The Monk in Final Fantasy 14 proves the sheer delight of transforming Final Fantasy into an MMO. Whereas usual incarnations of the Monk Job in the Final Fantasy franchise show martial arts in a turn-based format, the FF14 Monk can finally dish out their moves in real-time. As a result, the FF14 Monk is one of the fastest DPS in the entire game.
Enjoying being up close and personal with the enemy, the Monk ensures they obliterate foes quickly and quite efficiently. However, to do this, the Monk needs to maximize their damage output with the right weapon in mind. Just what are the best weapons for Monks in the MMO?
10 Palaka Sainti
| Item Level | 536 | Physical Damage | 106 |
| Auto Attack | 90.45 | Delay | 2.56 |
| Strength | 216 | Vitality | 227 |
| Determination | 147 | Direct Hit Rate | 210 |
The Palaka Striking Set has a more freeflow approach to aesthetics, reflecting the Monk’s choice of practicality over style. However, the Palaka Sainti is proof that a Monk still won’t make compromises regarding combat efficiency.
The swirling circular blade befits the weapon’s status as an introduction to the Job’s full potential, especially with regards to weapons. Stats-wise, the Palaka Sainti boasts decent Physical Damage and Auto Attack, as well as decent Vitality, Strength, and Direct Hit Rate.
Players can acquire the Palaka Bardiche from the Vanaspati dungeon in Endwalker, which requires a level of 85 and an average item level of 510.
9 Manganese Knuckles
| Item Level | 539 | Physical Damage | 95 |
| Auto Attack | 81.06 | Delay | 2.56 |
| Strength | 197 | Vitality | 205 |
| Critical Hit | 133 | Determination | 191 |
The Kumbhiraskin Rising Dragon Set has this regal element resembling that of a dragon, which makes the Manganese Knuckles a worthy addition in terms of its aesthetic. The twin blades and the swirling details make it an interesting weapon for a Monk, especially one that’s still discovering their potential for the endgame dungeons. Its Physical Damage and Auto Attack could use work, but it does have decent starting bonuses for Vitality, Strength, and Determination.
Despite its middling stats, players can easily obtain the weapon. They can acquire the Manganese Knuckles from the Junkmonger in Elpis and via the Ironwood Weapon Coffer.
8 Ktiseos Knuckles
| Item Level | 542 | Physical Damage | 107 |
| Auto Attack | 91.30 | Delay | 2.56 |
| Strength | 222 | Vitality | 229 |
| Critical Hit | 213 | Determination | 149 |
The Ktiseos Striking Set has this stylish allure associated with its intimidating blank mask and black overalls, and the Ktiseos Knuckles has this straightforward appeal that makes it a decent weapon of choice. Its Physical Damage and Auto Attack are decent and have a nice combination with boosts for Vitality, Strength, and Critical Hit. Paired with buffers like Scholars and Bards, the Monk may have enough attack boosts to take on lower-level endgame dungeons.
Players can obtain the Ktiseos Knuckles from the Ktisis Hyperboreia dungeon in Endwalker, with a required level of 87 and an average item level of 515.
7 Chondrite Magitek Baghnakhs
| Item Level | 545 | Physical Damage | 97 |
| Auto Attack | 82.77 | Delay | 2.56 |
| Strength | 203 | Vitality | 207 |
| Critical Hit | 193 | Direct Hit Rate | 135 |
When looking at a steampunk fashion armor like the AR-Caean Velvet Striking Set, one might assume its accompanying weapon would be a drill of some sort. The Chondrite Magitek Baghnakhs subvert these expectations by having three smaller circular saws instead of claws. This rather over-the-top appearance is opposite its base stats, as the weapon does boast middling Physical Damage and Auto Attack. It does have decent Vitality, Strength, and Critical Hit. However, its abysmal Direct Hit Rate leaves much to be desired.
Thankfully, players can obtain the Chondrite Magitek Baghnakhs quite easily with a Chondrite Weapon Coffer. They can obtain this from the junkmongers in Labyrinthos or Elpis, as well as the Provisions Node or Merchant & Mender in Ultima Thule.
6 Burning Fists
| Item Level | 560 | Physical Damage | 111 |
| Auto Attack | 94.72 | Delay | 2.56 |
| Strength | 241 | Vitality | 241 |
| Critical Hit | 232 | Determination | 162 |
Older Final Fantasy games had Burning Fists as one of the most recurring and recognizable knuckles in its arsenal, boasting fire-related properties. The Burning Fists return in FF14 as one of the most potent Monk weapons, bearing the same distinction. Unlike other weapons, the Burning Fists appear as unimposing gauntlets, which fits well with the more regal Anchorite’s Set.
Stats-wise, Burning Fists has decent Physical Damage and Auto Attack, but high bonuses for Vitality, Strength, and Critical Hit. This focus seems to emphasize the Monk’s potential for criticals, something needed for more difficult dungeons with aid from healers like the Sage.
