I definitely agree that a longsword is a strong option. Now to see if Mearls & Crawford ever release a revision…

I didn’t mean to imply you were ignoring it out of spite or anything. ;^) Obviously, analysizing the kensei for damage output is probably the most useful to the most people…

But as the Monk is usually seen as the “secondary” damage dealer and defensive warrior in the party, I think it’s useful to also consider what weapon options would be most useful in that role.

Im glad we can still benefit from it. It would suck to no longer be a real monk when you use a subclass like intended.

In my examples, I ignored the longsword because I wanted to examine the case of the greatest possible damage advantage over non-Kensei monks. Your argument that a Kensei should be using a longsword is valid for overall utility, but a greatsword is half-a-point better damage output than even the monk’s d12 Martial Arts grant, and none of my argument here specifically hangs on whether or not you get partial use or full use out of Deflect Missiles.

Two-handed damage for the (probably more common) rounds where (s)he needs to optimize damage output, one-handed for rounds where (s)he needs the more situational free hand for Deflect Missiles or something.

No problem! It’s my favorite of the Tribality releases.

OR IS IT?!?!

Thank you very much for your kind words on the Lantern-Bearer! I’m interested to hear what you did with the Wild Magic sorcerer. =)

Another revelation from Mearls’s Twitter last night: my initial read – the one that’s in the article above – is what’s intended.

https://twitter.com/mikemearls/status/808904018265341952

It’s a miracle I haven’t been slapped 🙂