I am currently playing a 5th level Gnomish Monk of the open hand, using a Jian, which is basically being treated as a longsword (1d8/1d10 - versatile) so I'm no hindered by having to drop it to use martial arts. I also have a fairly lenient DM.
My DM okayed this, but I just wanted to get some outside feedback. I just started playing 5e chose a monk and started with a spear. I want to use a warpick to strengthen my back story and because all of the other members in our party use a spear too. With both weapons doing 1d8 and piercing (one is versatile I know) would calling it a monk weapon be too outside of the rules?
My DM okayed this, but I just wanted to get some outside feedback. I just started playing 5e chose a monk and started with a spear. I want to use a warpick to strengthen my back story and because all of the other members in our party use a spear too. With both weapons doing 1d8 and piercing (one is versatile I know) would calling it a monk weapon be too outside of the rules?
Warpick is a martial weapon. You don't have proficiency, so you'll be losing your proficiency bonus by using one. RAW, you would need to be a Kensei or take the Weapon Master feat (for example) to accomplish this. If you want to use a "kama", reflavour either a sickle or a short sword - there's no balance issues with this.
I know this is an old thread, but I thought you might be interested in this beautiful weapon: the kusarigama. There is a picture of a couple on wikipedia, along with a short description of what they could do. I have been thinking about having my monk use a kusarigama, but first I will have to convince everybody to let me use it (because it technically isn't in D&D). Not sure of the stats yet, I was thinking 1d6 slashing/bludgeoning (depending on what end you are using) and having both the versatile and reach stats.
I know this is an old thread, but I thought you might be interested in this beautiful weapon: the kusarigama. There is a picture of a couple on wikipedia, along with a short description of what they could do. I have been thinking about having my monk use a kusarigama, but first I will have to convince everybody to let me use it (because it technically isn't in D&D). Not sure of the stats yet, I was thinking 1d6 slashing/bludgeoning (depending on what end you are using) and having both the versatile and reach stats.
2-in-1 weapon: Sickle + Club with Reach like the whip.
Don't worry about damage and versatile, as Monk weapon you can use your Martial Arts damage die.
I know this is an old thread, but I thought you might be interested in this beautiful weapon: the kusarigama. There is a picture of a couple on wikipedia, along with a short description of what they could do. I have been thinking about having my monk use a kusarigama, but first I will have to convince everybody to let me use it (because it technically isn't in D&D). Not sure of the stats yet, I was thinking 1d6 slashing/bludgeoning (depending on what end you are using) and having both the versatile and reach stats.
If you wanted it vaguely balanced against other weapons I would suggest the offhand portion (the blunt part) be 1d4 bludgeoning and reach, with the other side being 1d6 slashing and finesse, both parts counting as light.
"Where words fail, swords prevail. Where blood is spilled, my cup is filled" -Cartaphilus
"I have found the answer to the meaning of life. You ask me what the answer is? You already know what the answer to life is. You fear it more than the strike of a viper, the ravages of disease, the ire of a lover. The answer is always death. But death is a gentle mistress with a sweet embrace, and you owe her a debt of restitution. Life is not a gift, it is a loan."
I know this is an old thread, but I thought you might be interested in this beautiful weapon: the kusarigama. There is a picture of a couple on wikipedia, along with a short description of what they could do. I have been thinking about having my monk use a kusarigama, but first I will have to convince everybody to let me use it (because it technically isn't in D&D). Not sure of the stats yet, I was thinking 1d6 slashing/bludgeoning (depending on what end you are using) and having both the versatile and reach stats.
If you wanted it vaguely balanced against other weapons I would suggest the offhand portion (the blunt part) be 1d4 bludgeoning and reach, with the other side being 1d6 slashing and finesse, both parts counting as light.
Unlike most weapons through history, these monk/ninja type weapons came about as a way of disguising the fact that you actually had a weapon. They are NOT as effective as purposely designed weapons.
Unarmed attacks are really only useful if your opponent massively under-estimates you, or is unarmed (or poorly armed) himself, or is incompetent.
