Whip monk 5e Dec 4, 2020 · So is it just me or is this feature really good? Dedicated Weapon reads as follows: Dedicated Weapon 2nd-level monk feature You train yourself to use a variety of weapons as monk weapons, not just simple melee weapons and shortswords. 31 votes, 72 comments. We'll help you use Grappling to great effect. The hexblade may also be good. 3b. U just need proficiency in the whip. My Four Elements monk character, seeing this, decides to use the Water Whip on th Jun 9, 2023 · Become a full-fledged master of a multitude of weapons with this full subclass guide to the Way of the Kensei Monk in D&D 5e! Apr 16, 2023 · Who can use whips in D&D? Whips are the only ranged melee weapon in 5e that only requires one hand, and the only ranged melee finesse weapon. Nov 9, 2019 · Check out other articles in the Monk 101 series, like our broad overview in Monk 101: A Beginner’s Guide to Mystical Combat, and Monk 101: Way of the Open Hand. A monk's job is to get in, attack, and get out. Interestingly, as the whip is Finesse, a Rogue could apply Sneak Attack with it. Aug 22, 2022 · Read Our Complete Guide to Playing the Way of the Kensei Monk in 5e D&D. Jun 13, 2024 · What kind of weapon is a whip in D&D? Whips are the only ranged melee weapon in 5e that only requires one hand, and the only ranged melee finesse weapon. Failed Save; Target takes 3d10 damage (or more if you spend more ki points), and you choose to knock it prone or move it up to 25ft closer to you. Jun 10, 2023 · Monks are more than just punches and kicks! Dish out even more of a beatdown with this full guide to using Monk Weapons in D&D 5e! Seeking some advice on a whip build for a character I’ll be playing soon. Sep 6, 2023 · To learn an elemental discipline, your monk level must be equal to the required level of that discipline. It also allows you to use dexterity as your attack modifier. This is against the Monk's Ki save DC. 3 except where otherwise specified. (Whips and astral arm unarmed strikes with reach) I would start with Mountain Dwarf for the two +2’s to stats and use the Tasha’s rules to swap my Dwarven Combat Training weapon proficiencies to get the whip. If you attack at distance, you won't be able to followup with the martial arts unarmed strike/flurry of blows, unless you're adjacent to Monk weapons are short swords and simple melee weapons that aren't two-handed or heavy (pg 78, PHB), so no. Different Monks conceptualize this power in various ways: as breath, energy, life force, essence, or self, for example. And Dedicated My Monk took Way of the Kensei as his monastic tradition at lvl 3, and for fun I took the whip as one of the 3 martial weapons you gain proficiency in. Flurry of blows even allows you to whip then 2 unarmed because it doesn't limit you to monk weapons. Jul 15, 2025 · Is a Whip a Monk Weapon? The short answer is no, a whip is not inherently a monk weapon in the core rules of Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition (5e). It can be wielded as two light weapons that each deal 1d6 piercing damage, but doesn’t have reach when wielded this way. This is one of the strengths of the Kensei when compared to Chain Whip (5e Equipment)Categories: 5e User Equipment Weapon Martial Melee Weapon We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. Base Simple Weapon Monk Weapon Shortsword Butterfly swordDao NinjatōWakizashi Club NunchakuSai swordsTambo Tonfa Dagger Emeici Shobo Handaxe Ono Wind-and-Fire Wheel Javelin Light hammer Jutte Browse and reference your favorite RPG rule sets for systems including D&D, Pathfinder, Call of Cthulhu, and Cyberpunk RED. Tasha's gives the ability for monks to make a martial weapon into a monk weapon, as long as they are proficient in it and it doesn't have heavy or special properties. The Way of the Kensei monk takes the traditional monk archetype and supercharges it by introducing weapons as an integral part of their Oct 7, 2025 · Worldbuilding and RPG Campaign Management tools for all Storytellers, Dungeon Masters and fiction Authorss Nov 21, 2020 · Ready for a new spin on the monk? Tasha has you covered! Learn more with our Tashas Cauldron of Everything Monk Guide. 48 votes, 42 comments. Target takes half of 3d10 damage. Jun 6, 2025 · The Monk can be difficult to play compared to the Fighter or the Rogue. You must have a Dexterity score and a Wisdom score of 13 or higher in order to multiclass in or out of this class. On a failed save, the creature takes 2d8 bludgeoning damage, and you either knock it prone or pull it up to 25 feet closer to you. In addition, whips can be used to trip and tie up opponents. 3a. For Unearthed Arcana options, see Monk/Unearthed Arcana. If you’re interested in playing other classes, check out the entire Class 101 series. Others are unique abilities to the Way of the Four Elements monk. This makes them perfect for rogues, who will naturally have high Dexterity, while also giving them access to ranged sneak attacks to give the whip a nice damage bonus. (or more if you spend more ki points) Going to be joining a game in a couple of days and liked the idea of playing a Halfling that uses a whip. I currently have a 5th level Kensei Monk and am loving it! As we approach 6th level in trying to decide on my third Kensei weapon; I currently have longsword and longbow, and I'm torn between picking up the whip or dagger as my third choice (daggers are concealable, but whips just seem so cool) but I'm open to any suggestions. Monks gain proficiency with simple weapons, shortswords, and the option to choose a single martial weapon. Can anyone who played such a build before shed some light? Jul 10, 2019 · So here's my question, other than damage type, as the monk's level increases, thereby negating the difference in the damage