D&D’s Way of the Ascendant Dragon Monk Subclass Explained

Unearthed Arcana released new Monk and Ranger subclasses recently, and they’re both all about dragons. The new Dungeons & Dragons Monk subclass is called the “Way of the Ascendant Dragon.” The new abilities include dragon’s breath, a Paladin-like aura, the confusingly-named blindsight, and spectral dragon wings.

Though the Dungeons & Dragons Monk isn’t exactly in desperate need of a new subclass, this one is a welcome add. The upcoming Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything is not far off, and with it comes twenty-two new subclasses players will be able to explore. However, those players looking to add a little more dragon into their Dungeons & Dragons experience can start right now.

This late release by Unearthed Arcana is a bit surprising, since it’s so close to the release of Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything, but more subclass options for Dungeons & Dragons players to play around with and embody is something that’s hard to complain about.

D&D Explained: The Way Of The Ascendant Dragon Monk

The release included a few suggestions for the Monk’s character backstory, and with them a d6 table to make an easy choice. That said, dragons are a very elaborate and varied race, so coming up with a more original take should not be too difficult. At level 3, the D&D Monk unlocks Monastic Traditions, and the Way of the Ascendant Monk unlocks “Draconic Disciple” and “Breath of the Dragon.”

“Draconic Disciple” allows the Monk to change their damage type to acid, cold, fire, lightning, or poison when hitting with an unarmed strike. In addition, they can now speak, read, and write Draconic, and use a reaction to re-roll a failed Intimidation or Persuasion check. After a successful roll on either, though, the ability can’t be used again until after a long rest.

“Breath of the Dragon” lets the Monk replace an attack to exhale acid, cold, fire, lightning, or poison breath in a twenty-foot cone, or thirty-foot line that’s five feet wide. Barring a successful DEX save (equal to the “Ki” save DC), the affected creature takes damage equal to two rolls of the Monk’s Marital Arts die. At level 11, this is increased to three rolls. The amount that “Breath of the Dragon” can be used is based on the Monk’s proficiency bonus (hereafter “PB”), which refreshes after a long rest, or by expending one “Ki” point when no uses remain.

Ascendant Aspect, Wings Unfurled & Aspect Of The Wyrm Explained

“Wings Unfurled” comes with level 6, and combines a use of “Step of the Wind” with spectral dragon wings that vanish at turn’s end. Fly speed is equal to walking, and this can be used an amount equal to the Monk’s PB, and comes back with a long rest or by using a “Ki” point. Level 11 unlocks “Aspect of the Wyrm.”

Activated as a bonus action, “Aspect of the Wyrm” takes the form of a thirty-foot aura that lasts one minute. The Monk chooses one of the five dragon-damage types and give themselves and their allies within resistance to the chosen type. Also, when either the Monk or their Dungeons & Dragons party member ally is hit, they can use a reaction to deal one Martial Arts die worth of damage in retaliation to an enemy in the aura. This ability takes a long rest or four “Ki” points to come back.

Lastly, “Ascendant Aspect” is available at level 17, which gives blindsight up to thirty feet, allowing the Monk to see anything not behind full cover (even if blinded or in darkness). This also reveals invisible creatures that don’t successfully hide. In addition, after damaging with “Breath of the Dragon,” an affected creature takes extra damage (of the same type) at the top of their turn. The damage is equal to one Martial Arts die, and continues until the creature succeeds the save (probably referring to the dragon breath’s DEX save) at the end of its turn. When “Aspect of the Wyrm” is activated, any creatures within the aura (that the Monk can see, and chooses) take 4d10 damage of one of the five damage options.

Because of these new Draconic subclass inclusions, it would not be a surprise if more in the same vein were to be released soon. A dragon patron for the Warlock is one many Dungeons & Dragons players are eager to see.

About The Author