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One thing that bugs me with the Kensei is that it limits you to non-heavy weapons. Which is a terrible design choice because, if you look at historic weapons... they're NOT heavy or unwieldy. Just look at the Montante. It's HUGE, but it's also so graceful and its forms are just a beauty to watch! So, here's a bit of a bit I would give the Kensei to differentiate how "weapon gung-ho" they are; Kensei, and ONLY Kensei, can have a dedicated weapon, that is heavy. Any monk can train to use a sword like the Crouching Tiger movie. But it takes a Kensei, someone who's dedicated their everything to it, to be able to do the same flowy moves with a halberd or greatsword or, why not, a greataxe. Reject heavy, EMBRACE THE BONK.
If your new base monk can get any weapon that lacks the heavy or special property then the weapon monk should be allowed to use heavy weapons for more goblin smashing fun.
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"You're honor, my client was holding a feather duster when he (allegedly) brutally murdered his family with a machete. So he clearly couldn't be a murderer, just a stereotypical french maid!"
Here's how you make them cooler (only operable 9th level and above): 1. Ask your DM to use the Unearthed Arcana version of Kensei, a seemingly stupid choice for an archer monk, as UA Kensei has a weaker version of Kensei's Shot (a bonus action you can make after any successful attack to deal 1d4 bludgeoning). But UA Kensei also has something current Kensei lacks: The ability to use Strength OR Dexterity on your Kensei weapons. After this, make sure you have at least 1 melee weapon as a Kensei weapon, you'll need it for step 2. (Oh yeah, if your DM's nice they might let you do both strength on bows and a proper kensei's shot) 2. Once you reach 3rd (or 6th for Deft Strike) level on Monk, Immediately pivot to Barbarian. Specifically, Giant Barbarian from Glory of the Giants. Level it to 6 as well, preferably using a longsword or something, although unarmed strikes work too. 2.5. Read Giant Barbarian's Level 6 feature and realize where this build is going. 3. Congratulations! By 9th/12th level you are now a Monk/Barbarian Sniper! If you don't like being Large while raging, you can stand under a tree or low roof as you do. You also don't need any more Barbarian levels so you're free to level up Monk to 14, just enough for you to get Diamond Soul when you cap out at level 20, while technically not using homebrew (although this is far from the strongest Unearthed Arcana build). You could also go all the way with Barbarian for a 17/3 or 14/6 split, but I would prefer to actually give Monk some love on this one. For a more balanced split, I recommend going 11 Monk and 9 Barbarian, enough to get you a +3 rage damage, Sharpen the Blade AND Brutal Critical. Unlike what Bone Wizard would have you believe, Sharpen the Blade is NOT exclusive to nonmagical weapons, only to ones without a "bonus to attack and damage rolls", similarly to the Improved Pact Weapon invocation. Hilariously, having a bonus to attack rolls and rolling extra damage dice on a hit is not actually a bonus to attack and damage rolls, so it would stack with those types of weapons (Everything from a Dragon's Wrath Bow to an Oathbow to just the Elemental Weapon spell on a Longbow) for some excellent angry sniping action.
Ive never liked the "two handed and no heavy weapons" aspect since ive seen enough Wuya movies to know a kensai can use a glaive the same way they use a quarterstaff
@bonewizard I play a Kensei Monk and even if I did respect Homebrew, your changes wouldn't change much besides nerfing my ranged attacks. Winning? You do realize that Samurai were also skilled horse archers? Having ranged options is a good thing, hello. 😂😅
Kensei Monks do hit things with their sword. You only have to make one Unarmed strike out of your two attacks. This represents you using your sword for defense while you are striking. You're basically going into a defensive stance by only sacrificing one sword attack for an Unarmed Strike. You don't have to actually use Agile Parry, it's optional. With Agile Parry, Haste, Shield, Monk AC and Bladesinger bonus, my AC is 31 without any magical gear. I'd rather multiclass to create a unique Mystical Monk than using some unauthorized Homebrew that you'll have to fight DMs just to use in their campaign. And all for what? A worse version than what WOTC gave us? 😅😂
@007ohboy "even if i did respect hombrew" dude... you are not cool. That is so damn cringe. Like this is a fantasy game of make believe, and your talking down to people. Chill out. You're coming in here with bad vibes. Begone.
A quick correction to sharpen the blade, it works on weapons like flame tongues because they're not weapons with the bonus to attack and damage rolls (+1,+2,&+3). I agree with the change you made, just thought it might be an important stipulation to the unedited class.
Welp, you beat me to it, I was going to comment the same. Lots of people (I was one of them not too long ago) are under the misconception that only non-magical weapons can benefit from the "Sharpen the Blade" feature but that is simply not true. Also, like you I agree/like the changes made. Take care.
Finally, I am actually the first commenter. Also I could see the martial arts die increasing weapon damage being like how trunks infuses Ki into his blade to strengthen it
Honestly, I only play Kensei as an archer. Historically, Samurai were either masters of the blade or master archers and the second one is the one I really like leaning towards.
@@FinalShieldnobi Historically samurai were all masters of archery, the sword was mostly decoration or last resort if you get dismounted from your horse.
@@y3lnats392 "Founded on a mastery of sword fighting, the tradition has expanded to include many different weapons." How much do you wanna bet most Kensei aren't even SAINTS either? pfft
@@bonewizard Yeah, but calling everyone holding literally any item a master of that craft stood out a lot more than usual to me y'know. Gave me some good laughs.
"No, I am not Miyamoto Musashi. Or as he rightfully ought to be called, 'Master of the Sharpened Oar'. 'Hero of the Blinding Sun'! Or 'Progenitor of Being a Hack'!" ~ Sasaki Kojiro, UBW Abridged
bro THANK YOU. Finally i can play a kensei monk that don't sucks. Thanks to you i started to play monk in some campaign (of course using your buffed monk) but i wanted to play kensei, so i used WOTC version. Finally i can play the subclass without crying cuz i suck.
