Starting over - what class should I use?

Randyt · Post by **Randyt** » Thu Dec 07, 2000 9:02 am

I know there are many threads out there regarding classes, but I just finished playing BGII for the first time (paladin), and I want to start over as something different.

I see a lot of people talking about Kensai, and that does intrigue me, but what's with the 'no armor' and 'no metal weapons'? What's the benefit then?

Any opinions (from people who have played using many different classes), what is the coolest (most fun) class to use?

Chade Fallstar · Post by **Chade Fallstar** » Thu Dec 07, 2000 9:36 am

If I was to start over again I'd make myself a halfling kensai without any great stats (except for dex, which is crucial). Just to see how it works out, I kind of like the idea of being ~3 foot tall and kicking the arse of an adamantium golem without anyone helping.

Nighthawk · Post by **Nighthawk** » Thu Dec 07, 2000 11:06 am

Kensai are no armor and no bracers/gauntlets (or helmets). Shapeshifters are no armor and no metal weapons (I don't think any druids can use metal weapons).

While kensai lack defense due to the missing armor/bracers, they get very good offense.

The key to playing a kensai effectively is compensating for the lack of defense. The most critical items in doing this are 1) Shield Amulet from d'Arnise keep and 2) Potions of Defense.

The shield amulet has 50 charges and can be recharged by selling to a merchant and repurchasing (or stealing but you then won't be able to sell it to all merchants). It lowers your BASE AC to 4.

Potions of Defense lower your BASE AC to 0. The fact that these operate on your base AC is very important. Potions of Invulnerability are almost worthless since they lower your CURRENT AC to 0.

With Dex 18 (-4 AC), Ring of Gaxx/ROP (-4) and kensai bonus (-2) your kensai will have an AC of 0 naturally, -6 with the amulet and hit the max -10 with a potion.

Adding in the Zerth Blade or Defender of Easthaven will further improve this as will the Cloak of Sewers or Rose Ioun stone (no normal helmets) but Cloak of Mirroring and Green Ioun stone are better.

[originally read White Ioun stone -- woops]

[This message has been edited by Nighthawk (edited 12-08-2000).]

Thomas · Post by **Thomas** » Thu Dec 07, 2000 11:49 am

I would assume that most people feel atracted to the Kensai since a human kensai may dual class to a very combatible mage. I just started a game meself with a kensai/mage and do see their point very well. Since the ac problem is so easily countered with spells (finally a use for ghost armour

they can really be a force to be reckoned with.

I suggest taking two slots in single weapon instead of dual wielding. The AC bonus really helps in my opinion. Being a grandmaster staff wielder, using the staff of magic, do have a certain appeal however.

Not to mention that robes doesn't count as armour.

Another character I would recommend is the shapeshifter druid. Makes for a very unsual game to say the least. ;-P

Randyt · Post by **Randyt** » Thu Dec 07, 2000 1:01 pm

Alright you convinced me.

So my last question is....at what level should I dual class my kensai to a mage?

Nighthawk · Post by **Nighthawk** » Thu Dec 07, 2000 1:57 pm

I find dual wielding the way to go. The AC bonus for single wielding is 2, but you can cancel 1 of that by wielding a +1 AC weapon. With Defender's resistance bonuses you may actually be better protected. Although you get a bonus to crit hit, the loss of an attack isn't worth it.

I hate to say it, but as it currently stands dual is the only way to go except for a few 2-h weapons (Carsomyr, Impaler, Dragon's Breath, Silver Sword). This is due to the AC limit of -10 and both weapons being very effective.

Since kensai get bonus damage to each hit, getting the extra attack is even more important to them.

As far as dual classing to mage, I would say: Never! Don't give in to the mobs! Kensai are LETHAL at high level without becoming mages. In Suldanessalar my kensai went through adamantite golems in seconds. At level 18+ with dual katanas you're looking at almost 120hp/round damage before using kai, haste, or str potions.

If you really must dual class, it depends whether you want mostly fighter, mostly mage, or balanced and how long you're willing to play as a low-level mage before you get your fighter abilities back.

Shapeshifters are interesting, but not very effective later in the game when they've hit their level 14 cap and everyone else is level 17-23. Even Greater werewolf with the best equipment is no match for a well equipped priest, let alone fighter.

[This message has been edited by Nighthawk (edited 12-07-2000).]

Nagash · Post by **Nagash** » Thu Dec 07, 2000 7:02 pm

Have u guyz tried a monk???? At lower levels he might suck, but once he reaches lvl 14, he's practically an engineer of destruction

Put in the girdle of frost giant strength + gauntlets of crushing, u got a kungfu style fighter

I once hit 74 on a crit. hit ( somewhere around that number, can't remember exact, no kidding )

With high MR and cloak of mirroring, the monk's practically invincible

Put on a ring or two for extra added oommppphh

------------------
When hope has no champion, evil conquers all.

Jurosementalistile · Post by **Jurosementalistile** » Thu Dec 07, 2000 8:27 pm

In answer to what level to dual at, level nine. It is the maximum level you can reach as a fighter without it affecting your mage level. It also gives an extra proficiency slot and in the case of kensai's, an extra +1 hit and dam. bonus.
In Answer to Nighthawks defence of a pure Kensai, it depends on what you want. For most battles they will be harsher and deal more sudden damage, but for a single battle, nothing else even comes close to fighter/mage. If you remove the XP cap (which I plan on doing my second time around) ninth level spells such as chain contingency and timestop should remove all doubt. But even with the XP cap, the eighth level spell simulacrum is sufficient to put fighter/mages in a league of their own. Ring of gaxx, and they can improve haste themselves and then cast stoneskin. That's a mighty powerful, expendable warrior for the duration of a battle. They can also cast breach and some simple but helpful attack spells. And of course, lose the XP cap and they get even better. Depends on whether your goal is to go for the most powerful character ever or not.

Nighthawk · Post by **Nighthawk** » Fri Dec 08, 2000 9:51 am

Well...IF you remove the exp cap, I'd play a Kensai to level 21, dual to mage and play the mage to level 22! Within the cap you get a mage with a little bit of fighter.

You're much better off using your simulacrum to summon 17 fire elementals and cast 3 Incendiary Clouds than trying to fight with what is just a level 6 fighter with stoneskin. If you want a mage with a few extra hp and a little better attack, by all means, dual. If you want a fighter, don't.

Yes, I have played a monk and they rock! Not quite as good after the patch, but still excellent. Even so, 1 on 1 the kensai would cut the monk to pieces unless the kensai failed his saves which is unlikely at level 19. A monk can get incredible one-hit damage since he's rollind d20's, but the kensai is more consistent. Every crit from a level 18+ kensai will be for 60+ damage (depending on weapon).

[This message has been edited by Nighthawk (edited 12-08-2000).]

sinRes1 · Post by **sinRes1** » Fri Dec 08, 2000 8:27 pm

Kensai is the most powerfull wariorclass. With 18 dex, ring of gax, ring of AC2, cloak of the sewers and a spirit armor (the l4 spell) he should get AC -11 and if you use 2 weapon style with 3+ and katana with 5+ he should get THAC0 -14/-11 with celstial fury and malakar +2 when hes level 19. With that and a kai and a girdle of frostgigant strengh you kick about any hostile butt if you just remember to breach totalimunitys. Im not sure what THAC0 youll get with 3+ i Scimitar and Warhammer and using Crom Fayer and Defender but that should be a nice combo to