Way of the Kensei
Monks of the Way of the Kensei train relentlessly with their weapons, to the point where the weapon becomes an extension of the body.
A kensei sees a weapon in much the same way a calligrapher or painter regards a pen or brush. Whatever the weapon, the kensei views it as a tool used to express the beauty and precision of the martial arts. That such mastery makes a kensei a peerless warrior is but a side effect of intense devotion, practice, and study.
Path of the Kensei
When you choose this tradition at 3rd level, your special martial arts training leads you to master the use of certain weapons. This path also includes instruction in the deft strokes of calligraphy or painting. You gain the following benefits.
Way of the Brush. You gain proficiency with Calligrapher's Supplies or Painter's Supplies.
Kensei Weapons. Choose two types of weapons to be your kensei weapons: one melee weapon and one ranged weapon. Each of these weapons can be any simple or martial weapon that lacks the heavy and special properties. The longbow is also a valid choice. You gain proficiency with these weapons if you don't already have it, and they count as monk weapons.
When you reach 6th, 11th, and 17th level in this class, you can choose another type of weapon to be a kensei weapon for you, following the criteria above.
- Agile Parry. If you make an unarmed strike as part of the Attack action on your turn and are holding a kensei weapon, you can use it to defend yourself if it is a melee weapon. You gain a +2 bonus to your AC until the start of your next turn, while the weapon is in your hand and you aren't incapacitated. This increases to a +3 bonus when you reach 11th level in this class.
- Kensei's Shot. You can use a bonus action on your turn to make your ranged attacks with a kensei weapon more deadly. When you do so, any target you hit with a ranged attack using a kensei weapon takes an extra 1d4 damage of the weapon's type. This bonus damage increases to 1d6 when you reach 11th level in this class. You retain this benefit until the end of the current turn.
One with the Blade
At 6th level, you extend your ki into your kensei weapons, granting you the following benefits.
- Magic Kensei Weapons. Your attacks with your kensei weapons count as magical for the purpose of overcoming resistance and immunity to nonmagical attacks and damage.
- Deft Strike. When you hit a target with a kensei weapon, you can spend 1 ki point to cause the weapon to deal extra damage to the target equal to your Martial Arts die. You can use this feature only once on each of your turns.
Sharpen the Blade
At 11th level, you gain the ability to augment your weapons further with your ki. As a bonus action, choose one or both of the following options.
- Ki Blade. You can expend up to 3 ki points to grant one kensei weapon you touch a bonus to attack and damage rolls when you attack with it. The bonus equals the number of ki points you spent. If a weapon already has a bonus to attack and damage rolls the higher bonus takes precedence.
- Kensei Strike. You can spend 3 ki points to cause the weapon to be under the effect of Deft Strike for 1 minute. The one a turn restriction still applies.
The bonus(es) lasts for 1 minute or until you use this feature again.
Unerring Accuracy
At 17th level, your mastery of weapons grants you extraordinary accuracy. You gain a +1 bonus to attack and damage rolls with your Kensei weapons. If you miss with an attack roll using a monk weapon on your turn, you can reroll it. You can use this feature only once on each of your turns.
