Basically, is there a point for monks to use weapons at all? Like, why would I, as a monk, use a quarterstaff instead of fists? Only reason I can think of is different damage types. Otherwise, damage die stays the same.
Quarterstaff is Versatile, so it outdoes your Martial Arts die damage when used two-handed until level 5. And of course, Spears, Darts, Knives, and Javelins can be thrown to deal damage to creatures that are Over There, or that you don't want to close to Melee with.
Other than that? Yeah, pretty much Damage Type. Or Weapon Masteries, if you've got those from Multiclassing or Feats. Or if the weapon itself has other special abilities you want to use.
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🎵I'm on top of the world, looking down on creation, wreaking death and devastation with my mind.
As the power that I've found erupts freely from the ground, I will cackle from the top of the world.🎵
In the early levels, it might be your only way to damage a creature that's immune to normal attacks. Even after, magic weapons can give extra bonuses.
But no, there's not much reason to.
There's also not much reason not to. Your damage scales up (in the 24 rules) regardless. If you're a punchy person, punch. If you're a weapons person, weapon. Or mix and match on the fly.
In the early levels, it might be your only way to damage a creature that's immune to normal attacks. Even after, magic weapons can give extra bonuses.
But no, there's not much reason to.
There's also not much reason not to. Your damage scales up (in the 24 rules) regardless. If you're a punchy person, punch. If you're a weapons person, weapon. Or mix and match on the fly.
It's mostly a style question now.
It’s much easier to use weapons for “style” now with the increased MA die. Which I’m glad for.
But magic weapons will be the big reason to use a weapon on a monk. Barring feats or MC for Weapon Masteries.
But magic weapons will be the big reason to use a weapon on a monk. Barring feats or MC for Weapon Masteries.
Well, monks get magic unarmed strike at level 6 (2024) so it's not too necessary for the weapons themselves to be magic. (I know it says you can deal force damage, but it still bypasses resistances to physical damage.)
But magic weapons will be the big reason to use a weapon on a monk. Barring feats or MC for Weapon Masteries.
Well, monks get magic unarmed strike at level 6 (2024) so it's not too necessary for the weapons themselves to be magic. (I know it says you can deal force damage, but it still bypasses resistances to physical damage.)
True. It looks like they are getting away from resistance to non-magical damage since all the features, like monk’s level 6 feature, was turned to force damage instead of overcoming that type of resistance. though we don’t exactly know how this will be handled in the 2024 MM.
That said, that 6th level feature will not give you a +1 to +3 to hit and damage, or other magical effects that weapons can have.
Same problem we had with eldritch blast and now hunter mark. Forced hyperfocus gameplay. Monk is not supposed to be good only on unarmed strike, thematically they can turn any non martial weapon into danger. Thats the ******* whole point. But the 4 subclass we have now are purely unarmed only. Thats a bummer.
In D&D force damage is, per definition, magical. On page 365 of the new players handbook, force damage is listed as "Pure magical energy." Once monks acquire that ability, the only reason to use a magic item is for the 'plus' a magic weapon gets. But as others note, weapons can be used to provide flavor for your monk.
In D&D force damage is, per definition, magical. On page 365 of the new players handbook, force damage is listed as "Pure magical energy." Once monks acquire that ability, the only reason to use a magic item is for the 'plus' a magic weapon gets. But as others note, weapons can be used to provide flavor for your monk.
Well they did add the “fist wraps” as armament in the dmg. Which is in all count “magical weapon” with +1-3 range. I like the options opened with unarmed attacks or using weapons. Never hurts to have some “throwing stars”, darts daggers etc. to be useful in ranged combat (if the issue arises. Also with potion of pugilism giving d6 per unarmed strikes, my monk will be stacking up. That’s like a bonus hunter’s mark with out MCing.
According to the new DnD beyond character sheet I can use one handed crossbows and it scales with MD. Range is 20ft I think. But as an OH monk I can push and topple to my hearts content. Keeping keen attention on my reaction so I stay LN. I always like Chinese stars and flaming nunchucks not sickles.
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I love the new app, I can teach the combat system over a few days, as I am a good teacher.
According to the new DnD beyond character sheet I can use one handed crossbows and it scales with MD. Range is 20ft I think. But as an OH monk I can push and topple to my hearts content. Keeping keen attention on my reaction so I stay LN. I always like Chinese stars and flaming nunchucks not sickles.
