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I'd like to start by saying that I'm aware of James Jacobs' response on the issue here but many have tried to say that James isn't a valid rules source for these works. While I disagree with that statement, I do concede that PFS works a bit differently in these regards.
I'm looking for a PFS-specific response as most people in the other threads hold to common sense and house-rule strongly in favor of James' response, but I'd like to see where we'd stand on the issue at a PFS table. If at all possible, I'd love to finally see a FAQ clarification on the issue as well. If anyone feels the need to move this thread elsewhere, please do so and accept my apologies for posting in the wrong thread.
Is a Monk considered proficient with improvised weapons in a manner similar to that granted by the Catch Off-Guard feat? Can the Empty Hand choose 'Improvised Weapon' for feats such as Weapon Focus and others? If not, could we get clarification on how it is this ability works?
Thank you and apologies to anyone who may become offended by the repost of this question from years before.
RAW seems to say that those monks are only proficient with Shuriken and treat all other weapons as improvised without actually giving them the Catch Off-Guard feat. RAI is pretty clear, but PFS is as much RAW as able to be squeezed into a system, so I think the answer is that they are not proficient with improvised weapons.
As to the second question, iirc the answer is no, but I can't find anything definitive.
~NPEH
I say not definitive because I'm not searching too deep into it, working on other stuff is taking my focus.
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We must be reading different threads. Every time I see this question the answer is always the same.
The problem isn't that the answer is consistently the same. The problem is that it's been noted (with respect to JJ and his position) that he is not considered a valid rules source for PFS. I believe the rules are clear that the intent was to give the Empty Hand proficiency with these improvised weapons a la Catch Off-Guard.
As for the Weapon Focus feat, I understand that you can't have Weapon Focus: Frying Pan or Weapon Focus: Rope or Weapon Focus: Tea Cup, but there isn't a clear delineation between the two when it comes to being 'proficient' with these improvised weapons if that makes sense. After all, feats such as Weapon Focus (and quite a few others) all require one to be proficient with selected weapon. If Catch Off-Guard makes you proficient with these 'weapons', why can't they be used for said feat.
I don't know. Maybe I'm overanalyzing this too much, but I do believe that the crux of the archetype needs to be analyzed because I've had two players with the build as well as one of my own sitting in unplayed limbo that I'd like to get clarification for them.