UA Monks Introduces the Kensai and Tranquility Traditions

The Kensei was pretty much exactly how I expected/wanted it to be. With the exception of the bludgeoning damage. A d4 that doesn't scale? I hate d4s, and especially at higher levels it's hardly worth anything. Especially since as a monk, I could just use my bonus action to make an unarmed attack and use monk damage dice for that.

I've never been a fan of pacifist PCs, so the tranquil monk isn't my cup of tea. I understand others may feel differently though.

 

[JPL]

I think the problem with the kensai is that you have a "sword saint" who probably doesn't start using a katana until 3rd level. I guess there are workarounds . . . just use short sword stats and call it a day?

 

[Ilbranteloth]

And the tranquility monk? Again, not much use I would see for it in most campaigns. Reminds me of the cloistered cleric; great conceptually, who wants to play it?

That's exactly why I really like the tranquility monk. It can easily be flavored as a western-style monk. I've got to go through it a bit more to see how it will really play out, but I suspect it will be a big part of my campaign.

 

[Flamestrike]

I think the problem with the kensai is that you have a "sword saint" who probably doesn't start using a katana until 3rd level. I guess there are workarounds . . . just use short sword stats and call it a day?

Use a bokken. Its a refluffed staff (d6, d8 versatile)

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Plus is pretty badass to go into dungeon with a wooden training sword.

 

[TwoSix]

Ok, so the kensei is a mess. But this is a UA article, so keep that in mind. I dont like how right away people are talking about using a belt of giant strength with a longbow or GWm with the dex stat. This is supposed to be a green destiny weilding or polearm using subclass and it doesnt look like wizards realize why people want a martial weapon using monk. I dont want a greatsword weilding monk. I want a longsword weilding monk, and I think most of the other people that arent just looking at DPR are inline with me.

To be clear, I absolutely DO want a unarmored greatsword wielder using Dex, and kensei is a failure if it doesn't allow me to do that. It's too awesome of an aesthetic to ignore.

 

[Yunru]

Highly ironic flavour their. My longbow Kensei Monk can deal an additional 1d4 damage with the weapon?

Mostly because for some reason it's not limited to melee weapons.

 

[Sacrosanct]

Highly ironic flavour their. My longbow Kensei Monk can deal an additional 1d4 damage with the weapon?

Mostly because for some reason it's not limited to melee weapons.

Man, of only someone had thought to bring that up before.

Sorry, I wouldn't pick on you except it's "there" not "their"

 

[Yunru]

Man, of only someone had thought to bring that up before.

Sorry, I wouldn't pick on you except it's "there" not "their"

They're's no reason to nitpick [emoji14]
Still, bludgeoning damage from a longbow? Do I throw it at them, boomerang style?

 

[JPL]

I thought about the bokken idea, as there are tales of Musashi doing that sort of thing . . . but that really feels more appropriate for the high-level master, as opposed to the 1st level guy.

I suppose this kensai thing works if you assume a training method where you start everyone out on the simple weapons, and eventually upgrade to the martial weapons. Don't like waiting? Great. Get out of this dojo and go be a fighter. Wisdom is not a dump stat in this dojo.

 

[TwoSix]

Highly ironic flavour their. My longbow Kensei Monk can deal an additional 1d4 damage with the weapon?

Mostly because for some reason it's not limited to melee weapons.

Jeremy Crawford already clarified on Twitter that pummel damage from a distance is not intended.

 

[Valetudo]

To be clear, I absolutely DO want a unarmored greatsword wielder using Dex, and kensei is a failure if it doesn't allow me to do that. It's too awesome of an aesthetic to ignore.

Look, if you have a greatsword weilding character concept that you want to play. Im for that. If your just looking for a munchkin build that abuses GWM and can make STR a dump stat, Im not cool with that. If you want to make a pc who resembles somebody from a movie, book, or game. I totally agree. But if its just about dpr meta, im not on board. I think the best way to have done the kensei is to have made it kinda like a light dipping into fighter. Martial prof. that can be used as monk weapons, then maybe a fighting style and whatever.