"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."
During levels 3-4 the Martial Arts die is a D4 and the Monk has 1 Attack. As I read this, I would have to forgo a weapon attack (which would do a D6 or a D8 damage) in order to qualify for Agile Parry because I only get one Attack and that HAS to be Unarmed to trigger the Agile Parry...yes? The additional unarmed attack is part of the Bonus Action, not the Attack Action so that doesn't seem to qualify.
I can understand why the weapon-based art requires that I be holding a weapon for the Parry to work, but according to this I can't get the Parry if I actually USE the weapon?
Yes you are giving up the extra damage to have a better defense. On average the weapon will do 1 (or 2) more points of damage which isn’t much while your AC goes up by 2 points (10%) which is significant. Essentially you are choosing to use the weapon and your foes focus on it defend yourself while opening them up for the unarmed strike. Since most folks will focus on the weapon. What it probably should do is give the unarmed strike a +1 to hit.
With Agile Parry, you don't have to forgo an attack, but you need to make at least one unarmed strike with your Attack action in order to benefit from it. In other word, Agile Parry doesn't work with your Martial Art unarmed strike as a bonus action.
I can understand why the weapon-based art requires that I be holding a weapon for the Parry to work, but according to this I can't get the Parry if I actually USE the weapon?
This is a super common misconception about this sub-class; you ARE using the weapon, you're just using it to defend yourself rather than to attack.
When you get Extra Attack at 5th level you can attack once with the weapon, unarmed strike and claim Agile Parry, if you spent a point of Ki on either of the attacks you can also use Ki-fuelled Attack (Tasha's Cauldron of Everything Optional Class Feature) to make a second weapon attack as a bonus action.
Thematically you're definitely using the weapon, you're just holding it in a high guard or such ready to block incoming strikes (including magical ones, and at any range which is pretty cool). Mechanically it's not the most fun way to do this, but it's a great ability even so (+2 AC is huge).
I've been play testing a homebrew "Way of the Keen Edge" (see signature) which changes things around so Agile Parry is Deflect Missiles but for melee attacks, and doesn't swap out one of your attacks; this is weaker in some ways though as it can only ever negate one hit per round whereas +2 AC could prevent multiple, but it's more fun mechanically.
Former D&D Beyond Customer of six years: With the axing of piecemeal purchasing, lack of meaningful development, and toxic moderation the site isn't worth paying for anymore. I remain a free user only until my groups are done migrating from DDB, and if necessary D&D, after which I'm done. There are better systems owned by better companies out there.
I have unsubscribed from all topics and will not reply to messages. My homebrew is now 100% unsupported.
Keep in mind that a parry is a blocking action, you are using your weapon to block your foes attack first, then attacking. But in order to get that +2 AC your weapon has to maintain contact/control of the foes weapon so it can’t attack but it can turn/twist the foe opening it up to an alternate attack - in this case your unarmed attack. For you to be able to attack with the weapon it would be a parry and ripost. In essence you are doing exactly what a dual wielder does when the bind the foes sword then stab with a dagger - you are using your sword it’s not just hanging out there at the end of your arm doing nothing. Haravikk’s homebrew is more like a parry and repost- you deflect the attack avoiding that damage and then attack with the same weapon but you don’t get the +2 to AC because you’ve released control of the foes blade so ey could potentially attack again.
Keep in mind that a parry is a blocking action, you are using your weapon to block your foes attack first, then attacking. But in order to get that +2 AC your weapon has to maintain contact/control of the foes weapon so it can’t attack but it can turn/twist the foe opening it up to an alternate attack - in this case your unarmed attack. For you to be able to attack with the weapon it would be a parry and ripost.
Nothing in Agile Parry prevent you from attacking with your weapon whatsoever. As long as you also make an unarmed strike as part of your Attack action, you can also attack with your weapon and gain the +2 AC just fine, or even make an Opportunity Attack with it.
It's significantly better than the other kinds of parry available in the game -- they require you to use your reaction, and only defend you against a single attack per round. Also, you can use one of them together with Agile Parry, if you really want to.