I love Helm Splitter. I also went farther in a few spots than you did in my rework. I didn't give monk's Dedicated Weapon, preferring to allocate that power elsewhere, so Kensei Weapons stuck around. And for the weapons they choose at 6th, 11th, and 17th level they can choose any simple or martial weapon that lacks the special property (ie., nets and lances). Crucially, this lets them have glaives, naginatas, greatswords, etc. Just...not until level 6. I dropped the restriction on Agile Parry. If they're holding a Kensei weapon (and benefitting from Unarmored Movement, and not incapacitated), they get the +2 AC Kensei gets a special upgrade to Deflect Attacks -- they can retaliate with a kensei weapon attack or fire the arrow back with their longbow. Lifting the restrictions on Deft Strike, adding synergy with Focused Aim, and Helm Splitter / Brutal Helm Splitter are excellent additions. But my proudest rework is Sharpen the Blade You gain the ability to augment your weapons further with your ki. As a bonus action, you can increase one of your kensei weapon’s bonus to attack and damage rolls when you attack with it. You can grant up to a +3 bonus on top of any existing bonus the weapon may have. You must expend ki points equal to the final bonus of the weapon, for example raising a magic weapon from a +2 -> +5 bonus would cost 5 ki points. This bonus lasts for 1 minute or until you use this feature again. That's something that no one else can do. The Sword Saint can break the rules. In their hands, a sword (or bow, or literally anything else) can briefly surpass the abilities of legendary weapons and godly artifacts.
I'm not gonna lie I may have to rewatch this one a couple times to wrap my head around it completely but watching these is an absolute treat so I'm not complaining
I made a homebrew subclass based on Yuji my dm likes it and wanted me to even give it a lvl 20 ability. Balance wise is it just to much or was it done right? Monk Subclass: The Cog Level 3: Unnatural Strength your physicality is almost superhuman you gain expertise in the athletics skill. Your martial Arts die damage increases for unarmed strikes. You can roll a d6 in place or normal damage. This die changes to a d8 at 5th level, a d10 at 11th level, and a d12 at 17th level. Level 3: Unnatural durability You gain an additional 1hp for every level you take in this class. Also defenses do not rely on avoiding a hit but taking it head on. Your unamored defense is now 10+Strength+Wisdom when determining your armor class when not wearing any armor Level 6: Enhanced strikes Black flash: Crit range increases to 19-20 When you land a critical hit roll an additional damage die when calculating damage roll an additional 2 die at 11th level, roll an additional 3 die at 17th level Divergent fist: When you attack with an unarmed strike once per turn you may double the dice used for damage. Additionally as a reaction you may choose to deal force damage equaling two rolls of your damage dice as force damage. Creature must roll a wisdom save (8+proficiency+wisdom) on a failure they have disadvantage on attack rolls for their turn and lose their reaction from the shock of the delay strike. On a successful they don’t have disadvantage or lose their reaction but still take the damage as normal. You may do this an amount of times equal to your proficiency bonus a day. You regain these used on a Short or Long rest Level 11: Extra attack You can now attack three times instead of two times when taking the attack action. Additionally immediately after taking the attack action you may spend 2 ki points to make three unarmed strikes as a bonus action. Level 17: Awakening Your superhuman power has given you the ability to manipulate the blood in your body. You gain the following benefits. Flowing red scale: as a bonus action when you spend 3 ki points you cause your blood to harden your body. Your speed increases by 10 feet. You ac increases by 2 and you roll 2 die instead of 1 when using unarmed strikes. Last one minute Piercing blood(120ft straight line): as a action when you spend 3 ki points you condense your blood to its absolute limit then shoot it at your opponent at the speed of sound. The enemy must roll a dexterity saving throw. On a failure they take 10d6 piercing damage and are knocked prone. On a success they take half damage and don’t fall prone. If you choose to use your bonus action aswell you can spin piercing blood in a circle around you Level 20: If its just pain you will never stop Once you reach half of your remaining hp and still have all twenty ki points. If you so choose to spend all of your ki points you enter a state of unparalleled focus not even the gods could match you. For three turns every attack you make is considered a black flash. At the end of those three turns you suffer five levels of exhaustion.
So, I ran the numbers on this, using your monk and Kensei reworks together. I built a character, optimized them, and ran the numbers on their performance. Unfortunately, this performs pretty poorly for me, just barely managing to exceed the Warlock baseline by about 10%, while offering only ribbons outside of combat. It struggles to hold up to modern strikers in terms of toughness, though in niche 1v1 situations it does decent at levels 3-4, and 11-14. Stepping through some fights, it really felt like I wasn't using my weapon for anything special. It was just any other class attacking once or twice, then mostly using flurry of blows. Ironically, they felt better in economy fights, and worse in lethal encounters. As a minor gripe, Agile Strike triggering for free stops mattering at level 11, which felt bad. Maybe it could give you two unarmed or weapon attacks as a bonus action instead of one with your wisdom modifier added, so it's always relevant? Another idea might be to just have Sharpen the Blade grant a +3 bonus for 1 ki and go up to +5. It's very weak as is, doesn't feel special since weapons can normally go up to that high, and like Agile Strike, falls off as you get stronger. Also, around level 7 or maybe 9, the Kensei should probably just be able to make a bonus action weapon attack for free, like martial arts. It might sound crazy, but... right now, this monk stalls out at 20+ DPR in the 5-9 bracket and crawls into 30+ only with great effort. Meanwhile, optimized sustained damage builds are hitting 40-50 by level 5. So its features need to do some heavy lifting! Just some thoughts! Good on you for taking a crack at the monk. It definitely needs more love, but what I love is seeing is different angles at better balancing 5e!
@RaethFennec So thank you for the feedback. I always appreciate playtest feedback. So first of all, the level 11 ability has been brought up that it can be underwhelming, especially if you and your party all +3 weapons. So this is going to be addressed. Second, what are you comparing the damage numbers to? Did you include attacks from deflect attack and improved dedicated weapon? If you are comparing it to a super optimized crossbow expert sharpshooter build or something like that, then that doesn't matter to me. I have never tried to build these subclasses for the super optimizer crowd because there will always be ways to break the game no matter how hard you try. These videos are just made for the average dnd player. So if it's weaker than a turbo optimized build, that's fine. If it's weaker than a regular dnd character, then that's something I would want to address.