die of different weapons, does it make any difference which melee monk weapon a monk wields? Because I really wanna make a monk build with a whip, and I thought well what if I like took 1 or 2 levels of fighter and used a whip then I could still keep the unarmed strike abilities n' shit. Dec 26, 2021 · Grapple mechanics in 5e are loosely defined to cover wrestling, grabbing, and other maneuvers. Also the extra reach of a whip will rarely be useful as monks can move super fast. the only ways i can get proficiency with it is by multiclassing into Fighter, or by multiclassing into Kensei Monk and picking a Whip as a Kensei Weapon. I am thinking pally for smites or rogue for sneak attack. [5E] whip builds I am considering making a character using a whip and most discussions advocate the classes kensei monk, rogue, battlemaster fighter or paladin for smites I was thinking of using booming blade with it but i am not too sure which build will be most effective. He… Every morning you can pick one non-monk weapon you are proficient with that is neither heavy nor special and turn it into a monk weapon for yourself. Are there other ways I could really bring this character idea to life? To view the lore of the Monk class, see Monk/lore. Monks also lean heavily into using Bonus Actions right from level 1, which can Aug 10, 2022 · Kensei is a little analogous to the Hunter Ranger: it has a few different abilities for melee vs ranged weapons, and like the Hunter, the ranged option is better. Or, since monks are proficient with shortbows, you The whip can easily be a monk weapon, and you can even have this weapon scale in damage a little by eventually making it something like a kunai with chain, bumping to 1d6 or 1d8 slashing or something, so I think a whip is an awesome idea. Sep 14, 2022 · Way of Mercy Monk Handbook Introduction Coming to the game from Tasha’s as something of an unarmored DPS paladin, Way of Mercy is one of only two blue-rated Monk subclasses on the site for its incredible utility and versatility. Feb 18, 2023 · I was thinking of some monk builds and one idea I kind of liked was an Astral Self monk that uses a whip so they can keep their distance but still get full attacks. Tasha's also makes it so that any race with any martial weapon can swap it for whip. Any thoughts on how I could optimize using a whip? So far my plan has been to start as a Fighter and take Duelist so I get +2 damage, and then try to maneuver so I can force opportunity attacks whenever possible. Levels marked with an asterisk (*) have an optional class feature For maximum monk effectiveness, you really want to be up close and personal to allow you to make unarmed strikes. The NPC is dragging the character. Apr 17, 2025 · Now, take all that and add a weapon so expertly handled it feels like an extension of the monk’s very soul. Monks have issues with flight and crowds, and Way Apr 19, 2022 · Whips are the only ranged melee weapon in 5e that only requires one hand, and the only ranged melee finesse weapon. In 5e, monk weapons can be specialized variants that nonetheless use the game statistics on PHB p. The Weapons tables below show the most common weapons used in the worlds of D&D, their price and weight When you attack a creature with a whip, you gain a bonus to your damage roll equal to your prof. For example, if you are a 5th-level monk and use Sweeping Cinder Strike to cast Burning Hands, you can spend 3 ki points to cast it as a 2nd-level spell (the discipline's base cost of 2 ki points plus 1). What counts as a monk Aug 25, 2017 · Five magical whips for use in 5e fantasy. Whenever you finish a short or long rest, you can touch one weapon, focus your ki on it, and then count that weapon as a monk weapon until you use this feature May 15, 2024 · We tap into our Ki and uncover the secrets of the Monk class in DnD 5e. Jun 9, 2023 · Harness the raw power of the elements themselves with this full subclass guide to the Way of the Four Elements Monk in D&D 5e! 46 votes, 81 comments. on the other hand, definitely don't rule it as his unarmed because that scales on damage, and gets into weird territory with the wording of many monk skills Aug 27, 2025 · The Way of the Four Elements Monk is highly customizable, but there are a lot of traps and challenges here. Aug 13, 2025 · DnD Monk 5e guide Once an underwhelming class, the Dungeons and Dragons Monk is far more tactical – and fun to play – with the most recent rules. Whether you favor a longsword or a longbow, your weapon and your ability to wield it effectively can mean the difference between life and death while adventuring. I have a monk who chose the whip as one of his kensei weapons, and he constantly asks me for things that push the rules. Water Whip is an action that allows a Way of the Four Elements monk to either knock a target prone, or pull it closer. Jun 24, 2022 · This page was last edited on 24 June 2022, at 00:26. Perhaps the most interesting of the Monk’s subclasses in DnD 5E, the Way of the Four Elements is a path that is expensive but powerful. You can then replace the damage from the whip with your martial arts die. I know the whip is what it is, but I’m not trying to make the the most optimal character possible. Dungeons and Dragons (D&D) Fifth Edition (5e) Equipment, Gear, & Items - Whip - Proficiency with a Whip allows you to add your proficiency bonus to the Kensei weapons damage does increase along with martial arts dice because kensei weapons are monk weapons and monk weapons can swap out to your martial arts damage die. So, say for example you were proficient with whips, either because you multiclassed, or because you took the Weapon Master feat, you could turn one specific whip into a monk weapon for yourself. On a successful save, the creature