Base Class: Monk
In the great land of the rising sun, There were many ways that honorable warriors fought. Path of the kensei may have been one of the more common things for these eastern fighters but those that truly learn the way of the Iaijutsu learn other ways to use their kensei weapons. This is a variant of the kensei.
Path of the Iaijutsu
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 to be your kensei weapons: one melee weapon and one ranged weapon. Each of these weapons can be any simple or martial weapon that lacks the heavy and special properties. The longbow is also a valid choice. You gain proficiency with these weapons if you don’t already have it. Weapons of the chosen types are monk weapons for you. Many of this tradition’s features work only with your kensei weapons. When you reach 6th, 11th, and 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.
Iai-Strike. Once per battle, the first time when drawing your kensei weapon, your next attack you make is at advantage. If that attack hits, you deal extra damage equal to your martial arts die to that creature. The number of die rolled from this extra damage is equal to your proficiency +1.
Counter Strike. If a creature within 5ft of you misses an attack against you, you may use a reaction and spend 1 Ki point to make an attack of a opportunity with your kensei weapon against that creature.
Parrying strike. When a creature makes a melee attack against you while you are wielding a kensei weapon, you may use a reaction to reduce that damage by 1d10 + your Dexterity modifier + your monk level.
One with the Blade
At 6th level, you extend your ki into your kensei weapons, granting you the following benefits.
Magic Kensei Weapons. Your attacks with your kensei weapons count as magical for the purpose of overcoming resistance and immunity to nonmagical attacks and damage.
Deft Strike. When you hit a target with a kensei weapon, you can spend 1 ki point to cause the weapon to deal extra damage to the target equal to your Martial Arts die. You can use this feature only once on each of your turns.
Flurry of Strikes
When making an attack with your kensei weapon, you may use a bonus action to make 1 weapon attack with your kensei weapon. When using Flurry of blows, you may forgo any of those attacks with your kensei weapon.
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 ki. As a bonus action, you can expend up to 3 ki 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 ki 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 Accuracy
At 17th level, your mastery of weapons grants you extraordinary accuracy. If you miss with an attack roll using a monk weapon on your turn, you can reroll it. You can use this feature only once on each of your turns.
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.