That part about your martial arts die overriding your weapon's damage die if it's bigger is already a part of base monk. To quote precisely: You can roll a d4 in place of the normal damage of your unarmed strike or monk weapon. This die changes as you gain monk levels, as shown in the Martial Arts column of the Monk table.
3 месяца назад+3
One of my new players has been using your buffed sun soul monk, the fact its abilities are not just better but simpler really helps! P.s this video also looks really good.
As a forever DM whose favorite class is monk, but has never been able to play a monk, I thank for this because now I can show my players the amazing-ness of monk. And I hope to be able to play one of your monks one day. Going to college soon, so I might be able to!
in past videos you've expressed (for lack of better word) distain for the way of mercy monk will there eventually be a video talking about why? maybe with some of your changes with it? Any way tho I love your videos there great and fun to watch can't wait to see what comes out next have a nice day
Oh boney savior and our ossal lord please use your necromantic powers to resuscitate from the dead with an osteotic transformation the way of the long death (Day 5)
I think you should change your name to "Bone Monk" instead of "Bone Wizard" - considering all those videos about Monks xD. Not that Im complaining, I like Monks
I think my favorite bit now is that, theoretically, a monk with proficiency with improvised weapons, can pick up a dagger or the goblin he's fighting, turn it into a +3 dagger/goblin and still hit with a D12, good stuff
@@bonewizard Yeah, it's a real shame they did Monk so dirty. The worst class also has the worst subclasses. Almost like they wanted it to be shitty on purpose
@bonewizard "Look, I don't need to sleep, I don't need to eat, I don't need to use the bathroom, if I needed anything cleaned I could just get my horde of undead minions to do so, there is only so much training with weapons you can do before you get bored, so why not get really good at bowling?"
11:58 Pretty sure monks can do that already, because the Martial Arts die can be used for unarmed strikes *and* monk weapons. "You can roll a d4 _in place of_ the normal damage of your unarmed strike or monk weapon. This die changes as you gain monk levels, as shown in the Martial Arts column of the Monk table."
May I offer the idea of a Jiangshi (Chinese hopping vampire) monk? 1: claws/ long nails: you can change the damage type of Unarmed strikes from bludgeoning to slashing, piercing, or necrotic. 2: ki-stealer: when you land a non-bonus action unarmed strike, you regain 1 ki point. (This effect increases at certain level ups) 3: demon strike: when you hit a creature, you can choose to spend ALL ki points you currently have to deal extra necrotic damage. 2 points of necrotic for every 1 ki spent. 4: false-rigor mortis: you mimic the durability actual Jiangshi have. You have resistance to bludgeoning damege and falling damage. You also can’t be paralyzed. 5: know your enemy: you can spend ki points to hold your breath, you have advantage on stealth checks against undead, fay, and fiends. (Referring to the fact that Jiangshi can’t see, and relies the smell of one’s breath.) Any thoughts?
OH NO, it's a cannon monk, wait no he has sheet music in his hand he must be Russian composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky composing the finale of his 1812 Overture.
I absolutely love what you have done with 5e's monk. It's my favourite class but I admit that it's pretty lame. I can't wait for the shadow monk to be released, I am convincing my DM to play it in his campaign. Love your work and your videos, they are hilarious!
This video was a mistake... Good job on offending just all of military Asian history. Use a bow, a swords man that never draws their blade is a living one.
I just changed out my Kensei monk for your Sun Soul monk so this is kind of hilarious - should have waited a few weeks XD. Not really, I still prefer the new Sun Soul monk better for that character but this is really really cool (and I have a two new characters that will be using this for sure) Keep up the good work in the face of the 5.5 tornado raging just outside!
With the amount of neat stuff you've dished out for kensei, I wonder what you have instore for drunken master and astral self? Also, don't give up on Four Elements. We all know that you can give us the chance to become the Avatar we've always wanted 😎👍 Take all the time you need, mate
Played as a Kensei in a game once, I felt more like a fighter with extra steps. But with this, Now I can Really feel the power of the blade Also as a side note, I think the "Kensei" weapon that they can choose should be allowed to be heavy and two handed, Cause actually monks (Like the Sōhei Warrior monks) used huge Glaives as they fought and it make sense for the sword monk to use it
So about the heavy weapons thing, that was a consideration at a certain point. However, the damage numbers were bit to high in my opinion. So that's why its not here.
Kensei are metal as hell. I usually have to multiclass them with something like echo knight or something to get what I want, but I like the idea of buffing them I think.
Does anyone else think this seems weirdly support focused? Like with helm splitter Sure, you could take advantage of the death mark but the dice cluster fuck really goes to the moon when an ally takes it and with the improved weapon stuff, you can buff your allies' weapon.
Kensei was always my favorite monk. One of my first characters was a Kensei noblewoman who used her parasol as a Kensei weapon. I loved everything about her other than the fact that she was the weakest character I’ve ever played.
Okay, so i know i already commented and ill probably go on discord as well, but i just learned a GREAT piece of history trivia ill definitely be telling around, and i didn't even know this subclass existed! And after the first video i nerded out on monks preatty hard, and this might be my favorite one, beacuse Shaulin monks, and that's like... Damn, just so cool to me and know i'm going to be spending 6 hours creating a completly new character with 3 page worth of backstory beacuse i want my samurai Monk Saint boi with a nagitama!
no but i was looking through the blaze blue OST and i heard his and it seemed fitting to put his music here. Never played the games, but i love the music.
Love these monk changes! Monk is my favorite class concept. The idea of a dude seeing a guy weave reality to their whim, call upon the forces of nature or slap a dragon with a sword made of super steel and saying ya know what! Imma slap that hoe. Also making the fighter monk into a more party supportive subclass is awesome. They were so selfish before, not that that is necessarily a bad thing for a class, but as a lover of supports giving you options to bolster your party while still being a solo bad ass scratches all the right places. Also there is a part of me that wants to see a ribbon feature of some kind representing the quick draw thing. Maybe like if on the first round of combat if an enemy steps with in your weapon range you can make a opportunity attack, or simpler when you take a free action to stow a weapon you may Also draw one with the same action. I don’t know but tbh I don’t think this Kenzie monk really needs much else to be cool.
