Way of the Open Hand Subclass Guide and Builds

The Way of the Open Hand is a Monk subclass in Baldur's Gate 3 (BG3). Check out our guide for how to unlock the Way of the Open Hand subclass, its features, as well as the best builds.

All Monk Subclasses Monk Class Guide
Way of the Four Elements	Way of the Open Hand	Way of Shadow

Way of the Open Hand Subclass Overview

Way of the Open Hand Basic Information

Subclass Overview
	Way of the Open Hand You value the arts of stealth and subterfuge, bending the shadows to your will to strike without warning.
Parent Class	Monk
How to Unlock	Unlocked at level 3.
Starting Subclass Features
・Flurry of Blows:Topple ・Flurry of Blows:Stagger ・Flurry of Blows:Push

Way of the Open Hand is the Monk Subclass that throws out versatility out of the window in exchange of pure martial prowess. Spellcasting and sneaking are both absent and the Way of the Open hand straight up increases the Monk's melee capabilities. If you want a Monk that loves to stay on the Frontlines and keep dishing out damage, the Way of the Open Hand is your best Subclass choice.

How to Unlock the Way of the Open Hand Subclass

Available after Reaching Level 3

Way of the Four Elements is one of the Subclasses that the Monk gains after reaching Level 3. Reaching Level 3 may take a couple of time so focusing on doing quests, defeating hostiles, and exploring the map is highly recommended.

Way of the Open Hand Subclass Features

Flurry of Blows Upgrades

The Monk immediately gains three new versions of Flurry of Blows which are Topple, Stagger, and Push. As the name suggests, these use the same amount of Ki Points and deal the same amount of damage as Flurry of Blows. It also gains an additional bonus effect to inflict the status ailment of the same name as attached to each version of Flurry of Blows. This adds some extra combat option to the Monk!

Manifestation

The next class feature from the Way of the Open hand is the Manifestation bonuses. The Monk gains access to three types of Manifestation which are the Manifestation of Body, Soul, and Mind which grants each of your unarmed attack a 3-6 bonus damage to Necrotic, Psychic, and Radiant respectively.

Wholeness of Body

Wholeness of Body is an insane Feature that you can also get at level 6. Wholeness of Body is basically a Ki recharge which is equal to half of your Max total Ki Points. However, it has an insane secondary effect where you enter a state of Wholeness for 3 turns. While in this state, you will have an extra bonus Action point and regain Ki Points per turn. This gives you the ability to non-stop use your Flurry of Blows attacks and this synergizes really well with Manifestations as each Flurry of Blow is a single hit which means each hit is granted a bonus of 3-6 damage!

Way of the Openhand Subclass Progression

This is an ongoing list, we will further update these sections once we gain access to higher level subclasses in the game!

Best Way of the Open Hand Builds

Way of the Open Hand Build Overview

Note: This build is subject to change as we're currently testing and searching for better gear in the game!

The items on this build are all scattered throughout all three acts. If you don't have them yet, it's best to buy a +1 equipment of the same type from a merchant until you get them.

Helm

Horns of the Berserker

Equipping the Open Hand Monk with the Horns of the Berserker grants them Seeking Blood, which gives players a +2 bonus to Attack Rolls when attacking creatures that have already taken damage.

This helm is particularly effective when paired with the Amulet of Bhaal, which inflicts Bleeding to foes with full health upon attacking. That way, enemies will take bonus damage and effects from the player's attacks regardless of their health count.

How to Get Horns of the Berserker

Armor

The Graceful Cloth

The Graceful Cloth is recommended for Way of the Open Hands as it gives the player an increase to their Dexterity score by 2, alongside Cat's Grace, as well as Nimble as a Cat, which adds a +1 bonus to Dexterity Saving Throws and increases the player's Jump distance by 1.5m.

How to Get The Graceful Cloth

Gloves

Gloves of the Duelist

Equipping the Gloves of the Duelist, having nothing in your free hand gives the player a +2 bonus to melee weapon Attack Rolls. Consider equipping these Gloves if you plan only plan on equipping a weapon to the main hand of your Open Hand Monk for increased damage.

Boots

Boots of Uninhibited Kushigo

Consider equipping the Boots of Uninhibited Kushigo in order to obtain the ability, Experienced and Deadly, where the wearer deals additional damage equal to their Wisdom Modifier with unarmed attacks.

