My DM is running a level 10 one-shot and I wanted to create a samurai ronin. I know there is already a fighter subclass samurai, but I wanted the lightly armored ronin style, so I think Kensei Monk is the best fit. I would take longsword(katana), and long bow as my first 2 kensei weapons, not sure about the 3rd. Build would be high dexterity and wisdom. The build does have much change from standard 5e.
I had a few ideas about it, and wanted to share!
You'll need a somewhat flexible DM, for 2 specific changes that really only effect role-playing and not game play.
1. As a Ronin, you may replace any "unarmed strikes" with one-hand melee weapon attacks (for the purpose of changing the type of damage, ei. slashing vs bludgeoning). Your melee attacks are still considered "unarmed strikes" for the purpose of using other monk abilities that require the use of "unarmed strike" attacks. The damage of these attacks are calculated using your Martial Arts dice, and the damage is based on your monk level.
2. Rename/re-skin the Longsword as a Katana for the purposes of the character being a Ronin. Stats remain unchanged.
My playstyle would be to use the katana with 2 hands (1d10), and then use fury of blows for 2 more sword swings wielding the katana in one hand (freeing up a hand for things like deflect missle or agile parry).
I also took the liberty of homebrewing a Kensei Sword Technique that fits the ronin style. It's an attack based off of basically every manga/anime that has a sword wielder. I'd love to upload it to the homebrew section of dndbeyond, but not sure where to post it.
Kensei Sword Art: Blade Storm
Starting at 5th level, you can channel the power of ki to unleash a series of lightning fast strikes as you pass through a group of enemies at high speed, causing slashing damage to all targets in your path as you sheath your weapon. While wielding a melee monk weapon in one hand, you may use your movement to pass through a group of enemies in a straight line. You may target any 2 creatures in your range by expending 1 ki point, up to a maximum of 6 targets. Any targets in your range must make a constitution saving throw (Ki save DC). On a failed save, the target takes 1d12 damage (+ your dexterity modifier), or half as much damage on successful one.
You do not provoke any attacks of opportunity while using Blade Storm.
At higher levels: Starting at 10th level, damage increases by 1d12 for every 5 monk levels. Starting at 13th level, movement is no longer restricted to a straight line. At 15th level, maximum targets increase to 8. At 20th level, maximum targets increase to 10.
Thanks for reading! Give me some feedback or let me know what kind of changes you guys would make to the build.
The special power is OP, but other than that I see no problem playing a Ronin using the Kensei subclass and flavoring the longsword as a katana is par for the course. You also gain quite a significant damage boost by claiming the longsword damage as unarmed strikes so you'd probably want to ask your DM about that. Any fighter in the group will probably not be happy.
Yea, I wasn't sure about the special power. I looked at something like Fireball, and figured that since a spell like that can be OP over a wide range, why not something like this for a monk. Maybe reducing the damage to 1d10 or 1d8 per 5 monk levels would be fine instead of 1d12. The technique also doesn't count as an attack, so no second attack action after using it.
For unarmed strikes, the damage would stay the same. The only change would be for role-playing. The difference would be 3 katana slashes (a 2 hand slash followed by 2 fast one handed slashes), versus one katana slash followed by a couple punches. I wouldn't ask for full sword damage on the bonus action strikes.
You could also consider some of the unarmed strikes to be attacks with the scabbard or with your feet. Ronin will typically be a bit more open minded about their fighting style as long as it helps them stay alive.
Yea, I wasn't sure about the special power. I looked at something like Fireball, and figured that since a spell like that can be OP over a wide range, why not something like this for a monk. Maybe reducing the damage to 1d10 or 1d8 per 5 monk levels would be fine instead of 1d12. The technique also doesn't count as an attack, so no second attack action after using it.
This still makes it OP. The Kensei really doesn't need anything to be a good subclass. Throw in a level of Fighter if you want something extra.
For unarmed strikes, the damage would stay the same. The only change would be for role-playing. The difference would be 3 katana slashes (a 2 hand slash followed by 2 fast one handed slashes), versus one katana slash followed by a couple punches. I wouldn't ask for full sword damage on the bonus action strikes.
If you're using the D6 of the monk then yeah, you could reflavour the unarmed attacks into sword attacks. That said, you will still get an advantage against enemies that are resistant to bludgeoning damage. Shouldn't really be an issue, though.