@7:22 - "Who is playing this subclass to be an archer, y'know?" *me sheepishly raising my hand Base 5e Kensei has so many features that make them one of the best Sharpshooter users in the entire game! Paired with monk's high mobility allowing them to usually keep at range, and unarmed strikes covering their melee needs without needing to awkwardly swap between bow and melee side-arm like other archer builds, it's actually a really engaging playstyle. My favorite is to go Dhampir race, and just ignore the Bite feature while reflavoring all the other abilities as further ki-enhanced superpowers. "Oh, your ki isn't strong enough to root you to walls and ceilings? So what, you climb with your hands then? How do you shoot your bow like that?" All that set aside, I do agree that WotC's official Kensei was weirdly way better off as an archer than a "sword saint", and I really like your proposed changes here! Also happy to say I've been running a couple of NPCs in my current game using your base-Monk changes to playtest it at my table/with my group, and it is SO MUCH BETTER. Permanently implemented homebrew. Keep up the kick ass work, bonewizard!
A vocal minority wants kensei to be the archer monk, which is valid, the build is strong. The problem is WotC put archer abilities on the sword monk. So there are two clashing ideas on how this should go. So you can buff one way or the other. I chose to go the sword route.
@@bonewizard Totally agree with you there. I play kensei as an archer monk less because that's what I want from the subclass, and more because that's what the subclass gives me. I'm all for making the Kensei have more emphasis on the "sword" part of "sword saint", I think it better fits what the subclass should have been from the beginning.
How I compromised with the sharpen the blade feature is that I made weapons for my monk player that were specifically nonmagical like turning a purple worm stinger into a gauntlet weapon that had an improved crit rate and once per day when you hit with the stinger you can use a bonus action to pump purple worm venom through your foe
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One thing that bugs me with the Kensei is that it limits you to non-heavy weapons. Which is a terrible design choice because, if you look at historic weapons... they're NOT heavy or unwieldy. Just look at the Montante. It's HUGE, but it's also so graceful and its forms are just a beauty to watch!
So, here's a bit of a bit I would give the Kensei to differentiate how "weapon gung-ho" they are; Kensei, and ONLY Kensei, can have a dedicated weapon, that is heavy. Any monk can train to use a sword like the Crouching Tiger movie. But it takes a Kensei, someone who's dedicated their everything to it, to be able to do the same flowy moves with a halberd or greatsword or, why not, a greataxe.
Reject heavy, EMBRACE THE BONK.
My buddy who works in cyber security (You may know him as a certain ex-blizzard dev) told me that this service is a scam.
If your new base monk can get any weapon that lacks the heavy or special property then the weapon monk should be allowed to use heavy weapons for more goblin smashing fun.
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"You're honor, my client was holding a feather duster when he (allegedly) brutally murdered his family with a machete. So he clearly couldn't be a murderer, just a stereotypical french maid!"
His alibi is rock solid.
But everyone knows when there's a murder, you gotta blame the servants! Those crafty butlers.....
"This is so much better than the basic class!"
"You Kensei that again."
🥁
"I'm sharpening the blade of this cannon"
"Steve, that doesn't make sense"
"But it works"
the sharpest canon ball you've ever seen!
If its dumb but works its not dumb now is it?
*Happy Gunlancer Noises*
Monster Hunter logic
load it with some kind of sharp metal shards instead pf a ball maybe?
domain expansion: buckshot
"You call firing cannon balls a martial art?"
"Hey, as long as it works."
Nice reference to Fist of the North Star
“you call shooting a coin a martial art”
no response was said, just +ricoshot
This is pretty much the plot of Kung Fu Panda 2.
I mean, the Japanese call firing guns a martial art so….
Kensei is actually one of the strongest monk subclasses... with bows, ironically.
Here's how you make them cooler (only operable 9th level and above):
1. Ask your DM to use the Unearthed Arcana version of Kensei, a seemingly stupid choice for an archer monk, as UA Kensei has a weaker version of Kensei's Shot (a bonus action you can make after any successful attack to deal 1d4 bludgeoning). But UA Kensei also has something current Kensei lacks: The ability to use Strength OR Dexterity on your Kensei weapons. After this, make sure you have at least 1 melee weapon as a Kensei weapon, you'll need it for step 2. (Oh yeah, if your DM's nice they might let you do both strength on bows and a proper kensei's shot)
2. Once you reach 3rd (or 6th for Deft Strike) level on Monk, Immediately pivot to Barbarian. Specifically, Giant Barbarian from Glory of the Giants. Level it to 6 as well, preferably using a longsword or something, although unarmed strikes work too.
2.5. Read Giant Barbarian's Level 6 feature and realize where this build is going.
3. Congratulations! By 9th/12th level you are now a Monk/Barbarian Sniper! If you don't like being Large while raging, you can stand under a tree or low roof as you do. You also don't need any more Barbarian levels so you're free to level up Monk to 14, just enough for you to get Diamond Soul when you cap out at level 20, while technically not using homebrew (although this is far from the strongest Unearthed Arcana build). You could also go all the way with Barbarian for a 17/3 or 14/6 split, but I would prefer to actually give Monk some love on this one.
For a more balanced split, I recommend going 11 Monk and 9 Barbarian, enough to get you a +3 rage damage, Sharpen the Blade AND Brutal Critical. Unlike what Bone Wizard would have you believe, Sharpen the Blade is NOT exclusive to nonmagical weapons, only to ones without a "bonus to attack and damage rolls", similarly to the Improved Pact Weapon invocation. Hilariously, having a bonus to attack rolls and rolling extra damage dice on a hit is not actually a bonus to attack and damage rolls, so it would stack with those types of weapons (Everything from a Dragon's Wrath Bow to an Oathbow to just the Elemental Weapon spell on a Longbow) for some excellent angry sniping action.
Ive never liked the "two handed and no heavy weapons" aspect since ive seen enough Wuya movies to know a kensai can use a glaive the same way they use a quarterstaff
Smelly Virgin subclass should be a Wizard to play into the meme
+5 to all stank checks
@@bonewizard everyone within 20 feet of you have disadvantages on con saves.
