Haven't played D&D since ABBA was hot, and I'm trying to retool on 5e, playing a Wood Elf Monk.
I see that on p78 of the PHB it states in Martial Arts that monk weapons are "shortswords and any simple melee weapons."
However, as a Wood Elf, I am proficient with "longsword, shortsword, shortbow, and longbow" (PHB p 24).
I also read in Diskmaster's 5e Monk Guide in section 1 that the Shortbow is recommended.
Am I allowed to use a shortbow? What, if any, class limitations apply?
So, first up - anyone can use any weapon. Proficiency merely determines whether you can add your proficiency bonus to your attack rolls.
Proficiency with a weapon allows you to add your proficiency bonus to the attack roll for any attack you make with that weapon. If you make an attack roll using a weapon with which you lack proficiency, you do not add your proficiency bonus to the attack roll.
If you look under your Monk proficiencies, one of the things listed there is "simple weapons". The shortbow is a simple weapon, so you don't need to be a wood elf to be proficient with it.
As you've said, monk weapons are shortswords and any simple melee weapons. The shortbow is not either of these things, so it is not a monk weapon. However, this doesn't mean you can't use it - it just means that it won't benefit from your Martial Arts ability.
With the addition of Xanathar's Guide to Everything, the Kensei Monk can use Ranged weapons as a Monk weapon.
Kensei Weapons. Choose two types of weapons to be your Kensei weapons: one melee weapon and one ranged weapon. Each of these weapons can be any simple or martial weapon that lacks the heavy and special properties. The longbow is also a valid choice. You gain proficiency with these weapons if you don't already have it. Weapons of the chosen types are monk weapons for you. (XGtE, p. 34)
There are things correct and incorrect in these comments.
For a monk, weapon fall into one of three categories;
Weapons you are not proficient in, and thus gain no proficiency bonus.
Simple weapons and shortswords (ranged and melee simple) - the monk has proficiency.
Monk weapons, shortswords and any simple melee weapons that don’t have the two-handed or heavy property. These enable you to use your Martial Arts.
So, yes, a monk CAN use a short bow, AND get their proficiency bonus. But it would not be a weapon which would work with their Martial Arts ability. (and grant the bonus attack).
I have to respectfully point out that simple weapons include melee and ranged.
In the players handbook, page 77, it says "simple weapons;" it does not say simple melee weapons or simple ranged weapons.
By your explanation, a monk could not use a dart or a sling (both simple weapons) but the starting equipment for a monk includes darts.
So for me, as a DM, I would allow monks to use ANY simple weapons, range or melee so long as it falls under the simple category. That fits what it says in the players handbook.
