PHB Variants: So, how does Monk Weapons work since Monks are only proficient with Shortsword and Simple weapons?

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So, how does that work since Monks are only proficient with Shortsword and Simple weapons? How can they choose a Martial weapon when they aren't proficient in it? After all, one of the stipulations to making it a monk weapon is they must already be proficient in it.

— Jeremy S (@Nikushimi_ZERO) November 6, 2019

You can gain weapon proficiency in ways other than a single class. 🙂

— Dan Dillon 👥 (@Dan_Dillon_1) November 6, 2019

Yes, but it’s a 1st level ability which to me says that you choose it at lvl1. Not hold onto 5+Wis slots for weapons later on when you gain access to martial weapons. That forces you to either take Weapon Master Feat or go into a Martial class with those options. That seems– Racial weapon proficiencies.

— Dan Dillon 👥 (@Dan_Dillon_1) November 6, 2019