@@ethan1441 But creatures with the freaky ability are always charmed by you
@@DungEnjoyerr nah nah the stinky virgin is charmed by the creatures with freaky abilities
@@DungEnjoyerr The level 6 ability is called 'weeb time' it lets you make one attack give you a +5 to history checks relating to eastern content.
Finally, the weapon based monk class has a reason to use the weapon! Thank you skelly for showing the swordsmen how to use a sword
just stick them with the pointy end
I mean. Using a longsword is usually better than the piddly unarmed damage.
Finally, kensei monk is encouraged to hit enemy with weapon not merely holding it as a decoration.
right?!
@bonewizard I play a Kensei Monk and even if I did respect Homebrew, your changes wouldn't change much besides nerfing my ranged attacks. Winning? You do realize that Samurai were also skilled horse archers? Having ranged options is a good thing, hello. 😂😅
Kensei Monks do hit things with their sword. You only have to make one Unarmed strike out of your two attacks. This represents you using your sword for defense while you are striking. You're basically going into a defensive stance by only sacrificing one sword attack for an Unarmed Strike. You don't have to actually use Agile Parry, it's optional.
With Agile Parry, Haste, Shield, Monk AC and Bladesinger bonus, my AC is 31 without any magical gear. I'd rather multiclass to create a unique Mystical Monk than using some unauthorized Homebrew that you'll have to fight DMs just to use in their campaign. And all for what? A worse version than what WOTC gave us? 😅😂
@007ohboy did you just say "Winning?" In 2024?
@007ohboy "even if i did respect hombrew" dude... you are not cool. That is so damn cringe. Like this is a fantasy game of make believe, and your talking down to people. Chill out.
You're coming in here with bad vibes. Begone.
I am now facing assault charges for slapping my keyboard.
Thanks bone wizard!
Not my fault you left witnesses
@@bonewizard dont you mean KEY-witnesses?
Of course the punch many times class gets sponsored by AURA!
Would have been more fitting for astral monk, but i am certainly not complaining
I’m just posting this so no losers can say first.
The most powerful thing you can do is comment first when you are very clearly not first. Makes me giggle everytime.
First
@@drakmaaaaa2729
No I was 😢
But I’m holding a foam baseball 1 glove, so that must mean that I am first /s
@@drakmaaaaa2729 hehehe
A quick correction to sharpen the blade, it works on weapons like flame tongues because they're not weapons with the bonus to attack and damage rolls (+1,+2,&+3). I agree with the change you made, just thought it might be an important stipulation to the unedited class.
Welp, you beat me to it, I was going to comment the same. Lots of people (I was one of them not too long ago) are under the misconception that only non-magical weapons can benefit from the "Sharpen the Blade" feature but that is simply not true. Also, like you I agree/like the changes made. Take care.
Finally, I am actually the first commenter. Also I could see the martial arts die increasing weapon damage being like how trunks infuses Ki into his blade to strengthen it
you actually are. Congrats.
Best monk, playing a gun wielding pirate kensei right now. So fun
I gotta meditate and center my ki... matey.
Exactly
"Who wants this to be the archer monk"
>Looks at my Kensei who I built to be a stupidly mobile sniper still capable of engaging in melee as necessary
Yep. I disagree with him as well.
Honestly, I only play Kensei as an archer. Historically, Samurai were either masters of the blade or master archers and the second one is the one I really like leaning towards.
@@FinalShieldnobi Historically samurai were all masters of archery, the sword was mostly decoration or last resort if you get dismounted from your horse.
yeah and you arent much of a SWORD saint are you now.
@@y3lnats392 "Founded on a mastery of sword fighting, the tradition has expanded to include many different weapons." How much do you wanna bet most Kensei aren't even SAINTS either? pfft
Patiently waiting for my beloved way of the astral self to get its turn
The amount of shade being thrown at base Kensei throughout this video is amazing lmao
I do that in all my buff videos haha
@@bonewizard
Yeah, but calling everyone holding literally any item a master of that craft stood out a lot more than usual to me y'know. Gave me some good laughs.
"No, I am not Miyamoto Musashi. Or as he rightfully ought to be called, 'Master of the Sharpened Oar'. 'Hero of the Blinding Sun'! Or 'Progenitor of Being a Hack'!"
~ Sasaki Kojiro, UBW Abridged
Let's go!!! My favorite monk!!!
enjoy!
Ok, now post the video for the fixed Four Elements monk
ill get to it... eventually...
0:29 as a japanese speaker, I just wanted to say your pronunciation here is perfectly fine
Aaaayyyyyy! Nice.
bro THANK YOU. Finally i can play a kensei monk that don't sucks. Thanks to you i started to play monk in some campaign (of course using your buffed monk) but i wanted to play kensei, so i used WOTC version. Finally i can play the subclass without crying cuz i suck.
Waiting for drunken master monk..
Also this channel is SO fire gang, keep up the great amazing work
No.
One handing bazooka makes you a master bazookateer of course :)
But sweaty virgin monk already exists hes called the mercy monk
"Cannon Monk" is something I've never thought I'd hear under ANY context.
God I love this series.
I love your stuff man, I let one of my players use your Sun Soul changes and he's been having a blast with it in-game
Glad your players are enjoying it! Happy pew pewing!
Oh mighty and powerful algorithm, bless this creator.
thanks mate
What deity domain would the algorithm be?
@@Fusrodog Trickery if that one thing on youtube that doesnt let small creators grow takes effect.
I love Helm Splitter. I also went farther in a few spots than you did in my rework.
I didn't give monk's Dedicated Weapon, preferring to allocate that power elsewhere, so Kensei Weapons stuck around. And for the weapons they choose at 6th, 11th, and 17th level they can choose any simple or martial weapon that lacks the special property (ie., nets and lances). Crucially, this lets them have glaives, naginatas, greatswords, etc. Just...not until level 6.
I dropped the restriction on Agile Parry. If they're holding a Kensei weapon (and benefitting from Unarmored Movement, and not incapacitated), they get the +2 AC
Kensei gets a special upgrade to Deflect Attacks -- they can retaliate with a kensei weapon attack or fire the arrow back with their longbow.
