What I couldn’t understand here is Why did they write these rules as “If you make an unarmed strike as part of the Attack action on your turn and are holding a kensei weapon, you can use it to defend yourself if it is a melee weapon.” than “If you make an unarmed strike as Attack action on your turn and are holding a kensei weapon, you can use it to defend yourself if it is a melee weapon.” In my point of view bonus Attack is an combined Attack action so it is also an attack action. It is not a free action. The whole point of this class is to emphasize the usage of the kensei weapon.
The reasoning behind agile parry in particular is that for the moment you are using unarmed strikes so that you can wield your kensei weapon more defensively. This is emphasizing the usage of the kensei weapon, just for defense rather than offense.
As for Attack Action and Bonus Action, it is clear they are different things although their word choice could have been better. Bonus Actions can be used to attack in certain situations, but they are still bonus actions and never should be confused with the Attack Action. Otherwise all kinds of balancing mechanics fall apart.
What I couldn’t understand here is Why did they write these rules as “If you make an unarmed strike as part of the Attack action on your turn and are holding a kensei weapon, you can use it to defend yourself if it is a melee weapon.” than “If you make an unarmed strike as Attack action on your turn and are holding a kensei weapon, you can use it to defend yourself if it is a melee weapon.” In my point of view bonus Attack is an combined Attack action so it is also an attack action. It is not a free action. The whole point of this class is to emphasize the usage of the kensei weapon.
If you have a 3rd or 4th level Kensei Monk, you only get 1 attack when you take the Attack action, the attack you take must be with your fist if you want the AC bonus. At 5th-level, monks get the Extra Attack feature. So, you could attack once with your weapon, and once with your Unarmed Strike and you can still gain the AC bonus.
Whatever you do with your bonus action is completely separate from what you do with your action.
I just want to clarify here, so if a person makes an unarmed strike and misses, do they still gain the benefit of agile parry? I ask this as some things state hit or miss, like the mobile feat " When you make a melee attack against a creature, you don’t provoke opportunity attacks from that creature for the rest of the turn, whether you hit or not."
I just want to clarify here, so if a person makes an unarmed strike and misses, do they still gain the benefit of agile parry? I ask this as some things state hit or miss, like the mobile feat " When you make a melee attack against a creature, you don’t provoke opportunity attacks from that creature for the rest of the turn, whether you hit or not."
Agile Parry says “make an unarmed attack” it does not specify “hit with an unarmed attack.”
Success or failure matters not, only that you didn’t use the weapon for that one.
You "make an attack" when you make an attack roll against it, regardless of whether you hit or miss.
You make an attack "as part of the Attack action" when you make it... as part of the Attack action, but not when you make it as part of a Bonus Action or a Reaction.
Agile Parry provides:
Agile Parry. If you make an unarmed strike as part of the Attack action 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.
Hits or misses don't matter, but the Unarmed Strike attack must be taken as part of the Attack Action, not just as one of your default Bonus Action or Flurry of Blows unarmed strikes.
I just want to clarify here, so if a person makes an unarmed strike and misses, do they still gain the benefit of agile parry? I ask this as some things state hit or miss, like the mobile feat " When you make a melee attack against a creature, you don’t provoke opportunity attacks from that creature for the rest of the turn, whether you hit or not."
Concerning the Kensei subclass specifically, I highly disagree with the notion that its level 3 feature "agile parry" can only be used while taking an Attack action as an unarmed strike only, because by RAW (rules as written) it doesn't state that. By RAW, according to the baseline of the monk class, "when you use the Attack action with an unarmed strike or a monk weapon on your turn, you can make one unarmed strike as a bonus action." Thus, one should be able to (well within the rules) use their bonus action to make an unarmed strike following the initial Attack action, and be able to activate the agile parry feature because they are directly related.
If one's bonus action/attack for an unarmed strike couldn't be used to activate "agile parry" following the initial Attack action, then imho in the description of the ability it would/should state something like, "while making an Attack action only, on your turn..." however it does not. Instead, in the description of the feature it states, "if you make an unarmed strike as part of the Attack action on your turn..." "As part" of the Attack action being the key in the description.
