I had the sudden urge to try to make Way of the Kensei better without losing it's flavor. I've always thought that this subclass was lacking, which I know is a common belief, so I wanted to make it less lacking. Let me know your thoughts about it, any feedback is greatly appreciated. I especially want to know if you think it's too underpowered/overpowered. This is my first time doing something like this, so I'm fully open to suggestions and advice. Also, most of the changes I made aren't massive, so they may not be immediately noticeable.
Update: I changed agile parry a little bit, and now the things I've changed are highlighted.
Path of the Kensei
When you choose this tradition at 3rd level, your special martial arts training leads you to master the use of certain weapons. This path also includes instruction in the deft strokes of calligraphy or painting. You gain the following benefits:
Kensei Weapons. Choose two types of weapons to be your kensei weapons: one melee weapon and one ranged weapon. Each of these weapons can be any simple or martial weapon that lacks the heavy and special properties. The longbow is also a valid choice. You gain proficiency with these weapons if you don't already have it. Weapons of the chosen types are monk weapons for you. When you make an unarmed strike as a bonus action, you can choose to attack with a kensei weapon instead of an unarmed strike, and when you use your Flurry of Blows, you may replace any of those unarmed strikes with attacks from your kensei weapon. Many of this tradition's features work only with your kensei weapons. When you reach 6th, 11th, and 17th level in this class, you can choose another type of weapon – either melee or ranged – to be a kensei weapon for you, following the criteria above.
Agile Parry. If you make an unarmed strike on your turn and are holding a kensei weapon, you can use it to defend yourself if it is a melee weapon. You gain a +2 bonus to AC until the start of your next turn, while the weapon is in your hand and you aren’t incapacitated.
Kensei's Shot. When you use your Flurry of Blows to make ranged attacks with a kensei weapon, you make them more deadly. Any target hit by a ranged attack from your Flurry of Blows will take an extra 1d4 damage of the weapons type.
Way of the Brush. You gain proficiency with your choice of calligrapher's supplies or painter's supplies.
One with the Blade
At 6th level, you extend your ki into your kensei weapons, granting you the following benefits.
Magic Kensei Weapons. Your attacks with your kensei weapons count as magical for the purpose of overcoming resistance and immunity to nonmagical attacks and damage.
Deft Strike. When you hit a target with a kensei weapon, you can cause the weapon to deal extra damage to the target equal to your Martial Arts die. You can use this feature only once on each of your turns. When you use your Flurry of Blows, you can apply this bonus damage to both attacks.
Unerring Accuracy
At 11th level, your mastery of weapons grants you extraordinary accuracy. If you miss with an attack roll using a monk weapon on your turn, you can reroll it. You can use this feature only once on each of your turns.
Sharpen the Blade
At 17th level, you gain the ability to augment your weapons further with your ki. When using a monk weapon, your martial arts die increases to 1d12 for all attacks made with it, including the extra damage dealt by Deft Strike.
I had the sudden urge to try to make Way of the Kensei better without losing it's flavor. I've always thought that this subclass was lacking, which I know is a common belief, so I wanted to make it less lacking. Let me know your thoughts about it, any feedback is greatly appreciated. I especially want to know if you think it's too underpowered/overpowered. This is my first time doing something like this, so I'm fully open to suggestions and advice. Also, most of the changes I made aren't massive, so they may not be immediately noticeable.
Update: I changed agile parry a little bit, and now the things I've changed are highlighted.
Path of the Kensei
When you choose this tradition at 3rd level, your special martial arts training leads you to master the use of certain weapons. This path also includes instruction in the deft strokes of calligraphy or painting. You gain the following benefits:
One with the Blade
At 6th level, you extend your ki into your kensei weapons, granting you the following benefits.
Unerring Accuracy
At 11th level, your mastery of weapons grants you extraordinary accuracy. If you miss with an attack roll using a monk weapon on your turn, you can reroll it. You can use this feature only once on each of your turns.
Sharpen the Blade
At 17th level, you gain the ability to augment your weapons further with your ki. When using a monk weapon, your martial arts die increases to 1d12 for all attacks made with it, including the extra damage dealt by Deft Strike.
Oh, I realize it's 4 years too late, but I just found this and my wife and I are gonna use it in our game and we love it. Great job!