Oh, btw. The whip is a really good weapon for Kensei. Reflavour it as a chain whip or similar.
You could also consider some of the unarmed strikes to be attacks with the scabbard or with your feet. Ronin will typically be a bit more open minded about their fighting style as long as it helps them stay alive.
True! I remember stuff like this from the Way if the Samurai games!
Yea, I wasn't sure about the special power. I looked at something like Fireball, and figured that since a spell like that can be OP over a wide range, why not something like this for a monk. Maybe reducing the damage to 1d10 or 1d8 per 5 monk levels would be fine instead of 1d12. The technique also doesn't count as an attack, so no second attack action after using it.
This still makes it OP. The Kensei really doesn't need anything to be a good subclass. Throw in a level of Fighter if you want something extra.
For unarmed strikes, the damage would stay the same. The only change would be for role-playing. The difference would be 3 katana slashes (a 2 hand slash followed by 2 fast one handed slashes), versus one katana slash followed by a couple punches. I wouldn't ask for full sword damage on the bonus action strikes.
If you're using the D6 of the monk then yeah, you could reflavour the unarmed attacks into sword attacks. That said, you will still get an advantage against enemies that are resistant to bludgeoning damage. Shouldn't really be an issue, though.
Oh, btw. The whip is a really good weapon for Kensei. Reflavour it as a chain whip or similar.
I guess it's pretty OP still. Is there a way to tone it down? Increase the ki cost maybe? I know fighters have some cool maneuvers, but I wanted something flashy and anime like that can still be balanced. I did some calculations based on a Kensei Monk at level 10 and on a normal turn I could inflict about 39 damage with a dex 20 build.
Versitile longsword Attack 1d10 +5 Versitile longsword Attack 1d10 +5 Deft strike 1d6 Bonus action Flurry of blows 1d6 +5 and 1d6 +5 Agile parry +2 AC
Assuming all attacks hit: 2 Ki points expended (avg 39 damage) 1 KP if no Deft strike (avg 36 damage)
With Blade Storm at level 10 using 1 ki point to hit 2 targets you would average 13 damage (2d8 +5) on 2 targets for 26 overall damage. Using 2 ki points to hit 4 targets you would hit 52 damage total. And 3 ki points to hit 6 targets would deal 78 damage total.
Compared to Fireball being used by a level 10 wizard in a 5th level spell slot. Against 6 opponents, it would deal on average 35 (10d6 +5) fire damage per target, which would be a total of 210 damage.
This assumes all targets fail their saves in both cases. By this comparison, Blade Storm seems lacking if 1d8 is used for damage.
You could also consider some of the unarmed strikes to be attacks with the scabbard or with your feet. Ronin will typically be a bit more open minded about their fighting style as long as it helps them stay alive.
True! I remember stuff like this from the Way if the Samurai games!
Yea, I wasn't sure about the special power. I looked at something like Fireball, and figured that since a spell like that can be OP over a wide range, why not something like this for a monk. Maybe reducing the damage to 1d10 or 1d8 per 5 monk levels would be fine instead of 1d12. The technique also doesn't count as an attack, so no second attack action after using it.
This still makes it OP. The Kensei really doesn't need anything to be a good subclass. Throw in a level of Fighter if you want something extra.
For unarmed strikes, the damage would stay the same. The only change would be for role-playing. The difference would be 3 katana slashes (a 2 hand slash followed by 2 fast one handed slashes), versus one katana slash followed by a couple punches. I wouldn't ask for full sword damage on the bonus action strikes.
If you're using the D6 of the monk then yeah, you could reflavour the unarmed attacks into sword attacks. That said, you will still get an advantage against enemies that are resistant to bludgeoning damage. Shouldn't really be an issue, though.
Oh, btw. The whip is a really good weapon for Kensei. Reflavour it as a chain whip or similar.
I guess it's pretty OP still. Is there a way to tone it down? Increase the ki cost maybe? I know fighters have some cool maneuvers, but I wanted something flashy and anime like that can still be balanced. I did some calculations based on a Kensei Monk at level 10 and on a normal turn I could inflict about 39 damage with a dex 20 build.
