The Kensai Fighter Kit

jonschneider · Post by **jonschneider** » Wed Apr 25, 2001 11:15 am

When i read that Kit, i was like wow! That looks cool and fun. But i'm wondering if it is cool to play with. Do it's abilities make it a worthy character, or does it just get thrased alot since it can't wear armor? If anyone who's played with the kit has an opinion let me know

Draven · Post by **Draven** » Wed Apr 25, 2001 11:48 am

It is best used up till 10 level then dueling over to mage.. I personaly like the other fighter kits better.. but others will tend to disagree with me. Its all a rp thing just pick a main character you like..

Zartuul · Post by **Zartuul** » Wed Apr 25, 2001 1:36 pm

Kensai AC sucks balls and it will never get any better. For a Kensai to be any good IMO it needs to dual over to a mage in order to get the defensive spells mages have like Stoneskin, Spirit armor, blur, Mirror image, etc.

jonschneider · Post by **jonschneider** » Wed Apr 25, 2001 1:43 pm

can the kensai equip shield, rings, cloaks, and boot? if so, it seems like it could acquire a respectable armor class, as well as a few other helpful abilities...

koz-ivan · Post by **koz-ivan** » Wed Apr 25, 2001 1:55 pm

no shields & only a select few helms, can wear ioun stones.

the poor ac did not seem to be as much of a problem when i was playing one, but stock up on potions extra healing...

Bruce Lee · Post by **Bruce Lee** » Wed Apr 25, 2001 2:49 pm

It has to be said that out of the pure fighters they are the weakest even if the dish out the most damage. They are great in a one on one fight but there aren't so many of them in the game. However like people said if you dual over to a mage or a thief or even a druid you have a good character.

Nighthawk · Post by **Nighthawk** » Wed Apr 25, 2001 2:56 pm

The AC on a Kensai isn't that bad if you pick up the Shield Amulet. This gives them a base AC of 4 which with their bonus +2 bonus is equivalent of another fighter with AC 2. Since the best armors normally worn are AC -1 or -2 this is a 3 or 4 point penalty...

However, for the fights where you really need it Potions of Defense give base AC 0 which with the bonus +2 puts you even with or better than other fighter classes.

Even so, I have to admit the Berzerker is probably the most effective fighter. Enrage gives so many immunities it's funny.

[ 04-25-2001: Message edited by: Nighthawk ]

Andrew Shih · Post by **Andrew Shih** » Wed Apr 25, 2001 3:07 pm

Yes, everyone is like "wow" when they first read the description. But as soon as you start playing with him, you'll realize that "Kensai" in practice means "Kamikaze." The Kensai is simply overrated and unbalanced. What kind of frontline fighter can't wear any armor, not even robes or bracers or a shield or a helmet?

--Riverwind

Bruce Lee · Post by **Bruce Lee** » Wed Apr 25, 2001 3:12 pm

Amulet and potion is okay but their effect can be dispelled and it is IMO better with a fighter that you don't have to manage so much. A barbarian is the ultimate frontliner to me. Give him flail of the ages and defender of easthaven and turn on the autopilot.

Zartuul · Post by **Zartuul** » Wed Apr 25, 2001 3:14 pm

Yep, even mages without defensive spells have better AC then Kensai.

Nighthawk · Post by **Nighthawk** » Wed Apr 25, 2001 5:28 pm

Amulet and potion can be dispelled, but it doesn't seem to happen often. In addition, it's lightning fast to re-do it and the amulet has 50 charges and can be recharged for a couple K so you can just keep putting the shields up.

No, Kensai aren't tanks, but they're not nearly as bad as people make them out to be. Especially Zartuul.

Pungyol · Post by **Pungyol** » Wed Apr 25, 2001 10:56 pm

Originally posted by jonschneider:
<STRONG>can the kensai equip shield, rings, cloaks, and boot? if so, it seems like it could acquire a respectable armor class, as well as a few other helpful abilities...</STRONG>

No with the shield and Yes with everything else you said.

I played the Kensai but never straight through the game. I always dual-class them. The first was dual to a thief, the second was to a mage. Both dual-classed character are very powerful, which maybe the reason I never played the Kensai kit again with the game. Im now playing an Assassin class with four party - Aerie, Minsc and Keldorn; eventually five when Imoen is back.

By the way, Im playing the game with the XPcap ON, so I dual the Kensai into thief at lvl 13 and into mage at lvl 9.