Keep in mind that a parry is a blocking action, you are using your weapon to block your foes attack first, then attacking. But in order to get that +2 AC your weapon has to maintain contact/control of the foes weapon so it can’t attack but it can turn/twist the foe opening it up to an alternate attack - in this case your unarmed attack. For you to be able to attack with the weapon it would be a parry and ripost.
Nothing in Agile Parry prevent you from attacking with your weapon whatsoever. As long as you also make an unarmed strike as part of your Attack action, you can also attack with your weapon and gain the +2 AC just fine, or even make an Opportunity Attack with it.
Just a point plague- yes you can use the weapon for a bonus attack ,a opportunity attack on your reaction or, starting at level 5, for one of your attacks on your attack action. But at levels 3&4 and for one of your attacks from level 5 on the attack must be an aramed attack not a weapon attack. Starting at L5 it’s not a huge deal but at levels 3&4 it’s at least a problem to some folks.
Keep in mind that a parry is a blocking action, you are using your weapon to block your foes attack first, then attacking. But in order to get that +2 AC your weapon has to maintain contact/control of the foes weapon so it can’t attack but it can turn/twist the foe opening it up to an alternate attack - in this case your unarmed attack. For you to be able to attack with the weapon it would be a parry and ripost.
Nothing in Agile Parry prevent you from attacking with your weapon whatsoever. As long as you also make an unarmed strike as part of your Attack action, you can also attack with your weapon and gain the +2 AC just fine, or even make an Opportunity Attack with it.
Just a point plague- yes you can use the weapon for a bonus attack ,a opportunity attack on your reaction or, starting at level 5, for one of your attacks on your attack action. But at levels 3&4 and for one of your attacks from level 5 on the attack must be an aramed attack not a weapon attack. Starting at L5 it’s not a huge deal but at levels 3&4 it’s at least a problem to some folks.
Your welcome! your right - at L3&4 you must use the lower damage unarmed attack AS YOUR ATTACK ACTION to get the +2 AC from agile parry. Realistically (as I said before) that means giving up 1-2 points of damage per round to gain a +2 to AC. Assuming you have a 15 in Dex and a 14 in Wis that probably means your AC goes from 14 to 16 which is a significant jump at levels 3&4. The increase in AC should more than offset the decrease in damage ( you go from being hit 30% of the time or roughly 1 round in 3 which typically means taking 1 hit per fight to being hit 20% of the time or very roughly once every 5rounds or once every 2 fights) Something to remember - martial artists always learn to defend themselves before they learn to attack others and this follows that concept. For 2 levels your sword works primarily as a shield drawing your foe’s attention and setting up your unarmed attack. Yes the steps to L5 are moderately large (5600 EXP) but as soon as you get there your AC probably goes up to 17 (+3 from Dex (16/17) instead of +2) and most important you get that second attack on the attack action where you now can use the weapon as you’ve been dreaming of. I know it’s not what you really want to do but it’s a really great ability and you’ll get to be the sword wielding monk you’re dreaming of soon enough.
Keep in mind that a parry is a blocking action, you are using your weapon to block your foes attack first, then attacking. But in order to get that +2 AC your weapon has to maintain contact/control of the foes weapon so it can’t attack but it can turn/twist the foe opening it up to an alternate attack - in this case your unarmed attack. For you to be able to attack with the weapon it would be a parry and ripost.
Nothing in Agile Parry prevent you from attacking with your weapon whatsoever. As long as you also make an unarmed strike as part of your Attack action, you can also attack with your weapon and gain the +2 AC just fine, or even make an Opportunity Attack with it.
Just a point plague- yes you can use the weapon for a bonus attack ,a opportunity attack on your reaction or, starting at level 5, for one of your attacks on your attack action. But at levels 3&4 and for one of your attacks from level 5 on the attack must be an aramed attack not a weapon attack. Starting at L5 it’s not a huge deal but at levels 3&4 it’s at least a problem to some folks.
It's certainly a significant trade off at these levels as Kensei weapon can deal up to 1d10 vs 1d4 for your unarmed strike for a +2 AC in return, which gets smaller as the monk gain levels and eventually match it at L17.
