Way of the Sun Soul Monk Guide for Beginners: Mastering the Sun Soul Monk in D&D 5e

The Way of the Sun Soul Monk is a radiant warrior who harnesses the power of light and energy, turning their martial arts into ranged radiant blasts. Introduced in Sword Coast Adventurer’s Guide and later included in Xanathar’s Guide to Everything, this subclass is perfect for players who want to play a Monk with ranged combat capabilities, dealing radiant damage while keeping their distance from enemies.

Unlike other Monks who focus on melee combat, Sun Soul Monks excel at ranged attacks, shooting radiant energy bolts and unleashing powerful area-of-effect explosions. If you love the idea of playing a martial artist who channels their inner ki into radiant energy attacks, much like Dragon Ball’s Goku or a holy warrior from an anime, this subclass is for you!

Why Play a Way of the Sun Soul Monk?

Key Benefits

• Best Monk for Ranged Combat – Fire energy blasts from a distance instead of relying on melee attacks.
• Consistent Radiant Damage – Perfect for bypassing resistances and countering undead and fiends.
• Excellent Area-of-Effect Abilities – Use Searing Arc Strike and Sunburst to hit multiple enemies at once.
• Great Balance Between Melee & Ranged Combat – Switch between unarmed strikes and radiant blasts effortlessly.
• Fantastic Roleplay Potential – Play as a holy warrior, a radiant bender, or a ki-powered martial artist.

Compared to other Monks, Sun Soul Monks have the most reliable ranged attack options, making them excellent for players who want a mix of magic and martial arts.

Core Features

Key Mechanics and Abilities

Radiant Sun Bolt (Level 3)

• Use ki to fire bolts of radiant energy instead of making unarmed strikes.
• You can make a ranged spell attack (30 feet) using Dexterity for both attack and damage rolls.
• If you use the Attack action, you can replace any of your attacks with a Radiant Sun Bolt.
• Spend 1 ki point to fire two additional bolts as a bonus action.
• Example: Instead of punching an enemy, fire radiant blasts from a distance, keeping yourself safe while dealing damage.

Searing Arc Strike (Level 6)

• When you use Flurry of Blows, you can cast Burning Hands as a bonus action.
• Spend 2 ki points to cast Burning Hands at its base level, plus 1 additional ki point per spell level increase.
• Example: Strike with rapid punches, then unleash a fiery explosion on enemies in front of you.

Searing Sunburst (Level 11)

• As an action, create an exploding radiant ball of energy at a point within 150 feet.
• Enemies within 20 feet of the blast must make a Constitution save or take 2d6 radiant damage (more damage if you spend ki points).
• Example: Charge up a radiant bomb and throw it into a group of enemies for a powerful ranged attack.

Sun Shield (Level 17)

• Surround yourself with radiant energy, dealing 10 radiant damage to creatures that hit you in melee.
• Example: If enemies get too close, they suffer the consequences of striking you!

These abilities make Sun Soul Monks the best at ranged combat, combining powerful radiant attacks with traditional Monk speed and agility.

Suggested Ability Scores

• Primary: Dexterity – Boosts attack rolls, AC, and damage with both melee and ranged attacks.
• Secondary: Wisdom – Improves saving throws and enhances Sun Soul abilities.
• Tertiary: Constitution – Increases HP and survivability.

Recommended Races

Since Sun Soul Monks rely on Dexterity and Wisdom, the best races include:

• Aasimar (Scourge) – Fits the radiant warrior theme and grants bonus radiant damage.
• High Elf – Boosts Dexterity and gives access to a cantrip for extra versatility.
• Variant Human – Start with a feat like Sharpshooter or Mobile.
• Owlin – Flight provides superior battlefield positioning for ranged attacks.

Playing as a Way of the Sun Soul Monk

Role in a Party

• Primary Ranged Striker – Deal consistent radiant damage from a distance.
• Area Damage Specialist – Use Searing Arc Strike and Searing Sunburst to hit multiple enemies.
• Anti-Undead/Fiend Combatant – Radiant damage is highly effective against creatures vulnerable to light.

Compared to other Monks, Sun Soul Monks have the most reliable ranged attack options, making them perfect for hit-and-run tactics.

Tips for New Players

• Use Radiant Sun Bolt every turn – It’s a free ranged attack option that deals radiant damage.
• Searing Arc Strike works best against groups – Use it when surrounded to deal AoE damage.
• Stay mobile to avoid retaliation – Sun Soul Monks work best when they hit from a distance and reposition.
• Use Searing Sunburst to weaken enemies before engaging – Softening enemies from a distance makes melee combat safer.

Roleplay Suggestions

• The Radiant Disciple – A monk devoted to the study of light and energy.
• The Sunborn Warrior – A fighter who channels celestial energy into their strikes.
• The Ki Blaster – A martial artist who projects their inner energy as powerful blasts.

Gear and Dice Recommendations

Suggested Equipment

Weapons

• Shortbow – A solid ranged weapon when ki points are low.
• Quarterstaff – Useful for melee combat when needed.

Armor

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

Magic Items

• Bracers of Defense – +2 AC while unarmored.
• Amulet of Health – Boosts Constitution for extra survivability.
• Ring of Radiance – Enhances radiant damage for a thematic bonus.

Dice Recommendations from Runic Dice

Enhance your radiant warrior aesthetic with these Sun Soul-themed dice sets:

• Solar Flare: For bright gold and red hues representing the power of the sun, consider the Yellow Tiger's Eye Gemstone DND Dice Set. Handcrafted from genuine yellow tiger's eye, these dice exhibit a rich golden color with natural chatoyancy, capturing the vibrant energy of solar flares.
• Celestial Beam: To embody pure radiant energy with shimmering white and yellow tones, the Gemstone Opalite (Gold Font) DND Dice Set is an excellent choice. Made from opalite, these dice display a luminous quality with subtle color variations, reflecting the ethereal nature of celestial light.
• Radiant Monk: For orange and white colors symbolizing ki-powered light, the Gemstone Raised Dichroic Glass DND Dice Set offers a mesmerizing array of colors that shift with the light, embodying the dynamic and radiant energy of a Sun Soul monk.

Advanced Tips and Tricks

Optimization Strategies

• Feats:

  • Sharpshooter – Great for maximizing ranged attacks with Radiant Sun Bolt.
  • Mobile – Boosts movement speed and prevents opportunity attacks.
  • Tough – Boosts HP, making you more durable.

• Multiclassing:

  • Cleric (Light or Twilight Domain) – Enhances radiant abilities and adds spellcasting support.
  • Sorcerer (Divine Soul or Draconic Bloodline - Radiant) – Boosts ranged spell capabilities.
  • Warlock (Celestial Patron) – Adds healing and radiant damage synergy.

• Way of the Sun Soul Advanced Build Ideas

  • The Solar Sniper: Max Dexterity, take Sharpshooter, and focus on Radiant Sun Bolt.
  • The Holy Monk: Multiclass with Cleric for divine healing and support.
  • The Ki Blaster: Use Searing Sunburst and Flurry of Blows for explosive combat.

The Way of the Sun Soul Monk is one of the most unique and thematic Monk subclasses in D&D 5e, excelling at ranged radiant attacks, area damage, and ki-based spellcasting. If you want to play as a martial artist who channels their inner light into powerful energy blasts, this subclass is for you!