Base Class: Monk
Monks who follow the Way of the Kensei dedicate themselves to the art of the blade with unwavering discipline. To them, their weapon is not merely a tool of war, but an extension of their body and mind. Just as a calligrapher guides their brush to parchment, the Kensei guides their weapon to all those that stand in their way.
This tradition began with swordsmanship, but over time has come to embrace a wide array of weapons, such as bows, polearms, and firearms. Through relentless training and meditation, Kensei monks transcend the physical limits of their craft. They learn to channel their energy directly into their chosen armaments, imbuing them with incredible speed and power. Every strike is deliberate. Every defense is measured. To witness a Kensei in battle is to see martial artistry distilled into perfect form.
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 an artisan's tool of your choice. You gain the following benefits.
Kensei Weapons. Choose one melee and one ranged weapon as your kensei weapons. They can be simple and/or martial weapons. Firearms, polearms, and longbows are also valid choices, along with any additional weapon type permitted by your DM. You gain proficiency, they become monk weapons, and you also gain the weapon mastery associated with each weapon. At levels 6, 11, and 17, you can choose an additional kensei weapon. You can also switch kensei weapons after a short/long rest.
Way of the Artisan. You gain proficiency with one Musical Instrument or Artisan's Toolset of your choice.
Note: If you would like to use any other weapon options not listed in the drop-down menus below, you must manually give yourself proficiency and customize the weapon you would like to use to fit the criteria above.
Invoke the Blade
At 3rd level, your mastery of focus allows you to harness your energy in battle, either enhancing your weapons with devastating precision or reinforcing your defenses with unwavering resolve. After rolling initiative, you may spend 1 focus point to gain either of the following benefits for 1 minute:
Sharpen the Blade +1. You concentrate your energy into your Kensei weapons. Your weapons gain a +1 bonus to attack and damage rolls, up to a maximum of +1 at 3rd level and +2 at 11th level.
Sharpen the Mind +1. You concentrate your energy into your body's defenses. You gain a +1 to armor class and saving throws, up to a maximum of +1 at 3rd level and +2 at 11th level.
You may only have one sharpened feature at a time. You can switch between either bonus by using a bonus action and an additional focus point.
None
Out of combat - No Invoke the Blade feature selected.
Sharpen the Blade +1
You concentrate your energy into your Kensei weapons for 1 minute. After rolling initiative, you may spend 1 focus point to give your weapons a +1 bonus to attack and damage rolls.
Sharpen the Blade +2
You concentrate your energy into your Kensei weapons for 1 minute. After rolling initiative, you may spend 1 focus point to give your weapons a +2 bonus to attack and damage rolls.
Sharpen the Mind +1
You concentrate your energy into your body's defenses for 1 minute. After rolling initiative, you may spend 1 focus point to gain a +1 to AC and Saving Throws.
Sharpen the Mind +2
You concentrate your energy into your body's defenses for 1 minute. After rolling initiative, you may spend 1 focus point to gain a +2 to armor class and saving throws.
One with the Blade
At 6th level, your connection to your weapon grants you seamless precision. Each blow with your kensei weapon moves with purpose, guiding your body effortlessly through the battlefield. While under the effect of your Invoke the Blade feature, you gain the following:
Magic Kensei Weapons. Your attacks with your kensei weapons can use force damage instead of bludgeoning, piercing, or slashing damage.
Enhanced Strike. You can make a Kensei weapon attack as a bonus action.
Enhanced Parry. When you use Deflect Attacks, add the damage dice of any Kensei weapons you are holding to the damage reduction (or your martial arts dice, if it is higher).
Kensei Weapon
When you reach 6th 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.
Note: If you would like to use any other weapon options not listed in the drop-down menus below, you must manually give yourself proficiency and customize the weapon you would like to use to fit the criteria above.
Blade Mastery
At 11th level, your blade becomes a complete extension of your mind and body. The world slows around your blade, cutting through chaos with calm precision. While under your Invoke the Blade feature, you gain the following:
Blade Mastery. You can use your Kensei Weapons in place of your unarmed strikes for any of your monk abilities or feats.
Unerring Accuracy. If you miss with an attack roll while using a Kensei Weapon, you can spend a Focus Point to add your proficiency bonus to your attack roll. After you use this feature, you can’t do so again until the start of your next turn.
Unerring Reflexes. If you are hit with an attack roll while using a Kensei Weapon, you can spend a Focus Point to subtract your proficiency bonus from their attack roll. After you use this feature, you can’t do so again until the start of your next turn.
Kensei Weapon
When you reach 11th 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.
Note: If you would like to use any other weapon options not listed in the drop-down menus below, you must manually give yourself proficiency and customize the weapon you would like to use to fit the criteria above.
Executioner
At 17th level, you have learned how to sense the fraying thread of life itself, and with a single decisive strike, the battlefield quiets as your weapon finds its final mark. While under the effects of your Invoke the Blade feature, you gain the following:
Finishing Blow. When you hit a bloodied creature with a Kensei weapon, you can spend 4 focus points to force it to make a Constitution saving throw against your monk save DC. On a failure, it takes 10d10 force damage, or half as much on a success. If this damage reduces the creature to 0 hit points, you regain the spent focus points; otherwise, the creature is immune to this feature for 24 hours.
Kensei Weapon
When you reach 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.
Note: If you would like to use any other weapon options not listed in the drop-down menus below, you must manually give yourself proficiency and customize the weapon you would like to use to fit the criteria above.
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