That is true and that means a harder decision - bigger damage but a decent chance to be hit for significant damage or lower damage but lower chance to be hit. You are basically +4 to hit at L3&4 (+2 Dex + +2 PB) most of your foes will have an AC of 15 or less so you will hit on an 11 or higher so you hit between 50-65% of the time. You can the +2AC (16) and do 2 unarmed attacks (your attack action and bonus action) both for 1D4+2. So 2+2*2/2(50% hit rate) for 4 dpr but are being hit 45% of the time (AC16) for 1D8+2 for 4+2*.45= 2.7 dpr. OR you can use the long sword 2 handed and have AC14 which gives: (1d10+2 + 1d4+2)/2 (50% hit rate) for 5.5 dpr while being hit 55% of the time for 1d8+2*.55 or 3.3 dpr
if your foe has as many hit points as you (L4: 9+5+5+5=24HP) it will take 6 rounds to knock them to zero and in scenario 1 and you will take 16.2 damage; in scenario 2 it takes 5 rounds and you take 16.5 damage in the end it’s hard to decide because it’s pretty much a toss up.
Keep in mind that a parry is a blocking action, you are using your weapon to block your foes attack first, then attacking. But in order to get that +2 AC your weapon has to maintain contact/control of the foes weapon so it can’t attack but it can turn/twist the foe opening it up to an alternate attack - in this case your unarmed attack. For you to be able to attack with the weapon it would be a parry and ripost.
Nothing in Agile Parry prevent you from attacking with your weapon whatsoever. As long as you also make an unarmed strike as part of your Attack action, you can also attack with your weapon and gain the +2 AC just fine, or even make an Opportunity Attack with it.
Just a point plague- yes you can use the weapon for a bonus attack ,a opportunity attack on your reaction or, starting at level 5, for one of your attacks on your attack action. But at levels 3&4 and for one of your attacks from level 5 on the attack must be an aramed attack not a weapon attack. Starting at L5 it’s not a huge deal but at levels 3&4 it’s at least a problem to some folks.
It's certainly a significant trade off at these levels as Kensei weapon can deal up to 1d10 vs 1d4 for your unarmed strike for a +2 AC in return, which gets smaller as the monk gain levels and eventually match it at L17.
Except that it's not a significant trade off. it's a mild trade off of 3 damage average DPS for a moderate increase in AC. The difference in Damage for the Kensei goes from 13 with one d10 weapon attack and an unarmed bonus attack to 10 damage and +2 AC for the turn when using Agile Parry. The Static damage from the two hits is actually worth the entire average damage of one long sword attack using two hands. You actually lose more average damage at 5 when not using the unarmed bonus action attack to Dodge or disengage. And the Kensei at that level is managing the same damage as somebody wielding a greatsword which is averaging 9 damage. So you actually lose less damage than the damage difference between you and a fighter for example. A Barbarian with that same greatsword and Rage is only doing 11 damage on average.
Except that it's not a significant trade off. it's a mild trade off of 3 damage average DPS for a moderate increase in AC.
50% lower average die is significant at these levels even though 3 is mild i agree but it’s a problem to some folks as Wi1dBi11 pointed out.
it's not actually a 50% lower average die. That's the problem. There are other numbers involved in the calculation as well such as the static modifier. which at low level is usually as significant or even more significant to the damage that a person is doing than the damage from the actual dice on average. For Example. Most Monk's are going to be doing 3 damage just from the static attribute modifier at level 3. Making that 3 damage difference closer to 33% than 50%. But considering that Monks have two attacks naturally to often account for. The reality is that 3 damage is more like 25% of the damage that they can do on any given turn without spending any actual resources at all. (The 2 damage difference at level 5 becomes more like 8% of the over all damage).
So the difference in damage is grossly misrepresented for what it is. And most the complaints focusing on damage are from the perception of single larger hits rather than overall damage for the turn. The monk may fall off somewhat at the highest levels, Trading some damage for a high amount of survivability and quite a bit of utility. But the kensei actually returns some of that damage to the class as a subclass.