So, Kensei monks (at 5th level) are able to attack x2 using their weapon (probably a long sword) then using their bonus action/attack to make an unarmed strike still get their agile parry feature. This definitely helps both their offensive, and defensive capabilities.
Lady_Jane, the Bonus Action is not "part of the Attack action." It requires the Attack action to have been taken, so certainly they're related, but it is a wholly seperate action.
Agile Parry. If you make an unarmed strike as part of the Attack action 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.
When you use the Attack action with an unarmed strike or a monk weapon on your turn, you can make one unarmed strike as a bonus action.
Flurry of Blows
Immediately after you take the Attack action on your turn, you can spend 1 ki point to make two unarmed strikes as a bonus action.
As a Monk, you have either one or two attacks that you can make "as Part of the Attack action" (depending on whether you've yet unlocked the Extra Attack feature), using any weapon you wish. you also have either one or two unarmed strikes that you can make as a Bonus Action (one by default, or two if using Flurry of Blows). Those Bonus Action attacks are not part of the Attack action, though they are enabled as result of you taking the Attack action.
Agile Parry only kicks in if at least one of your one or two Attack action attacks are made with an unarmed strike.
Concerning the Kensei subclass specifically, I highly disagree with the notion that its level 3 feature "agile parry" can only be used while taking an Attack action as an unarmed strike only, because by RAW (rules as written) it doesn't state that. By RAW, according to the baseline of the monk class, "when you use the Attack action with an unarmed strike or a monk weapon on your turn, you can make one unarmed strike as a bonus action." Thus, one should be able to (well within the rules) use their bonus action to make an unarmed strike following the initial Attack action, and be able to activate the agile parry feature because they are directly related.
If one's bonus action/attack for an unarmed strike couldn't be used to activate "agile parry" following the initial Attack action, then imho in the description of the ability it would/should state something like, "while making an Attack action only, on your turn..." however it does not. Instead, in the description of the feature it states, "if you make an unarmed strike as part of the Attack action on your turn..." "As part" of the Attack action being the key in the description.
So, Kensei monks (at 5th level) are able to attack x2 using their weapon (probably a long sword) then using their bonus action/attack to make an unarmed strike still get their agile parry feature. This definitely helps both their offensive, and defensive capabilities.
It does specify:
https://www.dndbeyond.com/classes/monk#WayoftheKensei Agile Parry. If you make an unarmed strike as part of the Attack action 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.
On your turn, you can move a distance up to your speed and take one action. You decide whether to move first or take your action first. Your speed--sometimes called your walking speed--is noted on your character sheet.
The most common actions you can take are described in the Actions in Combat section. Many class features and other abilities provide additional options for your action.
You can forgo moving, taking an action, or doing anything at all on your turn. If you can't decide what to do on your turn, consider taking the Dodge or Ready action, as described in "Actions in Combat."
Bonus Actions
Various class features, spells, and other abilities let you take an additional action on your turn called a bonus action. The Cunning Action feature, for example, allows a rogue to take a bonus action. You can take a bonus action only when a special ability, spell, or other feature of the game states that you can do something as a bonus action. You otherwise don't have a bonus action to take.
You can take only one bonus action on your turn, so you must choose which bonus action to use when you have more than one available.
You choose when to take a bonus action during your turn, unless the bonus action's timing is specified, and anything that deprives you of your ability to take actions also prevents you from taking a bonus action.
Other Activity on Your Turn
Your turn can include a variety of flourishes that require neither your action nor your move.
You can communicate however you are able, through brief utterances and gestures, as you take your turn.
You can also interact with one object or feature of the environment for free, during either your move or your action. For example, you could open a door during your move as you stride toward a foe, or you could draw your weapon as part of the same action you use to attack.
If you want to interact with a second object, you need to use your action. Some magic items and other special objects always require an action to use, as stated in their descriptions.
The DM might require you to use an action for any of these activities when it needs special care or when it presents an unusual obstacle. For instance, the DM could reasonably expect you to use an action to open a stuck door or turn a crank to lower a drawbridge.
