a ranged kensai?

tamenrot · Post by **tamenrot** » Tue May 31, 2005 1:29 pm

I've read the kensai/mage guide, and the kensai kit guide, but haven't found this idea. However, in the literature (

, a post in 2001 ) I have found one interesting thing

A kensai can't use missile weapons, BUT can use throwing weapons

Now I'm using the boomerang dagger +2... and have just read that darts are usable too!!

I wonder if a kensai could use a melee/ranged weapon like that red axe +3 (I don't remember its name)...

I think that without the restriction of ranged attacks, the kensai could be the mightiest chopping machine

SP101 · Post by **SP101** » Tue May 31, 2005 2:11 pm

Could be nice... but you'll only be able to use throwing axes, hammer (dwarves only) and throwing daggers...

Thrar · Post by **Thrar** » Tue May 31, 2005 5:42 pm

this sounds like an interesting idea indeed...however, one would have to check if the kensai bonuses also apply for ranged combat.
If they do, that seems to have some potential - not even talking about possible duals.

Sytze · Post by **Sytze** » Wed Jun 01, 2005 2:28 am

Kensai bonuses apply to every weapon, whereas an Archer only recieves bonuses for ranged weapons. Thus it's quite logical that a Kensai can't use ranged weapons, unless you dual him to a thief, of course.

But then again, why would you want to be a Kensai if your goal is to wield ranged weapons? The called shot ability is way stronger than the kai ability, for starters.

tamenrot · Post by **tamenrot** » Wed Jun 01, 2005 6:08 am

Obviously my idea is not to substitute an archer with a kensai

I thought that a kensai could not fight other way than melee, but now I know that it can use good weapons like the boomerang dagger +2 (2d4+2) and the firetooth +3 (2d4+3+ 1d2fire) my ideas are changing. The power and the disadvantage of the kensai are that it is the strongest in melee combat, but is vulnerable as it cannot wear armor or bracers... and in some battles the melee is not a good option

I'm thinking on defeathing power enemies specially at low levels, like illycids and vampires... it's better not to face them

As the kensai can use certain ranged weapons, it is not so vulnerable at low levels

Btw, I posted that a kensai could use darts, but I tried to use them and I couldn't... so I was wrong

Sytze, I'm playing a kensai/mage, and placed a slot in sling (while I haven't reactivated the kensai)... but I can't use it. So the restrictions of the kensai are applied althoug it is dualled

Sytze · Post by **Sytze** » Wed Jun 01, 2005 7:01 am

I mentioned the thief, and the Use Any Item ability that would logically follow when you reach the higher levels

tamenrot · Post by **tamenrot** » Wed Jun 01, 2005 7:24 am

Ah, sorry Sytze. I haven't taken into account the Use Any Item

tamenrot · Post by **tamenrot** » Wed Jun 01, 2005 7:42 am

about throwing daggers

I have revised the damage of the throwing daggers "boomerang dagger" and "firetooth", and I'm astonished. Any of that daggers inflicts more damage than a simple axe, and in fact they are as bastard swords! 2D4 + X points of damage!
Can it be possible?

UserUnfriendly · Post by **UserUnfriendly** » Sat Jun 11, 2005 2:37 am

[QUOTE=tamenrot]I have revised the damage of the throwing daggers "boomerang dagger" and "firetooth", and I'm astonished. Any of that daggers inflicts more damage than a simple axe, and in fact they are as bastard swords! 2D4 + X points of damage!
Can it be possible?

[/QUOTE]

yes. the champion of ALL ranged characters is the kensai.

in fact, someone in ironworks has shown that a kensai with throwing spear, (as per item upgrade mod) or firetooth dagger will actually do MORE damage than a similar archer with same weapon and proficiencies. but called shot has the mage disrupting and str draining features that sytze rightly points out is more valuable.