The Reality that most people miss is that without spending resources and relying only on basic attacks (whether weapon or cantrip) The monks, Particularly the Kensei have some of the highest damage there is at these lower levels. And it largely costs expending resources, damage modifiers or sources from feats, or other class abilities to get more than what they do, Even though their individual damage numbers will often not be quite as high as other classes. (and the more you find to pile on top of them the stronger they get.)
Most Cantrips are going to be in the 4 to 6 average damage at level 3 to 4. Jumping up to 8 to 12 damage at level 5, and for those that get them like Draconic Sorcerer or evocation wizard. Ability damage for those casters that get them on certain types of spells don't usually kick in until at least level 6 and may or may not apply to increase it from there.
The Barbarian at level 3 is going to be doing 11 Damage on Average with rage going. Jumping up to 24 at level 5. The Fighter/Ranger is going to be doing 9 average damage with a 1d12/2d6 weapon at level 3. Increasing to just 20 at level 5. The Rogue is going to be doing 13 average damage when including sneak attack at level 3. Increasing to 17 at level 5. The Fighter/Ranger doing 2 weapon fighting (non-feat) is going to be doing 12 avg damage over 2 attacks, Turning into 21 at level 5 over 3. The Monk is going to be doing 10 average damage completely unarmed at level 3, Increasing to 21 at level 5 over 3. The monk wielding a quarterstaff is going to be doing 12 average at level 3, and 23 at level 5.
A Kensei Monk just further's the Monks damage for the most part. Having the minimum of the unarmed of a normal monk of 10 average damage at level 3 but with the +2 AC as well from Agile Parry, or 23 At level 5 thanks to 1d10 weapon attack and 2 d6 unarmed attacks and their likely 12 static damage from dexterity spread over 3 attacks(4 damage each) when they are at level 5.
But the Kensei isn't actually done there. If they don't use Agile Parry they are looking at an average damage of 13 at level 3, and 25 average damage at level 5 using the bonus action unarmed strike. But if they spend 1 of their 5 ki on their attack action. they can actually do 27 average damage in a turn over 3 weapon attacks thanks to ki feuled strike. This is just purely basic weapon attack damage. This is ignoring anything that 1 ki might actually add on. Consider this the number you can achieve on a failed Stunning Strike at level 5 basically.
Combining both agile parry and a way to get ki feuled strike (something that as I recall is impossible for the Kensai to actually do at level 3 despite getting ki feuled strike at level 3) at level 5 it nets you 25 average damage and +2 AC.
And it should also be noted that at each die increase. it actually costs you less damage to Agile Parry. Costing only 2 damage instead of 3 between levels 5 and 10 and only 1 damage between 11 and 16. With no change in your damage in the 17-20 range.
Monks, particularly the kensei do not do bad damage at all. And it's fairly customizable to the action economy that a monk needs on any given turn. Even more so with the optional ability of ki feuled strike introduced in Tasha's because it allows for another customizability option for the bonus action damage that lies between the unarmed bonus attack and flurry of blows in damage levels. And this is something that holds true to varying degrees for pretty much the monks entire adventuring career.
it's not actually a 50% lower average die. That's the problem. There are other numbers involved in the calculation as well such as the static modifier. which at low level is usually as significant or even more significant to the damage that a person is doing than the damage from the actual dice on average.
A die avg 6 vs 3 is 50% lower regardless of the static modifier that apply to both, this across all level. What is mild in the end is the difference of damage with everything added but 1d4 vs 1d10 alone is significant enought that Monk's unarmed strike take 17 levels to get there.
Just to clarify, i don't say an L4 monk deal 50% less damage when using unarmed strike versus Kensei weapon, i say the average damage die is 50% lower, which is significant, but the repercussion on the overall damage dealt is mild in the end as it can be be 13 vs 10 as you pointed out.
Another thing to factor beyond average damage die is critical hit. I don't know how CharOp calculate it but it's also a loss value there when comparing 1d10 to 1d4.
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"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."
During levels 3-4 the Martial Arts die is a D4 and the Monk has 1 Attack. As I read this, I would have to forgo a weapon attack (which would do a D6 or a D8 damage) in order to qualify for Agile Parry because I only get one Attack and that HAS to be Unarmed to trigger the Agile Parry...yes? The additional unarmed attack is part of the Bonus Action, not the Attack Action so that doesn't seem to qualify.
