So if I use Flury of blows can I use my specialized Kensei monk weapons? It seems like I SHOULD be able to. Its a big part of the subclass is focus on the weapons....but I feel like this is kinda unclear.
Id rather know before getting into a game and thinking I can do something I cant.
So if I use Flury of blows can I use my specialized Kensei monk weapons? It seems like I SHOULD be able to. Its a big part of the subclass is focus on the weapons....but I feel like this is kinda unclear.
Id rather know before getting into a game and thinking I can do something I cant.
No, it doesn't work that way. I think this subclass never really got a lot of use and that's probably part of why.
Flurry of Blows specifically calls for unarmed strikes, so no weapons. I do recall someone, I think in This thread, made a suggestion of homebrew that Kensei could make “quick strikes” with their Kensei weapon for FoB, but other than a change to the weapons damage type, it worked exactly the same. So it used the MA due instead of the weapons etc Maybe your DM would allow that
Since Monk (Kensi) weapon damage die and Unarmed strike use the same Damage Die(dice) I see no reason a Kensi (Weapon Focused) monk should not be able to use Kensi Weapon with Flurry of Blows. These are made with bonus action so effects/feats that go off Attack action will not extra damage to these Bonus action attacks.
Kensei weapons use the Martial Arts damage die unless the weapon's damage die is already better. Several versatile weapons with a 1d10 two-handed damage die are valid Kensei weapons, and the Martial Arts die doesn't catch up to that until level seventeen in the 2014 rules. I can see why they wouldn't want to necessarily let you do that much damage three times in a turn as early as level 3.
Maybe limit it to weapons that are 1 pound or less?
Limiting by weight might be interesting (though it'd have to be more than 1 lb as that would actually be way more restrictive than the base class's Monk Weapons) but at some point you have to ask: what is the point of this subclass? The one thing that it has that distinguishes itself from other Monks is the ability to more effectively use one type of weapon that's outside the normal list of Monk Weapons. I recognize that this is entirely subjective, but in my view, it's just not interesting enough compared to the other subclasses, and I don't think that fiddling with which weapons you can use or how many attacks you can make with them is going to change that.
An easy fix is just let the weapon do the MA die in damage for FoB and just adjust the damage type (slashing or piercing) and give them Weapon Mastery with their Kensei weapons
Since Monk (Kensi) weapon damage die and Unarmed strike use the same Damage Die(dice) I see no reason a Kensi (Weapon Focused) monk should not be able to use Kensi Weapon with Flurry of Blows. These are made with bonus action so effects/feats that go off Attack action will not extra damage to these Bonus action attacks.
Most likely reason is because there’s not many (fist wraps) magic items that provide + to attack/damage, compared to weapons. Also weapons (some) have special features that can proc on hit. (Just probably the reason why, FOB, limited to kicks, punches,etc, instead of inclusion of weapons).
Or FoB usable Only with non-Magic weapons. At level 5+ just let Weapons do normal or force damage. No real bonus but will do full damage on monsters resistant to B/P/S.
Or is it strictly fisticuffs?
So if I use Flury of blows can I use my specialized Kensei monk weapons? It seems like I SHOULD be able to. Its a big part of the subclass is focus on the weapons....but I feel like this is kinda unclear.
Id rather know before getting into a game and thinking I can do something I cant.
No, it doesn't work that way. I think this subclass never really got a lot of use and that's probably part of why.
pronouns: he/she/they
Flurry of Blows specifically calls for unarmed strikes, so no weapons. I do recall someone, I think in This thread, made a suggestion of homebrew that Kensei could make “quick strikes” with their Kensei weapon for FoB, but other than a change to the weapons damage type, it worked exactly the same. So it used the MA due instead of the weapons etc Maybe your DM would allow that
EZD6 by DM Scotty
https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/397599/EZD6-Core-Rulebook?
Thank you both!
Since Monk (Kensi) weapon damage die and Unarmed strike use the same Damage Die(dice) I see no reason a Kensi (Weapon Focused) monk should not be able to use Kensi Weapon with Flurry of Blows. These are made with bonus action so effects/feats that go off Attack action will not extra damage to these Bonus action attacks.
Kensei weapons use the Martial Arts damage die unless the weapon's damage die is already better. Several versatile weapons with a 1d10 two-handed damage die are valid Kensei weapons, and the Martial Arts die doesn't catch up to that until level seventeen in the 2014 rules. I can see why they wouldn't want to necessarily let you do that much damage three times in a turn as early as level 3.
pronouns: he/she/they
Maybe limit it to weapons that are 1 pound or less?
Limiting by weight might be interesting (though it'd have to be more than 1 lb as that would actually be way more restrictive than the base class's Monk Weapons) but at some point you have to ask: what is the point of this subclass? The one thing that it has that distinguishes itself from other Monks is the ability to more effectively use one type of weapon that's outside the normal list of Monk Weapons. I recognize that this is entirely subjective, but in my view, it's just not interesting enough compared to the other subclasses, and I don't think that fiddling with which weapons you can use or how many attacks you can make with them is going to change that.
pronouns: he/she/they
An easy fix is just let the weapon do the MA die in damage for FoB and just adjust the damage type (slashing or piercing) and give them Weapon Mastery with their Kensei weapons
EZD6 by DM Scotty
https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/397599/EZD6-Core-Rulebook?
Most likely reason is because there’s not many (fist wraps) magic items that provide + to attack/damage, compared to weapons. Also weapons (some) have special features that can proc on hit. (Just probably the reason why, FOB, limited to kicks, punches,etc, instead of inclusion of weapons).
Or FoB usable Only with non-Magic weapons. At level 5+ just let Weapons do normal or force damage. No real bonus but will do full damage on monsters resistant to B/P/S.
I Think. My 2 copper
RAW and RAI, you cannot use kensei weapons with FoB.