Reactions
Certain special abilities, spells, and situations allow you to take a special action called a reaction. A reaction is an instant response to a trigger of some kind, which can occur on your turn or on someone else's. The opportunity attack, described later in this section, is the most common type of reaction.
When you take a reaction, you can't take another one until the start of your next turn. If the reaction interrupts another creature's turn, that creature can continue its turn right after the reaction.
The most common action to take in combat is the Attack action, whether you are swinging a sword, firing an arrow from a bow, or brawling with your fists.
With this action, you make one melee or ranged attack. See the "Making an Attack" section for the rules that govern attacks.
Certain features, such as the Extra Attack feature of the fighter, allow you to make more than one attack with this action.
Old post I know, how did things end up playing out for you, assuming you played this monk? Also, fyi, I disagree with the majority of people here stating that only an Attack action can activate "Agile Parry". The primary argument seems to be that the Attack action, and the Bonus action are different, which I agree with. However, in the "Agile Parry" description only a part of the attack action is required, which the bonus action/unarmed attack is, based on the monk class feature "Martial Arts", they are directly intertwined.
If one's bonus action/attack for an unarmed strike couldn't be used to activate "agile parry" following the initial Attack action, then imho in the description of the ability it would/should state something like, "while making an Attack action only, on your turn..." however it does not. Instead, in the description of the feature it states, "if you make an unarmed strike as part of the Attack action on your turn..." "As part" of the Attack action being the key in the description.
So, Kensei monks (at 5th level) are able to attack x2 using their weapon (probably a long sword) then using their bonus action/attack to make an unarmed strike still get their agile parry feature. This definitely helps both their offensive, and defensive capabilities.
Old post I know, how did things end up playing out for you, assuming you played this monk? Also, fyi, I disagree with the majority of people here stating that only an Attack action can activate "Agile Parry". The primary argument seems to be that the Attack action, and the Bonus action are different, which I agree with. However, in the "Agile Parry" description only a part of the attack action is required, which the bonus action/unarmed attack is, based on the monk class feature "Martial Arts", they are directly intertwined.
If one's bonus action/attack for an unarmed strike couldn't be used to activate "agile parry" following the initial Attack action, then imho in the description of the ability it would/should state something like, "while making an Attack action only, on your turn..." however it does not. Instead, in the description of the feature it states, "if you make an unarmed strike as part of the Attack action on your turn..." "As part" of the Attack action being the key in the description.
So, Kensei monks (at 5th level) are able to attack x2 using their weapon (probably a long sword) then using their bonus action/attack to make an unarmed strike still get their agile parry feature. This definitely helps both their offensive, and defensive capabilities.
A BA unarmed attack is not part of the Attack Action, one is a Bonus attack which is separate from the Action. Just because the BA requires the attack action does not make it part of the attack action itself. Just how movement action is not part of Actions or BA.
It does n0t have to say "only" because any unarmed strike not part of the direct attacks caused by the attack action, and the attack action only, are what trigger the parry. This is similar to how if something is triggered off of BA they cannot be triggered off of doing the same thing in an action. They don't need the word only because Action and BA are separate and therefore while some BAs trigger off of Actions they are not now part of the Action, the are still as BA.
This is all RAW and most likely RAI. Your interpretation is homebrew because are are already starting off by mulling and mixing the RAW of how Action, Movement, and BA are three separate things.
Old post I know, how did things end up playing out for you, assuming you played this monk? Also, fyi, I disagree with the majority of people here stating that only an Attack action can activate "Agile Parry". The primary argument seems to be that the Attack action, and the Bonus action are different, which I agree with. However, in the "Agile Parry" description only a part of the attack action is required, which the bonus action/unarmed attack is, based on the monk class feature "Martial Arts", they are directly intertwined.
If one's bonus action/attack for an unarmed strike couldn't be used to activate "agile parry" following the initial Attack action, then imho in the description of the ability it would/should state something like, "while making an Attack action only, on your turn..." however it does not. Instead, in the description of the feature it states, "if you make an unarmed strike as part of the Attack action on your turn..." "As part" of the Attack action being the key in the description.
