“The sword doesn't change. So you have to adapt to the sword. You can't change your surroundings. They only change once you have changed.”
― Bjørn Aris, The Cutting Edge. The Martial Art of Business

 

There are those who train years in the arts of the monastic martial world who will never truly learn the fullest extend of swordplay and how it can be effective alongside their martial arts. You are not one of these people, and instead of following the crowd of other monks who fight and die by the fist, you instead strive to set a trend that swords can be trusted by the hands of all monks around. Those who live in a world of weaponry should know how it functions and how to use it in case if you require it's service in battle or self defense.

Sword Combo Attacks

Starting when you choose this monastic tradition at 3rd level, you may choose a sword combo to master that are enacted through your flurry of blows ability. Whenever you perform your flurry of blows, you can instead enact one of your sword combos instead for the same Ki point cost.

You can unlock new combos at levels 3, 5, 6, 8, 10, 13, 15, 18, and 20. False Edge combo is unlocked at level 6 automatically.

10th - Half Sword

At 10th level, instead of your flurry of blows, for an additional 1 ki point, you can instead deal two additional weapon attacks with an equipped shortsword, scimitar, rapier or longsword (used in one hand). If your final attack lands, it lowers the AC of the creature hit by the attack by equal value to your dexterity modifier, your sword plunging into your opponent's armor and weakening their defense.

You must have a shortsword, scimitar, rapier or longsword (used in one hand) equipped to perform this sword combo. You can only activate a sword combo if your first attack before your combo was made with a sword from this list. You cannot perform this combo if you have a shield equipped.

After deflecting a deceptive thrust, don't pull back, but instead lunge forward, grasp the middle of your blade with your free hand and will the full force of both arms, drive the point into the opponent's chest.

10th - Run Through

At 10th level, instead of your flurry of blows, for an additional 1 ki point, you can instead deal an additional weapon attack with an equipped greatsword or longsword (used in two hands). If your final attack lands, it it pushes your opponent to the ground, causing them to go prone as you drive the pommel of your sword into their abdomen. If they fail a CON save (DC 10 + STR mod + Proficiency Bonus), they also become stunned until the end of your next turn.

You must have a longsword (used in two hands) or a greatsword equipped to perform this sword combo. You can only activate a sword combo if your first attack before your combo was made with a sword from this list.

Following a feint from the right, you run through the opponent's defence and strike him with the pommel of the sword. The technique is often used when passing into a clinch.

13th - Doubling Slash

At 13th level, instead of your flurry of blows, for an additional 2 ki points, you can instead deal two additional weapon attacks with an equipped longsword. If your final attack lands, you disarm your opponent (if possible) and cause them to become blinded or stunned (player choice) by your deep slash directly around their guard into the face.

You must have a longsword equipped to perform this sword combo. You can only activate a sword combo if your first attack before your combo was made with a longsword. You cannot perform this combo if you have a shield equipped.

After several strikes from unexpected sides, evade the opponent's blade by turning the short edge and striking with a slash to the unguarded face. If executed correctly, a very powerful technique.

 

3rd - Blunt Strike

At 3rd level, instead of your flurry of blows, you can instead deal two additional weapon attacks with an equipped shortsword, scimitar, rapier or longsword (used in one hand) at the same Ki cost as your flurry of blows. If your final attack lands, it deals your weapon's damage die in bludgeoning damage instead, as you bash your opponent with the pommel of your sword.

You must have a shortsword, scimitar, rapier or longsword (used in one hand) equipped to perform this sword combo. You can only activate a sword combo if your first attack before your combo was made with a sword from this list.

Instead of a started strike from the right, strike unexpectedly at the opponent's face. Turn your weapon around his and strike him quickly with the blunt end. If you have a shield, use its edge for striking instead.

 

3rd - Wrath Strike

At 3rd level, instead of your flurry of blows, you can instead deal an additional weapon attack with an equipped greatsword or longsword (used in two hands). If your final attack lands, it it pushes your opponent back by 10ft, as you drive the tip of your sword into their chest.

You must have a longsword (used in two hands) or a greatsword equipped to perform this sword combo. You can only activate a sword combo if your first attack before your combo was made with a sword from this list.

