D&D 5E Best Kensei weapons?

[77IM]

I would go further and question why the kensei's two initial weapon picks must be one melee and one ranged weapon. Why not just "two weapons" and let the player pick?

 

[StormbringerAUS]

Related Question Should melee weapons that have a Thrown range be valid as a ranged weapon choice for the Kensei?

Good question, by no means a rules expert but under RAW I would think since classed as melee weapons they would not count as a ranged weapon of choice.

However I would allow this at my table especially if the player had a particular concept they wanted to run with.

 

[Paul Farquhar]

Related Question Should melee weapons that have a Thrown range be valid as a ranged weapon choice for the Kensei?

If you are talking about initial weapon choices, to be a ranged weapon, it must be listed under "simple ranged weapons" or "martial ranged weapons" on the table on P149 of the PHB. Thus Dart (shiruken) is a valid choice - you still have to choose it to be a kensai weapon even if it is already a monk weapon. However, Javalin (for example) would count as your melee weapon choice, since it is listed under "simple melee weapons". A weapon that can be used for melee or thrown counts as a kensai weapon for both, including Kensai's Shot ability, which specifies "ranged attack" not "ranged weapon".

Having said that, I believe the intent of the author was to prevent the kensai from choosing two ranged weapons, and I probably wouldn't enforce this rule as DM.

 

[shadowoflameth]

Makes sense. I'm leaning towards the thrown range means it's both. Probably doesn't matter much since most characters use 1-2 weapons throughout their careers.

 

[Paul Farquhar]

For a kensai it makes most mechanical sense for them to start out with a longsword (1d10, most common magic weapon) then shift to a whip at level 17 (same damage, +reach). Longbow is usually the best ranged weapon available (longest range, no loading), unless you are small, in which case I would look at sling (b damage) and dart. One could conceivably make a hand crossbow master build, but I wouldn't rate it optimal because monks have so many other things they can do with a Quick Action.

Suggested picks (based purely on mechanical advantage and RAW):

3: Longsword, Longbow
6: Whip
11: Sling
17: whatever awesome magic weapon you have found by now

 

[jaelis]

You left out the blowgun!

 

[Paul Farquhar]

Blowgun has the "loading" property, which means it doesn't benefit from the monk's extra attacks.

 

[jaelis]

Sometimes you just have to go with the cool.