So, Kensei monks (at 5th level) are able to attack x2 using their weapon (probably a long sword) then using their bonus action/attack to make an unarmed strike still get their agile parry feature. This definitely helps both their offensive, and defensive capabilities.
No. Point blank incorrect. Your bonus action attack is never “part of the attack action.”
Also, fyi, I disagree with the majority of people here stating that only an Attack action can activate "Agile Parry".
Well, you're wrong, and I'm not saying that to insult you. The Attack action is a very specific action in D&D5e, which others have exhaustively covered. It is not a bonus action.
Agile Parry is a very specific feature, which others have also exhaustively covered. It requires you to have made an unarmed attack with the Attack action. You cannot benefit from this feature without having first made an unarmed attack with the Attack action. There is no ambiguity in how this operates with the rules as written.
You are always free to play your games however you prefer, but please realize that this subforum is dedicated to discussing how things actually work according to the written rules. Cheers.
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You don't know what fear is until you've witnessed a drunk bird divebombing you while carrying a screaming Kobold throwing fire anywhere and everywhere.
I appreciate you posting these rules, but I still don't understand how exactly they disprove what I've said. Even agreeing that the Attack action, and the bonus action are different, which they are. However, when the Attack action is used, a bonus action/unarmed attack can be used along with it, per the monk class. That bonus action/unarmed attack is directly linked to that Attack action, making it a part of said action, which according to the description of the "Agile Parry" skill is what is needed to activate (along with not being incapacitated, and having a weapon in hand). Now, one could decide to do something different with their bonus action, however unless they then decide to only use their Attack action to make an unarmed strike (assuming your below 5th level) then no "Agile Parry" this turn. Being able to use the bonus action here provides one with options, options that I believe are available in the features as they are presented currently.
I appreciate you posting these rules, but I still don't understand how exactly they disprove what I've said. Even agreeing that the Attack action, and the bonus action are different, which they are. However, when the Attack action is used, a bonus action/unarmed attack can be used along with it, per the monk class.
Not “along with it,” in addition to it. Still totally separate things.
I appreciate you posting these rules, but I still don't understand how exactly they disprove what I've said. Even agreeing that the Attack action, and the bonus action are different, which they are. However, when the Attack action is used, a bonus action/unarmed attack can be used along with it, per the monk class. That bonus action/unarmed attack is directly linked to that Attack action, making it a part of said action, which according to the description of the "Agile Parry" skill is what is needed to activate (along with not being incapacitated, and having a weapon in hand). Now, one could decide to do something different with their bonus action, however unless they then decide to only use their Attack action to make an unarmed strike (assuming your below 5th level) then no "Agile Parry" this turn. Being able to use the bonus action here provides one with options, options that I believe are available in the features as they are presented currently.
Because as per reading the class feature:
Agile Parry. If you make an unarmed strike as part of the Attack action 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.
So an unarmed strike take as a BA is NOT part of the Action. The only attacks that are part of the attack action are the attacks granted by said action. Attacks made as part of the BA are not part of the action. You understand the Actions and BAs are separate, yet you can't comprehend why RAW an unarmed strike made with a BA is NOT the same as an unarmed strike made with the action.
I do agree that Agile Parry is a little thematically muddled for a Kensei, and feels bad. The entire subclass is built around the idea of "wouldn't it be cool if a Monk could use more weapons?" and then Agile Parry comes along and says "cool, you get this great bonus whenever you have a weapon, but don't use it and instead act like a normal monk doing punches." That undercuts the class' own theme, and the usual context of this rule coming up at the table is going to be a player going "oh crap, I forgot, I wasn't supposed to do two sword attacks... can I take that back and roll unarmed damage instead???" That sucks.
Allowing Agile Parry to just trigger on any attack action where you use unarmed strikes OR your kensei weapons would basically become simplified to "if you take the Attack Action and have your kensei melee weapon in hand, you have +2 AC until the start of your next turn." That would let you what... do 2 or 3 more damage per round, by using a d8 or d10 (versatile) weapon for an attack that would otherwise be a d6 or d8 unarmed strike? Or let you fire your ranged kensei weapon, and then drop it and draw your melee kensei weapon for defense? Yawn, not worth fighting over, I'm honestly surprised the ability wasn't just written that way in the first place.