takes half as much damage, and you don’t pull it or knock it prone. bonus if the target is farther than 5ft away from you. Considering going battle master for fun maneuvers and maybe rogue for SA, but what would you guys do if you had to make a build focusing on the whip? Tasha's gave the monk dedicated weapon which allows u to turn your whip into a monk weapon. Really excited for this new class feature that allows a monk to treat one weapon they are proficient with as a monk weapon, as… Monk spends 2 ki points as bonus action. My thought was to use a club first (as she hadn’t learned to fully utilize it) and switch to a whip come 3rd level, and probably Channeling the Elements? Fireball time. While a whip is classified as a martial weapon, it is not automatically granted as part of the monk’s starting equipment or weapon Monks are united in their ability to magically harness the energy that flows in their bodies. Whether channeled as a striking display of combat prowess or a subtler focus of defensive ability and speed, this energy infuses all that a monk does. That's a reach weapon with longsword damage that bypasses nonmagical resistance! It makes that bonus action unarmed strike a bit tricky, but reach can come in handy for enemies that spurt acid blood or if you want to use your monk speed to sort of hit-and-run We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. Many of these elemental disciplines allow the Way of the Four Elements monk to expend ki points to cast spells. Kensei have Agile Parry for melee, which gives a little extra AC, vs Kensei’s shot, where you do a little extra damage but also don’t get hit by not walking into melee. Monk Monks use rigorous combat training and mental discipline to align themselves with the multiverse and focus their internal reservoirs of power. You only gain this benefit if you are proficient with the weapon. Start as variant human and pick up weapon master for whip, longbow, net, and either lance, greatsword, or blowgun. trueVery cool! I’ve wanted to make a similar character, a kensei monk based off of Mariel of Redwall, who was lashed to a pole by pirates to drown in a storm, and survived, using the knotted-up heavy rope that imprisoned her as her weapon. Learn All the Build Tricks and Tips With Our Exclusive Dungeon Mastering Guide. Read our guide to learn how to play these masters of the martial arts. You can spend 2 ki points as an action to create a whip of water that shoves and pulls a creature to unbalance it. A 1 level dip into fighter gives u proficiency in martial weapons and unarmed fighting style which will give your whip a d8 at 1 fighter/2 monk. May 27, 2018 · The whip also counts as a monk weapon and its damage will scale with your monk die. Enter the **Way of the Kensei Monk**—the ultimate blend of warrior, artist, and weaponmaster, offering a style that’s as deadly as it is elegant. From Player's Handbook, pages 76-81; Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide, page 130; Xanathar's Guide to Everything, pages 33-35; Tasha's Cauldron of Everything, pages 48-51; and Fizban's Treasury of Dragons, pages 13-14. The target creature must make a Dexterity saving throw. The following table lists some traditional monk weapons and the weapon statistics to use with them. Fair warning, though: Using a whip as intended will cut into how your other features work. Mar 7, 2025 · D&D 5e players have a diverse set of Magic Items to use for their Monk characters, from being more potent in combat to passing saving throws. Feb 5, 2024 · You summon a long, rubbery whip of pure water to lash out at a creature or object in range. Successful save. Whether channeled as a striking display of martial prowess or as a subtler manifestation of defense and speed, this power Your class grants proficiency in certain weapons, reflecting both the class's focus and the tools you are most likely to use. It has some tools to improve the Monk’s core competencies as a Striker, but also gives it some battlefield control and, iconically, healing and Support You can spend 2 ki points as an action to create a whip of water that shoves and pulls a creature to unbalance it. They use Elemental The spell's level increases by 1 for each additional ki point you spend. . Target makes a saving throw vs Water Whip. Nov 28, 2020 · Why does the Rogue not have proficiency with a whip by default? It has the finesse property, so i assume i should be able to use my Dex modifier with it. Drunken Master might actually be the monk subclass that needs a whip's reach least; you get a free disengage and 10' of extra move speed whenever you use Flurry of Blows. A creature that you can see that is within 30 feet of you must make a Dexterity saving throw. Content is available under the GNU Free Documentation License 1. Mar 25, 2017 · Spiked Chain: A spiked chain is a length of chain links interspersed with wicked spikes. Below is a list of elemental disciplines available at each level. Dual wielding Whips for 1d4 is very comparable to your martial arts until lvl 11. Jul 21, 2019 · I am thinking of building a whip using character and was wondering how to optimize the whip as a weapon. It is considered a monk weapon, but proficiency is not automatically conferred by joining the monk class. Story of the Way of the Four Elements “To think of the elements as separate forces is a Oct 14, 2019 · Here's the situation: An ally is being restrained, and grappled by a NPC. They are the most MAD (multiple ability dependent) class in DnD 5e, needing three high ability scores to function effectively with very little room to ignore any of them, and the Monk isn’t as durable as the Fighter nor as lethal as the Rogue. 149. How would you do it? 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