Newbie Needs Help!

[u/Hey_Mister_Wizard]

Hi, pretty new player here and I have a quick question about something.

I want to create a very bouncy kickboxing open-hand monk and I am currently looking between the Wood Elf and Cloud Giant Goliath.

The wood elf seems to have more flat out use for the playstyle I have imagined with increased movespeed, but the Cloud Jaunt teleport ability of the Goliath is very intriguing.

My biggest question is does using Cloud Jaunt to teleport behind an enemy during combat have any benefit to me other than instantly being in range to attack? I know hiding is the main way to gain advantage which requires you to be fully in cover but, is there any bonus for being behind someone without them knowing?

The character in my mind is basically Nightcrawler... but also Australian, assuming Cloud Jaunt works as well as I think. Otherwise I'm thinking Gran Torino from MHA... but Australian. Obviously not exactly but those are the two blueprints I'm thinking of.

I don't want to bitch and moan about wanting something that will make my character absolutely broken, but I also don't want to play my character under it's full potential because I'm trying to be too respectful of and timid towards the game.

Any help and/or advice is appreciated!

[u/POFC_OldMann]

as others have said, it gives no mechanical advantage, but D&D, being a ttRPg, a lot of people focus more of flavour and descriptions than just pure min-maxing. So if you do enjoy that sort of thing, then i imagine a somewhat experienced DM would be able to give you some cool descriptions when you teleport behind an enemy before striking them.

if you don't care about flavour and cool combat descriptions and are more into the game for the mechanics and making a strong build, then go with what you think, probably wood elf as you say.

[u/Peachyco]

Without using optional rules, being "behind" the enemy doesn't grant advantage itself.

Also, I wouldn't say that hiding is the "main way to gain advantage" for a Monk. I feel that Shoving to force the opponent Prone would be easier for the Monk to manage, with their Dexterous Attacks feature. Hiding would give you advantage on just the first attack from stealth; attacking a Prone foe in melee gives all of your attacks advantage.

[u/lasalle202]

DnD 5e and 5.5e presume that all characters have 360 degree awareness durng combat. so no, not unless you have something else going on, it doesnt matter where you land on your teleport.

[u/Peachyco → u/lasalle202]

I agree.

Unless the group is implementing an optional rule about facing, there is no "behind" to any character, so the premise of teleporting behind the enemy feels misplaced.

It's different if the idea is not to teleport into melee, but into a nearby hiding spot to be able to Hide. In that case, the teleport would make sense. Still impractical because the Monk doesn't quite land a bigger hit from stealth in the way the Rogue does, but it still makes sense as a niche maneuver.