Dipping a level of Unarmed fighter gives the monk proficiency with all "monk" weapons.
Yes, it's silly, monks not being proficient with all monk weapons when another class is, but there you go. It's not even as if most monk weapons are very good...
Oh, and if you want a monk proficient and flurrying with a specific weapon, go Fighter (weapon master) 3/Monk (sohei) the rest. Weapon master gets weapon training with their chosen weapon at 3rd level, then when you go sohei you can flurry with any weapon-training weapon.
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It's not even as if most monk weapons are very good...Most of them aren't, but there are a few that are very good. Seven-branched sword, Nine-Section Whip, and Sansetsukon are all great, and the Temple Sword and Nine Ring Broadsword are decent.
A couple others might be pretty decent if their descriptions weren't so confusing that you weren't sure how to use them. Like the Kyoketsu Shoge. I tried to figure out how it worked in order to make a sohei/ninja thrower build - but I gave up.
Actually those are only as good as your average martial weapon in terms of damage, threat range, and multiplier. They do often have properties like blocking or disarm, which is an added bonus, but monks are not masters of maneuvers and invariably any fight comes down to dealing damage. I wouldn't rate any of them as worth a feat for anything other than flavour reasons, I'm afraid.
If the monk had proficiency with them automatically, I think they'd be a lot more popular.
A couple others might be pretty decent if their descriptions weren't so confusing that you weren't sure how to use them. Like the Kyoketsu Shoge. I tried to figure out how it worked in order to make a sohei/ninja thrower build - but I gave up.It's not even as if most monk weapons are very good...Most of them aren't, but there are a few that are very good. Seven-branched sword, Nine-Section Whip, and Sansetsukon are all great, and the Temple Sword and Nine Ring Broadsword are decent.
IRL the iron hoop was a weight for the rope so you could whip it around to trip and entangle a charging armoured foe, then you move in and finish them with the knife end (which can also disarm them).
Similarly, the kusari-gama was the same idea with regard to a mounted enemy: you trip the horse as they charge, then move in with the scythe (it was a lot bigger than a kama!) to finish the rider before he can get to his feet.
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A couple others might be pretty decent if their descriptions weren't so confusing that you weren't sure how to use them. Like the Kyoketsu Shoge. I tried to figure out how it worked in order to make a sohei/ninja thrower build - but I gave up.It's not even as if most monk weapons are very good...Most of them aren't, but there are a few that are very good. Seven-branched sword, Nine-Section Whip, and Sansetsukon are all great, and the Temple Sword and Nine Ring Broadsword are decent.IRL the iron hoop was a weight for the rope so you could whip it around to trip and entangle a charging armoured foe, then you move in and finish them with the knife end (which can also disarm them).
Similarly, the kusari-gama was the same idea with regard to a mounted enemy: you trip the horse as they charge, then move in with the scythe (it was a lot bigger than a kama!) to finish the rider before he can get to his feet.
Yeah - I know the gist of it IRL. In fact - the kyoketsu shoge had the secondary benefit of being able to be used as a makeshift grappling hook/rope, and apparently the kusari-gama was derived from it.
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Back to the OP, some other archetypes add to the list of weapons you are able to flurry with. In addition to the Sohei, Zen Archer exchanges the standard monk list for Bows.
Far Strike Monk exchanges the normal monk list for all thrown weapons, which allows you to flurry with them either via melee or range. This opens some interesting options like the aklys or trident, and makes daggers attractive.
As a similar option...you can always play a Sacred Fist Warpriest of a god that has the favored weapon you want. With Crusader's Flurry you can flurry with your deity's favored weapon, and the Sacred Fist gets Channel Energy so no cleric dip required.
Depending on what your goal is, this may accomodate you.
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The biggest problem with the Monk weapons list is the complete absence of any reach weapons. The only other core class that can't use a longspear [Shaolin monk performs traditional longspear form starting 6:12 into video] is the Wizard! That's quite an oversight!
There are a couple of monk weapons with reach - but they're the weird ones which are hard to figure out AND monks don't start being proficient with them.
Is it ironic that a Monk might consider dipping a level of Rogue or Sorcerer to get access to a better weapon?
It's ironic that a Monk might consider dipping Fighter in order to get Monk weapons
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Thanks for all the advice. I am looking to flurry with a Falchion or Scimitar. We are going to be playing Mummy's Mask.
I would recommend a Finesse Hungry Ghost monk with Dervish Dance and a one level dip into Crusader Cleric of Sarenrae. This will allow you to flurry with a scimitar, and crit frequently to constantly restore ki and hit points.
Thanks for all the advice. I am looking to flurry with a Falchion or Scimitar. We are going to be playing Mummy's Mask.
Play a Sacred Fist Warpriest of Sarenrae. You'l have to start at low levels throwing punches, but eventually you'll qualify for Crusader's Flurry (at Warpriest level 4) and will get to flurry with a scimitar. You will still need to spend a feat on proficiency, but there isn't much of a way around that.
About the only other option would be a Sohei monk, but it takes longer for the Sohei to be able to flurry with the weapon than it does a Sacred Fist.
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I would recommend a Finesse Hungry Ghost monk with Dervish Dance and a one level dip into Crusader Cleric of Sarenrae. This will allow you to flurry with a scimitar, and crit frequently to constantly restore ki and hit points.Imbicatus, what would be your level & feat plan through 5?
1: Monk 1 Weapon Finesse, Dodge (bonus), IUS, Punishing Kick
2: Monk 2 Deflect Arrows (Bonus)3: Crusader Cleric 1 Weapon Focus: Scimitar(bonus), Dervish Dance
4: Monk 3
5: Monk 4 Crusader's Flurry
You take the crusader cleric level at three because RAW, you don't meet the BAB requirement for weapon focus, only any class and level requirements.
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I would recommend a Finesse Hungry Ghost monk with Dervish Dance and a one level dip into Crusader Cleric of Sarenrae. This will allow you to flurry with a scimitar, and crit frequently to constantly restore ki and hit points.Imbicatus, what would be your level & feat plan through 5?1: Monk 1 Weapon Finesse, Dodge (bonus), IUS, Punishing Kick
2: Monk 2 Deflect Arrows (Bonus)
3: Crusader Cleric 1 Weapon Focus: Scimitar(bonus), Dervish Dance
4: Monk 3
5: Monk 4 Crusader's FlurryYou take the crusader cleric level at three because RAW, you don't meet the BAB requirement for weapon focus, only any class and level requirements.
Thanks!
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The biggest problem with the Monk weapons list is the complete absence of any reach weapons. The only other core class that can't use a longspear [Shaolin monk performs introductory longspear form starting 6:12 into video] is the Wizard! That's quite an oversight!
"That's quite an oversight!" describes the mechanics of the entire monk class...
Sohei actually doesn't work for the desired weapons, they don't get weapon training with heavy blades.
About the only other option would be a Sohei monk, but it takes longer for the Sohei to be able to flurry with the weapon than it does a Sacred Fist.
Unless you dip fighter for weapon training with the desired weapon. Then you get it...eventually.