Way of the Dragon's Breath (5e Subclass)
Way of the Dragons Breath
Monk Subclass
Practitioners of the Way of the Dragons breath are able to use the power of their Ki to absorb and redirect different forms of energy, be it light, heat, kinetic or electric energy. This enables them to absorb the energy of an opponent's attack and redirect it back at them. That includes unarmed attacks as well as attacks with blunt weapons and even some forms of magic, specifically radiant, lightning and fire magic. They are however weak to slashing and piercing attacks as well as most other forms of magic. The users of this monastic tradition compensate for that weakness by carrying blades to block and parry the attacks of sword-wielding opponents.
- Energy Deflection
When you choose this tradition at 3rd level, you gain the ability to use your Ki to absorb the kinetic energy of incoming attacks and redirect it back at your enemy. As a reaction, you can spend 1 Ki point and make a Dexterity Saving Throw to absorb the damage of a melee attack, as long as it is with an unarmed strike or with a blunt weapon (for instance a club, quarterstaff or Warhammer). If you succeed in absorbing the attack, you can spend 1 additional Ki point to make an unarmed strike as a bonus action, which will use the same die role your opponent used to make the attack (for instance, if your opponent attacks you with a Warhammer and you manage to catch the attack, your unarmed strike deals 1d8 of bludgeoning damage instead of the normal 1d4). The same rule applies for any additional magical fire, lightning or radiant damage the attack would've dealt.
- Frost resistance
At 3rd level, due to your mastery of heat energy, you are able to spend 1 Ki point to give yourself resistance to either cold or fire damage for 1 minute.
- Dragons Fists
When you reach 6th level, you have gained enough mastery of energy to empower your fists with elemental power. On your turn, you can spend 1 Ki point to add 2d4 of either Frost, Fire, Lightning or Radiant damage to one of your unarmed strike attacks.
- Dragons Flame
At 6th level your control of your life force allows you to create a small flame in the palm of your hand that you can sustain for up to 30 minutes. The flame casts bright light 15 ft around it and dim light for a additional 10 ft. This flame can also be used to ignite flamable objects like cloth, torches or campfires.
- Dragons Hand
Starting at 11th level, your ability to absorb energy increases to the point where you can absorb magical energy through the palms of your hands and redirect it back at your attacker. If your opponent attacks you with a ranged fire, lightning or radiant attack, you can spend 2 Ki points to make a Dexterity Saving Throw. On a successful throw you catch the attack in your hands and deflect it back at your opponent. The deflected attack uses the same damage as the original attack. Those standing behind you during this action are protected from the effects of the opponent's attack.
- Dragons Eye
At 11th level you also gain the ability to sense heat signatures, allowing you to sense living creatures in complete darkness as well as through thin barriers such as wooden doors or walls. However, you are unable to detect heat signatures through walls that are thicker than 1 foot of material and your sense is disabled in environments in which the temperature of the air is the same or higher than body temperature.
- Dragons Breath
When you reach 17th level, your mastery of energy itself allows you to draw in the heat of the air around you and use that energy to strike against your enemies. At the start of your turn, you can spend 2 Ki points to cast Frostbite, then as a bonus action spend an additional 2 Ki points to cast either Sunbeam, Sunburst or Fireball.
- Dragons Skin
At 17th level you also gain the ability to absorb the energy of sunlight to sustain yourself. You gain 2 Ki points for every 6 hours you are exposed to sunlight.
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