I have searched for answers and come up (almost) empty handed.
I have read Unarmed Strike in the Monk section and there is nothing about Monk weapons which leads me to believe that Monk weapons can't be used with the Style feats. Yet I have been wrong before.
I know Monk weapons can be used in a Flurry of Blows, but I have not been able to find anything that says monk weapons can be used in place of unarmed strike.
For example, Janni Rush:
While using Janni Style, you are always considered to have a running start when jumping. Further, if you jump as part of a charge and make an unarmed strike against the designated opponent, a hit allows you to roll the unarmed strike's damage dice twice and add the results together before adding modifiers (such as from Strength) or extra dice (such as precision-based damage or dice from weapon abilities). The extra damage dice are not multiplied on a successful critical hit.
It seems to be written only for unarmed strike in mind and not monk weapons. Some style feats are described such that they can be used with a flurry, but Janni Rush (pounce type feat?) look like they work better outside of a flurry.
My first impression is no, but it seems odd that the monk can flurry with them but not use monk weapons with the style feats.
So can these feats be used with monk weapons?
The only thread that I found that was even CLOSE to referring to this is this one.
The monk style feats are meant to only be able to be used with unarmed strike iirc. I don't think even the flurry ones are meant to allow you to use monk weapons.
And honestly, even at L1 a monk is doing 1d6 with their Unarmed Attack; the only reason to use anything else is for a special property, like Disarm or Block. L4 you're at 1d8, L8 you're at 1d10; as things go along, you'll be doing more damage in six seconds with your bare foot than most barbarians can do with a massive thirty-pound weapon that's nothin' but edge. Style feats just make it ever-so-much-more slaughterific.
And honestly, even at L1 a monk is doing 1d6 with their Unarmed Attack; the only reason to use anything else is for a special property, like Disarm or Block.
...or 1½ times the bonus from Strength or Power Attack, or Reach, or enchantments at half cost, or immunity from effect that trigger when you touch the enemy.
And honestly, even at L1 a monk is doing 1d6 with their Unarmed Attack; the only reason to use anything else is for a special property, like Disarm or Block....or 1½ times the bonus from Strength or Power Attack, or Reach, or enchantments at half cost, or immunity from effect that trigger when you touch the enemy.
Generally, that is the trade off- better power/easier use for manufactured, and then style feats for unarmed strikes.
The main reason style feats exist is to make unarmed strikes more attractive. I mean....they are light, 20/x2 weapons that are difficult to enchant. There would be few reasons to use them otherwise. Style feats are meant to spice them up.
Oh, there are a few that are more general in use, such as crane style allowing you to use any weapon for the riposte...but no, for the most part, it is unarmed strike.
The main issue is that, sans Pummeling Style and to an extent Snake Style (and Dragon Style of course, but its drawing benefits are stuff manufactured weapon users already get anyway and its cool side benefit can be used by weapon users anyway), most of the good Style Feats don't particularly care if you're unarmed or not. Crane, Mantis (when using a Ki Focus weapon or some such), Archon, Monkey, etc. ignore that supposed "trade off".
Though an unarmed monk will do more damage than one wielding a weapon, I liked the idea of a monk with a sword of some kind (probably a temple sword).
Originally I built the character with the Janni style but I hadn't thought it through at the time. I thought Janni Rush and spring attack was a great idea. But the style feats are mostly made for unarmed attacks.
I do see that some styles can be used alone without attack (per se) like Dragon Style.
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I am looking at this Weapon Masters Handbook and I wonder about the Weapon Style feats. I will have to see what people say about the book when it comes out before I decide to get it.
Though an unarmed monk will do more damage than one wielding a weapon, I liked the idea of a monk with a sword of some kind (probably a temple sword).
It is untrue that an unarmed Monk does more damage. An armed Monk will have a higher Enhancement on his weapon, 1.5x Power Attack (and 1.5x Str if an unchained Monk), and much better crit rates.
The Monk's larger damage dice are pretty much irrelevant at most levels.
Though an unarmed monk will do more damage than one wielding a weapon, I liked the idea of a monk with a sword of some kind (probably a temple sword).
Originally I built the character with the Janni style but I hadn't thought it through at the time. I thought Janni Rush and spring attack was a great idea. But the style feats are mostly made for unarmed attacks.
I do see that some styles can be used alone without attack (per se) like Dragon Style.
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I am looking at this Weapon Masters Handbook and I wonder about the Weapon Style feats. I will have to see what people say about the book when it comes out before I decide to get it.
It can be rather comparable. The thing with power attack (which does 1.5x whether flurried or not) is one of those subtle math things that goes into good monk damage.
Plus, it is far cheaper to enhance (which means better enhancement, and thus better attack/damage) and you don't have to waste ki and a ki power on barkskin for AC.
Different monk builds can do different things. Let's do the heavy number crunching in another thread.
To answer the OP: A number of styles require you to use unarmed strikes. Others don't. You will need to read the abilities of the feats in question. I would suggest finding what style feats you want and then planning your build around that instead of vice-versa.
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Though an unarmed monk will do more damage than one wielding a weapon, I liked the idea of a monk with a sword of some kind (probably a temple sword).It is untrue that an unarmed Monk does more damage. An armed Monk will have a higher Enhancement on his weapon, 1.5x Power Attack (and 1.5x Str if an unchained Monk), and much better crit rates.
The Monk's larger damage dice are pretty much irrelevant at most levels.
Having Style Strikes enhanced along with your normal attacks makes an unarmed monk stay relevant when compared to a two-handed weapon monk. Especially if you go with a style strike that enables additional attacks like Elbow Strike or Leg Sweep + Viscous Stomp.