Monk Job Guide for FFXIV - Dawntrail 7.0 (2024)

Last updated on Jul 18, 2024 at 00:00by Perfect Balance14 comments

Monk is a melee DPS job in Final Fantasy XIV that uses fast sequencesof combo attacks with their fists and feet to unleash a flurry of attacksagainst their opponents. They can be only be played at Level 30 orhigher, after receiving their job stone as a Pugilist.

What is Monk's Playstyle?

Monk is a fast-paced melee DPS that fights with theirfists and their feet, following a flexible rotationbetween a potent 60-second burst window and an even greater 120-second burstwindow. Our core gameplay loop revolves around GCD manipulation as webuild up towards a large burst every two minutes, with smaller burst opportunitiesinterspersed between those windows.

Monk brings both offensive and defensive utility to the table having the raidbuff Brotherhood to boost the damage of our allies, as well asboth an AoE healing buff with Mantra, and an AoE heal with Earth's Reply. With an innately faster GCD thanks to Greased Lightning,the core of the job is focused on generating and expending Fury stacks, whileusing Perfect Balance to squeeze as much damage as possible intobuff windows while cycling through the various different resources Monk hasto manage.

Monk Strengths and Weaknesses

Strengths

Very flexible rotation and burst windows.
Doesn't lose as much as other DPS jobs do upon death.
Excellent mobility thanks to Thunderclap.
Great defensive party utility with Mantra, Riddle of Earth, and Earth's Reply.

Weaknesses

Forced double weaves can cause rotational problems if you are unable to do so without clipping your GCD.
Executing the correct rotation can require knowing your killtime ahead of time.

How do you Unlock Monk?

All fledgling Monks begin their lives as Pugilists at level 1. You can unlockPugilist by picking up the quest "So You Want to Be a Pugilist" at the PugilistGuild in Ul'Dah (x9.5, y10.2). Upon reaching completing the level 30Pugilist class quest "Return of the Holyfist," assuming your MSQ progression isfurther than the level 20 "Sylph Management" quest, you will be able to pick upthe "Brother from Another Mother" quest in Ul'Dah (x9.4, y10.2). Your rewardfor all of this will be the Monk job stone.

Monk Gauges

The Chakra Gauge is unlocked at level 15. This displays how many Chakra youhave accumulated. There are two different skills that Chakra can be spent to use, Steel Peak and Howling Fist. These laterupgrade to The Forbidden Chakra and Enlightenment.Chakra can be generated through both Deep Meditation and Brotherhood.

The Beast Chakra gauge is comprised of various different elements. The 5 ballsalong the top represent Beast Chakra and Nadi. Upon using Perfect Balance,the next three GCDs will grant a Beast Chakra that matches the GCDs form: Leaping Opo will grant an Opo-Opo Chakra, Rockbreaker will grant a Coeurl Chakra, etc. Upon building threeBeast Chakra, depending on the types you have acquired, Masterful Blitz will become one of three different GCDs. ExecutingBlitzes will then fill the Nadi slots on the gauge, enabling Phantom Rush upon building both a Lunar and a Solar Nadi.

The 3 (9) balls along the bottom represent the 3 different Fury stacks -Opo-opo, Raptor, and Coeurl. Dragon Kick, Twin Snakes, and Demolish each generateFury stacks, while Leaping Opo, Rising Raptor, and Pouncing Coeurl consume them to deal increased potency.