Hand Crossbows probably shouldn't scale with martial arts dice, rules as written, as Monk Weapons are described as Melee Weapons only, though Weapons Monks are Proficient In include the ranged..
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
🎵I'm on top of the world, looking down on creation, wreaking death and devastation with my mind.
As the power that I've found erupts freely from the ground, I will cackle from the top of the world.🎵
According to the new DnD beyond character sheet I can use one handed crossbows and it scales with MD. Range is 20ft I think. But as an OH monk I can push and topple to my hearts content. Keeping keen attention on my reaction so I stay LN. I always like Chinese stars and flaming nunchucks not sickles.
Hand Crossbows probably shouldn't scale with martial arts dice, rules as written, as Monk Weapons are described as Melee Weapons only, though Weapons Monks are Proficient In include the ranged..
Humm, it looks like a bug, I will go to the bug section. unless hand crossbows are a d8
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
I love the new app, I can teach the combat system over a few days, as I am a good teacher.
According to the new DnD beyond character sheet I can use one handed crossbows and it scales with MD. Range is 20ft I think. But as an OH monk I can push and topple to my hearts content. Keeping keen attention on my reaction so I stay LN. I always like Chinese stars and flaming nunchucks not sickles.
Hand Crossbows probably shouldn't scale with martial arts dice, rules as written, as Monk Weapons are described as Melee Weapons only, though Weapons Monks are Proficient In include the ranged..
Humm, it looks like a bug, I will go to the bug section. unless hand crossbows are a d8
It is a bug. I guess there are quite a few they are working on with the release of the 2024 PHB
Edit: you might want to report it in the bugs forum
According to the new DnD beyond character sheet I can use one handed crossbows and it scales with MD. Range is 20ft I think. But as an OH monk I can push and topple to my hearts content. Keeping keen attention on my reaction so I stay LN. I always like Chinese stars and flaming nunchucks not sickles.
Hand Crossbows probably shouldn't scale with martial arts dice, rules as written, as Monk Weapons are described as Melee Weapons only, though Weapons Monks are Proficient In include the ranged..
Humm, it looks like a bug, I will go to the bug section. unless hand crossbows are a d8
It is a bug. I guess there are quite a few they are working on with the release of the 2024 PHB
Edit: you might want to report it in the bugs forum
I reported the bug.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
I love the new app, I can teach the combat system over a few days, as I am a good teacher.
Given that a Monk gains nothing from using a weapon without Weapon Mastery and features that benefited the class using a weapon were removed, there is literally no reason to use a weapon over anything that just increases your Mindless Unarmed Strike Spam damage.
I’m not sure what features were removed that benefited a monk using a weapon from the 2014 rules. Unless you mean the increased MA die but that’s not a feature removed but a buff. (Edit: forgot Dedicated Weapon optional rule which I wish was added to 2024)
And if the 4 monk subclasses, two are specifically focused on unarmed strikes. Warrior of Mercy and Elements. And Elements was always the Avatar: the Last Airbender fantasy and none of those characters fought with unarmed strikes.
Open Hand’s features, other than Quivering Palm at 17th level are either FoB focused, which was always unarmed, so their Action can be weapon focused, or healing and SotW.
Shadow monk doesn’t have Unarmed strike features so can also be weapon focused. Improved Shadow Step allows a BA unarmed strike, but monk BA attacks were unarmed anyway (unless you are dual wielding weapons which is worse off than unarmed strikes as the BA because you don’t get your ability mod unless you MC or take a feat to get the fighting style)
Single class its flavor based, though some weapons can come in handy like if you need range. a single level in a class that gives weapon mastery though can make it worthwhile/ like a ranger level add in hunters mark, nick property 2 daggers and god forbid get vicious daggers. Yeesh.
Single class its flavor based, though some weapons can come in handy like if you need range. a single level in a class that gives weapon mastery though can make it worthwhile/ like a ranger level add in hunters mark, nick property 2 daggers and god forbid get vicious daggers. Yeesh.