Versitile longsword Attack 1d10 +5 Versitile longsword Attack 1d10 +5 Deft strike 1d6 Bonus action Flurry of blows 1d6 +5 and 1d6 +5 Agile parry +2 AC
Assuming all attacks hit: 2 Ki points expended (avg 39 damage) 1 KP if no Deft strike (avg 36 damage)
With Blade Storm at level 10 using 1 ki point to hit 2 targets you would average 13 damage (2d8 +5) on 2 targets for 26 overall damage. Using 2 ki points to hit 4 targets you would hit 52 damage total. And 3 ki points to hit 6 targets would deal 78 damage total.
Compared to Fireball being used by a level 10 wizard in a 5th level spell slot. Against 6 opponents, it would deal on average 35 (10d6 +5) fire damage per target, which would be a total of 210 damage.
This assumes all targets fail their saves in both cases. By this comparison, Blade Storm seems lacking if 1d8 is used for damage.
Again, the Kensei doesn't really need anything more. The Kensei (and the Monk) is more about a Death of a Thousand Cuts against a single target than crowd control. More of a duelist rather than a battlefield warrior, if you get what I mean?
The special move you describe honestly sounds more like something a Fighter using Action Surge would do rather than a Kensei Monk. And since you have described it as something you do during your movement you can add that to your normal attacks and flurry of blows which makes it incredibly powerful. It's not really something that the Kensei needs.
Not to try to dissuade you or anything but have you thought about playing this as a Battle Master Fighter or Samurai instead of a Kensei? A samurai with a high Wisdom goes well with the your concept so it might suit your idea better. If you really want to have the unarmoured look you can just take a one level dip of Monk, or even Barbarian for that matter. The rage could be more of a "battle focus" or similar.
You might also want to look into the Fighting Initiate or Martial Adept feats if you want a bit more options in your playstyle.
That's some awesome feedback! I'll look into those options for my character. The single target attacking makes sense vs a battlefield master, so I get where you are coming from!
The intention of the technique was to make it in a way that it's the only action that can be used on your turn. That's why I didn't give it an attack roll (so no extra atrack).
That's some awesome feedback! I'll look into those options for my character. The single target attacking makes sense vs a battlefield master, so I get where you are coming from!
The intention of the technique was to make it in a way that it's the only action that can be used on your turn. That's why I didn't give it an attack roll (so no extra atrack).
You're welcome! Good luck with your character. B)
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Hi guys!
My DM is running a level 10 one-shot and I wanted to create a samurai ronin. I know there is already a fighter subclass samurai, but I wanted the lightly armored ronin style, so I think Kensei Monk is the best fit. I would take longsword(katana), and long bow as my first 2 kensei weapons, not sure about the 3rd. Build would be high dexterity and wisdom. The build does have much change from standard 5e.
I had a few ideas about it, and wanted to share!
You'll need a somewhat flexible DM, for 2 specific changes that really only effect role-playing and not game play.
1. As a Ronin, you may replace any "unarmed strikes" with one-hand melee weapon attacks (for the purpose of changing the type of damage, ei. slashing vs bludgeoning). Your melee attacks are still considered "unarmed strikes" for the purpose of using other monk abilities that require the use of "unarmed strike" attacks. The damage of these attacks are calculated using your Martial Arts dice, and the damage is based on your monk level.
2. Rename/re-skin the Longsword as a Katana for the purposes of the character being a Ronin. Stats remain unchanged.
My playstyle would be to use the katana with 2 hands (1d10), and then use fury of blows for 2 more sword swings wielding the katana in one hand (freeing up a hand for things like deflect missle or agile parry).
I also took the liberty of homebrewing a Kensei Sword Technique that fits the ronin style. It's an attack based off of basically every manga/anime that has a sword wielder. I'd love to upload it to the homebrew section of dndbeyond, but not sure where to post it.
Kensei Sword Art: Blade Storm
Starting at 5th level, you can channel the power of ki to unleash a series of lightning fast strikes as you pass through a group of enemies at high speed, causing slashing damage to all targets in your path as you sheath your weapon.
While wielding a melee monk weapon in one hand, you may use your movement to pass through a group of enemies in a straight line. You may target any 2 creatures in your range by expending 1 ki point, up to a maximum of 6 targets. Any targets in your range must make a constitution saving throw (Ki save DC). On a failed save, the target takes 1d12 damage (+ your dexterity modifier), or half as much damage on successful one.
You do not provoke any attacks of opportunity while using Blade Storm.
