile.

Dice Recommendations from Runic Dice

Enhance your chaotic trickster aesthetic with these Drunken Master-themed dice sets:

• Drunken Fist: For swirling amber and gold hues symbolizing a drunken warrior, consider the Yellow Tiger's Eye Gemstone DND Dice Set. Handcrafted from genuine yellow tiger's eye, these dice exhibit rich golden tones with natural chatoyancy, capturing the fluidity and unpredictability of the Drunken Fist style.
• Whirling Chaos: To embody unpredictability with a mix of wild colors, the Gemstone Raised Dichroic Glass DND Dice Set is an excellent choice. This set features a mesmerizing array of colors that shift with the light, reflecting the chaotic energy of a whirling trickster.
• Laughing Trickster: For purple and green hues reflecting playful misdirection, the Green Fluorite Gemstone (Chlorophane) DND Dice Set offers translucent green tones with natural variations, symbolizing the cunning and playful nature of a laughing trickster.

Advanced Tips and Tricks

Optimization Strategies

• Feats:

  • Mobile – Increases movement speed and prevents opportunity attacks.
  • Lucky – Helps land key attacks and avoid failure.
  • Alert – Ensures you go first, setting up ambushes.

• Multiclassing:

  • Rogue (Swashbuckler) – Adds Sneak Attack and better one-on-one combat.
  • Fighter (Battle Master) – Adds tactical maneuvers for even more combat tricks.
  • Bard (College of Swords) – Boosts performance and combat versatility.

• Way of the Drunken Master Advanced Build Ideas

  • The Whirling Dervish: Max Dexterity and use Mobile feat for high-speed combat.
  • The Trickster Warrior: Max Wisdom, use Redirect Attack and Stunning Strike for battlefield control.
  • The Ultimate Brawler: Mix in grappling and improvised weapons for chaotic combat.

The Way of the Drunken Master Monk is one of the most unpredictable and entertaining subclasses in D&D 5e, excelling at rapid movement, evasive fighting, and deceptive combat. If you want to play as a chaotic but deadly martial artist who baffles and overwhelms foes with misdirection, this subclass is for you!