KensaiRyu · Post by **KensaiRyu** » Thu Apr 26, 2001 4:02 am

Ahh the Kensai ...my favorite...I agree the AC aint great, but the benefits are many. After lvl 12 you dont have to worry about missing anything irregardless of its AC, if you choose grandmastery and have good weapon. Yes the Kensai's get hit alot but if you create character with 18 con, they will have plenty hitpoints to use in fight. And I hold that the best defense is a strong offense, and Kensai can mellee very strong thanks to its inherant bonuses. The Kai ability does not last long, however and is best saved for the big bosses. Something about that Kit is just cool. My preference for Kensai is dual-wielding longswords, though sometimes I go with broadswords 2 just to choose the broadsword that heals ya.Also I usually use a Dwarf or Gnome Kensai as they get bonuses to saving throws over humans and elves, and since there are many belts that grant improved str.

Bruce Lee · Post by **Bruce Lee** » Thu Apr 26, 2001 7:40 am

Since the kensai has a good enough thac0 already at level 12 there isn't much reason not to dual him to something else. I mean they are great for dishing out damage and noone beats them in a one on one but I get annoyed when I get hit by evrything in the whole game. However with Crom Faeyr and belm you can do 150 damage per round which is pretty cool.

evermoor · Post by **evermoor** » Thu Apr 26, 2001 9:07 am

First time i played through was as plain Kensai with Grand mastery Katanna , Dual wielding Celestial Fury and Malakar (-2AC).
I ALWAYS struck first and had loads of hits before even being struck once - and with CE there is always a good chance enemies will be stunned straight away... in any event doing 1D10 damage + strength and damage bonuses with each hand PER ATTACK + Kai ability (Max damage for every hit in the next next 10 seconds) which at higher levels you get LOADS of, a ridiculously low THACO, where everything hits, means you'll be dishing out around 100 points of damage each turn on average which in turn means you won't have to worry much about ANYTHING. How can that be crap? It took me two Kai abilites to get rid of a certain Dragon...that's 20 seconds (including wing buffets!!!).

As for AC look to High Dex (Elf with 19 is GOOD) and items which give bonuses to specific attacks such as boots of avoidance( AC+ 4? vs missiles) , girdle of bluntness (whatever it's called AC+ 4? vs Blunt damage), Malakar (katana +2AC vs Slashing) and Ioun stones of course.

Don't listen to anyone who says their crap, they've obviously......misinformed.,ahem.
....AND NEVER DUAL CLASS THEM!!!! How can you possibly dedicate your character to STEEL and SPELL??? You cannot serve TWO masters.

Guess i'm a purist.

GrimReaper · Post by **GrimReaper** » Thu Apr 26, 2001 9:25 am

Can a Kensai/Theif were leather armor? I'm wondering because I know a Kensai/Mage can wear robes. Also, a Kensai/Mage RULES, especially in a party. Dual on level 12 or 9 if you want your kensai abilities back faster.

Anatres · Post by **Anatres** » Thu Apr 26, 2001 9:28 am

Kensai dualled to Mage at level 9 (as many others have said) with a few 'props' is one of the most awesome characters in the game (IMHO

).

Some equipment to obtain, Zakron Blade (+1AC and +spells - also a decent sword), Cloak of the Sewers (+1AC and polymorph - Troll gives you regeneration), Ring of Protection +2 (unless you wear both Mage rings - Acuity and Wizardry), these things plus Spirit Armor have taken my K/M to AC -9 which ain't too shabby

.

GrimReaper · Post by **GrimReaper** » Thu Apr 26, 2001 9:37 am

Don't forget Robe of Vecna. AC 5 I think.

Anatres · Post by **Anatres** » Thu Apr 26, 2001 9:50 am

Originally posted by GrimReaper:
<STRONG>Don't forget Robe of Vecna. AC 5 I think.</STRONG>

True.

Zartuul · Post by **Zartuul** » Thu Apr 26, 2001 11:40 am

I think it would be extremely difficult getting a solo kensai up to lvl 12 and then the mage part up to 13 playing solo. lvl 9 then duoing to Mage would be easy enough but you get lots of bonuses to the Kensai class at lvl 12. What do solo Kensai/mages have to say?

Also is Katana mastery the way to go or split it up with swords? One point into maces for mace of disruption?

One important note is that you can get Daystar right away in the game even as a solo player with Yoshimo's help and using Daystar you can kill the Crypt King to get another +2 longsword which makes people lean towards longswords some.

Anyone ever try a Kensai mastering in halberds or two handed swords? With their speed bonuses you would think they'd swing those swords pretty fast and when they use the Kai it would be more effective with a big weapon.