With a rapid Zornhau from the Ox stance, parry the opponent's strike to the side from your left shoulder and thrust the point straight to his chest.

5th - Double Stab

At 5th level, instead of your flurry of blows, you can instead deal two additional weapon attacks with an equipped shortsword, scimitar, rapier or longsword (used in one hand). If your final attack lands, you gain advantage on your next attack against this opponent, as you throw off their defense with your prowess.

You must have a shortsword, scimitar, rapier or longsword (used in one hand) equipped to perform this sword combo. You can only activate a sword combo if your first attack before your combo was made with a sword from this list. You cannot perform this combo if you have a shield equipped.

After a flurry of quick thrusts twist the point forward, guide the opponent's weapon sideways with twin quick stabs and strike the exposed chest.

5th - Scarmaker

At 3rd level, instead of your flurry of blows, you can instead deal an additional weapon attack with an equipped greatsword or longsword (used in two hands). If your final attack lands, you can make an additional melee attack with your weapon at advantage, as you use your knowledge to get around their defense.

You must have a longsword (used in two hands) or a greatsword equipped to perform this sword combo. You can only activate a sword combo if your first attack before your combo was made with a sword from this list.

By means of rapid attacks, put the opponent on the defensive, then feint a stab, but instead of carrying it through, execute a Mittlehau around the opponent's blade straight to the face.

6th (free) - False Edge

At 6th level, instead of your flurry of blows, you can instead deal an additional weapon attack with an equipped greatsword, longsword, or shortsword. If your final attack lands, it deals double damage, as strike their face or weak point with the false edge of your sword.

You must have a shortsword, longsword, or greatsword equipped to perform this sword combo. You can only activate a sword combo if your first attack before your combo was made with a sword from this list.

The short edge strikes the face. After drawing back down you let the sword slip behind you and through the 'coda lunga e stretta' position strike unexpectedly with the other edge of the blade.

8th - Blinding Strike

At 8th level, instead of your flurry of blows, you can instead deal two additional weapon attacks with an equipped shortsword, scimitar, rapier or longsword (used in one hand). If your final attack lands, you blind your opponent if they fail a CON save vs contesting DEX throw, as you aim for the eyes with the point of your sword.

You must have a shortsword, scimitar, rapier or longsword (used in one hand) equipped to perform this sword combo. You can only activate a sword combo if your first attack before your combo was made with a sword from this list.

Attack repeatedly from various sides to confuse the opponent. If you have a shield, cover your final strike behind it. If not, get past the opponent's cover with a quick strike directed to the eyes of your opponent.

8th - Wrist Snipe

At 8th level, instead of your flurry of blows, you can instead deal an additional weapon attack with an equipped greatsword or longsword (used in two hands). If your final attack lands, your opponent becomes disarmed and your allies gain advantage on attacks against it until the start of your next turn, as you land a heavy slash to their wrist.

You must have a longsword (used in two hands) or a greatsword equipped to perform this sword combo. You can only activate a sword combo if your first attack before your combo was made with a sword from this list.

The 'third wonder' of swordfighting is a slash that will not defeat your opponent, but will make it difficult for him to continue. After a few misleading strikes, suddenly slash at the wrist.

Master of the Sword

At 3rd level, you become proficient with shortswords, scimitars, rapiers, longswords and greatswords if you aren't already proficient.

Defended Strikes

At 6th level, you become proficient with shields if you aren't already proficient. Whenever you successfully perform a sword combo with a shield equipped, you gain a +1 bonus to AC till the start of your next turn. Shields do not count against your unarmored defense.

Defensive Misdirection

Starting at 11th level, you can use your reaction to deflect or misdirect the weapon when you are hit by a melee weapon attack. When you do so, the damage you take from the attack is reduced by 1d10 + your Dexterity modifier + your monk level.

If you reduce the damage to 0, you can make a melee weapon attack against the creature who attacked you. You can do this as many times per long rest as your proficiency bonus.

Master of Blades

 At 17th level, when wielding any sword you are proficient in, you can perform any attack made with the weapon at advantage and deal an additional martial arts die in weapon damage on a critical hit.