I can understand why the weapon-based art requires that I be holding a weapon for the Parry to work, but according to this I can't get the Parry if I actually USE the weapon?
Yes you are giving up the extra damage to have a better defense. On average the weapon will do 1 (or 2) more points of damage which isn’t much while your AC goes up by 2 points (10%) which is significant. Essentially you are choosing to use the weapon and your foes focus on it defend yourself while opening them up for the unarmed strike. Since most folks will focus on the weapon. What it probably should do is give the unarmed strike a +1 to hit.
Wisea$$ DM and Player since 1979.
With Agile Parry, you don't have to forgo an attack, but you need to make at least one unarmed strike with your Attack action in order to benefit from it. In other word, Agile Parry doesn't work with your Martial Art unarmed strike as a bonus action.
This is a super common misconception about this sub-class; you ARE using the weapon, you're just using it to defend yourself rather than to attack.
When you get Extra Attack at 5th level you can attack once with the weapon, unarmed strike and claim Agile Parry, if you spent a point of Ki on either of the attacks you can also use Ki-fuelled Attack (Tasha's Cauldron of Everything Optional Class Feature) to make a second weapon attack as a bonus action.
Thematically you're definitely using the weapon, you're just holding it in a high guard or such ready to block incoming strikes (including magical ones, and at any range which is pretty cool). Mechanically it's not the most fun way to do this, but it's a great ability even so (+2 AC is huge).
I've been play testing a homebrew "Way of the Keen Edge" (see signature) which changes things around so Agile Parry is Deflect Missiles but for melee attacks, and doesn't swap out one of your attacks; this is weaker in some ways though as it can only ever negate one hit per round whereas +2 AC could prevent multiple, but it's more fun mechanically.
Former D&D Beyond Customer of six years: With the axing of piecemeal purchasing, lack of meaningful development, and toxic moderation the site isn't worth paying for anymore. I remain a free user only until my groups are done migrating from DDB, and if necessary D&D, after which I'm done. There are better systems owned by better companies out there.
I have unsubscribed from all topics and will not reply to messages. My homebrew is now 100% unsupported.
Keep in mind that a parry is a blocking action, you are using your weapon to block your foes attack first, then attacking. But in order to get that +2 AC your weapon has to maintain contact/control of the foes weapon so it can’t attack but it can turn/twist the foe opening it up to an alternate attack - in this case your unarmed attack. For you to be able to attack with the weapon it would be a parry and ripost. In essence you are doing exactly what a dual wielder does when the bind the foes sword then stab with a dagger - you are using your sword it’s not just hanging out there at the end of your arm doing nothing.
Haravikk’s homebrew is more like a parry and repost- you deflect the attack avoiding that damage and then attack with the same weapon but you don’t get the +2 to AC because you’ve released control of the foes blade so ey could potentially attack again.
Wisea$$ DM and Player since 1979.
Nothing in Agile Parry prevent you from attacking with your weapon whatsoever. As long as you also make an unarmed strike as part of your Attack action, you can also attack with your weapon and gain the +2 AC just fine, or even make an Opportunity Attack with it.
It's significantly better than the other kinds of parry available in the game -- they require you to use your reaction, and only defend you against a single attack per round. Also, you can use one of them together with Agile Parry, if you really want to.
Just a point plague- yes you can use the weapon for a bonus attack ,a opportunity attack on your reaction or, starting at level 5, for one of your attacks on your attack action. But at levels 3&4 and for one of your attacks from level 5 on the attack must be an aramed attack not a weapon attack. Starting at L5 it’s not a huge deal but at levels 3&4 it’s at least a problem to some folks.
Wisea$$ DM and Player since 1979.
Thanks for taking the time to read the OP.
Your welcome!
your right - at L3&4 you must use the lower damage unarmed attack AS YOUR ATTACK ACTION to get the +2 AC from agile parry. Realistically (as I said before) that means giving up 1-2 points of damage per round to gain a +2 to AC. Assuming you have a 15 in Dex and a 14 in Wis that probably means your AC goes from 14 to 16 which is a significant jump at levels 3&4.
