Monks and two-weapon fighting

[pbd]

Can Monks use two-weapon fighting, with unarmed strike being both primary and off-hand weapon, and flurry of blows at the same time? Essentially could an 11th level monk with two-weapon fighting attack with flurry of blows for +6/+6/+6/+1 with the primary hand and +6 with the secondary hand? If so could they use flurry of blows with both hands and, if so, how many attacks, with what attack bonus, would they get for the off-hand?

Thanks

 

[Christian]

According to the most recent FAQ at wizards.com/dnd, yes. Your 11th level monk with TWF and GTWF could attack at +6/+6/+6/+6/+1/+1. The last attack at each bonus level would be an off-hand attack at 1/2 Strength bonus to damage.

According to many people who read the FAQ's at wizards.com/dnd, Skip Williams clearly has access to some really, really good drugs. So be sure to ask your DM before you spend all your feats on two-weapon fighting.

 

[Storyteller01]

I thought that flurry of blows was effectively the monk using two weapons...they just happen to be fists??

 

[Misirlou]

I thought that flurry of blows was effectively the monk using two weapons...they just happen to be fists??

That was always my impression.

Can monks flurry with monk weapons? It seems like they should be able to. That effectively gives monks free TWF, and only requires one weapon to be enchanted.

 

[MichaelH]

I thought that flurry of blows was effectively the monk using two weapons...they just happen to be fists??

Flurry of blows is mechanically similar to two-weapon fighting, but they are not the same. Also, the monk's unarmed strikes are not necessarily being made with his fists. He could be using his feat or his elbow or even his head. The are not just punches.

Can monks flurry with monk weapons?

Yes. The rule can be found in the flurry of blows section of the monk class in the PH.

That effectively gives monks free TWF, and only requires one weapon to be enchanted.

As you noted, the monk can flurry with but one monk weapon in hand, so it is not two-weapon fighting.

FWIW, in the latest sage advice in Dragon #323, Andy Collins answers this question of whether a monk can use two-weapon fighting combined with a flurry of blows to get an extra attack. He answers in the affirmative. All flurry and two-weapon fighting penalties stack, and only unarmed strikes and special monk weapons may be used with the flurry attacks. The extra attack gained by two-weapon fighting only adds half the monks strength bonus to the damage roll. The monk could also benefit in the same way from Improved Two-Weapon Fighting and Greater Two-Weapon Fighting.

 

[Darklone]

Though not TWD and upgrades

 

[Kemrain]

I just took away flurry and gave Monks all the 2wf feats, as soon as they had the appropriate BAB, requiring they wear no armor and use only unarmed attacks or monk weapons.. I even say that Monks have a special ability that allows all their offhand attacks to do full strength damage, even though they count as light.

Then again, I took all the Su abilities away and bumped their BAB to good, buuuut.... Y'know... Whatever.

- Kemrain the "Monk"?

 

[Darklone]

Did you ever have a look at hongs martial artist, Kem ?

 

[hong]

Did you ever have a look at hongs martial artist, Kem ?

It's kinda like a perpetual work in progress.

 

[Devilkiller]

FWIW, in the latest sage advice in Dragon #323, Andy Collins answers this question of whether a monk can use two-weapon fighting combined with a flurry of blows to get an extra attack. He answers in the affirmative.

I find this interesting. A while back I asked Andy Collins the same question, and he said no. Neither the question nor the answer were ambiguous, and the thread was specifically about 3.5, so I assume that the "official" stance has changed.