D&D 5E Way of four elements- Oversight or intended?

[kerleth]

So I was looking at the avata... I mean, way of four elements monk subclass and noticed something. At the bottom of page 80 there is a small chart that shows your max ki points you can spend on spells cast by the monk. Seems to top out at 5th level, makes sense to me. Monks can pump their burning hands up to a max level even with a half-casters highest slot, can't funnel it all into one uber spell, gotcha.

However, the powers fist of flowing air and water whip on the next page are not spells, and so not limited by that chart. That means that the monk could unload every ki point into a single use of that ability, then recharge them all on a short rest. Water whip can thus do 6d10 at 5th(5 ki), 11d10 at 10th(10 ki), 16d10 at 15(15 ki), and 21d10 at 20th(20 ki), along with smacking them prone or back 25 feet.
By comparison you can grab fist of four thunders to cast thunderwave, but can only spend 3 ki at 5th level, 4 at 10th, 5 at 15th, and 6 at 20th. That's 3d8 damage, 4d8 damage, 5d8 damage, and 6d8 damage, with no prone option and less distance pushed. Now I am aware that this is an area effect directly in front of you versus a short range single target, but that still seems to be quite a disparity.

My question is this. Do you think that the way of four elements non-spell powers should have the same ki point limitation as the spells?

 

[The Crimson Binome]

It seemed pretty clear to me that the same limitation applies, but I guess it isn't spelled out explicitly. (Pun intended.)

These unique abilities are basically like spells that aren't available to spellcasters, but from the perspective of the monk, they're all just the same sort of thing.

 

[Andor]

I was going to agree with Saelorn, but the first sentence of that section says "Some Elemental Disciplines allow you to cast spells." The obvious followup is that some do not.

Therefore I'd agree that the Disciplines that do not reference a spell are not spells and are not subject to the limitations of the table.

The ability to Nova at 20th level to do 21d10 is actually pretty unremakable. Especially given how few Ki points Monks get. I really don't see any balance issues with allowing it, and what other reason is there for forbidding it? At 20th level the Mage is throwing Meteor Swarm and the Cleric can demand Divine intervention without a failure chance.