Monks by RAW are not proficient with all monk weapons, and the Shang Gou is not listed in the monk's "Weapon and Armor Proficiency" so they are not proficient with it even though it is a monk weapon.
Monks are proficient with the club, crossbow (light or heavy), dagger, handaxe, javelin, kama, nunchaku, quarterstaff, sai, shortspear, short sword, shuriken, siangham, sling, and spear.
http://paizo.com/pathfinderRPG/prd/classes/monk.html#_monk
Monks are proficient with the club, crossbow (light or heavy), dagger, handaxe, javelin, kama, nunchaku, quarterstaff, sai, shortspear, short sword, shuriken, siangham, sling, and spear.
http://paizo.com/pathfinderRPG/prd/classes/monk.html#_monk
And Brass Knuckles, the Cestus and Temple Swords... and any weapon whose description says "Monks are proficient with X".
Thanks for the responses,
I suppose the point i find confusing is that the Shang gou is described as a monk weapon, then it would follow, monks would be proficient in it. Doesn't the specific trump the general rules wise? Perhaps i am misunderstanding something.
It is confusing - a 'monk' weapon is a weapon that you can use with the flurry of blows class feature. It does not refer to the proficiency of said weapon, although I agree it probably should.
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Prior to Ultimate Combat, Monks were profficient with all Monk weapons. Either the weapons were listed in the class (CRB) or in the weapon description (Brass Knuckles, Temple Sword, Cestus). Personally, I think they should be profficient with all monk weapons and think it is one of the dumbest things that they aren't, but it has been clarified that the weapons in Ultimate Combat are intentionally missing the addition to make monks profficient.
If it's a new character, you could always custom trait it in, provided that it fits your backstory and the GM approves. Example:
Heavenly Sun and Moon Student
---
You've trained in the Temple of the Heavenly Sun and Moon or one of the many other dojos and temples that have taught the art of the twin hook swords.
Benefit: Choose a martial or exotic weapon that you are proficient with. You are no longer proficient with that weapon; instead, you are proficient with the shuang gou. If you take another class, feat, or ability that provides proficiency with the chosen weapon, you gain proficiency with the chosen weapon.
Prior to Ultimate Combat, Monks were profficient with all Monk weapons. Either the weapons were listed in the class (CRB) or in the weapon description (Brass Knuckles, Temple Sword, Cestus). Personally, I think they should be profficient with all monk weapons and think it is one of the dumbest things that they aren't, but it has been clarified that the weapons in Ultimate Combat are intentionally missing the addition to make monks profficient.
Oh, I dunno. Fighters aren't automatically proficient in exotic weapons, even if they're no more complicated than existing martial weapons. I see no reason that just any monk should be proficient in, say, the meteor hammer. It's ridiculously hard to learn and should require special training.
Prior to Ultimate Combat, Monks were profficient with all Monk weapons. Either the weapons were listed in the class (CRB) or in the weapon description (Brass Knuckles, Temple Sword, Cestus). Personally, I think they should be profficient with all monk weapons and think it is one of the dumbest things that they aren't, but it has been clarified that the weapons in Ultimate Combat are intentionally missing the addition to make monks profficient.Oh, I dunno. Fighters aren't automatically proficient in exotic weapons, even if they're no more complicated than existing martial weapons. I see no reason that just any monk should be proficient in, say, the meteor hammer. It's ridiculously hard to learn and should require special training.
1. Most of the new monk weapons are not significantly better than the old ones.
2. Monks are already underpowered by general consensus.3. The weapons are still mechanically inferior to monk fist progression by mid levels.
4. Most CRB monk weapons were exotic. Many of the new weapons are only martial.
The new weapons add in a few new special qualities, but in general do not increase the powerlevel of any given character. There is no real reason they should require an additional feat.
Prior to Ultimate Combat, Monks were profficient with all Monk weapons. Either the weapons were listed in the class (CRB) or in the weapon description (Brass Knuckles, Temple Sword, Cestus). Personally, I think they should be profficient with all monk weapons and think it is one of the dumbest things that they aren't, but it has been clarified that the weapons in Ultimate Combat are intentionally missing the addition to make monks profficient.Oh, I dunno. Fighters aren't automatically proficient in exotic weapons, even if they're no more complicated than existing martial weapons. I see no reason that just any monk should be proficient in, say, the meteor hammer. It's ridiculously hard to learn and should require special training.1. Most of the new monk weapons are not significantly better than the old ones.
2. Monks are already underpowered by general consensus.
3. The weapons are still mechanically inferior to monk fist progression by mid levels.
4. Most CRB monk weapons were exotic. Many of the new weapons are only martial.The new weapons add in a few new special qualities, but in general do not increase the powerlevel of any given character. There is no real reason they should require an additional feat.
I was only speaking from a flavor standpoint, not a balance standpoint. Balance never really bothered me that much unless something was completely unplayable. YMMV. (Yes, I was the guy who played the diviner back in AD&D.)
I see no reason that just any monk should be proficient in, say, the meteor hammer. It's ridiculously hard to learn and should require special training.
Definitely. And train with rope first, it's safer (rubs head).