The increase in AC should more than offset the decrease in damage ( you go from being hit 30% of the time or roughly 1 round in 3 which typically means taking 1 hit per fight to being hit 20% of the time or very roughly once every 5rounds or once every 2 fights) Something to remember - martial artists always learn to defend themselves before they learn to attack others and this follows that concept. For 2 levels your sword works primarily as a shield drawing your foe’s attention and setting up your unarmed attack. Yes the steps to L5 are moderately large (5600 EXP) but as soon as you get there your AC probably goes up to 17 (+3 from Dex (16/17) instead of +2) and most important you get that second attack on the attack action where you now can use the weapon as you’ve been dreaming of. I know it’s not what you really want to do but it’s a really great ability and you’ll get to be the sword wielding monk you’re dreaming of soon enough.
Wisea$$ DM and Player since 1979.
You should be in sales...
I am - I sell knowledge and it’s surprising how many don’t want to buy even when it’s free
Wisea$$ DM and Player since 1979.
It's certainly a significant trade off at these levels as Kensei weapon can deal up to 1d10 vs 1d4 for your unarmed strike for a +2 AC in return, which gets smaller as the monk gain levels and eventually match it at L17.
That is true and that means a harder decision - bigger damage but a decent chance to be hit for significant damage or lower damage but lower chance to be hit. You are basically +4 to hit at L3&4 (+2 Dex + +2 PB) most of your foes will have an AC of 15 or less so you will hit on an 11 or higher so you hit between 50-65% of the time. You can the +2AC (16) and do 2 unarmed attacks (your attack action and bonus action) both for 1D4+2. So 2+2*2/2(50% hit rate) for 4 dpr but are being hit 45% of the time (AC16) for 1D8+2 for 4+2*.45= 2.7 dpr.
OR
you can use the long sword 2 handed and have AC14 which gives: (1d10+2 + 1d4+2)/2 (50% hit rate) for 5.5 dpr while being hit 55% of the time for 1d8+2*.55 or 3.3 dpr
if your foe has as many hit points as you (L4: 9+5+5+5=24HP) it will take 6 rounds to knock them to zero and in scenario 1 and you will take 16.2 damage; in scenario 2 it takes 5 rounds and you take 16.5 damage
in the end it’s hard to decide because it’s pretty much a toss up.
Wisea$$ DM and Player since 1979.
Except that it's not a significant trade off. it's a mild trade off of 3 damage average DPS for a moderate increase in AC. The difference in Damage for the Kensei goes from 13 with one d10 weapon attack and an unarmed bonus attack to 10 damage and +2 AC for the turn when using Agile Parry. The Static damage from the two hits is actually worth the entire average damage of one long sword attack using two hands. You actually lose more average damage at 5 when not using the unarmed bonus action attack to Dodge or disengage. And the Kensei at that level is managing the same damage as somebody wielding a greatsword which is averaging 9 damage. So you actually lose less damage than the damage difference between you and a fighter for example. A Barbarian with that same greatsword and Rage is only doing 11 damage on average.
50% lower average die is significant at these levels even though 3 is mild i agree but it’s a problem to some folks as Wi1dBi11 pointed out.
it's not actually a 50% lower average die. That's the problem. There are other numbers involved in the calculation as well such as the static modifier. which at low level is usually as significant or even more significant to the damage that a person is doing than the damage from the actual dice on average. For Example. Most Monk's are going to be doing 3 damage just from the static attribute modifier at level 3. Making that 3 damage difference closer to 33% than 50%. But considering that Monks have two attacks naturally to often account for. The reality is that 3 damage is more like 25% of the damage that they can do on any given turn without spending any actual resources at all. (The 2 damage difference at level 5 becomes more like 8% of the over all damage).
So the difference in damage is grossly misrepresented for what it is. And most the complaints focusing on damage are from the perception of single larger hits rather than overall damage for the turn. The monk may fall off somewhat at the highest levels, Trading some damage for a high amount of survivability and quite a bit of utility. But the kensei actually returns some of that damage to the class as a subclass.
