Kensai/Mage...?

Remove all ads!

is a kensai dualed to a mage like really kick @$$?. If it is, what should their strength, dex, con, etc. be? Should i just create a regular mage or sorcerer? plz post lots of replies

 

Just refer to all my previous rants on Kensai/Mages. I seem to be one of the few true believers in the strength of this class.
By the way, Kensais MUST have 18 dexterity.
Don't settle for anything less. If you're playing an elf, 19 dex is so much the better.

 

Kensai D Mage is one of the better classes in the game. I'm presently pleaying one. With the collectors edition Robe on Venca and a ring of protection +2, AC is not a problem with Dex 18. And mind you, with that robe you can cast spells very quickly(quick enough to do it on the front line). Now, if you have Derkon's Zerth blade dualed with adjeth the drinker(later celestial fury) and a ring of regeneration, you won't have to worry to often about HP(don't forget the jewel from the spider queen giving +10% HP). Plus don't forget about all the protective spells you can cast(Kensai D Mages for some reason have as many spell as specialist mages). O.K., that's a lot of the advantages here's the breakdown.
-
-
-
-
Str-18 Dex-18 Const 16-17 Intl-18
proficiencies: longsword, katana, 2 weapon style
Dual to mage at level nine for max HP

With the equipment listed above, you will get a dual wielding, damage dealing, spell casting, machine. High HP, good AC, lots of spells(can memorize 8th level, cast 9th). This character is a true badass.

 

Actually a better robe for pure AC's purposes would be the Apprentice's Robe.
It's really not bad. A robe that gives an AC of 3.

 

In my opinion, Kensai/mages are the best in the game. With stoneskin, blur, mirror image, prot. from mag. weapons, ghost armor etc. mine was virtually unstoppable, like
-12 ac when boosted to the max. I gave mine 2* in single weapon and 5* in hammer and dualled at level 9. When I get crom faeyr I will whip some serious ass. I managed to take out the shadow dragon virtually singlehanded.

 

-10 AC is the lowest it can go though...you found a bug?

 

No...Viconia got an AC of -13 once.

 

Where do you find the Apprentices Robe. Does it have any more nice features other than the AC 3.

 

I think the apprentices from the planer sphere make it for you if you get that as your stronghold.

 

Just got my sphere and I love it. It's just to damn big to walk around in though. Anyway, got my aprentices working on the rod of aperenti. Have to see if they can come up with the robe (without being killed, that is!)

 

what do mage robes look like on a kensai/mage? like a normal mage robe..on a mage? or does it look all messed up because of the mix? i think a dual sword weilding tank with a robe of the archmagi would look sweet.

 

A mage robe on a fighter avatar just makes all his clothes have a different colour hem.

 

Thanx for the help guys, well i was wondering which types of weapons to use as a Kensai/Mage. can u guys plz answer this, thanx

 

How the hell do you get AC -13...?

 

I've had -13 with my swashbuckler before. He had a 19 dex, class bonuses on AC, shadow dragon leather, and a ring of gaxx.

 

Then weapons you choose are up to you, though I would suggest dual wielding since you can't carry a shield(I think). I like Katanas. There are some nice ones in the game and they do a lot of damage for 1 handed swords. Currently using Dakkon's Zerth blade and Celestial Fury. Very nice. I'd also suggest taking some kind of long sword profiniency as you can't get a really nice Katana early in the game. Some post seem to suggest dualing with Celestial Fury(katana) and Crom Feyr(war hammer), and I can't argue with them. As long as you stick with long swords, katanas, and perhaps war hammers, maces, and flails, you'll end up with a very good damage causing machine.

 

Crawl knows his stuff alright. Katanas are awesome but the celestial fury can only be obtained later. Can't really add much to his detailed suggestions. But 2 handed swords are good too. especially the silver sword. I would give it to Minsc. Maces are a good choice due to the Vamps in the game. A kensai's high offensive power should offset the relatively weak power of maces yet letting you enjoy their benefits. I'm talking about the Mace of Disruption of course. And don't forget the Flail of Ages, the most powerful Flail but the easiest +3 weapon to get.

 

I played a straight kensai started looking for good kensais but couldn't find any so i switched over to scimitars/wakizashis/ninjatos and long swords dualed. I like the scimitar/w/n because of the speed you can kill at.

 

First of all; the Celestial Fury can be obtained early. I usally take some good warriors like Minsc, Korgan, Valygar and Anomen and you can take it in chapter 2. My Kensai had +++++ in Katana, ++ Long Sword, ++ Single wpn style and ++ 2 wpn style (a little miss there I know). He had an AC of
-8 when facing Irenicus in hell. He had Blackrazor and Celestial Fury. I could take all his demons, fiends and irenicus himself alone without bless, chant, haste etc.
But that's another story, the thing is that you can have better then -10. My friends Swashbuckler has -12. I told him about the way to get 2 Ring of Gaxx WITHOUT cheating ('tis possible, yes!). Simply pick-pock Kangaxx when he trannsforms to Demi-Lich and you'll get the ring. Then kill him; he'll drop ANOTHER Ring of Gaxx and voila: you regenerate 2 hp every 3 seconds and get -4 to your AC =).

 

Just think of everything you have heard about Kensai/Mages. They are FAR, FAR better than that.

My Kensai dualled at level 12 to mage (to get 3 points in two-weapon style); now he's a L-15 mage and:

- has a very good THAC0: -4 with the Celestial Fury and -1 with Dak'kon's Zerth Blade. I also keep a normal Katana in hand for those mages who love casting Protection from Magical Weapons.

- has an awesome AC, the best in my party after Viconia. I can't remember how much, but at least:

* base AC = 1 (Spirit Armor, always on). If it doesn't count, the Robe of the Apprenti gives me a base AC 3.
* -2 AC for being a kensai
* -4 AC for dexterity bonus
* -1 AC for Dak'kon's Zerth blade
* -2 AC for the Ring of Protection +2
* -1 AC for the Ring of Earth Control
* -1 AC for the Cloak of the Sewers

Plus, before hard battles I add Blur and Improved Invisibility , which is an effective -7 bonus

- he can cast spells like Protection from Magical Weapons, Fire Shield, **STONESKIN+MIRROR IMAGE**, etc., which makes him the hardest fighter to beat

- he can Breach and Pierce his own enemies (just in case the other two mages are out of control)

- he can have a Familiar (+24 hit points)

- he can cast TENSER'S TRASFORMATION!!!! Let me remember: -4 AC, double hit points, THACO equal to a fighter of the same level, and I think a few other bonuses. You can cast it after all the other protective spells and you lose nothing

So, what results, rather than a half-fighter half-mage, is probably the finest fighter ever crafted. I can remember very few battles he couldn't solve by himself, especially when I prepared him with about twelve different arcane and clerical spells.

[This message has been edited by Israfel (edited March 28, 2002).]