D&D 5E Quick character concept a la Dr. Strange's Wong

[JPL]

I'm thinking about an order of monks devoted to Azuth --- bodyguards/servants to wizards.

Mechanically, I'm pondering just slotting in a sorcerer's metamagic abilities, except (1) fueled by ki points instead of sorcery and (2) they can manipulate other people's spells instead of their own.

Maybe add the fighter's protection fighting style (without the shield requirement)?

It would be a change of pace as a PC, but just awesome as a henchman . . .

 

[Jediking]

Monk's already have the Deflect Missile feature. You could change part of that to reduce damage from spells that use attack rolls, then have them position themselves in between enemy casters/archers and their wizard. Shadow Monks can cast silence and darkness using their Ki, which are effective against spellcasters too, if you want to use existing mechanics. Giving them the Mage Slayer or Grappler feats can be effective as well.

 

[JPL]

Very nice . . . Deflect Spell. Catch a lightning bolt and THROW IT BACK. Might need to think about a mechanic to use Deflect Missile / Deflect Spell to protect another character within 5 feet . . .

 

[Morlock]

I'm not touching Dr. Strange's wong. I'll leave that to others.

Sorry, sometimes I just can't help myself.

 

[Jediking]

Monks also get Slow Fall too. Can adjust that to decrease damage from knock-back or AoE effects (Shatter and Thunderwave come to mind).

I think positioning is good enough to be used with Deflect Spell, especially with the Monk's increased move speed. But giving them a Protection-style add on to that shouldn't be too OP, as they only have one reaction to spend on one spell attack. You can just use the wording for the Protection Fighting Style and adjust it from using a shield to being able to use the Deflect Spell ability.

Some items in the DMG can help give you inspiration, like the Cloak of Protection or Arrow-Catching Shield (or Missile-Attracting Shield, one of them is awesome and one is cursed and I can't remember which).