Dual Wield + Martial Arts

Post/Author/DateTimePost
#1

Tal-eth

Aug 30, 2014 11:11:23

If a monk choose to dual wield shortswords, does he/she still gain the unarmed strike as a bonus action from the Martial Arts class feature?

#2

Thoughts_My_Aim

Aug 30, 2014 11:21:45

Yes and no.

 

You get the option to make an unarmed strike as a bonus action, and you also get the option to make an offhand weapon attack as a bonus action. But you still only get one bonus action.

(Reply to #2)

Tal-eth

Thoughts_My_Aim wrote:
#4

shivafang

Aug 30, 2014 11:38:52

Dual shortswords is viable until about 5th level (I think - whenever you get 1d6 Martial Arts) when it doesn't matter weather you are dual wielding or not (except for attribute modifiers, see next point)

 

The thing is, you don't get your off-hand damage when you dual wield wheras you do with the bonus action from martial arts.  So for levels 1-4 your options are;

1) Dual Wield (1d6+str or dex, 1d6)

2) Martial Arts (1d6+str or dex, 1d4+str or dex)

 

If your str or dex bonus is +2 or higher (and it should be) then Martial Arts deals more damage (unless you take a level of Fighter to get the Two-Weapon Fighting Style, which lets you add your attribute modifier to off-hand damage.)

#5

Kalani

Aug 30, 2014 11:43:59

shivafang wrote:
#6

shivafang

Aug 30, 2014 11:56:32

Since you can only do a Flurry of Blows if you have ki to spend (and there are more ways to spend ki) most of your attacks will be with offhand short-sword or a single Martial Arts attack.  Thus, I don't see it as incredibly relevalt to the decision to have an off-hand shortsword or not.

#7

Thoughts_My_Aim

Aug 30, 2014 11:59:03

shivafang wrote:
#8

shivafang

Aug 30, 2014 12:30:17

Thoughts_My_Aim wrote:
#9

Noctaem

Aug 30, 2014 12:30:46

you regain your ki points whenever you take a short or extended rest.  +1 ki point per level means you should be able to do have ki to spend during almost every encounter.

#10

Thoughts_My_Aim

Aug 30, 2014 12:34:41

shivafang wrote:
#11

shivafang

Aug 30, 2014 12:42:37

Thoughts_My_Aim wrote:
#12

Thoughts_My_Aim

Aug 30, 2014 12:45:31

shivafang wrote:
#13

shivafang

Aug 30, 2014 12:51:33

Thoughts_My_Aim wrote:
#14

Thoughts_My_Aim

Aug 30, 2014 14:44:13

shivafang wrote: