Slings are simple weapons, and therefore should be classed as a monk weapon.
However in the character builder, it's still listing my sling as 1d4 damage. I have been assuming this is a bug, and just ignoring it, but I was wondering if there was something I wasn't getting.
Unfortunately, in the 2014 & 2024 versions, monk weapons do not include ranged weapons.
Martial Arts 2014
At 1st level, your practice of martial arts gives you mastery of combat styles that use unarmed strikes and monk weapons, which are shortswords and any simple melee weapons that don't have the two-handed or heavy property.
Sling Ranged weapon (simple, sling)
Martial Arts 2024
Your practice of martial arts gives you mastery of combat styles that use your Unarmed Strike and Monk Weapons, which are Simple Melee Weapons and Martial Weapons with the Light property.
Although now I notice that in the OneDnD version it doesn't specify that martial weapons must also be melee weapons and this would leave free use for the Crossbow Hand? Probably an oversight?
Unfortunately, in the 2014 & 2024 versions, monk weapons do not include ranged weapons.
Martial Arts 2014
At 1st level, your practice of martial arts gives you mastery of combat styles that use unarmed strikes and monk weapons, which are shortswords and any simple melee weapons that don't have the two-handed or heavy property.
Sling Ranged weapon (simple, sling)
Martial Arts 2024
Your practice of martial arts gives you mastery of combat styles that use your Unarmed Strike and Monk Weapons, which are Simple Melee Weapons and Martial Weapons with the Light property.
Although now I notice that in the OneDnD version it doesn't specify that martial weapons must also be melee weapons and this would leave free use for the Crossbow Hand? Probably an oversight?
I'm guessing you're looking at the One D&D Playtest PDFs? Or mixing the categories of "Monk Weapon Proficiencies" and "Monk Weapons?" The 2024 published version limits Monk Weapons to melee weapons, unless a subclass overrides that.
Unfortunately, in the 2014 & 2024 versions, monk weapons do not include ranged weapons.
Martial Arts 2014
At 1st level, your practice of martial arts gives you mastery of combat styles that use unarmed strikes and monk weapons, which are shortswords and any simple melee weapons that don't have the two-handed or heavy property.
Sling Ranged weapon (simple, sling)
Martial Arts 2024
Your practice of martial arts gives you mastery of combat styles that use your Unarmed Strike and Monk Weapons, which are Simple Melee Weapons and Martial Weapons with the Light property.
Although now I notice that in the OneDnD version it doesn't specify that martial weapons must also be melee weapons and this would leave free use for the Crossbow Hand? Probably an oversight?
I'm guessing you're looking at the One D&D Playtest PDFs? Or mixing the categories of "Monk Weapon Proficiencies" and "Monk Weapons?" The 2024 published version limits Monk Weapons to melee weapons, unless a subclass overrides that.
Unfortunately, in the 2014 & 2024 versions, monk weapons do not include ranged weapons.
Martial Arts 2014
At 1st level, your practice of martial arts gives you mastery of combat styles that use unarmed strikes and monk weapons, which are shortswords and any simple melee weapons that don't have the two-handed or heavy property.
Sling Ranged weapon (simple, sling)
Martial Arts 2024
Your practice of martial arts gives you mastery of combat styles that use your Unarmed Strike and Monk Weapons, which are Simple Melee Weapons and Martial Weapons with the Light property.
Although now I notice that in the OneDnD version it doesn't specify that martial weapons must also be melee weapons and this would leave free use for the Crossbow Hand? Probably an oversight?
There's nothing in the Monk's section that limits the use of a Sling, as it is a simple weapon. Nothing prevents the use of a ranged weapon, as long as it is Martial and has the Light property. Shadow Monks would have a field day targeting opponents, under the cover of their dark spell. Since very few opponents will have Truesight or Devil Sight. 😂
There's nothing in the Monk's section that limits the use of a Sling, as it is a simple weapon. Nothing prevents the use of a ranged weapon, as long as it is Martial and has the Light property. Shadow Monks would have a field day targeting opponents, under the cover of their dark spell. Since very few opponents will have Truesight or Devil Sight. 😂
While there is indeed nothing preventing a Monk from using a Sling, in many cases, it won't be the best weapon for a Monk, because there's a difference between Monks Weapon Proficiencies, and Monk Weapons. The former category includes Ranged weapons, the latter doesn't.
Monk Weapon Proficiencies:
Weapon Proficiencies
Simple weapons and Martial weapons that have the Light property
Monk Weapons, which can use the Martial Arts Die for damage.
Level 1: Martial Arts
Your practice of martial arts gives you mastery of combat styles that use your Unarmed Strike and Monk weapons, which are the following:
Simple Melee weapons
Martial Melee weapons that have the Light property
You gain the following benefits while you are unarmed or wielding only Monk weapons and you aren’t wearing armor or wielding a Shield.
Bonus Unarmed Strike. You can make an Unarmed Strike as a Bonus Action.
Martial Arts Die. You can roll 1d6 in place of the normal damage of your Unarmed Strike or Monk weapons. This die changes as you gain Monk levels, as shown in the Martial Arts column of the Monk Features table.
Dexterous Attacks. You can use your Dexterity modifier instead of your Strength modifier for the attack and damage rolls of your Unarmed Strikes and Monk weapons. In addition, when you use the Grapple or Shove option of your Unarmed Strike, you can use your Dexterity modifier instead of your Strength modifier to determine the save DC.
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.🎵
"there's a difference between Monks Weapon Proficiencies, and Monk Weapons" - Thanks, I had been puzzling over the 'no ranged attack option'. RAW makes sense now.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
To post a comment, please login or register a new account.
Slings are simple weapons, and therefore should be classed as a monk weapon.
However in the character builder, it's still listing my sling as 1d4 damage. I have been assuming this is a bug, and just ignoring it, but I was wondering if there was something I wasn't getting.
Unfortunately, in the 2014 & 2024 versions, monk weapons do not include ranged weapons.
Martial Arts 2014
At 1st level, your practice of martial arts gives you mastery of combat styles that use unarmed strikes and monk weapons, which are shortswords and any simple melee weapons that don't have the two-handed or heavy property.
Sling
Ranged weapon (simple, sling)
Martial Arts 2024
Your practice of martial arts gives you mastery of combat styles that use your Unarmed Strike and Monk Weapons, which are Simple Melee Weapons and Martial Weapons with the Light property.
Although now I notice that in the OneDnD version it doesn't specify that martial weapons must also be melee weapons and this would leave free use for the Crossbow Hand? Probably an oversight?
Edit: Quote added to clarify which post was being referred to:
I'm guessing you're looking at the One D&D Playtest PDFs? Or mixing the categories of "Monk Weapon Proficiencies" and "Monk Weapons?" The 2024 published version limits Monk Weapons to melee weapons, unless a subclass overrides that.
From Core Monk Traits:
From Monk Class Features / Level 1: Martial Arts:
🎵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
But 2024 rules say all simple weapons are monk weapons.
Oh damn, I did miss the word “melee”
Yes my mistake.
you can still use a kensai
There's nothing in the Monk's section that limits the use of a Sling, as it is a simple weapon. Nothing prevents the use of a ranged weapon, as long as it is Martial and has the Light property. Shadow Monks would have a field day targeting opponents, under the cover of their dark spell. Since very few opponents will have Truesight or Devil Sight. 😂
While there is indeed nothing preventing a Monk from using a Sling, in many cases, it won't be the best weapon for a Monk, because there's a difference between Monks Weapon Proficiencies, and Monk Weapons. The former category includes Ranged weapons, the latter doesn't.
Monk Weapon Proficiencies:
Monk Weapons, which can use the Martial Arts Die for damage.
🎵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
"there's a difference between Monks Weapon Proficiencies, and Monk Weapons" - Thanks, I had been puzzling over the 'no ranged attack option'. RAW makes sense now.