Monk Tradition: Sohei/Kensei

[kalani]

This monk tradition was written by me, and was originally hosted on the (now defunct) D&D forum. Feedback and suggestions are welcome

Way of the Bushi
Monks of the Way of the Bushi follow a tradition that blends martial arts, philosophy and armed combat into a seemless whole. These monks might be called Kensei, or Sohei, and they serve as frontline warriors on the battlefield.

Bonus Proficiencies
Starting at 3rd level when you choose this tradition, you gain proficiency with the glaive, longbow, longsword, scimitar, shortbow, and with light armor.

Flurry of Blades
At 3rd level, you retain the benefits of your Martial Arts feature while wearing light or medium armor that you are proficient with. In addition, you add the glaive, longsword and scimitar to your list of monk weapons for the purposes of your Martial Arts feature, and other class features.

When using the glaive as a monk weapon however, it loses the heavy property for the purpose of resolving the effects of feats, spells, or abilities (but not for the purpose of determining whether you suffer disadvantage on attack rolls due to size).

Finally, when you make one (or more) unarmed strikes as a bonus action granted by your Martial Arts or Flurry of Blows features, you may pay 1 additional Ki point to make the attack(s) with a monk weapon instead.

Iaijutsu Strike
At 6th level, you have learned how to strike unexpectedly, and with lethal force. You may make a feinting attack (as the Battle Master Fighter Maneuver) by paying 1 ki point. For the purpose of making this attack, you gain one superiority die, which is a d12. Once you have used this ability, you must finish a short or long rest before you can use it again. At 11th level, you can use this ability twice between rests. At 17th level, you can use it three times instead.

Improved Flurry of Blades
At 11th level, you no longer expend Ki points when using your Flurry of Blades to make an attack, or when using a reaction to prevent yourself from being disarmed.

Frightful Presence
At 17th level, you may spend 3 ki points to fill one enemy within 30 feet with mortal dread. The target must make a Wisdom saving throw (DC 8 + Wisdom Modifier + proficiency bonus) or be frightened for one minute. The target can repeat this saving throw at the end of each of its turns, with disadvantage if you are within line of sight, ending the effect on itself on a success. If the creature succeeds on its saving throw, or the effect ends, that creature is immune to your Frightful Presence for 24 hours.

This ability can target multiple creatures, although you must pay 2 ki points for each additional target, all of which must be within 60 feet. Once you have used this ability, you must finish a short or long rest before you can use it again.

 

[Redthistle]

I like this.

My only quibble was starting Iaijutsu Strike with a d12 superiority die at 6th level; at first glance that seemed too big a die. Since it is just a single die at 6th level, compared to the four d8s a fighter would have at that level, I worried too much.

Hmmm. Two d12s for the bushi monk at 11th level vs. the battle master fighter with five d10s at 10th level, and three d12s at 17th level vs. six d12s at 18th level, respectively. Not counting flurries.

Yup. You got it right the first time.

Now, I just need to gather a couple of friends for a little one-on-one contest between these two class builds to see how it plays out.

 

[kalani]

Keep in mind also, that the feinting attack maneuver requires a bonus action. As such, it competes with the monks flurry of blows and martial arts features, giving you the option of a single, massive attack, or multiple smaller attacks. In most cases, you are better off using flurry of blades with a d10 weapon + Martial Arts.

Comparison

• Martial Arts + Flurry of Blades (1Ki): 2 attacks with a longsword (held in both hands) or a glaive. 2d10+2(Str or Dex). Av (11+6-10), assuming both hit
• Iaijutsu Strike (1Ki): 1 attack with advantage, dealing 1d10+1d12+Str or Dex. Av (12+3-5)
• Flurry of Blows + Flurry of Blades (2Ki): 3 attacks with a longsword or glaive. 3d10+3 (Str or Dex). Av (16.5+9-15), assuming three hits or Av. (11+6-10) assuming two hits.

Iaijutsu strike is best used against a high-AC opponent that you are more likely to miss with your FoB abilities. It also looks cool, even if it is slightly less powerful overall.

 

[Redthistle]

I found this tradition to be a bit over-powered compared to other martial classes, and revised the 6th level feature to reign it in a little. Imo, starting out the Iajutsu Strike feature with a d12 superiority die is too much, too early, and so, the revision below:

Iaijutsu Strike
At 6th level, you have learned how to strike unexpectedly, and with lethal force. You may make a feinting attack (as the Battle Master Fighter Maneuver) by paying 1 ki point. For the purpose of making this attack, you gain one superiority die, which is a d8. Once you have used this ability, you must finish a short or long rest before you can use it again. At 11th level, you can use this ability twice between rests by spending 2 ki points, and gain 2 superiority dice (d10s). At 17th level, you can use it three times by spending 3 ki points instead, and gain 3 d12 superiority dice.

Since the bushi monk will likely be using weapons with higher weapon damage on average for its normal attacks, this helps to smooth out the build-up in power for its higher level attacks.