Monk Actions

Action Name	Cast Recast	Range Radius	Effect
Bootshine Lv. 1	Instant 2.5s	↔ 3y 0y	Delivers an attack with a potency of 220.Opo-opo's Fury Potency: 420Opo-opo Form Bonus: Guarantees a critical hitDamage dealt is increased when under an effect that raises critical hit rate.Additional Effect: Changes form to raptorDuration: 30s
True Strike Lv. 4	Instant 2.5s	↔ 3y 0y	Delivers an attack with a potency of 300.Raptor's Fury Potency: 500Can only be executed when in raptor form.Additional Effect: Changes form to coeurlDuration: 30s
Snap Punch Lv. 6	Instant 2.5s	↔ 3y 0y	Delivers an attack with a potency of 270.330 when executed from a target's flank.Coeurl's Fury Potency: 420Flank Coeurl's Fury Potency: 480Can only be executed when in coeurl form.Additional Effect: Changes form to opo-opoDuration: 30s
Steel Peak Lv. 15	Instant 1.0s	↔ 3y 0y	Delivers an attack with a potency of 180.Can only be executed while in combat and under the effect of five Chakra. Five chakra close upon execution.
Steeled Meditation Lv. 15	Instant 1.0s	↔ 0y 0y	Opens a chakra. Up to five chakra can be opened at once.Opens all five chakra when used outside of combat.Triggers the cooldown of weaponskills upon execution.Conversely, execution of weaponskills triggers the cooldown of this action.
Twin Snakes Lv. 18	Instant 2.5s	↔ 3y 0y	Delivers an attack with a potency of 420.Can only be executed when in raptor form.Additional Effect: Grants a stack of Raptor's FuryRaptor's Fury Effect: Increases potency of Rising Raptor by 200Additional Effect: Changes form to coeurlDuration: 30s
Arm of the Destroyer Lv. 26	Instant 2.5s	↔ 0y 5y	Delivers an attack with a potency of 110 to all nearby targets.Opo-opo Form Potency: 120Additional Effect: Changes form to raptorDuration: 30s
Demolish Lv. 30	Instant 2.5s	↔ 3y 0y	Delivers an attack with a potency of 360.420 when executed from a target's rear.Can only be executed when in coeurl form.Additional Effect: Grants 2 stacks of Coeurl's FuryCoeurl's Fury Effect: Increases potency of Pouncing Coeurl by 150Additional Effect: Changes form to opo-opoDuration: 30s
Rockbreaker Lv. 30	Instant 2.5s	↔ 0y 5y	Delivers an attack with a potency of 150 to all nearby enemies.Can only be executed when in coeurl form.Additional Effect: Changes form to opo-opoDuration: 30s
Thunderclap Lv. 35	Instant 30.0s	↔ 20y 0y	Rush to a targeted enemy's or party member's location.Maximum Charges: 3Cannot be executed while bound.
Howling Fist Lv. 40	Instant 1.0s	↔ 10y 10y	Delivers an attack with a potency of 100 to all enemies in a straight line before you.Can only be executed while in combat and under the effect of five Chakra. Five chakra close upon execution.
Inspirited Meditation Lv. 40	Instant 1.0s	↔ 0y 0y	Opens a chakra. Up to five chakra can be opened at once.Opens all five chakra when used outside of combat.Triggers the cooldown of weaponskills upon execution.Conversely, execution of weaponskills triggers the cooldown of this action.
Mantra Lv. 42	Instant 90.0s	↔ 0y 30y	Increases HP recovery via healing actions by 10% for self and nearby party members.Duration: 15s
Four-point Fury Lv. 45	Instant 2.5s	↔ 0y 5y	Delivers an attack with a potency of 140 to all nearby enemies.Can only be executed when in raptor form.Additional Effect: Changes form to coeurlDuration: 30s
Dragon Kick Lv. 50	Instant 2.5s	↔ 3y 0y	Delivers an attack with a potency of 320.Opo-opo Form Bonus: Grants a stack of Opo-opo's FuryOpo-opo's Fury Effect: Increases potency of Leaping Opo by 200Additional Effect: Changes form to raptorDuration: 30s
Perfect Balance Lv. 50	Instant 40.0s	↔ 0y 0y	Grants 3 stacks of Perfect Balance, each stack allowing the execution of a weaponskill that requires a certain form, without being in that form.Duration: 20sAdditional Effect: Grants Opo-opo Chakra, Coeurl Chakra, or Raptor Chakra depending on the form changed to upon executing actionsChanging to Opo-opo Form grants Coeurl Chakra.Changing to Raptor Form grants Opo-opo Chakra.Changing to Coeurl Form grants Raptor Chakra.Maximum Charges: 2Can only be executed while in combat and when not under the effect of any Beast Chakra.
Form Shift Lv. 52	Instant 2.5s	↔ 0y 0y	Grants Formless Fist to self, allowing the execution of a weaponskill that requires a certain form, without being in that form.Duration: 30sAny additional effects associated with the executed action will also be applied.
Forbidden Meditation Lv. 54	Instant 1.0s	↔ 0y 0y	Opens a chakra. Up to five chakra can be opened at once.Opens all five chakra when used outside of combat.Triggers the cooldown of weaponskills upon execution.Conversely, execution of weaponskills triggers the cooldown of this action.
