Way of the Forge - A Monk Subclass

Part of the July 2025 Modathon

This is an adaptation of somanyrobots' Way of the Forge, a warhammer-using Monk who mixes bludgeoning damage with a dab of metallic magic and pyromancy. Working in the forge all day, you'll want to focus Strength over Dexterity on this muscular Monk. You know, for reasons other than Tavern Brawler being busted. Pour on the heat to your enemies, and use what limited Forge Magic you have to bolster your allies' weapons and defences.

This was an interesting one to work on while dealing with a heatwave, let me tell you. But still, I like the flavour: an odd little spin on the oft-desired Strength Monk.

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Features by level

Way of the Forge Monks learn the following spells:

• []Level 3: Keen Weapon

  []Level 5: Heat Metal

  []Level 9: Aura of Iron

• []Level 3:

  []You are proficient with Flails, Warhammers and Morningstars, and can use them as Monk weapons.

  []You can use your Strength in place of Dexterity for your Unarmoured Defence feature. (This Unarmoured Defence works with armoured gloves, headgear and footwear, if you have the proficiency from elsewhere.)

  []Once per turn when you deal Bludgeoning damage, you can spend 1 Ki Point to deal additional Fire damage equal to one roll of your Martial Arts die + your Wisdom modifier.

  • []Level 6: When you use Unbearable Heat, you force the target to make a Strength saving throw (DC based on Wisdom), falling Prone on a failure. If you use Unbearable Heat against an already Prone creature, its damage is increased by one additional roll of your Martial Arts die.

  • []Level 11: You can use your action to radiate heat. All creatures within 4. 5m of you must make a Constitution saving throw, taking 4d8 fire damage on failure or half as much damage on a success. For the next 10 rounds, any creature that starts its turn within 2m of you takes 1d4 fire damage. You can do this once for free each Long Rest; after that, it costs 4 Ki Points.

  • []Level 17:

    []You add your Wisdom modifier to any Strength and Constitution saving throws you make.

    []When you activate Extra Attack, you can spend 1 Ki Point to replace your second attack with casting a Forge Magic spell or using your level 11 ability.