The Best Starting Weapon for Monks in D&D: A Comprehensive Guide

The best starting weapon for a Monk in D&D is the spear. It provides a crucial advantage early in the game due to its versatile property, allowing for 1d8 damage when wielded with two hands, which is the highest damage dice a monk can achieve with a weapon until they reach level 17 and their unarmed strikes become 1d10. Furthermore, it deals piercing damage, a generally effective damage type against many early-game monsters. The spear’s added benefit of being thrown is also incredibly useful for maintaining some range and flexibility during combat. While the Monk class is known for its unarmed prowess, the spear serves as a valuable stepping stone, especially at lower levels when unarmed strikes deal less damage.

Why the Spear is the Best Choice

The spear’s prominence stems from a few key factors that synergize well with the Monk’s early game limitations:

• Versatile Damage: Until level 17, the 1d8 damage dice provided by the spear’s versatile property is the highest weapon damage a monk can consistently achieve. This provides a crucial boost to damage output in early game fights when unarmed strikes are still lagging behind in power.
• Piercing Damage: This damage type is advantageous since it is less often resisted or outright immune in common encounters than other types, such as bludgeoning or slashing. It’s a reliable damage type in the beginning.
• Throwing Capability: The ability to throw the spear provides a ranged option for the Monk. It’s great for dealing with threats at a distance and offers added tactical options when the enemy is out of melee range. This makes the spear more versatile than a simple melee weapon.
• Monk Weapon Property: The spear falls under the category of monk weapons, so they can be used with the Monk’s Martial Arts feature, including abilities like Flurry of Blows (with the Monastic Weaponry feat). This means that using the spear doesn’t hinder the Monk’s class features.

While the monk’s unarmed strikes eventually surpass the spear in sheer damage, early-game the spear’s combination of damage type, versatility, and range potential make it the best choice for monks starting their adventure.

Beyond the Spear: Other Monk Weapon Options

While the spear is an excellent starting choice, monks do have other viable weapon options. These options include other simple melee weapons that lack the heavy and two-handed properties, as well as the shortsword. Some of these options are as follows:

• Shortsword: The shortsword is a finesse weapon that deals 1d6 piercing damage, which is significantly less than the 1d8 damage of a versatile spear. However, its finesse property can be useful if you prefer to rely on Dexterity instead of Strength. It is a viable option that some might prefer, but it lacks the flexibility and early-game damage of the spear.
• Quarterstaff: Like the spear, the quarterstaff is a versatile weapon that deals 1d6 bludgeoning damage when used one-handed and 1d8 bludgeoning damage when wielded with two hands. This is a very similar option to the spear, but it lacks the piercing damage, throwing capability, and a very important difference— the quarterstaff must be wielded with two hands to achieve 1d8 damage, preventing a monk from using a shield.
• Dagger: A simple weapon with 1d4 piercing damage and the finesse property, daggers can be used for melee or thrown. While versatile, the damage output is quite low, making it primarily a backup weapon or useful for specific scenarios rather than being a primary damage dealer.
• Sickle: Deals 1d4 slashing damage, which is lower than the spear, but this is another simple weapon that can be used with monk class features, but offers little benefit over other options.
• Club: Deals 1d4 bludgeoning damage and has no additional properties. It’s a very basic simple weapon that monks can use but has the lowest damage of the viable weapons.
• Mace: Deals 1d6 bludgeoning damage, better than the club, but again lacks flexibility or useful properties making the spear the better choice.

Magic Weapons for Monks

Magic weapons can significantly enhance a Monk’s effectiveness, but they aren’t generally accessible in the early game. These are the most noteworthy magic weapons that monks can use that can impact the effectiveness of their gameplay.

• Weapons +1, +2, +3: A simple magic bonus to damage and attack rolls. Any of these bonuses can turn a simple monk weapon into an incredible asset.
• Moon-Touched Sword: Provides a faint light, making it more versatile as a tool.
• Sword of Vengeance: A cursed sword that compels revenge. It is a useful weapon, but one that comes with the cost of a compulsion.
• Dancing Sword: This magical weapon can fly around a space. This grants added tactical control for a monk.
• Vicious Weapon: This weapon deals additional damage, at the cost of dealing the wielder a wound.
• Weapon Of Warning: This weapon will warn its wielder if danger is nearby. It is a great utility item and may prove life saving.

FAQs: Monk Weapons and Starting Gear

What exactly are considered “monk weapons” in D&D 5e?

Monk weapons are defined as shortswords and any simple melee weapons that do not have the heavy or two-handed properties. Examples include clubs, daggers, quarterstaffs, spears, and sickles.

Do monks have to use weapons?

No, monks do not have to use weapons. Their unarmed strikes are a core part of the class and become increasingly powerful as the monk levels. However, using a weapon like the spear can be advantageous in the early levels.

Can a monk use a longsword?

Generally, no. Longswords are martial weapons, not simple weapons, and thus are not monk weapons. There are exceptions, however, specifically elf monks can use longswords and shortswords, while dwarf monks can use battleaxes and heavy picks.

Are all monk weapons finesse weapons?

No, not all monk weapons are finesse weapons. The shortsword and dagger are finesse weapons, but the club, mace, quarterstaff, and spear are not.

Can a monk use Flurry of Blows with monk weapons?

Yes, as long as they have the Monastic Weaponry class feature, monks can use Flurry of Blows with melee monk weapons. Otherwise, Flurry of Blows is only applicable to two unarmed strikes.

Does a monk’s unarmed damage increase with their level?

Yes, a monk’s unarmed damage increases as they gain levels according to the Martial Arts progression table. They eventually become a formidable unarmed combatant.

Are monks weak in D&D 5e?

Monks are not inherently weak, but they require a strategic understanding of their mechanics. They are a short-rest class whose power often relies on consistent short rests. Their effectiveness also heavily depends on specific subclass and character builds.

What are the best monk subclasses?

The most powerful monk subclasses, generally ranked, are Open Hand, Mercy, and Kensei.

How fast are Monks in D&D?

Monks get a total movement speed bonus of 30 feet over the course of leveling, giving them great battlefield mobility. Certain races or feats can further increase this.

Can a monk throw a spear?

Yes, spears have the thrown property, allowing monks to attack at range.

What damage type is best for monks to use?

Piercing damage is great for early-level monks due to its reliability. Once the monk’s unarmed strikes outpace weapon damage, damage type may become more of a consideration with subclass abilities.

Can a monk use a shield?

Yes, monks can use shields if they have the required proficiency, but this is not the norm since monks traditionally focus on mobility and speed.

What equipment should a new D&D player start with?

New players typically start with basic armor, a weapon, a dagger, spellcasting focus (if needed), and choose from equipment packs detailed in the Player’s Handbook.

What is the best gear set for monks?

The best gear set is not fixed, but in Diablo 3, the Issatar Imbued Set combined with Windloft Perfection Set has been proven useful.

How does One D&D change the Monk class?

In One D&D, monks now start with 1d6 Martial Arts damage at level 1, and it caps at 1d12, although it is now limited to unarmed strikes.

By utilizing the spear to its fullest potential during their early levels, a monk will have a far more powerful start in their adventures. The flexibility and damage of the spear makes it the perfect option for the starting monk.