Ranger class would require 2 dips, you don’t get mastery until level 2. Fighters you get both mastery and style at 1st level
The rules make monk very dippable to turn certain concepts online. For example, I made jokes for years about creating a character that dual wielded a hammer and sickle, and hated the aristocracy. Unfortunately, using d4 weapons was pretty crap. Now, with a one level dip into monk, I can turn those d4s into d6s and I am equal to any other character DW light weapons.
As for pure monks, I am more likely to play a monk with weapons simply because I have zero interest in characters that don't use them. Im not interested in punching and kicking people like an MMA fighter. I like weapons. Monk was pretty much off the table for me in 2014 for that reason. Now, its worth looking at.
Any time an unfathomably powerful entity sweeps in and offers godlike rewards in return for just a few teensy favors, it’s a scam. Unless it’s me. I’d never lie to you, reader dearest.
Basically, is there a point for monks to use weapons at all? Like, why would I, as a monk, use a quarterstaff instead of fists? Only reason I can think of is different damage types. Otherwise, damage die stays the same.
If you take the weapon mastery feat or multiclass into fighter the topple, nick, sap and vex masteries all synergize very well with monk.
Well a quarter staff can give you reach or keep an opponent(s) at bay. Hold the staff in front of you and dash, makes for a battering ram. Non-fighting uses as well, such as propping a door open or poking something out of a tree, use as a piece for a trap, reach out to pull someone in from a river or a pit. Use a bit of Acrobatics, can be used to trip others. Prop up a blanket for a quick tent. A quick pole vault. With a rope can be used as a fulcrum to lift or move heavy objects. These are just things going off my head at this moment. Any weapon can go beyond just smack-smack.
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Basically, is there a point for monks to use weapons at all? Like, why would I, as a monk, use a quarterstaff instead of fists? Only reason I can think of is different damage types. Otherwise, damage die stays the same.
Quarterstaff is Versatile, so it outdoes your Martial Arts die damage when used two-handed until level 5. And of course, Spears, Darts, Knives, and Javelins can be thrown to deal damage to creatures that are Over There, or that you don't want to close to Melee with.
Other than that? Yeah, pretty much Damage Type. Or Weapon Masteries, if you've got those from Multiclassing or Feats. Or if the weapon itself has other special abilities you want to use.
🎵I'm on top of the world, looking down on creation, wreaking death and devastation with my mind.
As the power that I've found erupts freely from the ground, I will cackle from the top of the world.🎵
Charisma Saving Throw: DC 18, Failure: 20d6 Psychic Damage, Success: Half damage
In the early levels, it might be your only way to damage a creature that's immune to normal attacks. Even after, magic weapons can give extra bonuses.
But no, there's not much reason to.
There's also not much reason not to. Your damage scales up (in the 24 rules) regardless. If you're a punchy person, punch. If you're a weapons person, weapon. Or mix and match on the fly.
It's mostly a style question now.
It’s much easier to use weapons for “style” now with the increased MA die. Which I’m glad for.
But magic weapons will be the big reason to use a weapon on a monk. Barring feats or MC for Weapon Masteries.
EZD6 by DM Scotty
https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/397599/EZD6-Core-Rulebook?
Well, monks get magic unarmed strike at level 6 (2024) so it's not too necessary for the weapons themselves to be magic. (I know it says you can deal force damage, but it still bypasses resistances to physical damage.)
True. It looks like they are getting away from resistance to non-magical damage since all the features, like monk’s level 6 feature, was turned to force damage instead of overcoming that type of resistance. though we don’t exactly know how this will be handled in the 2024 MM.
That said, that 6th level feature will not give you a +1 to +3 to hit and damage, or other magical effects that weapons can have.
EZD6 by DM Scotty
https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/397599/EZD6-Core-Rulebook?
Same problem we had with eldritch blast and now hunter mark. Forced hyperfocus gameplay.
Monk is not supposed to be good only on unarmed strike, thematically they can turn any non martial weapon into danger. Thats the ******* whole point.
But the 4 subclass we have now are purely unarmed only.
Thats a bummer.
In D&D force damage is, per definition, magical. On page 365 of the new players handbook, force damage is listed as "Pure magical energy." Once monks acquire that ability, the only reason to use a magic item is for the 'plus' a magic weapon gets. But as others note, weapons can be used to provide flavor for your monk.
