Monks of the Way of the Kensei train relentlessly with their weapons, to the point that the weapon becomes like an extension of the body. Founded on a mastery of sword fighting, the tradition has expanded to include many different weapons.

A kensei sees a weapon much in the same way a calligrapher or a painter regards a pen or brush. Whatever the weapon, the kensei views it as a tool used to express the beauty and precision of the martial arts. That such mastery makes a kensei a peerless warrior is but a side effect of intense devotion, practice, and study.

Path of the Kensei

When you choose this tradition at 3rd level, your special martial arts training leads you to master the use of certain weapons. This path also includes instruction in the deft strokes of calligraphy or painting. You gain the following benefits:

• Kensei Weapons. Choose two types of weapons to be your kensei weapons: one melee weapon and one ranged weapon. Each of these weapons can be any simple or martial weapon that lacks the heavy and special properties. The longbow is also a valid choice. You gain proficiency with these weapons if you don't already have it. Weapons of the chosen types are monk weapons for you. Many of this tradition's features work only with your kensei weapons. When you reach 6th, 11th, and 17th level in this class, you can choose another type of weapon – either melee or ranged – to be a kensei weapon for you, following the criteria above. At 6th level, your kensei weapons gain the finesse trait, and at 11th level, your kensei weapons must no longer lack the heavy and special traits.

• Agile Parry. If you make an unarmed strike as part of the Attack action on your turn and are holding a kensei weapon, you can use it to defend yourself if it is a melee weapon. You gain a +2 bonus to AC until the start of your next turn, while the weapon is in your hand and you aren’t incapacitated. This increases to +3 AC at 6th level, +4 AC at 11th level, and +6 AC at 17th level.

• Kensei's Shot. Your ranged attacks with a kensei weapon are more deadly. When you hit a creature with a ranged attack using a kensei weapon, the target takes an extra 1d4 damage of the weapon’s type. This increases to 1d6 extra damage at 6th level, 1d10 at 11th level, and 2d8 at 17th level.

• Way of the Brush. You gain proficiency with your choice of calligrapher's supplies or painter's supplies.

One with the Blade

At 6th level, you extend your ki into your kensei weapons, granting you the following benefits.

• Magic Kensei Weapons. Your attacks with your kensei weapons count as magical for the purpose of overcoming resistance and immunity to nonmagical attacks and damage. And whenever you score a critical hit against a creature with your kensei weapon, you regain ki points equal to one roll of your martial arts die + your Dexterity modifier.

• Blade Flurry. Whenever you use flurry of blows or ki fueled attack and are holding a kensei weapon, any number of the attacks made can be with your kensei weapon instead of an unarmed strike.

• Martial Excellence. Swapping between your kensei weapons on your turn is a free action. Once per turn, when you make an attack with a kensei weapon, the next attack you make with a different kensei weapon has advantage until the end of your turn.

Sharpen the Blade

At 11th level, you gain the ability to augment your weapons further with your ki. As a bonus action, you can expend up to 3 ki points to grant one kensei weapon you touch a bonus to attack and damage rolls when you attack with it. The bonus equals the number of ki points you spent. This bonus lasts for 1 minute or until you use this feature again.

Legendary Warrior

At 17th level, your mastery of ki grants you extraordinary speed and focus, granting you the following benefits:

• Improved Flurry. You can attack three times, instead of twice, whenever you take the Attack action on your turn.

• Master of Self. You can spend 1 minute outside of combat in meditation to regain any spent ki points.