The Definitive Guide to the Best Weapons for Monks in D&D 5e

The question of the best weapons for monks in D&D 5e doesn’t have a simple, single answer. It depends heavily on the monk’s level, subclass, feats, and the specific campaign setting. However, generally speaking, the spear emerges as a strong contender in the early game due to its versatile damage and the fact that it can be thrown. Later on, magic items like the Moon Sickle or weapons with special properties become far more desirable. Ultimately, a monk’s most potent weapon is often their unarmed strike, especially when augmented by class features and magic items.

Understanding Monk Weapon Proficiency

Before diving into specific weapon choices, it’s crucial to understand what constitutes a “monk weapon” in 5e. A monk weapon is defined as:

• Shortswords
• Simple melee weapons that do not have the heavy or two-handed properties.

This limits the monk’s options, but it also encourages them to utilize their Martial Arts feature, which allows them to use Dexterity for attack and damage rolls with monk weapons and unarmed strikes.

Top Weapon Choices for Monks

Here’s a breakdown of some of the best weapon choices for monks, considering different stages of the game and special circumstances:

• Early Game (Levels 1-4): Spear: As mentioned before, the spear provides a decent damage die (1d6, or 1d8 when wielded with two hands, though Monks benefit from one-handed wielding) and can be thrown for ranged attacks. This versatility makes it a solid choice.
• Mid Game (Levels 5-10): Magic Simple Weapons: Once magic weapons become available, the landscape changes. Look for +1, +2, or +3 versions of simple weapons that the monk can use. A +1 quarterstaff is a simple but effective choice. Specific items like the Moon Sickle (if your DM allows it) can offer unique benefits, particularly for Circle of the Moon Druid multiclasses.
• Late Game (Levels 11-20): Unarmed Strikes (Augmented): At higher levels, the monk’s unarmed strikes become increasingly powerful, often eclipsing the damage of simple weapons. Focus on acquiring magic items that enhance unarmed strikes, such as the Gloves of Soul Catching (from Baldur’s Gate 3, if allowed in your campaign). This allows you to do considerable force damage and heal!

Subclass Synergies

Certain monk subclasses synergize better with specific weapon types or playstyles. For instance:

• Way of the Kensei: This subclass grants proficiency with two weapons of your choice, and at higher levels, allows you to make one attack with a kensei weapon as part of your Flurry of Blows. This opens up options like longswords or even ranged weapons if you take the Dedicated Weapon Optional Class Feature.
• Way of Mercy: While not directly weapon-dependent, the Way of Mercy monk benefits from staying in melee range to deliver healing and inflict conditions, making a reliable melee weapon (even a simple one) important.

Beyond Damage: Utility and Control

Don’t underestimate the value of weapons for their utility and control capabilities. A simple staff can be used to shove enemies, potentially knocking them prone and giving allies advantage on attacks. Also, a dagger is readily concealable.

Magic Items: The Real Game-Changers

The best weapons for monks are often magic items. Here are a few examples from your provided text that can be powerful additions to a monk’s arsenal:

• Weapon +1, +2, +3: Straightforward and effective, these weapons simply improve your accuracy and damage output.
• Moon-Touched Sword: While the bonus isn’t significant, its ever-burning illumination can be invaluable in dark environments.
• Vicious Weapon: The extra 7 damage is a nice bonus, especially on critical hits, but the risk of self-damage makes this weapon situational.
• Dancing Sword: Although it requires attunement, a Dancing Sword can be controlled by your bonus action, freeing you to attack with unarmed strikes and allowing you to deal with more enemies. It doesn’t work with Martial Arts die, though.
• Weapon of Warning: Advantage on initiative rolls and immunity to surprise are incredibly powerful, making this weapon a strong choice for any character, including a monk.
• Sword of Vengeance: A high-risk, high-reward option. The potential damage output is significant, but the drawback of being compelled to attack the creature who harmed you can lead to dangerous situations.

Unarmed Strikes: The Monk’s Signature Weapon

Ultimately, a monk’s unarmed strike is their most defining weapon. As they level up, their Martial Arts die increases, and they gain access to features like Flurry of Blows, which allows them to make multiple unarmed attacks as a bonus action. It’s important to not overlook feats that will assist the Monks natural abilities, too.

FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions About Monk Weapons

1. Can a monk use a great axe?

No. Monks are not proficient with martial weapons like a great axe. To use it effectively, they would need to gain proficiency through multiclassing or a feat.

2. What are the best stats for a monk to prioritize?

Dexterity and Wisdom are the two most crucial stats for monks. Dexterity determines their attack and damage rolls (with monk weapons and unarmed strikes), AC, and initiative. Wisdom affects their AC (through Unarmored Defense), saving throw DCs, and some subclass features.

3. What is the best race for a monk?

Races that provide bonuses to Dexterity and Wisdom are ideal. Wood Elves (+2 Dexterity, +1 Wisdom) are excellent, as are Aarakocra (if allowed) for their flying ability.

4. Can a monk use heavy weapons?

Not generally, but at 17th level, the Empty Body class feature does allow the monk to use heavy martial weapons for defensive purposes. When wielding such a weapon and using the Patient Defense feat, they gain a bonus to AC equal to their proficiency bonus.

5. Can a gun be a monk weapon?

Technically, yes. Using the Dedicated Weapon optional class feature from Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything and gaining proficiency with firearms (through a feat like Gunner or DM permission), a monk can designate a firearm as a monk weapon.

6. What is the best feat for a monk?

Feats like Mobile (for increased movement), Lucky (for rerolling critical failures), and Tough (for extra hit points) are all excellent choices.

7. Do monk weapons matter?

While magic weapons can certainly enhance a monk’s capabilities, their unarmed strikes are often their most potent weapon, especially at higher levels.

8. What is the best simple weapon for a monk?

The spear is a strong contender due to its versatile damage and ability to be thrown.

9. Can you flurry of blows with a monk weapon?

Yes, but only if the monk has the Monastic Weaponry class feature or the Dedicated Weapon optional class feature. Otherwise, Flurry of Blows allows the monk to make two unarmed strikes.

10. What happens if I am wielding a non-monk weapon?

If you’re wielding a weapon that isn’t a monk weapon, you can’t use Dexterity for attack and damage rolls, and you can’t use features like Flurry of Blows with that weapon (unless you have the Dedicated Weapon feature).

11. Are there any specific magic items that are particularly good for monks?

Besides those mentioned above, look for items that enhance unarmed strikes, improve AC, or provide utility, such as the Bracers of Defense (for AC) or the Boots of Speed.

12. How does the Dedicated Weapon feature work?

The Dedicated Weapon feature (from Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything) allows a monk to designate one weapon as a monk weapon. This weapon must be a simple or martial weapon that you are proficient with.

13. Is multiclassing necessary to make a monk effective?

No, monks are a perfectly viable class on their own. However, multiclassing can provide access to new abilities and proficiencies.

14. How can I make my monk more powerful?

Focus on maximizing Dexterity and Wisdom, choosing appropriate feats, and acquiring magic items that enhance your strengths.

15. Where can I learn more about D&D 5e and game design?

You can find plenty of information on the Games Learning Society website: https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/ or GamesLearningSociety.org. This organization explores the intersection of games and learning, offering valuable insights for educators and game enthusiasts alike.

Conclusion

Choosing the best weapons for a monk is a nuanced decision that depends on various factors. While early game weapon choices like the spear can be helpful, as they level up, magic items and their unarmed strikes are the key to the build’s power. Considering subclass synergies and focusing on utility can also optimize the character. By understanding the monk’s unique mechanics and exploring the available options, you can create a formidable and versatile character.