The Forbidden Chakra Lv. 54	Instant 1.0s	↔ 3y 0y	Delivers an attack with a potency of 400.Can only be executed while in combat and under the effect of five Chakra. Five chakra close upon execution.
Celestial Revolution Lv. 60	Instant 2.5s	↔ 3y 0y	Delivers an attack with a potency of 600.Additional Effect: Opens the Lunar NadiIf the Lunar Nadi is already open, opens the Solar Nadi instead.Additional Effect: Grants Formless Fist, allowing the execution of a weaponskill that requires a certain form, without being in that formDuration: 30sAny additional effects associated with the executed action will also be applied.Can only be executed while under the effect of three Beast Chakra.※This action cannot be assigned to a hotbar.※Masterful Blitz changes to Celestial Revolution when requirements for execution are met.
Elixir Field Lv. 60	Instant 2.5s	↔ 0y 5y	Delivers an attack to all nearby enemies with a potency of 800 for the first enemy, and 70% less for all remaining enemies.Additional Effect: Opens the Lunar NadiAdditional Effect: Grants Formless Fist, allowing the execution of a weaponskill that requires a certain form, without being in that formDuration: 30sAny additional effects associated with the executed action will also be applied.Can only be executed while under the effect of three of the same Beast Chakra.※This action cannot be assigned to a hotbar.※Masterful Blitz changes to Elixir Field when requirements for execution are met.
Flint Strike Lv. 60	Instant 2.5s	↔ 0y 5y	Delivers an attack to all nearby enemies with a potency of 800 for the first enemy, and 70% less for all remaining enemies.Additional Effect: Opens the Solar NadiAdditional Effect: Grants Formless Fist, allowing the execution of a weaponskill that requires a certain form, without being in that formDuration: 30sAny additional effects associated with the executed action will also be applied.Can only be executed while under the effect of three distinct Beast Chakra.※This action cannot be assigned to a hotbar.※Masterful Blitz changes to Flint Strike when requirements for execution are met.
Masterful Blitz Lv. 60	Instant 2.5s	↔ 0y 0y	Strike the enemy with a technique fueled by the power of your Beast Chakra.The technique used is determined by the number of different types of Beast Chakra opened.1 Beast Chakra Type: Elixir Burst2 Beast Chakra Types: Celestial Revolution3 Beast Chakra Types: Rising Phoenix3 Beast Chakra and Both Nadi: Phantom Rush
Tornado Kick Lv. 60	Instant 2.5s	↔ 3y 5y	Delivers an attack to target and all enemies nearby it with a potency of 1,200 for the first enemy, and 50% less for all remaining enemies.Additional Effect: Grants Formless Fist, allowing the execution of a weaponskill that requires a certain form, without being in that formDuration: 30sAny additional effects associated with the executed action will also be applied.Can only be executed while under the effect of Lunar Nadi and Solar Nadi, as well as three Beast Chakra.※This action cannot be assigned to a hotbar.※Masterful Blitz changes to Tornado Kick when requirements for execution are met.
Earth's Reply Lv. 64	Instant 1.0s	↔ 0y 5y	Restores own HP and the HP of all nearby party members.Cure Potency: 300Earth's Resolve Potency: 500Can only be executed while under the effect of Earth's Rumination.
Riddle of Earth Lv. 64	Instant 120.0s	↔ 0y 0y	Reduces damage taken by 20%.Duration: 10sAdditional Effect: Grants Earth's Resolve upon taking damageEarth's Resolve Effect: Gradually restores HPCure Potency: 100Duration: 15sAdditional Effect: Grants Earth's RuminationDuration: 30s
Riddle of Fire Lv. 68	Instant 60.0s	↔ 0y 0y	Increases damage dealt by 15%.Duration: 20sAdditional Effect: Grants Fire's RuminationDuration: 20s
Brotherhood Lv. 70	Instant 120.0s	↔ 0y 30y	Grants Brotherhood to self and all nearby party members.Brotherhood Effect: Increases damage dealt by 5%Additional Effect: Allows the opening of up to ten chakraDuration: 20sAdditional Effect: Grants Meditative Brotherhood to self and all nearby party membersMeditative Brotherhood Effect: 20% chance you open a chakra when party members under this effect successfully land a weaponskill or cast a spellChance is 100% when you successfully land a weaponskill or cast a spell while under the effect of Meditative Brotherhood.Duration: 20s
Riddle of Wind Lv. 72	Instant 90.0s	↔ 0y 0y	Reduces auto-attack delay by 50%.Duration: 15sAdditional Effect: Grants Wind's RuminationDuration: 15s
