D&D 5E Polearm Master and Monk

[Werebat]

One of the players in my new Phandelver campaign had created a (variant) human monk with the Polearm Master feat.

He's envisioning using a quarterstaff to do Polearm Master and monk stuff with.

I'm reading the rules and wondering.

Page 78 of the PHB ("Martial Arts") states that monk weapons are "shortswords and any simple melee weapons that don't have the two-handed or heavy property".

The quarterstaff is "versatile", which means it can be used one-handed or two-handed. Technically, it doesn't have the "two-handed property". Does this mean it can be used two-handed as a monk weapon, or does it only count as a monk weapon if used in a one-handed fashion?

Polearm Master allows an extra attack as a bonus action. So does the monk martial arts ability. I'm assuming there is nothing about this combo that would grant the PC two bonus actions, though. Right?

 

[Paraxis]

He can use it two handed for d8+dex mod, and bonus action d4+dex mod (either through martial arts or polearm master).

The only benefit he is getting from the feat is the attack of opportunity when someone enters his reach (5'), basicly moves adjacent to him.

Once he hits 3rd level his deflect missiles class feature also uses his reaction, all in all it is not the most optimal feat choice for a monk.

 

[Diamabel]

One of the players in my new Phandelver campaign had created a (variant) human monk with the Polearm Master feat.

He's envisioning using a quarterstaff to do Polearm Master and monk stuff with.

I'm reading the rules and wondering.

Page 78 of the PHB ("Martial Arts") states that monk weapons are "shortswords and any simple melee weapons that don't have the two-handed or heavy property".

The quarterstaff is "versatile", which means it can be used one-handed or two-handed. Technically, it doesn't have the "two-handed property". Does this mean it can be used two-handed as a monk weapon, or does it only count as a monk weapon if used in a one-handed fashion?

Polearm Master allows an extra attack as a bonus action. So does the monk martial arts ability. I'm assuming there is nothing about this combo that would grant the PC two bonus actions, though. Right?

The staff can be used one or two handed as a monk weapon.

The extra attacks from polearm master and monk martial arts do not stack, nor is there a way to get more than one bonus action.


Half of the feat is wasted.. not a great choice, in my opinion.

 

[The Annihilargh]

The staff can be used one or two handed as a monk weapon.

The extra attacks from polearm master and monk martial arts do not stack, nor is there a way to get more than one bonus action.


Half of the feat is wasted.. not a great choice, in my opinion.

Yeah, all the feat does for monks is AO when enemies enter reach and the possibility of using a magic polearm—if the player even gets one—for their bonus attack. And even then; unless it's like a +1 or whatever, even that is waisted by level 6 or so.

 

[Charlaquin]

Yeah, all the feat does for monks is AO when enemies enter reach and the possibility of using a magic polearm—if the player even gets one—for their bonus attack. And even then; unless it's like a +1 or whatever, even that is waisted by level 6 or so.

Welcome to the forums! In the future, it’s often beneficial to check the date of a post before responding to it. While your contribution is certainly valid, I imagine the person you responded to has learned the answer in the 6 years that have passed since they posted the question.

 

[The Annihilargh]

Welcome to the forums! In the future, it’s often beneficial to check the date of a post before responding to it. While your contribution is certainly valid, I imagine the person you responded to has learned the answer in the 6 years that have passed since they posted the question.

Thank you for letting me know, I'll try to not make this mistake again.

 

[jgsugden]

Welcome to the forums! In the future, it’s often beneficial to check the date of a post before responding to it. While your contribution is certainly valid, I imagine the person you responded to has learned the answer in the 6 years that have passed since they posted the question.

I see little evidence around here that people learn anything, no matter how long you give them.

That being said, a feat so that you can get an OA whenever someone approaches you is not a waste, especially for a monk that can stun on this attack. I've seen this in action (they used the spear rather than the staff) and it was quite effective until the monk managed to forget that avoiding falling damage does not mean avoiding damage when falling into lava.

 

[auburn2]

One of the players in my new Phandelver campaign had created a (variant) human monk with the Polearm Master feat.

He's envisioning using a quarterstaff to do Polearm Master and monk stuff with.

I'm reading the rules and wondering.

Page 78 of the PHB ("Martial Arts") states that monk weapons are "shortswords and any simple melee weapons that don't have the two-handed or heavy property".

The quarterstaff is "versatile", which means it can be used one-handed or two-handed. Technically, it doesn't have the "two-handed property". Does this mean it can be used two-handed as a monk weapon, or does it only count as a monk weapon if used in a one-handed fashion?

Polearm Master allows an extra attack as a bonus action. So does the monk martial arts ability. I'm assuming there is nothing about this combo that would grant the PC two bonus actions, though. Right?

In general I do not think that is a great feat for a Monk because he can already make a bonus action martial arts attack for as much or more damage. If you combine it with Sentinel and play a bugbear it might be ok, but that is two feats.

 

[Coroc]

One of the players in my new Phandelver campaign had created a (variant) human monk with the Polearm Master feat.

He's envisioning using a quarterstaff to do Polearm Master and monk stuff with.

I'm reading the rules and wondering.

Page 78 of the PHB ("Martial Arts") states that monk weapons are "shortswords and any simple melee weapons that don't have the two-handed or heavy property".

The quarterstaff is "versatile", which means it can be used one-handed or two-handed. Technically, it doesn't have the "two-handed property". Does this mean it can be used two-handed as a monk weapon, or does it only count as a monk weapon if used in a one-handed fashion?

Polearm Master allows an extra attack as a bonus action. So does the monk martial arts ability. I'm assuming there is nothing about this combo that would grant the PC two bonus actions, though. Right?

Show me how you use a quarterstaff one handed, (it is RAW somehow, i know) I don't know who at wizards came up with the idea to make a simple stick one of the most powerful non magic weapons in the game.

I houserule quarterstaff to do 1d6 and be two handed use only. And it is a traditional monk weapon of course. The polearm mastery might apply to that one because a feat is a heavy cost but otoh you use both ends of a quartestaff by default, so if you keep the d8 as in RAW this is counted in imho.

This really should be changed by errata, to avoid handed duell style quarterstaff polearm master with shield rulius magistrarius build and such.

 

[jgsugden]

Show me how you use a quarterstaff one handed, (it is RAW somehow, i know) I don't know who at wizards came up with the idea to make a simple stick one of the most powerful non magic weapons in the game.
...

d6 with an ability is pretty much the norm for weapons. It is nothing special. It is certainly not one of the most powerful weapons. If you devote a feat to it it becomes competitive, but without that feat it is just an ok type of weapon.

As for seeing how it can be used one handed, Google is your friend. There are many videos showing one handed attacks, and one handed styles, that can be performed with a staff style weapon.