At higher levels:
Starting at 10th level, damage increases by 1d12 for every 5 monk levels.
Starting at 13th level, movement is no longer restricted to a straight line.
At 15th level, maximum targets increase to 8. At 20th level, maximum targets increase to 10.
Thanks for reading! Give me some feedback or let me know what kind of changes you guys would make to the build.
The special power is OP, but other than that I see no problem playing a Ronin using the Kensei subclass and flavoring the longsword as a katana is par for the course. You also gain quite a significant damage boost by claiming the longsword damage as unarmed strikes so you'd probably want to ask your DM about that. Any fighter in the group will probably not be happy.
Yea, I wasn't sure about the special power. I looked at something like Fireball, and figured that since a spell like that can be OP over a wide range, why not something like this for a monk. Maybe reducing the damage to 1d10 or 1d8 per 5 monk levels would be fine instead of 1d12. The technique also doesn't count as an attack, so no second attack action after using it.
For unarmed strikes, the damage would stay the same. The only change would be for role-playing. The difference would be 3 katana slashes (a 2 hand slash followed by 2 fast one handed slashes), versus one katana slash followed by a couple punches. I wouldn't ask for full sword damage on the bonus action strikes.
You could also consider some of the unarmed strikes to be attacks with the scabbard or with your feet. Ronin will typically be a bit more open minded about their fighting style as long as it helps them stay alive.
This still makes it OP. The Kensei really doesn't need anything to be a good subclass. Throw in a level of Fighter if you want something extra.
If you're using the D6 of the monk then yeah, you could reflavour the unarmed attacks into sword attacks. That said, you will still get an advantage against enemies that are resistant to bludgeoning damage. Shouldn't really be an issue, though.
Oh, btw. The whip is a really good weapon for Kensei. Reflavour it as a chain whip or similar.
True! I remember stuff like this from the Way if the Samurai games!
I guess it's pretty OP still. Is there a way to tone it down? Increase the ki cost maybe? I know fighters have some cool maneuvers, but I wanted something flashy and anime like that can still be balanced. I did some calculations based on a Kensei Monk at level 10 and on a normal turn I could inflict about 39 damage with a dex 20 build.
Versitile longsword Attack 1d10 +5
Versitile longsword Attack 1d10 +5
Deft strike 1d6
Bonus action Flurry of blows 1d6 +5 and 1d6 +5
Agile parry +2 AC
Assuming all attacks hit:
2 Ki points expended (avg 39 damage)
1 KP if no Deft strike (avg 36 damage)
With Blade Storm at level 10 using 1 ki point to hit 2 targets you would average 13 damage (2d8 +5) on 2 targets for 26 overall damage. Using 2 ki points to hit 4 targets you would hit 52 damage total. And 3 ki points to hit 6 targets would deal 78 damage total.
Compared to Fireball being used by a level 10 wizard in a 5th level spell slot. Against 6 opponents, it would deal on average 35 (10d6 +5) fire damage per target, which would be a total of 210 damage.
This assumes all targets fail their saves in both cases. By this comparison, Blade Storm seems lacking if 1d8 is used for damage.
Again, the Kensei doesn't really need anything more. The Kensei (and the Monk) is more about a Death of a Thousand Cuts against a single target than crowd control. More of a duelist rather than a battlefield warrior, if you get what I mean?
The special move you describe honestly sounds more like something a Fighter using Action Surge would do rather than a Kensei Monk. And since you have described it as something you do during your movement you can add that to your normal attacks and flurry of blows which makes it incredibly powerful. It's not really something that the Kensei needs.
Not to try to dissuade you or anything but have you thought about playing this as a Battle Master Fighter or Samurai instead of a Kensei? A samurai with a high Wisdom goes well with the your concept so it might suit your idea better. If you really want to have the unarmoured look you can just take a one level dip of Monk, or even Barbarian for that matter. The rage could be more of a "battle focus" or similar.
You might also want to look into the Fighting Initiate or Martial Adept feats if you want a bit more options in your playstyle.
That's some awesome feedback! I'll look into those options for my character. The single target attacking makes sense vs a battlefield master, so I get where you are coming from!
The intention of the technique was to make it in a way that it's the only action that can be used on your turn. That's why I didn't give it an attack roll (so no extra atrack).
You're welcome! Good luck with your character. B)