Yet ANOTHER Dual-Class Question

coolguyclay · Post by **coolguyclay** » Sat Jun 16, 2001 8:34 pm

I plan on dual classing my Kensai into a mage (much like the rest of the world) but had an idea about gaining my Kensai abilities back. Since experience is always gained, what if I let my Kensai reach Lv 12 (that's the level I chose, not 9, sorry) then just keep him like that for awhile? Then, when I dual class much later, I have enough exp to be a 12th level mage and have no down time for my Kensai?!!! This'll work, right?

Let's say it would work, what's the combined exp. total for a 12th level Kensai and a 12th leve mage? Once I reach that, I can dual class, and instant Kensai/Mage! Thanks.

aVENGER2k · Post by **aVENGER2k** » Sat Jun 16, 2001 10:38 pm

Originally posted by coolguyclay:
<STRONG> Since experience is always gained, what if I let my Kensai reach Lv 12 (that's the level I chose, not 9, sorry) then just keep him like that for awhile? Then, when I dual class much later, I have enough exp to be a 12th level mage and have no down time for my Kensai?!!! This'll work, right?</STRONG>

Hehe,sorry to disappoint you friend,but it just won't work like that.Any extra experience is discarded when you hit the Dual Class button,i.e. you can be a lvl 12 Kensai with 2950000 exp but when you dual class,the Kensai will remain at 1000000 exp (lvl 12) and your other class starts with 0 exp,that's the way it works.

[ 06-17-2001: Message edited by: aVENGER2k ]

Xyx · Post by **Xyx** » Sun Jun 17, 2001 2:07 am

I let my Kensai reach Lv 12 (that's the level I chose, not 9, sorry)

Might I be so bold as to inquire why 12? 9 gets you a level 17 Mage at the cap, 13 gets you 2 attacks per round...

Macros · Post by **Macros** » Sun Jun 17, 2001 2:34 am

Why kensai mage ? :/

berserker mage owns it

Immunity to practically every mind altering spell several times a day whenever you need it and kickass AC vs. a tiny bit of extra damage...there really is no choice.

ReignsOfPower · Post by **ReignsOfPower** » Sun Jun 17, 2001 2:51 am

Personally, I believe that a Kensai, Dueled into a mage is not a good idea. Please dont just ignore this if you dont agree, just keep on reading!

The whole purpose of a Kensai is to chop people up quickly and gaining ac binues every 3 levels. Now, dualing into a mage makes you loose these advantages of AC bonus whilst retaining the restrictions. No armour, no braces.
Isn't the whole point of dueling to be able to wear this stuff? I have been known to throw on a suit of armour when the damn Enemy was too powerful for my mage's abilities. With a Kensai, well, your very disadvantaged.
Low TACH0, High armour class, and no missle weapons! BAh! I hate restrictions!

I reccomend you dual from a plain Fighter, or perhaps a Beserker. Not a Kensai! Anyways, its up to you in the end isn't it?

Xyx · Post by **Xyx** » Sun Jun 17, 2001 6:58 am

The idea is that Mages cannot wear armor either, so the Kensai's biggest disadvantage isn't really there anymore after you dual. You get -2 AC bonus and can wear the Robe of Vecna (no need for the Bladesinger Chain). Not being able to affect your enemies is a good time to cast Stoneskin, Mirror Image, Improved Haste, Improved Invisibility and Tenser's. I'm sure that WILL affect most enemies.

The lack of missile weapons isn't a big deal either; Kensai can still throw axes (Azuredge), daggers (Firetooth) and darts. And, most important of all: Melf's Minute Meteors. Those get the Kensai bonus too (that's five Meteors per round). No bow in the game measures up to the Meteors. The things have a +6 hit bonus, making nearly all hit. This gives you an average of 50 damage per round.

Admittedly, the Kensai-Mage has some downsides. Not being able to wear Bracers AC 3 or Gauntlets of Weapon Expertise is one of them. Not being able to use helmets is another (Vhailor's Helm is incredibly cheesy when used on a Fighter-Mage).

Good alternatives for Kensai-Mage are Berserker-Mage (better tank), Fighter-Mage (Grand Master in bows), Swashbuckler-Mage (lots less Hit Points, still no helmets and only one attack, but even better AC and gets Thief skills), and Priest of Helm-Mage (less Hit Points and only one attack, but basically Aerie done right).

Phew! Any feedback?

coolguyclay · Post by **coolguyclay** » Sun Jun 17, 2001 9:07 pm

I choose level 12 to dual because I'll use him in ToB. Since the levels get really high anyway, I figured on a little better fighter (one more Kai and THAC0). Too bad about the dual classing thingm it could have been THAT much easier. He's with a party, so will be protected.

Now with all these other comments, when you say use a Berzerker to dual to a mage, can they still wear armour and cast spells? I don't think they can, thus being tbe idea of using a Kensai: similar disadvantages. I guess the main reason I choose Kensai/Mage is because everybody and their brother likes the ol' Kensai/Mage. It's really talked about a lot.

Now here comes another question (perhaps the most key question). Do I NEED a mage? I started an evil party to do all the "evil" quests and other such nasties in the game. Anyway, I have a Theif, Barbarian, Berserker (Half-Orc, so no dual...) Priest of Talos and my human Kensai (a good ol' party of 5). Now, if I just leave my Kensai around to chop people to bits, can I get by without a mage. I know I "COULD", but do I want to. There seems to be a lot of benifits when having a mage in the group (neato spells, namely), so I should really dual-class I think. That's still a long way off, so you have plenty of time to talk me out of it.

Heck, after hearing about the level 13 extra attack (thanks Xyx) I might wait till then. If I make him Lv. 13, can I gain my Kensai abilities back before capping? Thanks to all who write.