What is the Best Melee Weapon for a Monk?

For a D&D Monk, the “best” melee weapon isn’t a singular, definitive answer. It’s a matter of strategy, level, and subclass. However, if we’re looking for a strong contender that blends early-game effectiveness with versatility, the Spear emerges as the top choice. While the Monk’s unarmed strikes eventually become incredibly powerful, a spear provides valuable utility, 1d8 damage with the Versatile property, and a thrown ranged attack option which is a huge asset early in the campaign. Additionally, the spear is a simple weapon, making it universally available for all Monks to utilize effectively with their Martial Arts feature. Later in the game, magical items and subclass features might shift the optimal choice, but the spear is an excellent starting point.

Understanding the Monk’s Weapon Arsenal

Monks are masters of unarmed combat, but their proficiency with certain weapons provides crucial flexibility. Here’s a quick breakdown:

• Monk Weapons: By default, these are simple melee weapons and shortswords. This includes clubs, daggers, maces, quarterstaffs, sickles, and spears. Crucially, Monk weapons are used for the Martial Arts feature, allowing you to use Dexterity for attack and damage rolls instead of Strength, a feature also granted to unarmed strikes.
• Unarmed Strikes: While not technically “weapons,” a monk’s fists, kicks, and headbutts are a core part of their arsenal. They are considered melee weapon attacks and are compatible with features like Stunning Strike, but they are not a weapon. Unarmed strikes increase damage as the Monk levels.
• Subclass Exceptions: Certain subclasses expand this list. For example, Kensei Monks can choose specific martial weapons to become Kensei weapons, and the Tasha’s Cauldron optional rule allows to customize starting weapons.

The Case for the Spear

Why is the spear so effective for monks?

• Early Game Damage: Until a Monk’s unarmed strike damage dice catch up, a spear offers a crucial 1d8 damage, using its versatile property to wield it two-handed. This edge makes a significant difference in the early game, turning it into the Monk’s most efficient damage dealer.
• Versatile Property: The Versatile property lets you choose between one-handed or two-handed wielding. Two-handed, the spear deals 1d8 damage, a considerable advantage over other simple weapons and the Monk’s early unarmed damage die. This adaptability can be useful for different situations, including having an empty hand when needed.
• Thrown Property: The spear’s thrown property allows for a ranged attack option with a 20/60 range which is perfect for dealing with enemies out of melee range, or when a monk needs to reposition. This is invaluable for dealing with ranged adversaries or for creating strategic openings on the battlefield.
• Simple Weapon: Because the spear is a simple weapon it is available to all monks.
• Piercing Damage: Piercing damage type is a great damage type with the best compatibility overall, especially when compared to Bludgeoning and Slashing damage type.

Other Weapons and Considerations

• Daggers and Shortswords: These are both finesse weapons, which allow you to use your Dexterity modifier for attack and damage rolls. However, they lack the consistent damage potential of the spear, and the utility it provides.
• Quarterstaff: While the quarterstaff has similar damage to the spear when used two-handed, it lacks the ability to be thrown for a ranged attack option, making the spear a better choice overall.
• Magical Items: Late game, magical items can drastically change the picture. Gloves of Soul Catching, from Baldur’s Gate 3 for example, can make unarmed strikes incredibly powerful due to the damage die and healing effects it grants, sometimes making weapons unnecessary. Similarly, a Vorpal Sword would make nearly any character’s offense extremely potent, but such items are rare.

The Importance of Unarmed Strikes

It’s vital to remember that a monk’s unarmed strikes are a powerful and ever-improving tool.

• Scaling Damage: A Monk’s unarmed strike damage will increase naturally as they level, eventually reaching 1d10 at level 17. This scaling damage often renders weapons obsolete at higher levels.
• Monastic Traditions Each of the Monk’s subclasses impacts play style. For example, the Open Hand Monks focus on unarmed strikes.
• Features and Abilities: Features like Flurry of Blows work with unarmed strikes or monk weapons, giving you extra attacks. Stunning Strike, a cornerstone of the Monk class, works with melee weapon attacks, and unarmed strikes are considered a melee weapon attack.

Conclusion: The Spear’s Reign

While there is no single “best” weapon for all situations, the spear’s early-game damage, versatility, and ranged attack potential make it a strong contender as the best monk weapon. However, do not dismiss unarmed strikes. As a Monk levels, their unarmed strikes grow in power, and specific magic items and subclass abilities may further incentivize their use. Always consider the context of your campaign, the items available, and your subclass choices when selecting the best melee weapon for your monk. The spear is a highly recommended start, but your choices are wide and varied depending on your play style and build.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Are monk unarmed strikes considered melee weapons?

Yes. Although not weapons in the traditional sense, a monk’s unarmed strikes are considered melee weapon attacks and can benefit from features like Stunning Strike, and Flurry of Blows.

2. Can a Monk use heavy weapons?

Not normally. However, at 17th level, the monk gains the ability to use heavy martial weapons to cover their bodies, gaining an AC bonus when using Patient Defense. This feature does not allow them to use the weapon for attacks.

3. Does a Monk’s unarmed strike count as a finesse weapon?

No. Unarmed strikes are not weapons, and therefore do not have the finesse property. They cannot be used for a Sneak Attack.

4. What is the best Monk subclass?

The Open Hand subclass is frequently considered the most consistently powerful and reliable, offering a strong baseline that many players find easy to use. Other strong contenders include Mercy and Kensei Monks depending on your playstyle.

5. Can Monks use Flurry of Blows with weapons?

Yes, as long as they are wielding monk weapons, including melee simple weapons and short swords. Usually, Flurry of Blows allows for two unarmed strikes, but wielding a Monk weapon provides options.

6. Are throwing daggers monk weapons?

Daggers are considered simple weapons, and therefore are considered monk weapons, though they do not have the same damage potential as a spear. They may be thrown and are useful as a backup weapon.

7. Is a rapier a monk weapon?

No. A rapier is a martial weapon, not a simple weapon or shortsword. Kensei Monks can choose a rapier as a Kensei weapon, or with the optional rule in Tasha’s.

8. Do monk fists count as weapons?

No. A monk’s fists are not considered weapons, though they can be used for melee weapon attacks and can benefit from abilities like Stunning Strike.

9. Can a monk use a longsword?

Elf monks can use longswords and short swords. Dwarf monks can use heavy picks and battleaxes. All Monks are proficient in short swords.

10. What is the most deadly melee weapon in D&D?

Generally, a Vorpal Sword is considered one of the most deadly due to its chance to instantly sever a target’s head on a critical hit. However, this is a legendary item.

11. What is the most difficult melee weapon to use?

The Quarterstaff is often cited as one of the most difficult melee weapons to master, requiring precision and agility.

12. Can Monks use whips?

Only Kensei Monks can use a whip as a Kensei weapon. Whips are martial melee weapons with finesse and reach.

13. How do you increase monk damage?

The best way to increase a Monk’s damage output is to increase Dexterity to increase the modifier that is added to unarmed strike and monk weapon damage. Also, a Monk’s unarmed strike damage die increases naturally as you level up. Magical items like Insignia of the Claw can also increase monk damage.

14. Can you dual wield with monk weapons?

A Monk cannot dual wield Monk weapons, as they are not light. However, a monk may use their bonus action to strike with Flurry of Blows, making dual wielding less advantageous.

15. Are psychic blades monk weapons?

Yes. A Soulknife Rogue’s Psychic Blades are considered Monk weapons, which is helpful when multiclassing as a Monk.