Players can obtain the FF14 version of this recurring weapon from Varsarudh at the Agora in Old Sharlayan.
5 Moonward Bladed Tonfa
| Item Level | 570 | Physical Damage | 113 |
| Auto Attack | 96.42 | Delay | 2.56 |
| Strength | 251 | Vitality | 255 |
| Critical Hit | 173 | Determination | 247 |
The Moonward Bladed Tonfa highlights the sheer lethality of Monk weapons, particularly with its straightforward bladed components. It fits quite well with the practical nature of the Moonward Striking Set, and even better with its stats. The Moonward Bladed Tonfa has decent Physical Damage and Auto Attack but also has decent values for Vitality, Strength, and Determination. This implies that the weapon encourages burst damage builds, which is something
Players can get the Moonward Bladed Tonfa via the Allagan Tomestone of Aphorism, which they can obtain through Cihanti in Radz-at-Han.
4 Classical Tonfa
| Item Level | 580 | Physical Damage | 103 |
| Auto Attack | 87.89 | Delay | 2.56 |
| Strength | 239 | Vitality | 245 |
| Critical Hit | 159 | Direct Hit Rate | 228 |
Despite the name, the Classical Tonfa does not look like ordinary tonfas. Their rather regal yet simple appearance fits quite right the intimidating Classical Secutor’s Set, which in itself comes with a full-cover mask enough to scare the Monk’s enemies.
As a weapon, the Classical Tonfa boasts decent Physical Damage and Auto Attack, but perhaps more impressive are its bonuses towards Vitality, Strength, and Direct Hit Rate. This leans more towards prioritizing a combo build instead of a critical build, something fitting for a Monk’s burst damage potential.
Players can get the Classical Tonfa via crafting, as the weapon has a 2-Star recipe from the Blacksmith tier.
3 Radiant’s Baghnakhs
| Item Level | 590 | Physical Damage | 117 |
| Auto Attack | 99.84 | Delay | 2.56 |
| Strength | 280 | Vitality | 290 |
| Critical Hit | 182 | Direct Hit Rate | 260 |
The Radiant’s Striking Set has this frighteningly stylish appearance that makes the Radiant’s Baghnakhs an appropriate weapon of choice for Monks. These three-bladed gauntlets fit its base stats nicely, boasting decent Physical Damage and Auto Attack, and more impressive Vitality, Strength, and Direct Hit Rate. From these stats and the tri-blade aesthetic, it’s no surprise that the Radiant’s Baghnakhs encourage the Monk to be more of a direct striker, perhaps with aid of buffers like Bards.
Players can get the Radiant’s Baghnakhs with the Allagan Toemstone of Astronomy and Discal Tomestone, from Cihanti in Radz-at-Han.
2 Augmented Radiant’s Baghnakhs
| Item Level | 600 | Physical Damage | 119 |
| Auto Attack | 101.54 | Delay | 2.56 |
| Strength | 296 | Vitality | 310 |
| Critical Hit | 186 | Direct Hit Rate | 266 |
Players who want to take their Radiant’s Baghnakhs close to the endgame can look no further than the Augmented Radiant’s Baghnakhs, as this takes the original weapon to the next level. When fully upgraded, the Augmented Radiant’s Baghnkhs boasts decent Physical Damage and Auto Attack, and perhaps more impressive Vitality and Strength, followed closely by Direct Hit Rate. And while its Critical Hit bonus isn’t as impressive, the emphasis here might be for direct damage builds.
Players can get the Augmented Radiant’s Baghnakhs by bringing their Radiant’s Baghnakhs to Khaldeen at Radz-at-Han and upgrading it with a Radiant Roborant.
1 Asphodelos Knuckles
| Item Level | 605 | Physical Damage | 120 |
| Auto Attack | 102.40 | Delay | 2.56 |
| Strength | 304 | Vitality | 320 |
| Critical Hit | 269 | Determination | 188 |
The Asphodelos Striking Set is as meek and as unimposing as armors would go, but the Asphodelos Knuckles will get anyone’s attention when observed from up close. Resembling the ordinary katar, one would be surprised to see that the Asphodelos Knuckles’ blades are seemingly energy constructs, which adds awesomeness to the fact that it’s by far the best weapon in its category.
The weapon boasts decent Physical Damage and Auto Attack, and a stellar Vitality bonus on top of close Strength and Critical Hit. This emphasis may encourage crit-based builds, something Monks can achieve easily at higher levels and for difficult dungeons. Players can obtain the Asphodelos Knuckles via the Asphodelos Mythos IV, which can be obtained from Djole at Radz-at-Han or from Mylenie at Labyrinthos.
Final Fantasy 14: Endwalker was released on November 19, 2021, for the PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and macOS.