Well they did add the “fist wraps” as armament in the dmg. Which is in all count “magical weapon” with +1-3 range. I like the options opened with unarmed attacks or using weapons. Never hurts to have some “throwing stars”, darts daggers etc. to be useful in ranged combat (if the issue arises.
Also with potion of pugilism giving d6 per unarmed strikes, my monk will be stacking up. That’s like a bonus hunter’s mark with out MCing.
According to the new DnD beyond character sheet I can use one handed crossbows and it scales with MD. Range is 20ft I think. But as an OH monk I can push and topple to my hearts content. Keeping keen attention on my reaction so I stay LN. I always like Chinese stars and flaming nunchucks not sickles.
I love the new app, I can teach the combat system over a few days, as I am a good teacher.
Hand Crossbows probably shouldn't scale with martial arts dice, rules as written, as Monk Weapons are described as Melee Weapons only, though Weapons Monks are Proficient In include the ranged..
🎵I'm on top of the world, looking down on creation, wreaking death and devastation with my mind.
As the power that I've found erupts freely from the ground, I will cackle from the top of the world.🎵
Charisma Saving Throw: DC 18, Failure: 20d6 Psychic Damage, Success: Half damage
Humm, it looks like a bug, I will go to the bug section. unless hand crossbows are a d8
I love the new app, I can teach the combat system over a few days, as I am a good teacher.
It is a bug. I guess there are quite a few they are working on with the release of the 2024 PHB
Edit: you might want to report it in the bugs forum
EZD6 by DM Scotty
https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/397599/EZD6-Core-Rulebook?
I reported the bug.
I love the new app, I can teach the combat system over a few days, as I am a good teacher.
I’m not sure what features were removed that benefited a monk using a weapon from the 2014 rules. Unless you mean the increased MA die but that’s not a feature removed but a buff. (Edit: forgot Dedicated Weapon optional rule which I wish was added to 2024)
And if the 4 monk subclasses, two are specifically focused on unarmed strikes. Warrior of Mercy and Elements. And Elements was always the Avatar: the Last Airbender fantasy and none of those characters fought with unarmed strikes.
Open Hand’s features, other than Quivering Palm at 17th level are either FoB focused, which was always unarmed, so their Action can be weapon focused, or healing and SotW.
Shadow monk doesn’t have Unarmed strike features so can also be weapon focused. Improved Shadow Step allows a BA unarmed strike, but monk BA attacks were unarmed anyway (unless you are dual wielding weapons which is worse off than unarmed strikes as the BA because you don’t get your ability mod unless you MC or take a feat to get the fighting style)
EZD6 by DM Scotty
https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/397599/EZD6-Core-Rulebook?
Single class its flavor based, though some weapons can come in handy like if you need range. a single level in a class that gives weapon mastery though can make it worthwhile/ like a ranger level add in hunters mark, nick property 2 daggers and god forbid get vicious daggers. Yeesh.
Ranger class would require 2 dips, you don’t get mastery until level 2. Fighters you get both mastery and style at 1st level
The rules make monk very dippable to turn certain concepts online. For example, I made jokes for years about creating a character that dual wielded a hammer and sickle, and hated the aristocracy. Unfortunately, using d4 weapons was pretty crap. Now, with a one level dip into monk, I can turn those d4s into d6s and I am equal to any other character DW light weapons.
As for pure monks, I am more likely to play a monk with weapons simply because I have zero interest in characters that don't use them. Im not interested in punching and kicking people like an MMA fighter. I like weapons. Monk was pretty much off the table for me in 2014 for that reason. Now, its worth looking at.
Any time an unfathomably powerful entity sweeps in and offers godlike rewards in return for just a few teensy favors, it’s a scam. Unless it’s me. I’d never lie to you, reader dearest.
Tasha
If you take the weapon mastery feat or multiclass into fighter the topple, nick, sap and vex masteries all synergize very well with monk.
Well a quarter staff can give you reach or keep an opponent(s) at bay. Hold the staff in front of you and dash, makes for a battering ram. Non-fighting uses as well, such as propping a door open or poking something out of a tree, use as a piece for a trap, reach out to pull someone in from a river or a pit. Use a bit of Acrobatics, can be used to trip others. Prop up a blanket for a quick tent. A quick pole vault. With a rope can be used as a fulcrum to lift or move heavy objects. These are just things going off my head at this moment. Any weapon can go beyond just smack-smack.