As a DM, I would totally make that houserule for a kensei player, to simplify their combat decision making so they aren't constantly forgetting that they aren't actually supposed to use that sword they're holding. But I do think its important for DMs and players to understand when they're houseruling something, and not just make rule errors unintentionally.
Agreed the Attack action, and the bonus action are different, luckily as per the "Agile Parry" description only a part of the Attack action is needed to make it work which under the "Martial Arts" section of the monk the bonus action/unarmed attack/strike is. If you so choose, the bonus action/attack made following the Attack action is apart of the initial action.
Just because something has been exhaustively covered, or its something everybody knows doesn't make it truth necessarily.
If one's bonus action/attack for an unarmed strike couldn't be used to activate "agile parry" following the initial Attack action, then imho in the description of the ability it would/should state something like, "while making an Attack action only, on your turn..." however it does not. Instead, in the description of the feature it states, "if you make an unarmed strike as part of the Attack action on your turn..." "As part" of the Attack action being the key in the description. Take care.
Agreed the Attack action, and the bonus action are different, luckily as per the "Agile Parry" description only a part of the Attack action is needed to make it work which under the "Martial Arts" section of the monk the bonus action/unarmed attack/strike is. If you so choose, the bonus action/attack made following the Attack action is apart of the initial action.
Just because something has been exhaustively covered, or its something everybody knows doesn't make it truth necessarily.
If one's bonus action/attack for an unarmed strike couldn't be used to activate "agile parry" following the initial Attack action, then imho in the description of the ability it would/should state something like, "while making an Attack action only, on your turn..." however it does not. Instead, in the description of the feature it states, "if you make an unarmed strike as part of the Attack action on your turn..." "As part" of the Attack action being the key in the description. Take care.
You keep repeating yourself, that doesn’t make it true. The Bonus Action attack is never, has never been, and will never be considered as “part of the attack action.” That is a fact, like the earth being round is a fact. The fact that flat earthers don’t believe it doesn’t make it any less true, it just makes them wrong.
What I couldn’t understand here is Why did they write these rules as “If you make an unarmed strike as part of the Attack action on your turn and are holding a kensei weapon, you can use it to defend yourself if it is a melee weapon.” than “If you make an unarmed strike as Attack action on your turn and are holding a kensei weapon, you can use it to defend yourself if it is a melee weapon.” In my point of view bonus Attack is an combined Attack action so it is also an attack action. It is not a free action. The whole point of this class is to emphasize the usage of the kensei weapon.
The reasoning behind agile parry in particular is that for the moment you are using unarmed strikes so that you can wield your kensei weapon more defensively. This is emphasizing the usage of the kensei weapon, just for defense rather than offense.
As for Attack Action and Bonus Action, it is clear they are different things although their word choice could have been better. Bonus Actions can be used to attack in certain situations, but they are still bonus actions and never should be confused with the Attack Action. Otherwise all kinds of balancing mechanics fall apart.
My homebrew subclasses (full list here)
(Artificer) Swordmage | Glasswright | (Barbarian) Path of the Savage Embrace
(Bard) College of Dance | (Fighter) Warlord | Cannoneer
(Monk) Way of the Elements | (Ranger) Blade Dancer
(Rogue) DaggerMaster | Inquisitor | (Sorcerer) Riftwalker | Spellfist
(Warlock) The Swarm
If you have a 3rd or 4th level Kensei Monk, you only get 1 attack when you take the Attack action, the attack you take must be with your fist if you want the AC bonus. At 5th-level, monks get the Extra Attack feature. So, you could attack once with your weapon, and once with your Unarmed Strike and you can still gain the AC bonus.
Whatever you do with your bonus action is completely separate from what you do with your action.
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I just want to clarify here, so if a person makes an unarmed strike and misses, do they still gain the benefit of agile parry?
I ask this as some things state hit or miss, like the mobile feat " When you make a melee attack against a creature, you don’t provoke opportunity attacks from that creature for the rest of the turn, whether you hit or not."
Agile Parry says “make an unarmed attack” it does not specify “hit with an unarmed attack.”
