Kensai questions

[Littiz]

I used the stand alone tweak from Baldurdash...
Assuming official patches didn't already change them, removing the following files from the Override:
Wspatck.2da
Wspecial.2da

... should bring back the original SoA rules for grandmastery.
Hope it helps

[Bruce Lee]

Thanks!
It worked.

[sdwillie]

[QUOTE=Littiz]At least he could use scimitars ![/QUOTE]


No-for a kensia/druid try spears, more specifially try Impaler and the +10 damage every hit-with a speed factor of zero. It's worth much more than the one extra attack any off-hand weapon will give you, and the only scimitar that comes close is the Spectral Brand--after it's upgraded by Cespenar (and only because of the negative plane protection).

[Thrifalas]

Impaler is good, but being just a +3 weapon it has difficulties with hitting things that's immune to lower-level weapon. Ixil's Spike is way better when you recieve it, sure it has 7 less damage, but the ability combined with the +3 THAC0 and being able to hit way more creatures surely makes it worth.

I'd say that Spectral is the way to go anyway. THAC0 bonus of 10, Negative Plane Protection, additional Cold damage, a friendly sword thingie... :]]]

[Mortal]

the kensai that i am using now is already 'godlike' a duel weilding crom fayer hammer and the equaliser and if you drink a potion of invurnablily, almost nothing can hit you....being pure is good

[Luis Antonio]

[QUOTE=Minerva]I actually have never used Kensai kit. I prefer using both ranged and non-ranged weapons. Fighter/Thief multi class (elven or Dwarven), or Berserker dual is my favourite.[/QUOTE]

I used it. I must confess, I used it. But only once. And just to know what it was like... But I'll never touch that again. I prefer the good old ways of the Barbarian. I mean, if he's gonna hack and slash, give him two axes, a beird, and dont be able to dual it.

The KM combo is really nasty... the KMT (hacked, of course) is worst.

[krunchyfrogg]

I've tried playing single-classed Kensai, but I don't really find them all that powerful, and I think they're kinda boring too. I don't think I'd play one again, unless I planned on dual classing him into a Druid, Thief, or Mage.

On Edit: What's the poll got to do with this thread?

[sdwillie]

[QUOTE=Thrifalas]Impaler is good, but being just a +3 weapon it has difficulties with hitting things that's immune to lower-level weapon. Ixil's Spike is way better when you recieve it, sure it has 7 less damage, but the ability combined with the +3 THAC0 and being able to hit way more creatures surely makes it worth.

I'd say that Spectral is the way to go anyway. THAC0 bonus of 10, Negative Plane Protection, additional Cold damage, a friendly sword thingie... :]]][/QUOTE]


I'd say the Brand is easily better for a straight druid and probably a multi kensai/druid, but not a kensai dualled over.

I'm playing a kensai/druid right now and Impaler is easily the best thing for it in SOA. I'm pretty sure the only thing Impaler can't touch is Kangaxx's Demi-Lich form (unless you like to leave baddies protections in place). More damage, special 'Operation Human Shield' ability with its reach(really nice for someone who can't wear armor, which everyone overlooks, and for spell casting in combat), and extra criticals from two handed weapon style (everyone overlooks that too) make it the best weapon for a dual kensai/druid, at least until TOB-where Ixil's Nail might take over (don't know if I'll play TOB to find out how easy it is to make the save)

The Brand is a scimitar+4, +1-4 cold in SOA, no extra criticals, which can be used against the Demi-Lich; it's not even close to Impaler

IMO there's no real advantage in TOB either:

--With Grand Mastery attacks are almost the same as the Brand with Belm(7/2 rds versus 4/rd-the fifth with Belm doesn't work against anything where you really want it, and a 0 speed factor) for less damage (average is 16.5 vs 13 per hit, not counting criticals).
--The second weapon slot gives you the summoned sword
--Neg plane protection is a must for spells (always better to have the conferred ability, but it's there if you need it)
--The additional +5 to THACO for three rounds... few things have an extremely low AC so after buffing I rarely miss unless I roll a 1, and with the additional levels before I finish SOA-only at 12 right now-I doubt the buffs will be needed (since it's usually nothing more than Bless and Chant) and I don't doubt this will continue in TOB--if I play it (maybe I'd miss Balthazar and Demogorgon a bunch) so it doesn't do anything for THIS class combo (at least so far).
--'Way more creatures'... are there very many? The only ones I can think of are the two Demi-Lichs and Demogorgon (and just one Demi-Lich in SOA without including mantle/improved mantle, which needs to be Breached anyway (Prot Magic Weps is just as effective against +5 as +3, especially with that stupid Spell Shield that always goes with it). Since a mage wearing the Robe of Vecna Breaches before a kensai/druid can cover the ground, those mantles/improved mantles don't really matter.
--You didn't mention that some things are resistant to piercing damage . The only thing I can think of off the top of my head is clay golems, but I know there are others (which-unlike clay golems-aren't ALSO immune to slashing damage )
--You still attack from the second row and get those extra criticals.

Ixil's Spike is probably better when the save is missed, but if that requires malison (and maybe doom) it's only worth switching for those few times that you need to stake things to the ground. Otherwise I'd rather use Impaler (but by then I'd probably use the upgraded Staff of the Ram-gotta keep taking advantage of two handed style after all).

[Ned Flanders]

sdwillie,

You mention breaching a lich's protections but lich's are immune to 6th level and lower spells. I think one needs a pierce shield (8th level) to rid of mantle/improved mantle.

I'd agree with the impaler as well. Isn't spectral brand a ToB weapon anyway? I don't recall where it's obtained.

[Thrifalas]

IMO there's no real advantage in TOB either

What you're doing in your post is that you're breaking up all advantages of Spectral Brand. Sure, none of them is as fancy as +10 damage, but that's all the Impaler does.

*Negative Plane Protection
*Summon Spectral blade once/day
*Armor Piercing Strike (+5 THAC0 for 3 rounds)
*5 THAC0 Bonus, 6-11 damage bonus (1-6 cold for interrupting casters)
*Concidered a +5 weapon (able to strike through more enchantments)
*One-hand, can be wielded together with another one (more APR, more damage, more whatever.) or a shield.

against

*3 THAC0 Bonus, 13 bonus damage
*Considered a +3 weapon (able to strike through less enchantments)
*2-handed, 5% improved chance to score a critical strike

I've nothing at alla against the impaler, it's a damn good weapon, it's just that when up against an upgradable ToB-weapon, there's no real competition. I can understand your love for the Impaler, but I think you're overrating it.

[sdwillie]

[QUOTE=Thrifalas]I can understand your love for the Impaler, but I think you're overrating it.[/QUOTE]

I responded to what someone said about a kensai/druid. It's what I'm playing right now, and this is what I'm seeing. And like I said-early so it probably got buried by the long post-the things about spears for this class combo that are overlooked are the extra criticals and casting ability since you're in the second row. You can compensate for everything the Brand offers, but not the other way around.

btw-good point Ned! I'm done.


[DELETED. GO spam in the SYM forum!]

[fable]

Berethor, you already have a thread dedicated to questions about your specific kensai. Please don't kidnap another thread to ask similar questions. I've removed the spam.