If you can't use Flurry of Blows, is this build even comparable to straight, unarmed monk? Are there other useful things to spend the Ki on to make up for it? Way of the Open Palm is out, but Shadow and Four Elements seems like it could make up for not using their Ki on Flurry of Blows.

Is this an "optimized" build for a Four Elements monk, having more Ki to use Water Whip (it scales) as their bonus action each turn?

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