Way of the Iaiken (5e Subclass)
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Way of the Iaiken[edit]
The Iaiken is a style of fighting monks use to attack with precision, power and "stealth at plain sight". The Iaido was created by samurai as a lightning fast style, where they would draw their swords extremely fast and sheath them back after hitting their opponents. One monk wanted to learn such technique, but their monastery forbid their acolytes to wield weapons, so together with the samurai that showed them the Iaido they created a version of the style which used the warriors hands in place of swords and slits on the side of their pants as the sheath. That's how the Iaiken came to be.
After being created this style went trough changes, it's masters working day and night to perfect it and make it something of it's own. After years one master created the form known to this day, the true power of the Iaiken. The master pushed the speed of the technique to the limit, turning their fist invisible, but not only that, he also realized that with that speed the pressure of the punch was even stronger than the punch itself and could reach farther than their arm. After perfecting this new form he passed it on, until this became the the style known now a days as the true Iaiken.
Muonken[edit]
Starting when you chose this tradition at 3rd level, you can focus your ki on your fists while you keep them on the slits of your pants (pockets). While on this pose you can throw a punch that causes enough pressure to hit enemies at a distance. At the start of your turn, you can spend 1 ki point to enter the Muonken stance, until the end of your turn. While in this stance, your unarmed strikes have a reach of 15 feet, however you cannot make an unarmed attack against anyone within 5 feet.
Invisible Punch[edit]
At level 6 you are so adept at the Iaiken style your punches are already becoming invisible. You can focus your ki to make your muonken even faster making it harder for the enemy to realize you're attacking. When you make an attack in Muonken stance, you can spend 1 ki point to grant advantage on that attack.
Super Muonken[edit]
At 11th level, you can use a stronger type of muonken, the super muonken causes more damage but it can't benefit from the Invisible Punch ability, for it's stronger movements make it more visible. You can spend an additional 2 ki points when you enter Muonken stance, which causes all of your attacks to deal an extra die of damage, and changes said damage into force. You cannot gain advantage from Invisible Punch while doing this.
Shichijou Taisou: Muonken/Senjou Senzoku: Muonken[edit]
At 17th level, you have learned the two greatest techniques of the Iaiken. As an action, you can spend 4 ki points and preform one of the following techniques.
- Shichijou Taisou. You create a 40 foot line, originating from yourself. Each creature in the line must make a Dexterity save or take 6d8 force damage, be moved 10 feet away from you, and knocked prone.
- Senjou Senzoku. You create a 30 foot cone, originating from yourself. Each creature in the cone must make a Dexterity save or take 6d6 force damage, be moved 10 feet away from you, and knocked prone.
If they succeed, they take half damage and are only pushed 5 feet back.
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