Enlightened Meditation Lv. 74	Instant 1.0s	↔ 0y 0y	Opens a chakra. Up to five chakra can be opened at once.Opens all five chakra when used outside of combat.Triggers the cooldown of weaponskills upon execution.Conversely, execution of weaponskills triggers the cooldown of this action.
Enlightenment Lv. 74	Instant 1.0s	↔ 10y 10y	Delivers an attack with a potency of 200 to all enemies in a straight line before you.Can only be executed while in combat and under the effect of five Chakra. Five chakra close upon execution.
Six-sided Star Lv. 80	Instant 5.0s	↔ 3y 0y	Delivers an attack with a potency of 780. Potency increases by 80 for each Chakra open.Closes all chakra upon execution.Additional Effect: Increases movement speedDuration: 5sCritical hits with this weaponskill will not open a chakra.This weaponskill does not share a recast timer with any other actions. Upon execution, the recast timer for this action will be applied to all other weaponskills and magic actions.
Shadow of the Destroyer Lv. 82	Instant 2.5s	↔ 0y 5y	Delivers an attack with a potency of 120 to all nearby enemies.Opo-opo Form Bonus: Guarantees a critical hitDamage dealt is increased when under an effect that raises critical hit rate.Additional Effect: Changes form to raptorDuration: 30s
Rising Phoenix Lv. 86	Instant 2.5s	↔ 0y 5y	Deals physical fire damage to all nearby enemies with a potency of 900 for the first enemy, and 70% less for all remaining enemies.Additional Effect: Opens the Solar NadiAdditional Effect: Grants Formless Fist, allowing the execution of a weaponskill that requires a certain form, without being in that formDuration: 30sAny additional effects associated with the executed action will also be applied.Can only be executed while under the effect of three distinct Beast Chakra.※This action cannot be assigned to a hotbar.※Masterful Blitz changes to Rising Phoenix when requirements for execution are met.
Phantom Rush Lv. 90	Instant 2.5s	↔ 3y 5y	Delivers an attack to target and all enemies nearby it with a potency of 1,500 for the first enemy, and 50% less for all remaining enemies.Additional Effect: Grants Formless Fist, allowing the execution of a weaponskill that requires a certain form, without being in that formDuration: 30sAny additional effects associated with the executed action will also be applied.Can only be executed while under the effect of Lunar Nadi and Solar Nadi, as well as three Beast Chakra.※This action cannot be assigned to a hotbar.※Masterful Blitz changes to Phantom Rush when requirements for execution are met.
Elixir Burst Lv. 92	Instant 2.5s	↔ 0y 5y	Delivers an attack to all nearby enemies with a potency of 900 for the first enemy, and 70% less for all remaining enemies.Additional Effect: Opens the Lunar NadiAdditional Effect: Grants Formless Fist, allowing the execution of a weaponskill that requires a certain form, without being in that formDuration: 30sAny additional effects associated with the executed action will also be applied.Can only be executed while under the effect of three of the same Beast Chakra.※This action cannot be assigned to a hotbar.※Masterful Blitz changes to Elixir Burst when requirements for execution are met.
Leaping Opo Lv. 92	Instant 2.5s	↔ 3y 0y	Delivers an attack with a potency of 260.Opo-opo's Fury Potency: 460Opo-opo Form Bonus: Guarantees a critical hitDamage dealt is increased when under an effect that raises critical hit rate.Additional Effect: Changes form to raptorDuration: 30s
Pouncing Coeurl Lv. 92	Instant 2.5s	↔ 3y 0y	Delivers an attack with a potency of 310.370 when executed from a target's flank.Coeurl's Fury Potency: 460Flank Coeurl's Fury Potency: 520Can only be executed when in coeurl form.Additional Effect: Changes form to opo-opoDuration: 30s
Rising Raptor Lv. 92	Instant 2.5s	↔ 3y 0y	Delivers an attack with a potency of 340.Raptor's Fury Potency: 540Can only be executed when in raptor form.Additional Effect: Changes form to coeurlDuration: 30s
Wind's Reply Lv. 96	Instant 2.5s	↔ 10y 10y	Delivers an attack to all enemies in a straight line before you with a potency of 900 for the first enemy, and 50% less for all remaining enemies.Can only be executed while under the effect of Wind's Rumination.
Fire's Reply Lv. 100	Instant 2.5s	↔ 20y 5y	Deals damage to all nearby enemies with a potency of 1,200 for the first enemy, and 50% less for all remaining enemies.Additional Effect: Grants Formless Fist, allowing the execution of a weaponskill that requires a certain form, without being in that formDuration: 30sAny additional effects associated with the executed action will also be applied.Can only be executed while under the effect of Fire's Rumination.