Lifting the restrictions on Deft Strike, adding synergy with Focused Aim, and Helm Splitter / Brutal Helm Splitter are excellent additions.
But my proudest rework is Sharpen the Blade
You gain the ability to augment your weapons further with your ki. As a bonus action, you can increase one of your kensei weapon’s bonus to attack and damage rolls when you attack with it. You can grant up to a +3 bonus on top of any existing bonus the weapon may have. You must expend ki points equal to the final bonus of the weapon, for example raising a magic weapon from a +2 -> +5 bonus would cost 5 ki points. This bonus lasts for 1 minute or until you use this feature again.
That's something that no one else can do. The Sword Saint can break the rules. In their hands, a sword (or bow, or literally anything else) can briefly surpass the abilities of legendary weapons and godly artifacts.
I'm not gonna lie I may have to rewatch this one a couple times to wrap my head around it completely but watching these is an absolute treat so I'm not complaining
thats on me. What did you have a hard time understanding?
@@bonewizard mainly the agile strike and brutal helm splitter parts, I'll get it down, just gonna have to go over them a couple times
I made a homebrew subclass based on Yuji my dm likes it and wanted me to even give it a lvl 20 ability. Balance wise is it just to much or was it done right?
Monk
Subclass: The Cog
Level 3: Unnatural Strength
your physicality is almost superhuman you gain expertise in the athletics skill. Your martial Arts die damage increases for unarmed strikes. You can roll a d6 in place or normal damage. This die changes to a d8 at 5th level, a d10 at 11th level, and a d12 at 17th level.
Level 3: Unnatural durability
You gain an additional 1hp for every level you take in this class.
Also defenses do not rely on avoiding a hit but taking it head on. Your unamored defense is now 10+Strength+Wisdom when determining your armor class when not wearing any armor
Level 6: Enhanced strikes
Black flash:
Crit range increases to 19-20
When you land a critical hit roll an additional
damage die when calculating damage
roll an additional 2 die at 11th level, roll an additional 3 die at 17th level
Divergent fist:
When you attack with an unarmed strike once per turn you may double the dice used for damage. Additionally as a reaction you may choose to deal force damage equaling two rolls of your damage dice as force damage.
Creature must roll a wisdom save (8+proficiency+wisdom) on a failure they have disadvantage on attack rolls for their turn and lose their reaction from the shock of the delay strike. On a successful they don’t have disadvantage or lose their reaction but still take the damage as normal.
You may do this an amount of times equal to your proficiency bonus a day. You regain these used on a Short or Long rest
Level 11: Extra attack
You can now attack three times instead of two times when taking the attack action. Additionally immediately after taking the attack action you may spend 2 ki points to make three unarmed strikes as a bonus action.
Level 17: Awakening
Your superhuman power has given you the ability to manipulate the blood in your body. You gain the following benefits.
Flowing red scale: as a bonus action when you spend 3 ki points you cause your blood to harden your body. Your speed increases by 10 feet. You ac increases by 2 and you roll 2 die instead of 1 when using unarmed strikes. Last one minute
Piercing blood(120ft straight line): as a action when you spend 3 ki points you condense your blood to its absolute limit then shoot it at your opponent at the speed of sound. The enemy must roll a dexterity saving throw. On a failure they take 10d6 piercing damage and are knocked prone. On a success they take half damage and don’t fall prone. If you choose to use your bonus action aswell you can spin piercing blood in a circle around you
Level 20: If its just pain you will never stop
Once you reach half of your remaining hp and still have all twenty ki points. If you so choose to spend all of your ki points you enter a state of unparalleled focus not even the gods could match you. For three turns every attack you make is considered a black flash. At the end of those three turns you suffer five levels of exhaustion.
Thanks mr bone for giving us monk substenance
Any time
Bones go click clack, for the skeleton war. Or somthing I'm no poet
-a skeleton
Beautiful. Brings a tear to my eye.
YES, I SEE YOUR VID, I CLICK
Thanks!
So, I ran the numbers on this, using your monk and Kensei reworks together. I built a character, optimized them, and ran the numbers on their performance. Unfortunately, this performs pretty poorly for me, just barely managing to exceed the Warlock baseline by about 10%, while offering only ribbons outside of combat. It struggles to hold up to modern strikers in terms of toughness, though in niche 1v1 situations it does decent at levels 3-4, and 11-14. Stepping through some fights, it really felt like I wasn't using my weapon for anything special. It was just any other class attacking once or twice, then mostly using flurry of blows. Ironically, they felt better in economy fights, and worse in lethal encounters.
As a minor gripe, Agile Strike triggering for free stops mattering at level 11, which felt bad. Maybe it could give you two unarmed or weapon attacks as a bonus action instead of one with your wisdom modifier added, so it's always relevant?
Another idea might be to just have Sharpen the Blade grant a +3 bonus for 1 ki and go up to +5. It's very weak as is, doesn't feel special since weapons can normally go up to that high, and like Agile Strike, falls off as you get stronger. Also, around level 7 or maybe 9, the Kensei should probably just be able to make a bonus action weapon attack for free, like martial arts. It might sound crazy, but... right now, this monk stalls out at 20+ DPR in the 5-9 bracket and crawls into 30+ only with great effort. Meanwhile, optimized sustained damage builds are hitting 40-50 by level 5. So its features need to do some heavy lifting!
Just some thoughts! Good on you for taking a crack at the monk. It definitely needs more love, but what I love is seeing is different angles at better balancing 5e!
@RaethFennec So thank you for the feedback. I always appreciate playtest feedback.
So first of all, the level 11 ability has been brought up that it can be underwhelming, especially if you and your party all +3 weapons. So this is going to be addressed.
Second, what are you comparing the damage numbers to? Did you include attacks from deflect attack and improved dedicated weapon? If you are comparing it to a super optimized crossbow expert sharpshooter build or something like that, then that doesn't matter to me. I have never tried to build these subclasses for the super optimizer crowd because there will always be ways to break the game no matter how hard you try. These videos are just made for the average dnd player. So if it's weaker than a turbo optimized build, that's fine. If it's weaker than a regular dnd character, then that's something I would want to address.
That part about your martial arts die overriding your weapon's damage die if it's bigger is already a part of base monk.