Success or failure matters not, only that you didn’t use the weapon for that one.
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Agile Parry provides:
Hits or misses don't matter, but the Unarmed Strike attack must be taken as part of the Attack Action, not just as one of your default Bonus Action or Flurry of Blows unarmed strikes.
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I'm going to make this way harder than it needs to be.
never mind, its to make the attack not to hit
Concerning the Kensei subclass specifically, I highly disagree with the notion that its level 3 feature "agile parry" can only be used while taking an Attack action as an unarmed strike only, because by RAW (rules as written) it doesn't state that. By RAW, according to the baseline of the monk class, "when you use the Attack action with an unarmed strike or a monk weapon on your turn, you can make one unarmed strike as a bonus action." Thus, one should be able to (well within the rules) use their bonus action to make an unarmed strike following the initial Attack action, and be able to activate the agile parry feature because they are directly related.
If one's bonus action/attack for an unarmed strike couldn't be used to activate "agile parry" following the initial Attack action, then imho in the description of the ability it would/should state something like, "while making an Attack action only, on your turn..." however it does not. Instead, in the description of the feature it states, "if you make an unarmed strike as part of the Attack action on your turn..." "As part" of the Attack action being the key in the description.
So, Kensei monks (at 5th level) are able to attack x2 using their weapon (probably a long sword) then using their bonus action/attack to make an unarmed strike still get their agile parry feature. This definitely helps both their offensive, and defensive capabilities.
Lady_Jane, the Bonus Action is not "part of the Attack action." It requires the Attack action to have been taken, so certainly they're related, but it is a wholly seperate action.
As a Monk, you have either one or two attacks that you can make "as Part of the Attack action" (depending on whether you've yet unlocked the Extra Attack feature), using any weapon you wish. you also have either one or two unarmed strikes that you can make as a Bonus Action (one by default, or two if using Flurry of Blows). Those Bonus Action attacks are not part of the Attack action, though they are enabled as result of you taking the Attack action.
Agile Parry only kicks in if at least one of your one or two Attack action attacks are made with an unarmed strike.
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I'm going to make this way harder than it needs to be.
It does specify:
And as per RAW (we know what that means):
And:
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Old post I know, how did things end up playing out for you, assuming you played this monk? Also, fyi, I disagree with the majority of people here stating that only an Attack action can activate "Agile Parry". The primary argument seems to be that the Attack action, and the Bonus action are different, which I agree with. However, in the "Agile Parry" description only a part of the attack action is required, which the bonus action/unarmed attack is, based on the monk class feature "Martial Arts", they are directly intertwined.
If one's bonus action/attack for an unarmed strike couldn't be used to activate "agile parry" following the initial Attack action, then imho in the description of the ability it would/should state something like, "while making an Attack action only, on your turn..." however it does not. Instead, in the description of the feature it states, "if you make an unarmed strike as part of the Attack action on your turn..." "As part" of the Attack action being the key in the description.
So, Kensei monks (at 5th level) are able to attack x2 using their weapon (probably a long sword) then using their bonus action/attack to make an unarmed strike still get their agile parry feature. This definitely helps both their offensive, and defensive capabilities.
A BA unarmed attack is not part of the Attack Action, one is a Bonus attack which is separate from the Action. Just because the BA requires the attack action does not make it part of the attack action itself. Just how movement action is not part of Actions or BA.
It does n0t have to say "only" because any unarmed strike not part of the direct attacks caused by the attack action, and the attack action only, are what trigger the parry. This is similar to how if something is triggered off of BA they cannot be triggered off of doing the same thing in an action. They don't need the word only because Action and BA are separate and therefore while some BAs trigger off of Actions they are not now part of the Action, the are still as BA.
This is all RAW and most likely RAI. Your interpretation is homebrew because are are already starting off by mulling and mixing the RAW of how Action, Movement, and BA are three separate things.
No. Point blank incorrect. Your bonus action attack is never “part of the attack action.”
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Well, you're wrong, and I'm not saying that to insult you. The Attack action is a very specific action in D&D5e, which others have exhaustively covered. It is not a bonus action.
