Hi, just wondering how monk players feel about monk weapons.
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There's really no reason not to use a weapon; any Monk can use a quarterstaff and holding one doesn't prevent you using unarmed strikes to trigger features that only work on those. Plus if you use the Tasha's Cauldron Dedicated Weapon optional feature it's easier to get access to more monk weapons.
At earlier levels a weapon will do more damage, and at later levels you may have a magic weapon that's better overall; the decision of whether to take a weapon on a monk really should be thematic on most of the sub-classes IMO, as mechanically there's no reason not to take one.
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But there are subclasses like astral self, mercy that have subclass features that require unarmed strikes. Astral self’s arms use wisdom only for unarmed attacks. Mercy can use hand of heal/harm on attack action unarmed attacks. But usually used with FoB, I would assume, with both becoming free of Ki cost with FoB. And, of course, at 6th level, if you don’t have a magic weapon only your unarmed strikes are considered magical unless you are Kensei.
But there are subclasses like astral self, mercy that have subclass features that require unarmed strikes. Astral self’s arms use wisdom only for unarmed attacks. Mercy can use hand of heal/harm on attack action unarmed attacks. But usually used with FoB, I would assume, with both becoming free of Ki cost with FoB. And, of course, at 6th level, if you don’t have a magic weapon only your unarmed strikes are considered magical unless you are Kensei.
there are subclasses like astral self, mercy that have subclass features that require unarmed strikes.
While this is true, holding a weapon doesn't stop you from using them (as even two-handed weapons only occupy both hands while attacking, and you can also unarmed strike with head, feet etc.). Plus these abilities all (iirc) require some cost in Ki points so you may not always want to use them, especially at lower levels when the weapon is going to do more damage overall.
Although only the Kensei gives counts-as-magical attacks on all weapons for free, if you have gold to spare (and you might, as Monks aren't an expensive class to run) then you could always have a weapon silvered, either that or your DM may let you have a magic weapon at or not long after 6th level in which case you can bypass some resistances/immunities anyway. It's worth keeping a weapon in mind for a build unless it doesn't fit your theme, as you may get a magic weapon that deals damage or a special effect that you can't otherwise do.
That said, the same is true of some of the unarmed boosting items, like the Eldritch Claw Tattoo.
Former D&D Beyond Customer of six years: With the axing of piecemeal purchasing, lack of meaningful development, and toxic moderation the site isn't worth paying for anymore. I remain a free user only until my groups are done migrating from DDB, and if necessary D&D, after which I'm done. There are better systems owned by better companies out there.
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People conceptualize monks as unarmed fighters first and foremost, but that's never been the case. The ability to hit stuff unarmed is a bonus on top of your ordinary weapon user stuff. Other classes don't get to kick people as a bonus action after they swing their sword or whatever.
It's why things don't look good if you try to compare damage for unarmed attacks with other things. And obviously, why should a headbutt hurt as much as a big sword? That's silly.
Use weapons! It's what the class is designed to do!
I play a race (tabaxi) that has added damage to my unarmed strikes and I still use a quarterstaff. I mean, there are zero downsides and one significant upside - more damage.
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Hi, just wondering how monk players feel about monk weapons.
Lets summon archdevils
Platymaster of the Church (Cult) of the Platypus
Arachnapriest of the Guild of Spiders
Disclaimer: Underfan8 is not to be held responsible for any of the following events happening as a result of talking to Underfan8, touching Underfan8, or even just seeing Underfan8: The rise of Tiamat, resurrection of vecna, pissed of genies, a complete and udder power change in the blood war, or a fate worse than a fate worse than total annihilation. Exist with Underfan8 at you own risk.
There's really no reason not to use a weapon; any Monk can use a quarterstaff and holding one doesn't prevent you using unarmed strikes to trigger features that only work on those. Plus if you use the Tasha's Cauldron Dedicated Weapon optional feature it's easier to get access to more monk weapons.
At earlier levels a weapon will do more damage, and at later levels you may have a magic weapon that's better overall; the decision of whether to take a weapon on a monk really should be thematic on most of the sub-classes IMO, as mechanically there's no reason not to take one.
Former D&D Beyond Customer of six years: With the axing of piecemeal purchasing, lack of meaningful development, and toxic moderation the site isn't worth paying for anymore. I remain a free user only until my groups are done migrating from DDB, and if necessary D&D, after which I'm done. There are better systems owned by better companies out there.
I have unsubscribed from all topics and will not reply to messages. My homebrew is now 100% unsupported.
No reason not to use them...unless you get a magic item that gives you bonus to Unarmed Attacks.
At level 6 the major reason to use fists is that they are magical and overcome resistance.
Before that anything works....after that fists only if you are facing such a creature.
I agree that, why not use a weapon.
But there are subclasses like astral self, mercy that have subclass features that require unarmed strikes. Astral self’s arms use wisdom only for unarmed attacks. Mercy can use hand of heal/harm on attack action unarmed attacks. But usually used with FoB, I would assume, with both becoming free of Ki cost with FoB. And, of course, at 6th level, if you don’t have a magic weapon only your unarmed strikes are considered magical unless you are Kensei.
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Good points!
I use Monk weapons two-handed with quarterstaff or spear and thrown with javelin or spear. You never know when you'll need to make range attacks.
I like using the light hammer because I like the visual of a monk chucking a hammer at some mook 20ft away.
While this is true, holding a weapon doesn't stop you from using them (as even two-handed weapons only occupy both hands while attacking, and you can also unarmed strike with head, feet etc.). Plus these abilities all (iirc) require some cost in Ki points so you may not always want to use them, especially at lower levels when the weapon is going to do more damage overall.
Although only the Kensei gives counts-as-magical attacks on all weapons for free, if you have gold to spare (and you might, as Monks aren't an expensive class to run) then you could always have a weapon silvered, either that or your DM may let you have a magic weapon at or not long after 6th level in which case you can bypass some resistances/immunities anyway. It's worth keeping a weapon in mind for a build unless it doesn't fit your theme, as you may get a magic weapon that deals damage or a special effect that you can't otherwise do.
That said, the same is true of some of the unarmed boosting items, like the Eldritch Claw Tattoo.
Former D&D Beyond Customer of six years: With the axing of piecemeal purchasing, lack of meaningful development, and toxic moderation the site isn't worth paying for anymore. I remain a free user only until my groups are done migrating from DDB, and if necessary D&D, after which I'm done. There are better systems owned by better companies out there.
I have unsubscribed from all topics and will not reply to messages. My homebrew is now 100% unsupported.
People conceptualize monks as unarmed fighters first and foremost, but that's never been the case. The ability to hit stuff unarmed is a bonus on top of your ordinary weapon user stuff. Other classes don't get to kick people as a bonus action after they swing their sword or whatever.
It's why things don't look good if you try to compare damage for unarmed attacks with other things. And obviously, why should a headbutt hurt as much as a big sword? That's silly.
Use weapons! It's what the class is designed to do!
I play a race (tabaxi) that has added damage to my unarmed strikes and I still use a quarterstaff. I mean, there are zero downsides and one significant upside - more damage.