Most believe combat superiority is decided on the weapons they use and that when it comes to melee combat, no weapon is superior to all others. The monks who study the ways of the living weapon disagree and believe that the greatest of all weapons is the one they have forged with their own bodies.

The monk has dedicated themselves to the study of the meaning of the use of weapons. After much contemplation they have derived the meaning of the use of weapons and have channeled the very essence of weapons into their own bodies. Hammers that crush their foes, swords that cut through obstacles, the monk has derived all into their own bodies and are determined to demonstrate that no matter what weapons others may wield in their hands, the monk can surpass them all with their well trained bodies.

3rd lv Weapon Martial Arts Form

The monk meditates on the essence of a weapon and incorporates its style into their unarmed martial arts.

During a short/long rest the monk can assume a martial arts weapon form. They retain the abilities of the chosen martial arts weapon form until their next short/long rest when they can choose to keep to their current martial arts weapon form or choose a new form from the martial arts weapon form list. Unarmed attacks made with these forms can be treated as both unarmed and weapon attacks. 

Sword Form- The monks sword form unarmed strikes deal 1d6 slashing damage. By spending one ki point and a target is struck by the monk's sword form unarmed strike then the monk has advantage on all other melee sword form unarmed strike attacks against that target. Damage of an unarmed sword form attack becomes a 1d8 slashing damage at 11th lv. and 1d10 slashing damage at 17th lv..

Spear Form- The monk's spear form unarmed strikes deal 1d6 piercing damage. By spending one ki point the monk can make a lunging unarmed spear form attack to increase their reach for that attack by 5 feet. On a hit, if the target is one size larger or smaller than the monk then it must make a dexterity saving throw and on a failed save are knocked prone. Damage of unarmed spear form attack becomes 1d8 piercing damage at 11th lv. and 1d10 piercing damage at 17th lv..

Hammer Form- The monk's hammer form unarmed strikes deal 1d6 bludgeoning damage. By spending one ki point, the monk can choose one item the target is wearing and when you hit the target with an unarmed hammer form attack you can have the target perform a strength saving throw and on a failed save, it drops the object you chose at its feat. Damage of unarmed hammer form attack becomes a 1d8 bludgeoning damage at 11th lv. and 1d10 bludgeoning damage at 17th lv..

Shield Form- The monk gains resistance to bludgeoning, slashing, and piercing damage. 

*At later levels, when the monk can assume multiple weapon martial arts forms , if any of the forms involve an unarmed strike to trigger its effects and the monk makes multiple unarmed strikes, then the monk must designate which martial arts weapon form they are using for that unarmed strike and apply only those effect to the attack.

Lv. 6 Unarmed but Armored Fighting

While the Monk may avoid the thought of using weapons in combat, the same can not be said for armor. Through extensive training, the monk has learned to incorporate various gauntlets and boots into their martial arts and have even learned how to use them to enhance their unarmed attacks. 

Gauntlet and Leg Armor are now considered monk weapons. Two pieces of gauntlet armor equipped by the monk grants a +1 to the monk's AC and two pieces of leg armor equipped by the monk grants a +1 to the monk's AC. Any bonus to the monk's AC by these armors is also applied to the monk's unarmed attack damage (example: +1 ac= +1 unarmed attack damage).  This does not affect the monk's unarmored defense feature and even with the armor equipped, attacks by the monk are still considered both unarmed strikes and weapon attacks. The monk can not use other weapons or shields in any hand equipped with a monk weapon gauntlet.

Lv. 11 Martial Unarmed Weapon Master

The monk has further deepened their proficiency with their understanding of their weapon fighting style. Now they are able to further refine their bodies into a more deadly weapon, incorporating more of their weapon forms at once.

The Monk can choose a 2nd way of the weapon martial arts form. Can not choose one that they are already utilizing as their second choice. Can change only one form at a time during a short rest and both during a long rest. 

Additionally each time a Weapon form is chosen a feat associated with the weapon form is gained until another weapon form is chosen in which case the previous feat is lost and the new one is gained. The monk does not gain any bonus to their ability scores from these feats. 

Sword Form- Gain the Slasher Feat. 

Spear Form- Gain the Piercer Feat

Hammer Form- Gain the Crusher Feat. 

Shield Form-  Gain the Shield Master Feat.

Lv. 17 The Perfect Weapon

The monk has obtained the ultimate understanding of weapon and unarmed combat. They have forged their bodies into the perfect weapon and now wage battle even amongst those who have trained their own weapons to the extreme with utmost confidence.

Way of the weapon form's receive additional features and all unarmed weapon form attacks critically hit on a 18-20

Sword Form-  Once per turn, if the monk has advantage on an unarmed sword form attack, you can sacrifice your advantage on a target to make an additional unarmed sword form attack against that target. 

Spear Form- The monk can make a 2nd opportunity unarmed spear form attack against a target or make a new opportunity unarmed spear form attack against another target. 

Hammer Form- Any unarmed hammer form melee attacks on any creature that is prone or stunned is an automatic critical hit.

Shield Form- Each time you choose the shield form, you can choose one melee damage type (piercing, bludgeoning, or slashing damage). You gain immunity to non-magical damage of that type and resistance to magical damage of that type until you choose shield form again or another weapon form.