Monks of the Way of the Sōhei believe that strength is not a matter of brute force, but of diplomacy and elegance. Much like Fighters who choose to follow the path of the Samurai, these monks have an unbreakable resolve and an unmoving will. Monks of this path are often considered warriors within their monasteries.

Bonus Proficiencies

When you choose this tradition at 3rd level, you gain proficiency with martial weapons. Additionally, you gain proficiency in one of the following skills of your choice: History, Insight, Performance, or Persuasion.

One with the Blade

Starting at 3rd level, when you choose this path, you become adept with your monk weapon, to the point of being able to use it as swiftly as your own hands. You gain access to the following features: 

• Swift Strike: When you utilize your “Flurry of Blows,” one of the attacks may be made utilizing your weapon as opposed to an unarmed strike. 
• Parry: If an enemy attacks you after you have used your “Patient Defense” feature, or if you took the Dodge action, you may make one unarmed strike against them as a reaction, whether or not they hit. 
• Charging Assault: If you use your “Step of the Wind” feature to Dash as a bonus action, and you travel at least 10 feet before attacking an enemy, you may push that creature 10 feet away from you if you hit.

Seasoned Warrior

At 6th level, you are able to utilize your ki to target your enemies weaknesses. At the very start of your turn, you may spend 1 ki point in order to grant yourself advantage to all melee attacks you make with your monk weapon until the end of your turn. 

Furthermore, outside of combat, your ability to spot weaknesses in others allows you to persuade them with ease. You may add your Wisdom modifier to any ability check which involves Charisma. 

Warrior Spirit

Also at 6th level, your ki flows through you, driving your desire for battle. You gain access to the following features: 

• Lead the Charge: When rolling for initiative, you may spend 1 ki point to give yourself +10 to your roll. This must be done before seeing the result of the roll.  
• Momentary Distraction: When you use your “Stunning Strike” feature, if the enemy succeeds on their Constitution saving throw, you may spend another ki point to attack them with your monk weapon. 
• Patient Strike: At the start of your turn, you may choose to spend up to 5 ki points. The next time you make an attack with your monk weapon on the same turn, you may add 1d6 to the damage roll for each ki point spent. This increases to 1d8 at 11th level, and 1d10 at 17th. If you do so, you cannot take any reactions until the start of your next turn. 

Furthermore, attacks with your monk weapon count as magical for the purpose of overcoming damage resistances and immunities.When rolling for initiative, you may spend 1 ki point to give yourself +10 to your roll. This must be done before seeing the result of the roll. 

Swift Defender

At 11th level, your ki grants you superhuman abilities when you need to defend those in need. When a creature you can see within 30 feet of you is the target of an attack, you may use your reaction to move up to half your movement towards them. If they are within 5 feet of you after this, you may take the hit for them. When you do so, you may additionally expend 1 ki point in order to impose disadvantage on the attack roll.

Never Surrender

At 17th level, the flow of ki within you impedes the onset of death. When you take damage that reduces you to 0 hit points, you may expend half of your remaining ki points (rounded up) to instead be reduced to 1 hit point. After doing so, you may immediately take an extra turn, regardless of initiative order. This feature may only be used once per long rest.