Berserker/Mage over Kensay/mage

Littiz · Post by **Littiz** » Fri Nov 30, 2001 3:36 am

I'm wondering why everyone seems so attracted by the kensay/mage.
I mean, sometimes it's indicated like the ultimate class, and I
never hear speaking of the berserker/mage.
But if I try a comparison, the berserker combination seems much
better.
If you dual, let's say on level 9, the kensay gets PERMANENT +3 Thaco/Dmg, +4 if he duals on level 12, while the berserker gets
only 3 or 4 rages per day.
Good point for the kensay, but let's look at the cons: the kensay
loses a lot of equipment!!!
Even HELMETS and braciers count as armour, he loses everything!
I know he has good abilities, but you'll see some slots in your
equipment screen forever empty.
The berserker/mage is a bit less powerful on the figthing side
(not much), but, when he's enraged, he's immune to EVERYTHING!!!
Damn, even to emprisonment and Maze!!!!!
And keep using all the items he wants.

I think a bonus on hit and damage is not that important for
a fighter/mage. He has many ways to deliver damage, and can
always use Tenser.
But, if you use a berserker, you have a powerful mage who can
cast the usual spells to protect himself from damage, and simply
use a special ability to be protected by all the remaining kinds
of attack!!!!!!
A used this char in my first play, then wanted to try the so much
fabled kensay, but after reconsidering the abilities I've taken
a berserker again!
Maybe am I missing something about the kensay/mage?

WizardSlayerFanatic · Post by **WizardSlayerFanatic** » Fri Nov 30, 2001 4:53 am

I say Transmuter rules over all and my PC is a Fighter(2nd)/Transmuter(1st), Dual class and he kicks ass.

Well he is one hell of a fighter but hardly uses his magic cause Edwin/Jan does all of the casting.... hehe. And he loves using Two Handed sword hes fav is the soul reaver and flame of the north plus the vorpral sword, which he hardly uses.

Aegnor · Post by **Aegnor** » Fri Nov 30, 2001 6:10 am

I like the beserker/mage idea! But as to your objections about the kensai/mage, the limitations are not as bad as they seem.

Originally posted by Littiz:
<STRONG>I know he has good abilities, but you'll see some slots in your
equipment screen forever empty.</STRONG>

Remember you won't be using body armour anyway (but robes are OK!), and while helmets are disallowed for this class, ioun stones are OK. Also the need for missile weapons is satisfied with spells like melf's meteors. Really, the only unused slot ends up being the bracers/gloves one.

The big advantage is of course the THAC0 and damage bonuses, but don't forget the speed bonus. After dualling to mage at 9th level, my kensai managed to be the main tank right up until Korgan reached about 17th level. I can only wonder what he'd have been like if I'd been more patient and waited until 12th to dual to mage...

Oh yeah, the kensai can also get 3 proficiencies in dual-wielding, just like rangers and the blade. So even as the K/M's THAC0 starts to fall behind the other fighters', the number of attacks from dual-wielding offsets this somewhat.

But i can appreciate the beserker/mage - conceptually an odd combo, but those rage immunities have gotta help.

Bruce Lee · Post by **Bruce Lee** » Fri Nov 30, 2001 6:40 am

If you plan to solo and dual at level 9 then ofcourse berseker is better. If you are in a party however you can give that helmet or those bracers to someone else so the the kensai/mage may be better. If you solo the berserker immunities are essential really.

Littiz · Post by **Littiz** » Sat Dec 01, 2001 4:22 am

well, I admit I thought they were restricted
even in wearing robes.
If you can wear the robe of vecna even with
the Kensai/mage, this parify things a little..
but I still prefer the berserker!!!

Xyx · Post by **Xyx** » Sat Dec 01, 2001 2:12 pm

Melf's Minute Meteors even get the Kensai hit and damage bonuses.

Littiz · Post by **Littiz** » Mon Dec 03, 2001 4:30 pm

Well, guys, after all, I've decided to try it! I'm now a Kensai in Irenicus dungeon, later I'll dual to mage. This guy is completely unbalanced towards physical damage!!!!!!! I dunno... maybe the bersereker
is still more fun, for he has more choices of action.
Anyway the thing I miss the most is the Helm
of Balduran on the head of my char, I mean,
not for the bonuses, I liked the look of it!

Sniff!

I'm surprised of how can be powerful Melf's
Minute Meteor... I discovered this thanx to Xyx and its spell site, and now this feature with the kensai!!! (Not kensaY, sorry!!)
Would you believe I didn't know about the protection granted by Mirror Image against area spells?!?!?! What the hell, is it intentional or a bug?!?!?
I've the italian version, the spell description says nothing about it!

Xyx · Post by **Xyx** » Tue Dec 04, 2001 3:47 am

I'd miss Vhailor's Helm most of all.

The Berserker Rage ability is great for solo play, since you don't need the Shield of Harmony or priests casting Chaotic Commands that way.

And don't worry, the english manual is also grossly inaccurate.