GameBanshee Forums

Originally posted by Nighthawk:
<STRONG>Kensai/Thief will deal out the most damage in the actual backstabs because the Kensai bonuses get multiplied. With Kai, he's also consistent as you know that d10 for Celestial Fury will be a 10, not a 1.

Poison however is nice as it continues to do damage and will disrupt spellcasting.

Of the two, I prefer Kensai/Thief as he gets an extra attack...two extra attacks if you don't dual until level 13. Some monsters can't be backstabbed.

@Sojourner: Kai is instantaneous and can be activated from the shadows just before the backstab. </STRONG>

Originally posted by Vicsun:
<STRONG>Just one thing I don't get - why do you want a kensai/thief when you can be a berseker/thief. That way you will be able to use the shadow dragons skales, and do reasanoble amounts if dmg with berseker rage on.</STRONG>

Originally posted by Pungyol:
<STRONG>Hi guys! Well, I've played a couple of games with different classes. And I have to say that I've had an easier time through the game with my KENSAI/THIEF, even better than my BERSERKER/MAGE. I really love thieves because of their unparalleled BACKSTABBING ability.

Now, my query with you guys is - Since I really love BACKSTABBING that much, and I heard that ASSASSINS --> beside having the POISON WEAPON ability which incerases in the speed of damage dealt in higher levels, can also do x7 BACKSTABS in higher levels.

Is it really worth it to play a PURE ASSASSIN? How does it compare with the KENSAI/THIEF when it deals damage? I'm pretty sure that you know how much damage a KENSAI/THIEF can do, right? With his KAI ability.

What do you think? Who is the most LETHAL backstabber between the two?
KENSAI/THIEF vs. PURE ASSASSIN</STRONG>

Originally posted by Vehemence:
<STRONG>First off, personally I disagree completely with your statement that the Kensai/Thief is the BEST backstabber. Assassin is soooooo much better. But I'll get to the reasons why Assassin's rock!

First advantage, they can use missile weapons whereas Kensai/Thief cannot. May not seem that big a deal, but if you have gesen bow, + assassin's poison, you can go to town on anyone. Very handy for mages with stoneskin.

Second advantage, they can use armour. This is handy when your running away to hide in shadows again. It will mean you wont be hit by as many arrows etc as the Kensai/Thief who will basically get hit a lot!

Thirdly, bracers. Your assassin can choose bracers of archery for the bow, or gauntlets of weapon expertise for mellee weapons. Bracers of Defense AC 3 are also nice.

Fourth and a major advantage is poison. Absolutely lethal. SMACK that first backstab down, and if by some chance the dude survives, you've got some nasty poison effects running through them, which disrupts spell casters and also irritates non spell casters.

Another advantage is if you want to dual your assassin to a mage. As well as having great backstab, you've also got the ability to cast some spells of your own. Great defensive spells like Blur, mirror image, ghost armour, stoneskin etc etc. Plus offensive spells to run them down.

But that last option isn't for everyone. Pure assassin can hold their own quite easily against all other classes.

THAC0 isn't that bad either. It's actually quite good. And my assassin hardly ever misses a backstab. Very rare.

Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference. I go for the Assassin. Plus theres just something a little wrong with the fact that a Kensai (someone whose spent their whole life devoted to the art of fighting with swords) wants to suddenly be interested in firing a few magic missiles, or picking a few pockets... IMO, Kensai should be like the sorcerer, monk and barbarian. Unable to Dual or Multiclass.</STRONG>

Originally posted by Sojourner:
<STRONG>Pungyol,

I've played several times through with an assassin, once with an elf, and once with a halfling. I've found that the main problem with using the long sword is its speed factor - it just doesn't get as good as the short sword or the katanna. I like the halfling for his thieving bonuses, and he also can put 19 into dex.

Don't worry about the thief's THACO not keeping up with a fighter's - you do get a bonus when striking from the shadows. The only creatures who I've had real trouble hitting were the Drow, due to their superior armor class.</STRONG>

Originally posted by ReignsOfPower:
<STRONG>Are we forgetting that the Kensai can wear armour with the 'Us Any Item' ability?? </STRONG>

Originally posted by Sojourner:
<STRONG>
Don't worry about the thief's THACO not keeping up with a fighter's - you do get a bonus when striking from the shadows. The only creatures who I've had real trouble hitting were the Drow, due to their superior armor class.</STRONG>

Originally posted by Vehemence:
<STRONG>IMO, Kensai should be like the sorcerer, monk and barbarian. Unable to Dual or Multiclass.</STRONG>

Originally posted by Astafas:
<STRONG>What THAC0 bonus? And how do you know? Thanks.</STRONG>

Originally posted by Edwin:
<STRONG>IMO you must not consider your assassin as main killer in your party, but as the one that makes enemy spellcasters worry and enemy fighters lose some hit points.....the rest is up to your fighters.</STRONG>

Originally posted by Sojourner:
<STRONG>Unless, of course, you can't resist reducing all those Fire Giants to chunky bits, then go ahead and let your assassin *handle* them, while the rest of your party takes a break. </STRONG>