While most monks tend to eschew weapons in favor of unarmed combat, there are those who train with special weapons and seek to make them an extension of themselves.
The weapon adept is an archetype of the monk class.
Archetype Main Ability Scores:
The weapon adept mainly focuses on STR/DEX for martial combat and WIS for their class features.
Archetype Feature Replacements:
1st – Bodybuilding, Martial Arts. 2nd – Ki Pool, Monk Talent. 13th – Reinforced Fortitude. 19th – Inner Strength. 20th – Perfect Self.
AC Bonus (Ex)
A weapon adept is highly trained at dodging blows, and she has a sixth sense that lets her avoid even unanticipated attacks.
When unarmored and unencumbered, the weapon adept adds her Wisdom bonus (if any) (this bonus is halved if she has a level in another non-prestige class and this is not her favored class) to her AC and her CMD. If the weapon adept gains an attribute bonus to her AC or CMD from some other source, it does not stack.
In addition, a weapon adept gains a +1 bonus to AC and CMD at 4th level. This bonus increases by 1 for every four monk levels thereafter, up to a maximum of +5 at 20th level. These bonuses to AC apply even against touch attacks or when the weapon adept is flat-footed.
She loses these bonuses when she is immobilized or helpless, when she wears any armor, when she carries a shield, or when she carries a medium or heavy load.
This ability replaces bodybuilding.
Perfect Strike (Ex)
At 1st level, a weapon adept gains Perfect Strike as a bonus feat, even if she does not meet the prerequisites. This feat applies to all weapons with the “monk” special quality. At 10th level, the monk can roll her attack roll three times and take the higher result. If one of these rolls is a critical threat, she can choose which one of her other two rolls to use as her confirmation roll. In addition, a weapon adept may attempt an perfect strike attack a number of times per day equal to her monk level, plus one more time per day for every four levels she has in classes other than monk.
This ability replaces martial arts.
Ki Pool (Su)
A weapon adept gains additional ki pool points from her Wisdom modifier instead of her Constitution modifier. Additionally, abilities that use her ki pool key off of her Wisdom instead of her Constitution.
This ability modifies ki pool.
Way of the Weapon Master (Ex)
At 2nd level, the weapon adept gains Weapon Focus with one weapon from the monk weapon group as a bonus feat. If she already has Weapon Focus with that weapon, she instead gains a free combat feat for which she meets the requirements. Furthermore, starting at 4th level, the weapon adept may use her monk level to qualify for feats with a warrior level prerequisite when those feats are applied to either unarmed strikes or any weapon with the “monk” special quality.
This ability replaces a monk talent gained at 2nd level.
Evasion (Ex)
At 13th level or higher, a weapon adept can avoid damage from many area-effect attacks. If a weapon adept makes a successful Reflex saving throw against an attack that normally deals half damage on a successful save, she instead takes no damage. Evasion can be used only if a weapon adept is wearing no armor. A helpless weapon adept does not gain the benefit of evasion.
This ability replaces reinforced fortitude.
Uncanny Initiative (Ex)
At 19th level, a weapon adept does not need to roll for initiative. She always treats her initiative roll as if it resulted in any number of her choosing (from 1 to 20).
This ability replaces inner strength.
Pure Power (Ex)
At 20th level, a weapon adept forsakes the ideals of the perfect self to become a bastion of the physical and mental virtues monks hold dear. She gains a +2 bonus to Strength, Dexterity, and Wisdom.
This ability replaces perfect self.