Agile Parry is a very specific feature, which others have also exhaustively covered. It requires you to have made an unarmed attack with the Attack action. You cannot benefit from this feature without having first made an unarmed attack with the Attack action. There is no ambiguity in how this operates with the rules as written.
You are always free to play your games however you prefer, but please realize that this subforum is dedicated to discussing how things actually work according to the written rules. Cheers.
You don't know what fear is until you've witnessed a drunk bird divebombing you while carrying a screaming Kobold throwing fire anywhere and everywhere.
I appreciate you posting these rules, but I still don't understand how exactly they disprove what I've said. Even agreeing that the Attack action, and the bonus action are different, which they are. However, when the Attack action is used, a bonus action/unarmed attack can be used along with it, per the monk class. That bonus action/unarmed attack is directly linked to that Attack action, making it a part of said action, which according to the description of the "Agile Parry" skill is what is needed to activate (along with not being incapacitated, and having a weapon in hand). Now, one could decide to do something different with their bonus action, however unless they then decide to only use their Attack action to make an unarmed strike (assuming your below 5th level) then no "Agile Parry" this turn. Being able to use the bonus action here provides one with options, options that I believe are available in the features as they are presented currently.
Not “along with it,” in addition to it. Still totally separate things.
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Because as per reading the class feature:
Agile Parry. If you make an unarmed strike as part of the Attack action 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.
So an unarmed strike take as a BA is NOT part of the Action. The only attacks that are part of the attack action are the attacks granted by said action. Attacks made as part of the BA are not part of the action. You understand the Actions and BAs are separate, yet you can't comprehend why RAW an unarmed strike made with a BA is NOT the same as an unarmed strike made with the action.
I do agree that Agile Parry is a little thematically muddled for a Kensei, and feels bad. The entire subclass is built around the idea of "wouldn't it be cool if a Monk could use more weapons?" and then Agile Parry comes along and says "cool, you get this great bonus whenever you have a weapon, but don't use it and instead act like a normal monk doing punches." That undercuts the class' own theme, and the usual context of this rule coming up at the table is going to be a player going "oh crap, I forgot, I wasn't supposed to do two sword attacks... can I take that back and roll unarmed damage instead???" That sucks.
Allowing Agile Parry to just trigger on any attack action where you use unarmed strikes OR your kensei weapons would basically become simplified to "if you take the Attack Action and have your kensei melee weapon in hand, you have +2 AC until the start of your next turn." That would let you what... do 2 or 3 more damage per round, by using a d8 or d10 (versatile) weapon for an attack that would otherwise be a d6 or d8 unarmed strike? Or let you fire your ranged kensei weapon, and then drop it and draw your melee kensei weapon for defense? Yawn, not worth fighting over, I'm honestly surprised the ability wasn't just written that way in the first place.
As a DM, I would totally make that houserule for a kensei player, to simplify their combat decision making so they aren't constantly forgetting that they aren't actually supposed to use that sword they're holding. But I do think its important for DMs and players to understand when they're houseruling something, and not just make rule errors unintentionally.
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I'm going to make this way harder than it needs to be.
Agreed the Attack action, and the bonus action are different, luckily as per the "Agile Parry" description only a part of the Attack action is needed to make it work which under the "Martial Arts" section of the monk the bonus action/unarmed attack/strike is. If you so choose, the bonus action/attack made following the Attack action is apart of the initial action.
Just because something has been exhaustively covered, or its something everybody knows doesn't make it truth necessarily.
If one's bonus action/attack for an unarmed strike couldn't be used to activate "agile parry" following the initial Attack action, then imho in the description of the ability it would/should state something like, "while making an Attack action only, on your turn..." however it does not. Instead, in the description of the feature it states, "if you make an unarmed strike as part of the Attack action on your turn..." "As part" of the Attack action being the key in the description. Take care.
You keep repeating yourself, that doesn’t make it true. The Bonus Action attack is never, has never been, and will never be considered as “part of the attack action.” That is a fact, like the earth being round is a fact. The fact that flat earthers don’t believe it doesn’t make it any less true, it just makes them wrong.
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