>>4158

>I have proficiency in simple weapons.

Then get a short bow, it will vastly improve your survivability at this level.

The source I found said that yes a monk can use a short bow.

>use Dexterity instead of Strength for the attack and damage rolls

Short bow already does this.

>allow you to make one extra unarmed attack as a bonus action with Martial Arts feature.

You could shoot a bow, approach an enemy then do an unarmed attack in the same turn, and also target other enemies even when engaged with another up close as long as they're not blocking the other enemy.

You can also orbit an enemy without triggering their opportunity attack but you cannot do that and then get a bonus for flanking that same turn, you can however approach and engage an enemy to flank them or position and flank them with a bow on the same turn. SheShe allowed the ability to orbit so Bear could get out of the way to give Autumn a clear shot with her bow.