I always liked the concept of Kensei Monk from XGE, but thought it was a clumsy implementation. I've been thinking about how to fix it and update it for 2024 rules, and thought I'd throw it out here to get some feedback.

Level 3

Kensei Weapons. Choose two types of weapons to be your kensei weapons. 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. Whenever you finish a Long Rest, you can change the kinds of weapons you chose.

You gain proficiency with these weapons if you don't already have it. Weapons of the chosen types are monk weapons for you. 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.

The only change here is that you no longer have to pick one melee and one ranged weapon. Felt like the kind of awkward restriction Arcane Trickster and Eldritch Knight used to have, which were also removed in '24. EDIT: Added a line to let you replace your choices on a long rest, in line with other classes that have Weapon Mastery.

Weapon Mastery. You can use the mastery properties of your kensei weapons. Once on each of your turns, you can replace a kensei weapon's mastery property with one of the following properties, depending on whether you're making a melee or ranged attack.

• Agile Parry (melee). 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 (ranged). You can use a Bonus Action to make another ranged attack with this weapon, or two attacks if you expend 1 Focus Point to do so.

This is the main feature. Weapon Mastery opens up a lot of possibilities, but notably, Nick gives you an extra attack for free when dual wielding (albeit without the ability bonus to damage, but still using your chonky Martial Arts die!).

Agile Parry no longer requires an unarmed strike, so the weapon specialist subclass is actually free to use its weapons now! Kensei's Shot lets you make the same number of attacks as you could with unarmed strikes/Flurry of Blows. The once per turn restriction means you can't do a melee attack with one hand and a ranged attack with the other to get both benefits.

Way of the Brush. You gain proficiency with your choice of calligrapher's supplies or painter's supplies.

Unchanged.

I was considering giving it Fighting Style as well, but decided against it so that dipping into Fighter or Ranger remains a tempting option.

Level 6

Empowered Kensei Weapons. Whenever you deal damage with your kensei weapons, it can deal your choice of Force damage or its normal damage type.

Updated to match the '24 version of Empowered Strikes.

Deft Strike. When you hit a target with a kensei weapon, you can spend 1 focus point to 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.

Unchanged, could maybe add WIS bonus to the damage like Hand of Harm, but maybe not since you have your weapon masteries to make up for it.

Level 11

Sharpen the Blade. You gain the ability to augment your weapons further with your focus. As a bonus action, you can expend up to 3 focus points to grant all kensei weapons you're wielding a bonus to attack and damage rolls when you attack with them. The bonus equals the number of focus points you spent. This bonus lasts for 1 minute or until you use this feature again. A magic weapon that already has a bonus to attack and damage rolls will have its bonus replaced for the duration.

Still takes a Bonus Action since it's a minute-long buff, but it can now apply to both weapons when dual wielding, and affects magic items. Note however that taking a +2 magic weapon to +3 still takes 3 focus points, on the assumption that the weapon might have other properties that make the +1 to hit/damage worth the cost.

Level 17

Unerring Accuracy. At 17th 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.

Unchanged.

Overall is good, but I always felt like the level 17 ability was a bit lackluster. It effectively gives you advantage on one attack roll, but monks focus on using many attacks, not a few strong ones, so it kinda stinks. I think it should either be an improvement to another kensei feature. my idea is:

Swift Blades. At 17th level, your masterful use of weapons grants you extraordinary agility. When you use flurry of blows, you can replace the unarmed strikes with kensei weapon attacks. additionally, while your Sharpen the Blade is active, you can make an additional attack with your kensei weapon.

It might be a bit strong, but kensei isn't a great subclass at high levels anyway, so I think it's fine.