Longbows: Monk Weaponry In Pathfinder?

In the game Pathfinder, longbows are not considered monk weapons. However, monks can use any weapon, and proficiency determines whether the proficiency bonus can be added to attack rolls. Monks are proficient with simple weapons and shortswords, and longbows are considered simple weapons. Therefore, monks can use longbows and add their proficiency bonus to attack rolls with them. However, longbows are not monk weapons, so they do not benefit from the monk's Martial Arts ability.

Longbows are not monk weapons in Pathfinder

While monks can use longbows, they are not considered monk weapons and therefore cannot be used with the monk's "Martial Arts" ability. This means that a monk cannot use their Martial Arts ability to substitute their martial arts damage die for the weapon's normal die when using a longbow.

Additionally, monks have specific weapons called "monk weapons" that they can use to perform a "flurry of blows." Longbows are not considered monk weapons and therefore cannot be used to perform a flurry of blows.

It is important to note that there are some exceptions and variations to these rules, depending on the specific edition and ruleset of Pathfinder being used. For example, in the Pathfinder Society, longbows are considered simple weapons, which monks are proficient with.

Furthermore, there may be certain character builds, subclasses, or feats that allow monks to use longbows more effectively or even consider them monk weapons. For example, the Kensei Monk in the fifth edition of Pathfinder can choose a longbow as one of their Kensei weapons, granting them proficiency and other benefits when using it.

In conclusion, while longbows are not typically considered monk weapons in Pathfinder, there may be certain exceptions or variations depending on the specific ruleset and character build being used.

Monks are proficient with all simple weapons

In the Pathfinder tabletop game, monks are proficient with unarmed strikes and any natural weapons they gain from their race. Monks who are not proficient with a weapon take a penalty on attack rolls with that weapon.

Monks can use any weapon but may not gain proficiency bonuses

Monks are proficient with a variety of weapons, including unarmed strikes, shortswords, and simple melee weapons that don't have the two-handed or heavy property. However, this does not mean that they gain proficiency bonuses with all of these weapons. While monks can use any weapon, their proficiency bonuses are specifically limited to the weapons they are proficient with.

In the case of longbows, monks are not proficient with them unless they belong to a specific subclass or have taken certain feats or abilities that grant proficiency. For example, the Kensei Monk subclass allows monks to choose a longbow as one of their Kensei weapons, granting them proficiency. Additionally, monks of the Elf race gain proficiency with longbows, and feats such as Weapon Master can also grant proficiency with martial weapons like longbows.

It is important to note that even if a monk gains proficiency with a longbow through these means, it does not automatically become a monk weapon. Monk weapons are specifically defined as shortswords and simple melee weapons without the two-handed or heavy property. This distinction is important because some monk abilities, like Martial Arts, only work when the monk is unarmed or wielding a monk weapon.

In summary, while monks can use any weapon, their proficiency bonuses are restricted to the weapons they are proficient with. Gaining proficiency with a longbow through subclasses, race, or feats does not make it a monk weapon and may limit the monk's ability to use certain class features with it.

Monks can use unarmed strikes while holding a longbow

Unarmed strikes are not considered weapons, and every character is proficient in their own unarmed strikes. This means that a monk can use their unarmed strikes while holding a longbow, or any other weapon.

However, there are certain benefits that monks can gain from unarmed strikes, which they would not gain when holding a longbow or other weapon. For example, monks are proficient with their unarmed strikes, and they can make an unarmed strike as a bonus action when they use the Attack action with an unarmed strike or a monk weapon.

Additionally, monks have "mastery of combat styles that use unarmed strikes and monk weapons". Monk weapons are defined as shortswords and any simple melee weapons that don't have the two-handed or heavy property. Longbows are not considered monk weapons, so monks would not gain these benefits when using a longbow.

A longbow used in melee combat is considered an improvised weapon

The amount of damage an improvised weapon inflicts depends on its relative size and damage potential. For example, a medium-sized longbow used as an improvised weapon might be treated as a club and do 1d4 damage, whereas a longbow used as an improvised weapon by a Small creature might do 1d3 damage.

In Pathfinder, the rules for improvised weapons are intentionally lax in their classification. It is up to the GM to decide how much damage an improvised weapon inflicts based on the size and build of the weapon. For example, a GM might rule that a longbow used as an improvised weapon does 1d3 damage because it is thin, flexible, and not designed for bashing people.

In addition, a longbow used as an improvised weapon might break or snap if it is already strung. This is because bows are under a lot of tension when they are strung and are not built to withstand excess strain.

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