Monk versus Magic resistance

Post/Author/DateTimePost
#1

Dwarfslayer

May 03, 2015 2:52:36

Does a creature having magic resistance gain advantage on saves against a monk's ki-based attacks, such as stunning strike and open-hand technique?

#2

Kentus

May 03, 2015 3:21:19

Normally not, even though some DM might to apply it due the workings of their campaigns or because the monster's fluff. But for the standard monk in standard campaigns, magic resistance doesn't work against Ki-attacks.

#3

lawrencehoy

May 03, 2015 5:15:50

Kentus is correct; RAW, ki is not magic. Although, as Kentus suggests, some DMs may house rule that ki is magic, in their own settings.

#4

Noctaem

May 03, 2015 5:44:22

Dwarfslayer wrote:
#5

Dwarfslayer

May 03, 2015 7:01:41

lawrencehoy wrote:
#6

Noctaem

May 03, 2015 7:11:53

Dwarfslayer wrote:
#7

Kentus

May 03, 2015 16:09:17

Dwarfslayer wrote:
#8

lawrencehoy

May 03, 2015 18:14:56

Noctaem wrote:
(Reply to #8)

DungeonMasteredPodcast

I agree with Kentus on this one.  There are certain ki-based skills that might be classified as magic since they literally state that you are casting something, such as Eternal Mountain Defense, which states that you spend 5 ki to cast Stoneskin on yourself.  In cases like that, I suppose that the DM could classify that as magic.  However, with other ki based attacks that do not specifically state you are casting something, since the descriptions do not list spell requirements like verbal, material, etc., I personally wouldn't call them magic.

 

In fact, if I were your DM, I personally wouldn't call any ki-based skill magic, even if it specifically states that you are casting something.  

#10

Tempest_Stormwind

May 04, 2015 10:12:11

Let's go to the rules. There's two to check:

Ki-Empowered Strikes wrote:
#11

reddaemon

May 04, 2015 10:29:31 		I would rule that ki and all effects produced by spending a Ki point (i.e. Stunning Strike) are magic in nature. The description under "The Magic of Ki" seems to support that ruling. Not everyone will rule the same and it's best to check with your DM on their interpretation.