Role Actions

Action Name	Cast Recast	Range Radius	Effect
Second Wind Lv. 8	Instant 120.0s	↔ 0y 0y	Instantly restores own HP.Cure Potency: 800
Leg Sweep Lv. 10	Instant 40.0s	↔ 3y 0y	Stuns target.Duration: 3s
Bloodbath Lv. 12	Instant 90.0s	↔ 0y 0y	Converts a portion of physical damage dealt into HP.Duration: 20s
Feint Lv. 22	Instant 90.0s	↔ 10y 0y	Lowers target's physical damage dealt by 10% and magic damage dealt by 5%.Duration: 15s
Arm's Length Lv. 32	Instant 120.0s	↔ 0y 0y	Creates a barrier nullifying most knockback and draw-in effects.Duration: 6sAdditional Effect: Slow +20% when barrier is struckDuration: 15s
True North Lv. 50	Instant 45.0s	↔ 0y 0y	Nullifies all action direction requirements.Duration: 10sMaximum Charges: 2

Monk Traits

Action Name	Acquired	Effect
Greased Lightning	Lv. 1	Reduces weaponskill cast time and recast time, spell cast time and recast time, and auto-attack delay by 5%.
Enhanced Greased Lightning	Lv. 20	Reduces weaponskill cast time and recast time, spell cast time and recast time, and auto-attack delay by 10%.
Deep Meditation	Lv. 38	Grants an 80% chance that a chakra will open upon dealing critical damage with a weaponskill.
Enhanced Greased Lightning II	Lv. 40	Reduces weaponskill cast time and recast time, spell cast time and recast time, and auto-attack delay by 15%.
Steel Peak Mastery	Lv. 54	Upgrades Steel Peak to The Forbidden Chakra and Steeled Meditation to Forbidden Meditation.
Enhanced Perfect Balance	Lv. 60	When under the effect of Perfect Balance, grants Beast Chakra in accordance with the form granted by the executed weaponskills. Weaponskills granting opo-opo form will also grant Coeurl Chakra. Weaponskills granting raptor form will also grant Opo-opo Chakra. Weaponskills granting coeurl form will also grant Raptor Chakra.
Deep Meditation II	Lv. 74	Guarantees that a chakra will open upon dealing critical damage with a weaponskill.
Howling Fist Mastery	Lv. 74	Upgrades Inspirited Meditation to Enlightened Meditation and Howling Fist to Enlightenment.
Enhanced Greased Lightning III	Lv. 76	Reduces weaponskill cast time and recast time, spell cast time and recast time, and auto-attack delay by 20%.
Arm of the Destroyer Mastery	Lv. 82	Upgrades Arm of the Destroyer to Shadow of the Destroyer.
Enhanced Thunderclap	Lv. 84	Allows a third charge of Thunderclap.
Melee Mastery	Lv. 84	Increases the potency of Bootshine to 220, True Strike to 300, Snap Punch to 270, Twin Snakes to 380, Demolish to 320, Dragon Kick to 280, and The Forbidden Chakra to 400.
Flint Strike Mastery	Lv. 86	Upgrades Flint Strike to Rising Phoenix.
Enhanced Brotherhood	Lv. 88	Guarantees that a chakra will open when you are under the effect of Meditative Brotherhood and execute a weaponskill or cast a spell.
Tornado Kick Mastery	Lv. 90	Upgrades Tornado Kick to Phantom Rush.
Beast Chakra Mastery	Lv. 92	Upgrades Bootshine to Leaping Opo, True Strike to Rising Raptor, Snap Punch to Pouncing Coeurl, and Elixir Field to Elixir Burst.
Melee Mastery II	Lv. 94	Increases the potency of Twin Snakes to 420, Demolish to 360, Dragon Kick to 320, Six-sided Star to 780, and Phantom Rush to 1,500.
Enhanced Second Wind	Lv. 94	Increases the healing potency of Second Wind to 800.
Enhanced Riddle of Wind	Lv. 96	Grants Wind's Rumination upon executing Riddle of Wind. Duration: 15s
Enhanced Feint	Lv. 98	Extends the duration of Feint to 15 seconds.
Enhanced Riddle of Fire	Lv. 100	Grants Fire's Rumination upon executing Riddle of Fire. Duration: 20s