How to Get Boots of Uninhibited Kushigo

Ranged Weapons

Corellon's Grace

Being an Open Hand Monk, consider equipping Corellon's Grace to receive the ability, Natural Pugilist, which gives the player a +1 bonus to Unarmed Attack Rolls.

How to Get Corellon's Grace

Accessories

Amulet of Bhaal

The Amulet of Bhaal grants the player First Blood, which inflicts Bleeding to enemies that have max hit points upon attacking. By doing this, players are able to deal damage to foes at the start of every turn of enemies, without even doing anything just yet.

How to Get Amulet of Bhaal

Shadow-Cloaked Ring

In order to get an additional 1d4 damage for both armed and unarmed attacks, consider equipping the Shadow-Cloaked Ring. However, do note that the damage bonus only takes effect against Lightly or Heavily Obscured creatures, as well as creatures made of shadow.

How to Get Shadow-Cloaked Ring

Killer's Sweetheart (Ring)

The best Ring accessory for an Way of the Open Hand is the Killer's Sweetheart, as it has a reaction effect called Executioner, which lets you inflict a critical hit on your next attack after killing an enemy.

If your character's race is a Half-Orc and you have this ring equipped, expect massive damage by chaining Executioner and Savage Attacks.

However, you will need to take a Long Rest before you can use it again!

Best Races to Use as a Way of the Open Hand

Half-Orc

For players that want to deal high damage against foes as a Way of the Open Hand Monk, it is recommended to make the race of their character a Half-Orc.

Aside from having good visibility of the field, Half-Orcs are hard-hitters that can deal triple damage, and have the capability to endure killing blows.

• Relentless Endurance leaves you with 1 hit point after taking lethal damage.
• Darkvision allows you to see in the dark up to 12m.
• Savage Attacks triples damage dice upon landing a Critical Hit with a melee weapon.

Half-Orc Race Guide and Best Classes

Wood Half-Elf

Wood Half-Elf is a recommended race for Open Hand Monks as their race features allow players to be more versatile with weapon proficiencies, all while keeping their agility in combat, from movement speed to field visibility.

• Civil Militia provides Proficiency with spears, pikes, halberds, and glaives, and Armour Proficiency with Light Armor and Shields.
• Darkvision allows you to see in the dark up to 12m.
• Fleet of Foot increases movement speed by 1.5m.

Wood Half-Elf Subrace Guide and Best Classes

Asmodeus Tiefling

Players can consider Asmodeus Tiefling as the race of a Way of the Open Hand Monk due to its resistance from Fire-based attacks, the ability to see their surroundings up to 12m, and cast ranged spells when need be.

• Darkvision allows you to see in the dark up to 12m.
• Hellish Resistance allows your character to only take half damage from Fire-based attacks.
• Produce Flame lights up surroundings in a 9m radius and deals 1-8 Fire damage when thrown.

Asmodeus Tiefling Subrace Guide and Best Classes

Best Ability Score for Way of the Open Hand

Ability Score Overview

Dexterity and Wisdom are the primary abilities for Open Hand Monks. Maxing the two out will get you the highest possible damage you can inflict in battle.

After Dexterity and Wisdom, consider allotting points to Constitution next to have better control over damage received from foes.

You can slightly increase Intelligence and Charisma to help you with their respective skill checks.

Strength can be your dump stat as you won't be fighting enemies head on.

Best Way of the Open Hand Feats

Athlete

Having the Athlete feat allows for the character's Strength or Dexterity to increase by 1 (ideal using it on Dexterity for this class), to a maximum of 20. When you are Prone, standing up uses significantly less movement. Also, Jump distance increases by 50%.

Having this feat for the Way of the Open Hand Monk allows for better agility and character placement in combat.

Athlete Feat Guide and Effects

Two Ability Improvement Feats

One can't go wrong with selecting Ability Improvements as a feat for a character. In the case of the Open Hand Monk, consider allotting points to Dexterity or Wisdom for increased damage and better rolls for their respective skill checks.

Ability Improvements Feat Guide and Effects

Baldur's Gate 3 Related Guides

Monk Class Guide

All Monk Subclasses

All Monk Subclasses
Way of the Four Elements	Way of the Open Hand	Way of Shadow