To quote precisely: You can roll a d4 in place of the normal damage of your unarmed strike or monk weapon. This die changes as you gain monk levels, as shown in the Martial Arts column of the Monk table.
One of my new players has been using your buffed sun soul monk, the fact its abilities are not just better but simpler really helps!
P.s this video also looks really good.
Glad you like the sun soul buffs. Always good to hear playtest feed back, good or bad. I'm happy the changes actually work haha
To keep it simple they haven't been using the sun beam Splash damage part, but it still works well.
As a forever DM whose favorite class is monk, but has never been able to play a monk, I thank for this because now I can show my players the amazing-ness of monk. And I hope to be able to play one of your monks one day. Going to college soon, so I might be able to!
12 minutes? Earliest time ive ever gotten to one of your videos
early bird gets the sword
in past videos you've expressed (for lack of better word) distain for the way of mercy monk will there eventually be a video talking about why? maybe with some of your changes with it?
Any way tho I love your videos there great and fun to watch can't wait to see what comes out next have a nice day
Not gonna lie, I was not expecting this monk to get buffed next but honestly I like it! Also when r u saving ranger?
Oh boney savior and our ossal lord please use your necromantic powers to resuscitate from the dead with an osteotic transformation the way of the long death
(Day 5)
Idk what to write here but i am doing it cuz the funny skeleton man said it
thanks dog
I think you should change your name to "Bone Monk" instead of "Bone Wizard" - considering all those videos about Monks xD.
Not that Im complaining, I like Monks
I think my favorite bit now is that, theoretically, a monk with proficiency with improvised weapons, can pick up a dagger or the goblin he's fighting, turn it into a +3 dagger/goblin and still hit with a D12, good stuff
Sometimes I wonder what WotC were thinking with the Monk subclasses.
The majority of them just seem incompetently structured and weak.
Just like base monk
@@bonewizard Yeah, it's a real shame they did Monk so dirty.
The worst class also has the worst subclasses. Almost like they wanted it to be shitty on purpose
That's awesome, really like your content, but specially the way you tackle things
im glad you liked it. Im glad people vibe with my style.
I’m here to appease the youtube algorithm
🙌🙌🙌
"That's not a Death Knight. He's holding bowling ball. He must be the world's greatest bowler."
"I can be both."
Shut it Bryan! You get to be one thing! You cant be the vengeful undying blade of woe and the best bowler!
@bonewizard "Look, I don't need to sleep, I don't need to eat, I don't need to use the bathroom, if I needed anything cleaned I could just get my horde of undead minions to do so, there is only so much training with weapons you can do before you get bored, so why not get really good at bowling?"
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH SCREAM FOR THE ALGORITHM!!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you sir. It helps.
@@bonewizard AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH YOU'RE WELCOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
11:58 Pretty sure monks can do that already, because the Martial Arts die can be used for unarmed strikes *and* monk weapons.
"You can roll a d4 _in place of_ the normal damage of your unarmed strike or monk weapon. This die changes as you gain monk levels, as shown in the Martial Arts column of the Monk table."
Here to give some mana boost for my skeleton boy
May I offer the idea of a Jiangshi (Chinese hopping vampire) monk?
1: claws/ long nails: you can change the damage type of Unarmed strikes from bludgeoning to slashing, piercing, or necrotic.
2: ki-stealer: when you land a non-bonus action unarmed strike, you regain 1 ki point. (This effect increases at certain level ups)
3: demon strike: when you hit a creature, you can choose to spend ALL ki points you currently have to deal extra necrotic damage. 2 points of necrotic for every 1 ki spent.
4: false-rigor mortis: you mimic the durability actual Jiangshi have. You have resistance to bludgeoning damege and falling damage. You also can’t be paralyzed.
5: know your enemy: you can spend ki points to hold your breath, you have advantage on stealth checks against undead, fay, and fiends. (Referring to the fact that Jiangshi can’t see, and relies the smell of one’s breath.)
Any thoughts?
i review hombre as a patreon tier
OH NO, it's a cannon monk, wait no he has sheet music in his hand he must be Russian composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky composing the finale of his 1812 Overture.
Not a doubt in my mind that this defense will hold up in court.
The buff I didn’t know I wanted.
I absolutely love what you have done with 5e's monk. It's my favourite class but I admit that it's pretty lame. I can't wait for the shadow monk to be released, I am convincing my DM to play it in his campaign.
Love your work and your videos, they are hilarious!
Glad you like it. If you play any of my stuff, feel free to give some playtest feedback!
This video was a mistake... Good job on offending just all of military Asian history.
Use a bow, a swords man that never draws their blade is a living one.
For those who read this comment and are confused, i know him. This is a bit. Its fine.
I just changed out my Kensei monk for your Sun Soul monk so this is kind of hilarious - should have waited a few weeks XD. Not really, I still prefer the new Sun Soul monk better for that character but this is really really cool (and I have a two new characters that will be using this for sure)
Keep up the good work in the face of the 5.5 tornado raging just outside!
@olbluehat im sure 5.5 will be fiiiiiiine
Thank you for fixing this subclass. Coming from how cool the Kensai was in OaA, this subclass being an optimal choice for a bow monk was insulting.
@copperflamex i think there is a plave for a bow monk, just not in the subclass thats called "sword saint"
With the amount of neat stuff you've dished out for kensei, I wonder what you have instore for drunken master and astral self?
Also, don't give up on Four Elements. We all know that you can give us the chance to become the Avatar we've always wanted 😎👍
Take all the time you need, mate
drunken monk is gunna be a very fun one.
Played as a Kensei in a game once, I felt more like a fighter with extra steps. But with this, Now I can Really feel the power of the blade
Also as a side note, I think the "Kensei" weapon that they can choose should be allowed to be heavy and two handed, Cause actually monks (Like the Sōhei Warrior monks) used huge Glaives as they fought and it make sense for the sword monk to use it
So about the heavy weapons thing, that was a consideration at a certain point. However, the damage numbers were bit to high in my opinion. So that's why its not here.
Kensei are metal as hell. I usually have to multiclass them with something like echo knight or something to get what I want, but I like the idea of buffing them I think.
suddenly, i wanna plasmoid lich
I thought I liked Kensei before, but this dude knows how to buff monk! Another Banger!!!
