Monk / ClericMulticlass Build Guide — D&D 5e

The monk is already investing heavily in Wisdom for Unarmored Defense and Stunning Strike DC. A cleric dip uses that same Wisdom for spellcasting, healing and domain features without adding any new ability score dependency. One level of cleric gives you full access to the cleric’s 1st-level spell list — Bless, Healing Word, Shield of Faith, Sanctuary — plus cantrips like Guidance and Sacred Flame. It is the most stat-efficient caster dip any monk can take.

Domain choice shapes the dip. Life Domain gives Disciple of Life, boosting every heal you cast by 2 + spell level — Healing Word becomes a meaningful pick-up tool even with a single 1st-level slot. War Domain gives War Priest: a bonus-action weapon attack a number of times equal to your Wisdom modifier. That is extra swings without spending ki, on a class that lives and dies by bonus-action economy. Twilight Domain gives advantage on initiative (on top of an already fast monk) and 300 ft darkvision.

The cost is minimal. One or two levels delay your ki pool and martial arts die, but the cleric’s 1st-level features are front-loaded and powerful. Two levels add Channel Divinity, which varies by domain: Turn Undead is situational, but War’s +10 to a single attack roll can guarantee a hit for Stunning Strike on the critical turn. After two levels, return to monk and never look back.

Ability priority: DEX → WIS → CON — Dexterity for attacks and half of Unarmored Defense. Wisdom now does triple duty: the other half of AC, Stunning Strike DC, and cleric spell save DC. Constitution for hit points on a d8 chassis.