I'm assuming you're talking about, specifically, the Agile Parry and Kensei's Shot abilities granted by Path of the Kensei?
First and foremost, a better way to explain Agile Parry is that you are, very specifically, not using the weapon itself to make an attack. By doing so, you are effectively using it as a Shield (that's where the +2 AC comes from). But to do so, you are making an unarmed strike (which does benefit from your Martial Arts). No problems so far, just hoops to jump through.
Second, and here's where I think the problem is, is that you intend to use the Thrown property from the Hand Axe, correct? My understanding is that a Thrown melee weapon does not count as a Ranged Attack. Since it's not a Ranged Attack, it doesn't benefit from Kensei's Shot. But I'm not 100% sure, I haven't looked into the use of the Thrown property.
Just wasnt sure if Thrown and Ranged worked together with the Kensei rules.
Thrown weapons make a ranged weapon attack.
The only thing that is special about the thrown property (as you can technically throw any weapon) is using the weapon's damage dice and STR modifier (throwing non-thrown weapons does 1d4 and uses DEX mod).
I checked the forums out and there doesnt seem to be a set in stone ruling for this.
If I made a half-orc strength kensei monk wieilding hand axes would I be able to use the weapons for Agile parry and Kensei shot? raw.
Yes, it works fine. You can choose the hand axe as your one melee kensei weapon. The only rule for Agile parry is that you are holding your kensai weapon when you make the unarmed strike, and for Kensei shot it is to make a ranged attack with the weapon. A thrown weapon is a kind of ranged attack. These being strength attacks is notnot important.
Note that "Ranged attack", because it doesn't specify "ranged weapon attack", means anything that is not a melee/touch/self attack and can come from a weapon or other source.
Spells also count as "ranged attack", however no spells are capable of being a kensei weapon so they are excluded from the Kensei Shot skill.
You could, technically, also decide to throw your kensei longsword at an enemy for this ranged attack, haha (improvised weapon damage, of course).
Thrown weapons do make Ranged Attacks, but they are not Ranged Weapons. This means you can use them for Kensei's Shot, but not for the Sharpshooter feat (before you make an attack with a ranged weapon that you are proficient with, you can choose to take a -5 penalty to the attack roll. If the attack hits, you add +10 to the attack's damage.) And just to confuse things a little more, thrown weapons do make ranged weapon attacks so the first two parts of Sharpshooter does apply (Attacking at long range doesn't impose disadvantage on your ranged weapon attack rolls. And, your ranged weapon attacks ignore half cover and three-quarters cover.){Sage Advice-JC Apr 10, 2016}
For a system that they want the rules to mean exactly what they say, 5E has some very poor term choices. Hope this helps more than confuses
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No matter how powerful the wizard, a dagger in the back will put a serious cramp in his style.
Shadow blade can be a kensei weapon. Just probably won’t be very useful or worth the build.
kensei weapon stipulates that you have to pick two weapons at level 3. One melee weapon and one ranged weapon. Each of the weapon choices can be any simple or martial weapon that lacks the special or heavy properties. The longbow is also a valid choice.
shadow blade is a simple melee weapon that lacks the special or heavy properties.
interestingly enough you can use shadowblade with agile parry, kensei’s shot, one with the blade, sharpen the blade, and unerring accuracy.
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I'm trying to see if a Kensei monk could use a hand axe for both of the Kensei abilties? The melee ac bonus and the ranged damage bonus.
Yes you can agile parry and kensei's shot with hand axe. Notably, kensei's shot does not require a ranged weapon, only a ranged attack.
I'm assuming you're talking about, specifically, the Agile Parry and Kensei's Shot abilities granted by Path of the Kensei?
First and foremost, a better way to explain Agile Parry is that you are, very specifically, not using the weapon itself to make an attack. By doing so, you are effectively using it as a Shield (that's where the +2 AC comes from). But to do so, you are making an unarmed strike (which does benefit from your Martial Arts). No problems so far, just hoops to jump through.
Second, and here's where I think the problem is, is that you intend to use the Thrown property from the Hand Axe, correct? My understanding is that a Thrown melee weapon does not count as a Ranged Attack. Since it's not a Ranged Attack, it doesn't benefit from Kensei's Shot. But I'm not 100% sure, I haven't looked into the use of the Thrown property.
Just wasnt sure if Thrown and Ranged worked together with the Kensei rules.
Thrown weapons make a ranged weapon attack.
The only thing that is special about the thrown property (as you can technically throw any weapon) is using the weapon's damage dice and STR modifier (throwing non-thrown weapons does 1d4 and uses DEX mod).
I checked the forums out and there doesnt seem to be a set in stone ruling for this.
If I made a half-orc strength kensei monk wieilding hand axes would I be able to use the weapons for Agile parry and Kensei shot? raw.
Yes, it works fine. You can choose the hand axe as your one melee kensei weapon. The only rule for Agile parry is that you are holding your kensai weapon when you make the unarmed strike, and for Kensei shot it is to make a ranged attack with the weapon. A thrown weapon is a kind of ranged attack. These being strength attacks is notnot important.
Note that "Ranged attack", because it doesn't specify "ranged weapon attack", means anything that is not a melee/touch/self attack and can come from a weapon or other source.
Spells also count as "ranged attack", however no spells are capable of being a kensei weapon so they are excluded from the Kensei Shot skill.
You could, technically, also decide to throw your kensei longsword at an enemy for this ranged attack, haha (improvised weapon damage, of course).
Thanks for everyone that chimed in. Very informative and helpful.
Thrown weapons do make Ranged Attacks, but they are not Ranged Weapons. This means you can use them for Kensei's Shot, but not for the Sharpshooter feat (before you make an attack with a ranged weapon that you are proficient with, you can choose to take a -5 penalty to the attack roll. If the attack hits, you add +10 to the attack's damage.) And just to confuse things a little more, thrown weapons do make ranged weapon attacks so the first two parts of Sharpshooter does apply (Attacking at long range doesn't impose disadvantage on your ranged weapon attack rolls. And, your ranged weapon attacks ignore half cover and three-quarters cover.){Sage Advice-JC Apr 10, 2016}
For a system that they want the rules to mean exactly what they say, 5E has some very poor term choices. Hope this helps more than confuses
No matter how powerful the wizard, a dagger in the back will put a serious cramp in his style.
Shadow blade can be a kensei weapon. Just probably won’t be very useful or worth the build.
kensei weapon stipulates that you have to pick two weapons at level 3. One melee weapon and one ranged weapon. Each of the weapon choices can be any simple or martial weapon that lacks the special or heavy properties. The longbow is also a valid choice.
shadow blade is a simple melee weapon that lacks the special or heavy properties.
interestingly enough you can use shadowblade with agile parry, kensei’s shot, one with the blade, sharpen the blade, and unerring accuracy.