The Reality that most people miss is that without spending resources and relying only on basic attacks (whether weapon or cantrip) The monks, Particularly the Kensei have some of the highest damage there is at these lower levels. And it largely costs expending resources, damage modifiers or sources from feats, or other class abilities to get more than what they do, Even though their individual damage numbers will often not be quite as high as other classes. (and the more you find to pile on top of them the stronger they get.)
Most Cantrips are going to be in the 4 to 6 average damage at level 3 to 4. Jumping up to 8 to 12 damage at level 5, and for those that get them like Draconic Sorcerer or evocation wizard. Ability damage for those casters that get them on certain types of spells don't usually kick in until at least level 6 and may or may not apply to increase it from there.
The Barbarian at level 3 is going to be doing 11 Damage on Average with rage going. Jumping up to 24 at level 5.
The Fighter/Ranger is going to be doing 9 average damage with a 1d12/2d6 weapon at level 3. Increasing to just 20 at level 5.
The Rogue is going to be doing 13 average damage when including sneak attack at level 3. Increasing to 17 at level 5.
The Fighter/Ranger doing 2 weapon fighting (non-feat) is going to be doing 12 avg damage over 2 attacks, Turning into 21 at level 5 over 3.
The Monk is going to be doing 10 average damage completely unarmed at level 3, Increasing to 21 at level 5 over 3.
The monk wielding a quarterstaff is going to be doing 12 average at level 3, and 23 at level 5.
A Kensei Monk just further's the Monks damage for the most part. Having the minimum of the unarmed of a normal monk of 10 average damage at level 3 but with the +2 AC as well from Agile Parry, or 23 At level 5 thanks to 1d10 weapon attack and 2 d6 unarmed attacks and their likely 12 static damage from dexterity spread over 3 attacks(4 damage each) when they are at level 5.
But the Kensei isn't actually done there. If they don't use Agile Parry they are looking at an average damage of 13 at level 3, and 25 average damage at level 5 using the bonus action unarmed strike. But if they spend 1 of their 5 ki on their attack action. they can actually do 27 average damage in a turn over 3 weapon attacks thanks to ki feuled strike. This is just purely basic weapon attack damage. This is ignoring anything that 1 ki might actually add on. Consider this the number you can achieve on a failed Stunning Strike at level 5 basically.
Combining both agile parry and a way to get ki feuled strike (something that as I recall is impossible for the Kensai to actually do at level 3 despite getting ki feuled strike at level 3) at level 5 it nets you 25 average damage and +2 AC.
And it should also be noted that at each die increase. it actually costs you less damage to Agile Parry. Costing only 2 damage instead of 3 between levels 5 and 10 and only 1 damage between 11 and 16. With no change in your damage in the 17-20 range.
Monks, particularly the kensei do not do bad damage at all. And it's fairly customizable to the action economy that a monk needs on any given turn. Even more so with the optional ability of ki feuled strike introduced in Tasha's because it allows for another customizability option for the bonus action damage that lies between the unarmed bonus attack and flurry of blows in damage levels. And this is something that holds true to varying degrees for pretty much the monks entire adventuring career.
A die avg 6 vs 3 is 50% lower regardless of the static modifier that apply to both, this across all level. What is mild in the end is the difference of damage with everything added but 1d4 vs 1d10 alone is significant enought that Monk's unarmed strike take 17 levels to get there.
I would take those numbers with a huge grain of salt as you do not take into account AC or class features that could affect them.
Also any monk can get a d10 weapon starting at level 2 if they have a racial prof for the weapon or a relevant feat/MC.
But the +2 AC is the biggest thing kensei has going for it.
Just to clarify, i don't say an L4 monk deal 50% less damage when using unarmed strike versus Kensei weapon, i say the average damage die is 50% lower, which is significant, but the repercussion on the overall damage dealt is mild in the end as it can be be 13 vs 10 as you pointed out.
Another thing to factor beyond average damage die is critical hit. I don't know how CharOp calculate it but it's also a loss value there when comparing 1d10 to 1d4.