Warrior of the Kensei

Monks of the Way of the Kensei train relentlessly with their weapons, to the point where the weapon becomes an extension of the body. Founded on a mastery of sword fighting, the tradition has expanded to include many different weapons.

A kensei sees a weapon in much the same way a calligrapher or painter regards a pen or brush. Whatever the weapon, the kensei views it as a tool used to express the beauty and precision of the martial arts. That such mastery makes a kensei a peerless warrior is but a side effect of intense devotion, practice, and study.

 

Path of the Kensei

When you choose this tradition at 3rd level, your special martial arts training leads you to master the use of certain weapons. This path also includes instruction in the deft strokes of calligraphy or painting. You gain the following benefits.

Kensei Weapons. Choose two types of weapons, one melee and one ranged, to be your Kensei weapons. They can be any simple or martial weapon that lacks the Heavy and Special properties. The longbow is an exception and can also be selected.

You gain proficiency with these weapons if you don't already have it. Your Kensei weapons count as Monk weapons for you.

Whenever you gain a Monk subclass feature at levels 6, 11, and 17, you can choose one additional weapon type to be a Kensei weapon.

Weapon Mastery. You gain the Weapon Mastery property of your chosen kensei weapons. If a weapon has multiple mastery properties, choose one for that weapon. You can change these choices whenever you finish a Long Rest.

Agile Parry. When you make an Unarmed Strike as part of the Attack action while holding a melee kensei weapon, you gain a +2 bonus to AC until the start of your next turn, provided you aren't incapacitated and still hold the weapon.

Kensei's Shot. Once per turn, when you hit a creature with a ranged attack using a kensei weapon, you can deal additional damage equal to one roll of your Martial Arts die.

Way of the Brush. You gain proficiency with either Calligrapher's Supplies or Painter's Supplies.

 

One with the Blade

Your mastery of your Kensei weapons allows you to channel your Focus through them, granting you the following benefits:

Magic Kensei Weapons. Whenever you attack with a Kensei weapon, you can cause it to deal its normal damage type or Force damage.

Deft Strike. Once per turn, when you hit a creature with a Kensei weapon, you can expend 1 Focus Point to deal additional damage equal to one roll of your Martial Arts die.

Reflexive Mastery. Your training with your Kensei weapons has honed your reflexes to extraordinary levels. While wielding a Kensei weapon, when you would take a Reaction but have already taken a Reaction since the start of your last turn, you can expend 1 Focus Point to take an additional Reaction. This Reaction must be different from the Reaction you previously took. Once you use this feature, you can't use it again until the start of your next turn.

Kensei Weapon

When you reach 6th 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.

Sharpen the Blade

At 11th level, 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 one kensei weapon you touch a bonus to attack and damage rolls when you attack with it. The bonus equals the number of Focus points you spent. This bonus lasts for 1 minute or until you use this feature again. This feature has no effect on a magic weapon that already has a bonus to attack and damage rolls.

Kensei Weapon

When you reach 11th 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.

Unerring Mastery

You gain the following benefits:

• Your mastery of weapons allows you to adapt your techniques to any situation. Once on each of your turns, when you attack with a Kensei weapon, you can change the Mastery property of that weapon to the Mastery property of another Kensei weapon you have chosen. The new property applies until you change it again or finish a Long Rest.

• Once per turn, when you miss with an attack roll using a Kensei weapon, you can reroll the attack roll. You must use the new roll.

Kensei Weapon

When you reach 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.