Fortunately monks and ninja in D&D can rely on a little magic to justify their abilities, but their 'trick' weapons should always be inferior to the combat tested classics. Disclaimer, it also annoys me when lightly armoured people can achieve the same level of AC as plate clad warriors. 4th Edition was probably the worst for this.....
I think their just for people to have a little bit more of a different weapon option. It’s kind of like the whole Oriental warrior boom. Samurai, ninja, monks and other stuff like that.
One of the most iconic monk weapons are glaives, for instance the Guan-dao (China) and the Naginata (Japan, based on the Guan-dao). The ridicolous part is that glaives aren't considered monk weapons, which is infruiating, because monks in real life used those weapons A LOT. I'm currently wondering how I could make my Guan-Dao wielding monk work. I guess I'll just ask the GM to make it a Monk weapon for me since my character is a Goliath anyway, so it isn't actually all that heavy. OR maybe pretend it's any other weapon. Honestly I don't care that much for the stats. But oh well, monks actually used quite a variety of weapons because different orders and times saw monks fill different roles. For instance the Ikko-Ikko monks used naginatas, swords and daggers and even arquebuses, so guns.
I know this is an old thread, but I thought you might be interested in this beautiful weapon: the kusarigama. There is a picture of a couple on wikipedia, along with a short description of what they could do. I have been thinking about having my monk use a kusarigama, but first I will have to convince everybody to let me use it (because it technically isn't in D&D). Not sure of the stats yet, I was thinking 1d6 slashing/bludgeoning (depending on what end you are using) and having both the versatile and reach stats.
Take the whip, make it bludgeoning, and then wield a short sword or sickle in the other hand, should be good. I've a monk who is using the whip, possibly two whips, as a spiked chain, right now, and another who uses it as a rope dart.
One of the most iconic monk weapons are glaives, for instance the Guan-dao (China) and the Naginata (Japan, based on the Guan-dao). The ridicolous part is that glaives aren't considered monk weapons, which is infruiating, because monks in real life used those weapons A LOT. I'm currently wondering how I could make my Guan-Dao wielding monk work. I guess I'll just ask the GM to make it a Monk weapon for me since my character is a Goliath anyway, so it isn't actually all that heavy. OR maybe pretend it's any other weapon. Honestly I don't care that much for the stats. But oh well, monks actually used quite a variety of weapons because different orders and times saw monks fill different roles. For instance the Ikko-Ikko monks used naginatas, swords and daggers and even arquebuses, so guns.
This also bugs me. IMO, there should just be a lighter version that has reach, does 1d8(or 1d6 if it really needs to) damage, is martial, two-handed, not heavy, and is a monk weapon.
First off love the drunken dwarf monk! Brilliant idea! But yeah I'm super sad. Just got into DnD and my first character is a monk, but there is no way to kit him out. Practically no magic spears ( we are playing CoS but no blood spear in this campaign) and no magic knuckles. I know I'm limited because i play adventure league. But i really want to get some weapons that boost my shadow monk. Really mad the ninja aspect of him. Some gauntlets with claws on them so i can go all wolverine. For now ive convinced my dm to let me go blind sage style by having my imp stay invisible and using him to see all the time. Makes for great bar room scenes where I male stupid bets with people who think im blind because of the bandages over my eyes. But seriously dnd some speciaized monk tools would be awesome
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Sure you can homebrew it - just surprised there's nothing official I guess is what I meant......
still even 2d4 is better than 1d4 in the long run.....
Skameros - Bugbear Barbarian - Out of the Abyss - By Kerrec
Follow your Arrow where it Points - Tabaxi Monk - Baldur's Gate: Descent Into Avernus (by Pokepaladdy)
Citron Pumpkinfoam - Fairy Monk - Project Point: Team Longsword
I couldn't find that list but I made up a quick one of my own. If I think of any more, I will add them to the list.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1jn9OuvYsXxKGzGXohQJ8ZxV8NqXuv6AHOYevE3PUYOA/edit?usp=sharing
The dao and the jian should be added.