Changelog

31 Jul. 2024 (rotation page): Reformatted guide content.
31 Jul. 2024 (gear page): Updated for patch 7.05 savage.
30 Jul. 2024 (rotation page): Updated for Dawntrail.
12 Jul. 2024 (gear page): Updated BiS for 7.0 launch.
12 Jul. 2024 (melding page): Updated for patch 7.0.
12 Jul. 2024 (this page): Updated for patch 7.0.
08 Jun. 2024 (job changes): Updated for media tour info.
02 Jun. 2024 (job changes): Updated for PLL 81/Job actions trailer info.
20 Apr. 2024 (keybindings page): Page added.
30 Jan. 2024 (gear page): Updated BIS for 6.5 Relic.
18 Jan. 2024 (rotation page): Updated for patch 6.55.
18 Jan. 2024 (Leveling page): Updated for patch 6.55.
18 Jan. 2024 (melding page): Updated for patch 6.55.
18 Jan. 2024 (this page): Updated for patch 6.55.
03 Aug. 2023 (Leveling page): Added Chakra section.
19 Jul. 2023 (gear page): Updated TOP and DSR for 6.45 Relic.
24 May 2023 (rotation page): Updated for 6.4.
24 May 2023 (Leveling page): Updated for 6.4.
24 May 2023 (gear page): Updated for 6.4 BiS.
24 May 2023 (melding page): Updated for 6.4.
24 May 2023 (this page): Updated for 6.4.
13 Jan. 2023 (rotation page): Up-to-date for Patch 6.3
13 Jan. 2023 (Leveling page): Up-to-date for Patch 6.3
13 Jan. 2023 (gear page): Updated for all Ultimate Encounter BiSes.
13 Jan. 2023 (melding page): Up-to-date for Patch 6.3
13 Jan. 2023 (this page): Up-to-date for Patch 6.3
07 Jun. 2022 (gear page): Updated for Dragonsong War (Ultimate) weapons.
20 Apr. 2022 (rotation page): Updated for Patch 6.1
20 Apr. 2022 (gear page): Updated for Patch 6.1
20 Apr. 2022 (melding page): Updated for Patch 6.1
20 Apr. 2022 (this page): Updated for Patch 6.1
04 Apr. 2022 (Leveling page): Guide added.
24 Mar. 2022 (rotation page): Youtube embeds for dummy rotation videos added, triple blitz added
08 Jan. 2022 (gear page): Added a Samurai Compatible 1.94 GCD option.
07 Jan. 2022 (rotation page): FPS information added.
07 Jan. 2022 (gear page): Added a 1.93 GCD option.
07 Jan. 2022 (this page): Guide added.
05 Jan. 2022 (rotation page): Optimal Drift Even Window description fixed.
05 Jan. 2022 (gear page): Gear updated for Patch 6.05.
31 Dec. 2021 (rotation page): Guide added.
31 Dec. 2021 (gear page): Guide added.
31 Dec. 2021 (melding page): Guide added.
19 Dec. 2021 (job changes): Page added.

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