@@jacobpope7072 thanks glad you liked it!
Does anyone else think this seems weirdly support focused? Like with helm splitter Sure, you could take advantage of the death mark but the dice cluster fuck really goes to the moon when an ally takes it and with the improved weapon stuff, you can buff your allies' weapon.
that was the intent yes. You CAN give the buff to yourself, but it can also help fellow martials.
I think a fun video concept you could do is reviewing homebrew monke subclasses
@@elyes7307 lol maybe
Kensei was always my favorite monk. One of my first characters was a Kensei noblewoman who used her parasol as a Kensei weapon. I loved everything about her other than the fact that she was the weakest character I’ve ever played.
hopefully these buffs can let you parasol again but this time she can be more dangerous.
Loved the video! Super funny writing as usual and great changes!
Thanks! Glad you like it! Hope it helps your game!
Okay, so i know i already commented and ill probably go on discord as well, but i just learned a GREAT piece of history trivia ill definitely be telling around, and i didn't even know this subclass existed! And after the first video i nerded out on monks preatty hard, and this might be my favorite one, beacuse Shaulin monks, and that's like... Damn, just so cool to me and know i'm going to be spending 6 hours creating a completly new character with 3 page worth of backstory beacuse i want my samurai Monk Saint boi with a nagitama!
Also watching the video again
have fun, glad i could tell you how to fix a class you didnt even know existed!
Thinking about Hakumen when editing this one weren't you (he's so cool)
no but i was looking through the blaze blue OST and i heard his and it seemed fitting to put his music here. Never played the games, but i love the music.
Do shadow monk next please
Style note: instead of stinky virgin, SwordCel.
swordcel is good
I always forget that just by existing I'm bringing up the femme ratio on any dnd youtube video I watch...
Thank you for your service
Kensei monk has been improved. Almost as marvelous as a 10ft pole. Unlimited possibilities.
Love these monk changes! Monk is my favorite class concept. The idea of a dude seeing a guy weave reality to their whim, call upon the forces of nature or slap a dragon with a sword made of super steel and saying ya know what! Imma slap that hoe. Also making the fighter monk into a more party supportive subclass is awesome. They were so selfish before, not that that is necessarily a bad thing for a class, but as a lover of supports giving you options to bolster your party while still being a solo bad ass scratches all the right places.
Also there is a part of me that wants to see a ribbon feature of some kind representing the quick draw thing. Maybe like if on the first round of combat if an enemy steps with in your weapon range you can make a opportunity attack, or simpler when you take a free action to stow a weapon you may Also draw one with the same action.
I don’t know but tbh I don’t think this Kenzie monk really needs much else to be cool.
I might take that quick draw thing as a magic item tbh lol
Flail of bees xD
Im pretty happy with that magic item
I quite like this and I wish you incredible success in your career.
I appreciate that man. Thank you, and thanks for the comment.
May the algorithm be damned and the skelly succeed
🙌🙌🙌
You tickle my brain bone Mr. undead wizard
You're welcome?
Still waiting for the four elements monk vid 🫠
ya... me too
This is so nice to see, btw your pronunciation of Miyashi was totally fine
Ayyyyy
I really like your content and always look forward to new videos
Glad you like them!
Please do astral monk
Obligatory comment. Uhm op...nu-uh
comments keep vampires away. Science says so.
Obligatory comment ^^ hi c:
you dah bes
@@bonewizardNaaaah. You are clearly superior ^^
i wonder what you think of the 5.5 additions when it releases
me too
Yo congrats on getting a sponsor🎉
You deserve it your Videos are great
Thanks a ton!
i watched the warforger stream and i hope you have a good day
Hope it was entertaining. That was my first time playing a TTRPG live on a stream.
@7:22 - "Who is playing this subclass to be an archer, y'know?"
*me sheepishly raising my hand
Base 5e Kensei has so many features that make them one of the best Sharpshooter users in the entire game! Paired with monk's high mobility allowing them to usually keep at range, and unarmed strikes covering their melee needs without needing to awkwardly swap between bow and melee side-arm like other archer builds, it's actually a really engaging playstyle. My favorite is to go Dhampir race, and just ignore the Bite feature while reflavoring all the other abilities as further ki-enhanced superpowers. "Oh, your ki isn't strong enough to root you to walls and ceilings? So what, you climb with your hands then? How do you shoot your bow like that?"
All that set aside, I do agree that WotC's official Kensei was weirdly way better off as an archer than a "sword saint", and I really like your proposed changes here! Also happy to say I've been running a couple of NPCs in my current game using your base-Monk changes to playtest it at my table/with my group, and it is SO MUCH BETTER. Permanently implemented homebrew.
Keep up the kick ass work, bonewizard!
A vocal minority wants kensei to be the archer monk, which is valid, the build is strong. The problem is WotC put archer abilities on the sword monk. So there are two clashing ideas on how this should go. So you can buff one way or the other. I chose to go the sword route.
@@bonewizard Totally agree with you there. I play kensei as an archer monk less because that's what I want from the subclass, and more because that's what the subclass gives me. I'm all for making the Kensei have more emphasis on the "sword" part of "sword saint", I think it better fits what the subclass should have been from the beginning.
Don’t respond to this comment please and thanks
@@closetbat7172 ok
Thanks for the content! I'm sure it takes a lot of work
you have no idea lol
could you do any warlock buffs or subclass chances
ya thats on the list but i wont be able to get to that for awhile.
How I compromised with the sharpen the blade feature is that I made weapons for my monk player that were specifically nonmagical like turning a purple worm stinger into a gauntlet weapon that had an improved crit rate and once per day when you hit with the stinger you can use a bonus action to pump purple worm venom through your foe
Very solid homebrew! I hope I get to see it played at my table in the future.
Let me know how it goes!
Your kensei monk is so much fun to me. I love it so much.
Thanks! Glad you like it!
First (I said it with the most conviction so it’s true)
I believe you.
smelly virgin monk is just mercy monk
thats right baby!
Love any channel that tries to help the monk
@@ForTheLaughingGod i try my best