Subclass Monk Way of Mercy

What Is the Way of Mercy?

The Way of Mercy is a support-striker hybrid Monk subclass built around one shared choice: Hand of Harm spends a Ki Point to add Necrotic damage to an unarmed hit, Hand of Healing spends the same Ki Point to heal instead, and at Level 11 Flurry of Healing and Harm turns a Bonus Action into a multi-hit version of either, Wisdom-modifier times per Long Rest.

Level 3: Hand of Harm

Once per turn, after you hit with an unarmed strike, you can spend 1 Ki Point to deal an extra Martial Arts die + Wisdom modifier Necrotic damage.

This does not apply Poisoned on its own — not even on a critical hit. Poisoned is added at Level 6 by Physician's Touch.

Level 3: Hand of Healing

Spend 1 Action and 1 Ki Point to touch a living creature (not Undead or Construct) within reach and restore Martial Arts die + Wisdom modifier HP.

If you have already spent a Ki Point on a Bonus Action this turn, the next Hand of Healing costs no Ki.

Condition removal is added at Level 6 by Physician's Touch.

Level 3: Implements of Mercy

Gain proficiency in Insight and Medicine, and your Alchemy is doubled — potions you brew are more potent.

Level 6: Physician's Touch

Physician's Touch upgrades both of your Level 3 features:

• Hand of Harm now also applies Poisoned on hit.
• Hand of Healing now also removes Poisoned, Diseased, Paralyzed, and Blinded from the target — all of these that are present, not a choice of one.

Level 11: Flurry of Healing and Harm

A Bonus Action costing 2 Ki Points and one Flurry of Healing and Harm charge. You have a number of charges equal to your Wisdom modifier (minimum one), refreshed on a Long Rest. Choose one of:

• Flurry of Healing — the same number of Hand of Healing touches as Flurry of Blows currently grants you, each restoring Martial Arts die + Wisdom modifier HP, with no extra Ki cost per touch.
• Flurry of Harm — the same number of unarmed strikes as Flurry of Blows, each adding Martial Arts die + Wisdom modifier Necrotic damage (and Poisoned, if you have Physician's Touch).

Playstyle Summary

The Way of Mercy is a Ki-economy hybrid — every Ki point is a choice between damage and healing.

Your combat loop:

1. Attack with unarmed strikes — Stunning Strike is available at Level 5
2. Hand of Harm — spend 1 Ki on a hit for bonus Necrotic (plus Poisoned at Level 6+)
3. Flurry of Blows — 2-3 unarmed strikes as a Bonus Action
4. Hand of Healing — spend 1 Action and 1 Ki to heal an ally, plus condition removal at Level 6+
5. Flurry of Healing and Harm — Wisdom-modifier times per Long Rest, a Bonus Action for a multi-touch heal or a multi-hit Necrotic burst