I bet most of these are in the 2E or 3E version of the Oriental Adventures Handbook.
You know...sometimes the obvious answers slip through the cracks, I will have to take a look in there.
I am currently playing a 5th level Gnomish Monk of the open hand, using a Jian, which is basically being treated as a longsword (1d8/1d10 - versatile) so I'm no hindered by having to drop it to use martial arts. I also have a fairly lenient DM.
Two Words
Monks OP
My DM okayed this, but I just wanted to get some outside feedback. I just started playing 5e chose a monk and started with a spear. I want to use a warpick to strengthen my back story and because all of the other members in our party use a spear too. With both weapons doing 1d8 and piercing (one is versatile I know) would calling it a monk weapon be too outside of the rules?
Even a blind squirrel finds a nut once in awhile.
I know this is an old thread, but I thought you might be interested in this beautiful weapon: the kusarigama. There is a picture of a couple on wikipedia, along with a short description of what they could do. I have been thinking about having my monk use a kusarigama, but first I will have to convince everybody to let me use it (because it technically isn't in D&D). Not sure of the stats yet, I was thinking 1d6 slashing/bludgeoning (depending on what end you are using) and having both the versatile and reach stats.
D&D Beyond Mobile Alpha Tester
"Where words fail, swords prevail. Where blood is spilled, my cup is filled" -Cartaphilus
"I have found the answer to the meaning of life. You ask me what the answer is? You already know what the answer to life is. You fear it more than the strike of a viper, the ravages of disease, the ire of a lover. The answer is always death. But death is a gentle mistress with a sweet embrace, and you owe her a debt of restitution. Life is not a gift, it is a loan."
"Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both" -- allegedly Benjamin Franklin
Tooltips (Help/aid)
Thanks for the tips!
Ninja weapons haha
Unlike most weapons through history, these monk/ninja type weapons came about as a way of disguising the fact that you actually had a weapon. They are NOT as effective as purposely designed weapons.
Unarmed attacks are really only useful if your opponent massively under-estimates you, or is unarmed (or poorly armed) himself, or is incompetent.
Fortunately monks and ninja in D&D can rely on a little magic to justify their abilities, but their 'trick' weapons should always be inferior to the combat tested classics.
Disclaimer, it also annoys me when lightly armoured people can achieve the same level of AC as plate clad warriors. 4th Edition was probably the worst for this.....
Roleplaying since Runequest.
I think their just for people to have a little bit more of a different weapon option. It’s kind of like the whole Oriental warrior boom. Samurai, ninja, monks and other stuff like that.
Hey!
One of the most iconic monk weapons are glaives, for instance the Guan-dao (China) and the Naginata (Japan, based on the Guan-dao).
The ridicolous part is that glaives aren't considered monk weapons, which is infruiating, because monks in real life used those weapons A LOT.
I'm currently wondering how I could make my Guan-Dao wielding monk work. I guess I'll just ask the GM to make it a Monk weapon for me since my character is a Goliath anyway, so it isn't actually all that heavy. OR maybe pretend it's any other weapon. Honestly I don't care that much for the stats.
But oh well, monks actually used quite a variety of weapons because different orders and times saw monks fill different roles. For instance the Ikko-Ikko monks used naginatas, swords and daggers and even arquebuses, so guns.
We do bones, motherf***ker!
First off love the drunken dwarf monk! Brilliant idea! But yeah I'm super sad. Just got into DnD and my first character is a monk, but there is no way to kit him out. Practically no magic spears ( we are playing CoS but no blood spear in this campaign) and no magic knuckles. I know I'm limited because i play adventure league. But i really want to get some weapons that boost my shadow monk. Really mad the ninja aspect of him. Some gauntlets with claws on them so i can go all wolverine. For now ive convinced my dm to let me go blind sage style by having my imp stay invisible and using him to see all the time. Makes for great bar room scenes where I male stupid bets with people who think im blind because of the bandages over my eyes. But seriously dnd some speciaized monk tools would be awesome