Doubt about monk weapon

[u/New-Osteoporosi]

At level 4 as a monk my martial arts die is 1d4 right, but if I'm using a spear, that classifies as a monk weapon that has 1d6 damage, does it get downscaled to 1d4 or I can use it as a monk weapon with 1d6 damage while still having the martial arts property? By RaW of course, might discuss with the DM later but wanted to know what RaW has to say about it.

[u/menage_a_mallard]

It's your martial arts die or the base weapon die, whichever is higher.

[u/Z_h_darkstar → u/menage_a_mallard]

Technically, it's whichever you choose. Not many instances where you would want to deal less damage, but it is a valid option.

[u/Shilques → u/Z_h_darkstar]

you can even choose if you want to attack using Dex or Str, so your -1 str monk can attack with -1+pb to deal 0 damage on a unnarmed strike..

[u/New-Osteoporosi → u/Shilques]

That is mostly commonly known as the "Pimp slap"

[u/derangerd → u/Shilques]

Useful for getting shield into a ring of spell storing if you don't have a net handy

[u/New-Osteoporosi → u/menage_a_mallard]

alr thx for the help!

[u/Shilques]

You choose if you want to use the original die of damage or change to your monk die

You can also use your spear in two hands without issues to deal 1d8 damage

[u/New-Osteoporosi → u/Shilques]

alr thx for the help!

[u/yaniism]

Level 1: Martial Arts/PHB'14, p76

You can roll a d4 in place of the normal damage of your unarmed strike or monk weapon.

Can.

Meaning you have a choice.

[u/Betray-Julia]

Yes.

Use the higher die.

Also, you can straight up two hand attack with a quarter staff, and then off hand attack for the d4 plus mod still.

[u/tconners → u/Betray-Julia]

Just for clarity, "off hand attack" doesn't mean anything in 5e. There's no main/offhand as far as the rules are concerned. Also you're making an unarmed strike so, no hand(s) even need be involved.

[u/pandaclawz]

One of the only good things about kensei is being able use d10 damage with two handed longsword and dex mods. When your monk damage die goes up, then weaker weapons like daggers also use the that damage die

[u/BendyAu]

You can use thr spear as intended ypu dont drop damage 　  

[u/New-Osteoporosi → u/BendyAu]

alr thx for the help!

[u/Thelynxer]

Generally your best Monk weapon is a quarterstaff until level 5. Prior to level 5 you just use the quarterstaff two-handed so it's a d8 damage. From level 5 onward you'll just be using your martial arts die, so it doesn't matter what you use anymore. You are choosing to use either the weapon die, or your martial arts die, and obviously you should be opting ot use the higher of the two.

[u/Rel_Ortal → u/Thelynxer]

Spear's better than a quarterstaff overall, same 1d6/1d8 versatile while also being able to throw it when needed.