Can a Battleaxe Be a Monk Weapon? A Comprehensive Guide
The short answer is: it depends. Traditionally, no, a battleaxe isn’t a standard monk weapon in Dungeons and Dragons (D&D) 5th Edition. However, through specific racial traits or optional class features, it can be. Let’s break down the nuances of how a monk might wield a battleaxe and what that entails.
The core rule for monk weapons revolves around the Martial Arts feature. This feature generally restricts monk weapon choices to shortswords and simple melee weapons that lack the heavy and two-handed properties. A battleaxe does not fall into this category.
However, two key factors can alter this. First, racial traits can grant proficiency. Second, the optional Dedicated Weapon feature introduced in Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything allows for more flexibility.
Dwarven Proficiency
Certain dwarven subraces, specifically the dwarf, gain proficiency in the battleaxe. This is a crucial first step.
The Dedicated Weapon Feature
Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything introduced the Dedicated Weapon feature. This feature allows a monk to, after a short or long rest, touch one weapon and designate it as a monk weapon until they use the feature again.
The criteria for the chosen weapon are:
- It must be a simple or martial weapon.
- The monk must be proficient with it.
- It must lack the heavy property.
The battleaxe fulfills two of these requirements. It’s a martial weapon and doesn’t have the heavy property. If you, as a dwarf, are proficient in the battleaxe, you can use the Dedicated Weapon feature to treat it as a monk weapon. This opens up a lot of possibilities.
Why Would a Monk Use a Battleaxe?
While not optimized, a battleaxe wielded by a monk could have some situational advantages. Here’s why a player might consider it:
- Damage Dice: While monks eventually deal more damage with their unarmed strikes, at lower levels, a battleaxe (1d8 damage) might offer slightly more consistent damage than a simple weapon.
- Flavor: Perhaps your character has a unique backstory that involves wielding a battleaxe.
- Magical Weapons: You may find a magic battleaxe that grants useful bonuses.
Limitations and Considerations
Even with racial proficiency and the Dedicated Weapon feature, there are still limitations:
- No Two-Handed Attacks: Monks rely heavily on bonus action attacks through Flurry of Blows. A battleaxe cannot be wielded with two hands by a monk, limiting damage potential that would come from versatile weapons.
- Monk Weapon Damage Dice: Remember, the damage dice for a monk using a weapon often lags behind their martial arts dice progression. So, a battleaxe’s 1d8 becomes less appealing as your unarmed strikes improve.
- Action Economy: Spending a bonus action on Flurry of Blows is usually more advantageous than making a single weapon attack.
- Optimal Choices: In general, other weapons or unarmed strikes are more optimal for a monk.
In conclusion, while it’s possible for a monk to use a battleaxe as a monk weapon through specific conditions, it’s not necessarily the most effective choice. The combination of racial traits and the Dedicated Weapon feature from Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything provides the means, but whether it’s strategically sound depends on your character build and playstyle.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can any weapon be a monk weapon?
No, not any weapon. Standard monk weapons are limited to shortswords and simple melee weapons without the heavy or two-handed properties. The optional Dedicated Weapon feature broadens this, but still with restrictions.
2. Can a monk use a spear?
Yes. A spear is a simple melee weapon without the heavy or two-handed properties, making it a standard monk weapon. The spear’s versatile property (allowing it to be wielded with one or two hands) also offers some flexibility.
3. What’s the best weapon for a monk?
There is no universally best weapon. However, the spear is often cited as a good option due to its versatile property. This allows for one-handed attacks and compatibility with Flurry of Blows, or the option to use two hands for a 1d8 damage die. The best weapon depends on the specific build, magical items acquired, and the level of the character.
4. What is a monk’s Dedicated Weapon?
Dedicated Weapon is an optional feature introduced in Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything. It allows a monk, during a short or long rest, to touch one weapon and designate it as a monk weapon until they use the feature again. This weapon must be a simple or martial weapon that the monk is proficient with and lacks the heavy property.
5. Can a monk use a longsword?
Normally, no, a Monk cannot use a longsword unless they are an Elf Monk or an Half-Elf Monk, due to their racial bonuses. This is because they are naturally proficient with these weapons. With the Dedicated Weapon feature, monks can use a longsword if they gain proficiency through other means (such as multiclassing or a feat) or if they are an elf.
6. Should I use a weapon as a monk?
Whether or not to use a weapon depends on several factors. At early levels, a weapon might offer better damage than unarmed strikes. However, as a monk levels up, their martial arts dice improve, eventually surpassing the damage of most simple weapons. Magical weapons can provide additional benefits that unarmed strikes lack.
7. Is a Greataxe a monk weapon?
No. A greataxe is a martial weapon with the heavy and two-handed properties. Monks are not typically proficient with martial weapons, and the heavy property disqualifies it from being a standard monk weapon.
8. Can you use natural weapons as a monk?
The rules regarding natural weapons and monks are somewhat ambiguous. By the rules, natural weapons don’t inherently interact with monk abilities. Some DMs may allow certain natural weapons to be incorporated into a monk’s martial arts, but this is a house rule rather than a standard rule.
9. Can a monk use a rapier?
RAW (Rules As Written), a rapier is not a monk weapon. It is a martial weapon that requires proficiency to use. The Kensei monk subclass can designate a rapier as a Kensei weapon, making it usable with their features. The optional Dedicated Weapon feature also allows a monk to use a rapier if they are proficient with it.
10. Can monk weapons be two-handed?
No, monk weapons cannot have the two-handed property. While a monk can wield a versatile weapon (like a spear or quarterstaff) with two hands, a weapon with the two-handed property is not a valid monk weapon.
11. Can a monk use heavy weapons?
Generally, no. Monks don’t gain proficiency in heavy weapons, and the heavy property prohibits them from being used as monk weapons. One exception comes at level 17, where they learn how to use heavy martial weapons to cover their bodies before a counterattack, gaining a bonus to AC when wielding such a weapon and using the Patient Defense feat.
12. Is a whip a monk weapon?
Yes. a whip is a martial melee weapon with the finesse and reach properties
13. Are short bows monk weapons?
No. A shortbow is a simple weapon, but it is a ranged weapon, not a melee weapon. Monks cannot use ranged weapons with their Martial Arts feature, unless they are a Kensei Monk.
14. What is a monk warrior called?
Monk warriors have different names depending on the cultural context. In feudal Japan, they were called Sōhei (僧兵), which translates to “monk soldiers” or “warrior monks.”
15. Can a monk use a sun blade?
Yes, potentially. Since the Sun Blade counts as a longsword, an elf (or half-elf) monk could effectively use a sun blade. Other races may do so, but only if they find proficiency in the weapon through external means.
Monks are versatile characters that fit very well into role-playing games. To learn more about game design and its impact on learning, consider visiting the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org.