[RPG] Monk’s Martial Arts and Polearm Master

class-featuredamagednd-5efeatsmonk

I have a problem with an interpretation of the outcome of a monk with the Polearm Master feat, wielding a quarterstaff.

  1. You can take the Attack action and attack with a quarterstaff using Dex instead of Str and dealing 1d4 (monk), 1d6 (normal) or 1d8 (versatile) damage.
  2. Then you can use a Bonus action and make an unarmed strike using Dex instead of Str, dealing 1d4 (monk) damage.
  3. Or you can use a Bonus action from from Polearm Master and make a weapon attack using Dex instead of Str, dealing 1d4 (polearm master) or 1d4 (monk) damage.

Note: Monk's Martial Art damage goes higher with levels up to 1d10.

Am I right with my interpretation? Especially the part of using a monk's damage die instead of the Polearm Master die. I don't know which "die replacement" is more specific.

Best Answer

You make your attack with a quarterstaff using Str or Dex. You then deal damage either as per monk level or 1d6 for staff or 1d8 for versatile.

You then choose whether you make a monk bonus action attack or polearm bonus action attack, and get the replacement damage die that comes with the bonus action you chose.

As you gain levels only the monk attack damage would go up; your polearm bonus attack would remain at 1d4. You cannot apply your monk level bonus damage to the polearm bonus attack, but you would gain the bonuses of a magical weapon in that regard, both on attack and damage.

Sidenote: Some DMs may rule that using a quarterstaff in two-handed (versatile) mode doesn't count as a monk weapon, as two-handed weapons cannot be used for monk weapons. Such a ruling would remove the option to make an unarmed strike as a bonus action, but you would retain your polearm bonus strike option. For RAW the option remains.