D&D 5e: Monk Evasion – What Does It *Really* Protect You From? A Beginner's Guide

The Monk in Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition is a nimble and deadly martial artist, capable of dodging blows and weaving through danger with unparalleled grace. A key feature of this class is the *Evasion* ability, gained at 7th level. It sounds amazing on paper, but many new players (and even some experienced ones!) misunderstand what Evasion actually *does*. This guide will break down Evasion, explaining its function, limitations, and how to effectively use it.

What is Evasion, Exactly?

In simple terms, Evasion significantly reduces the damage you take from certain *area of effect* spells and abilities that require you to make a Dexterity saving throw. Here's the official wording:

"At 7th level, you can nimbly dodge out of the way of certain area effects, such as a red dragon’s fiery breath or a lightning bolt spell. When you are subjected to an effect that allows you to make a Dexterity saving throw to take only half damage, you instead take no damage if you succeed on the saving throw, and only half damage if you fail."

Key Takeaways from the Definition:

• Dexterity Saving Throw Required: Evasion *only* triggers when you're subjected to an effect that forces you to make a Dexterity saving throw. If the effect requires a different type of saving throw (Strength, Constitution, Wisdom, Intelligence, or Charisma), Evasion does *nothing*.
• Half Damage on a Success: The effect must normally deal half damage on a successful Dexterity saving throw. If the effect doesn't specify half damage on a successful save, Evasion doesn't apply.
• Area of Effect (AoE) is Implied: While the official description doesn't explicitly use the term "area of effect" everywhere, the examples (dragon's breath, lightning bolt) make it clear that Evasion is primarily intended to protect you from AoE spells and abilities that target a specific area. This is crucial to understanding its limitations.

Common Examples of Effects Evasion Works Against:

• Fireball: A classic example. You make a Dexterity saving throw. Normally, you'd take half damage on a success. With Evasion, you take *no* damage on a success and half damage on a failure.
• Lightning Bolt: Another common spell. Same rules apply as Fireball.
• Dragon's Breath (Fire, Lightning, Acid, etc.): Most dragons have a breath weapon that deals area-of-effect damage and requires a Dexterity saving throw. Evasion shines here.
• Cone of Cold: Yet another area-of-effect spell that relies on a Dexterity saving throw.
• Certain Traps: Many traps deal damage in an area and require a Dexterity saving throw to avoid.

When Evasion *Doesn't* Work (Common Pitfalls):

This is where many new players get tripped up. Evasion is *not* a universal damage mitigation tool. Here are situations where it's useless:

• Direct Attacks (Attack Rolls): If an enemy attacks you with a weapon or a spell that requires an attack roll (e.g., *Scorching Ray*, a dragon's bite), Evasion does *nothing*. The attacker rolls to hit your AC. If they hit, you take full damage (unless you have other damage reduction abilities).
• Saving Throws Other Than Dexterity: If you're subjected to a spell like *Hold Person* (Wisdom saving throw) or *Feeblemind* (Intelligence saving throw), Evasion is irrelevant.
• Effects with No Saving Throw: Some effects simply happen to you without allowing a saving throw. For example, if you fall into a pit trap that deals automatic damage, Evasion won't help.
• Effects That Don't Deal Half Damage on a Success: Some area-of-effect spells deal *no* damage on a successful save, but inflict a condition or some other effect instead. Evasion doesn't apply to these. An example might be a spell that petrifies targets failing a Constitution save.
• Certain Damage Types: Evasion doesn't provide resistance to any specific damage type. It only mitigates damage based on the *saving throw* mechanic. If a spell deals fire damage but requires a Constitution save, Evasion won't help, even if you wish it did.

Practical Examples and Scenarios:

• Scenario 1: The Fireball Trap

* *The Situation:* The party enters a room, and a hidden trap triggers, releasing a Fireball. The DM announces that everyone in a 20-foot radius must make a Dexterity saving throw.
* *The Monk's Action:* The Monk makes a Dexterity saving throw.
* *The Outcome:* If the Monk succeeds on the saving throw, they take *no* damage thanks to Evasion. If they fail, they take half damage.

• Scenario 2: The Dragon's Breath

* *The Situation:* A Red Dragon unleashes its fiery breath weapon, engulfing the party. The DM calls for Dexterity saving throws.
* *The Monk's Action:* The Monk makes a Dexterity saving throw.
* *The Outcome:* If the Monk succeeds, they take *no* damage. If they fail, they take half damage. This is where Evasion truly shines, as dragon breath can be devastating.

• Scenario 3: An Orc Warrior's Attack

* *The Situation:* An Orc Warrior swings his greataxe at the Monk.
* *The Monk's Action:* The Orc makes an attack roll against the Monk's AC.
* *The Outcome:* If the Orc's attack roll beats the Monk's AC, the Monk takes full damage. Evasion is *completely irrelevant* in this situation.

• Scenario 4: The Hold Person Spell

* *The Situation:* A wizard casts *Hold Person* on the Monk.
* *The Monk's Action:* The Monk must make a *Wisdom* saving throw.
* *The Outcome:* Whether the Monk succeeds or fails on the Wisdom saving throw, Evasion is *completely irrelevant* because it only applies to Dexterity saving throws.

Maximizing Evasion's Effectiveness:

• Boost Your Dexterity: The higher your Dexterity score, the better your Dexterity saving throws will be. This increases your chance of succeeding on the save and taking no damage.
• Proficiency in Dexterity Saving Throws: Monks are proficient in Strength and Dexterity saving throws. This proficiency bonus is added to your saving throw roll, further increasing your chances of success.
• Wisdom Saving Throw Bonuses: While Evasion doesn't directly affect Wisdom saving throws, a high Wisdom score and proficiency in Wisdom saves will help you resist spells and effects that might otherwise disable you, making you more vulnerable to area-of-effect attacks later.
• Positioning: While obvious, good positioning can help you avoid being caught in the area of effect in the first place. Stay mobile and try to avoid clustering with allies, making you a smaller target.

Conclusion:

Evasion is a powerful defensive ability that makes Monks incredibly resilient against certain types of damage. However, it's crucial to understand its limitations. By understanding when Evasion applies and when it doesn't, you can play your Monk more effectively and avoid falling into common traps. Remember, it's a specialized tool, not a universal shield. Use it wisely, and you'll be a frustratingly elusive opponent for any enemy that relies on area-of-effect attacks.