D&D 5E (2024) Monkish Monsters, Unarmed Archetypes, and Abilty Scores

[Minigiant]

So my group is dealing with an evil monastery of evil monks (The party came up that they are the exiles of other monasteries). And it got me wondering about the various types of unarmed warriors of fantasy in order to have some variety in opponents. I first thought starting with the subclasses, but the majority of their mechanics are a bit much to use as a dm and statwise there are mostly the same.

So I opted to Abilty Scores pairs. D&D monks traditional Dexterity and Wisdom. What could other pairs be?


Archetype: Classic Monk
Abilty Scores: Dexterity and Wisdom
Monster Role: Skirmisher
Description: The traditional speedy monk with a mystical tint to them
Actions: Unarmed strike, Quarterstaff, Dart

Archetype: Mystic Monk
Abilty Scores: Wisdom and Constitution
Monster Role: Controller
Description: The traditional wise old monk with more mysticism and ki focus
Actions: Quarterstaff, Ki Blast, Stunning Fist

Archetype: Boxer/Pugilist
Abilty Scores: Strength and Constitution
Monster Role: Soldier
Description: Big tough stand up brawler
Actions: Unarmed strike, Uppercut

Archetype: Pro Wrestler
Abilty Scores: Strength and Charisma
Monster Role: Brute
Description: Wrestler with power and confidence
Fighting Style: Unarmed Strike, Powerslam, Taunt

Archetype: Assassin/Ninja
Abilty Scores: Dexterity and Intelligence
Monster Role: Lurker
Description: fantasy Ninja with light weapon use
Actions: Dagger, Poisoned Dart, Ray of Sickness

 

[Tonguez]

The Iron Bruiser
STR + WIS
Monster Role: Elite Bruiser
These are monks who train by standing beneath waterfalls and holding burning coals, while the other monks beat them with bamboo poles. They build resistance to pain that lets them walk right in to combat without flinching.

Actions: Iron Palm, Catch Weapon (disarm reaction), Counterstrike and Knockdown Shoulder


The Healer Analyst
INT + WIS
Monster Role: Controller
The study of anatomy, energy flows and nerve strikes have made them terrifyingly precise combatants. They rarely attack first. Instead they watch, study their opponents, and then strike.
Actions: Predict Movement (reaction to impose disadvantage), Nerve Pinch (Disable limb), Expose Weakness (allies gain advantage), Nerve Strike (Paralysis)


The Body Manipulator
STR + INT
Monster Role: Disabler
Where the analyst is focused on nerve strikes and energy flows, the Body Engineer focuses on the movement of joints and muscles. Massage is their key role, but it teaches that knees should only open one way and shoulders rotate only so far. The Body Manipulator specializes in holds, locks, and throws that leave their opponents prone and broken.

Actions: Joint Lock (restrain), Throw (prone and reposition), Bone Crush (reduce speed), Choke Hold (silence spellcasting), Stun