Kensai?

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I apologize for the back to back posts, but I have yet another question!

As stated before, I am using a Fighter for my first go-through. When I do my second pass, I would like to have a bit of advance knowledge.

Most people tell me that the Kensai is an incredible character to us. Damage bonuses, two fisted fighting, etc.....

How about some feedback from the Kensai players in the group?

Was the kit worth it? If so, how did you get past the horrible AC?

If Kensai is a boring, tawdry kit...could you please give me advice as to which kit to use?

On my second go-through I would like to run an evil character.

Thanks again...

 

Kensai is a much discussed subject. Look at these threads or make your own search: http://www.sorcerers.net/ubb/Forum2/HTML/003877.html http://www.sorcerers.net/ubb/Forum2/HTML/002168.html

And welcome to the boards!


[This message has been edited by Earl Grey (edited January 20, 2002).]

 

Kensais are indeed powerful, and there are many ways to get past the horrible AC. I just don't like this class because of the fact that you don't have any spells or theiving abilities, which is half the fun for me. Try a kensai dualed to a theif or mage at levels 9, 12, or even 13, it'll be a lot more fun.

 

I have a kensai mage at the moment, having an AC of -10:

-dex-18
-kensai kitbonus
-single weapon style
-cloak of protection
-robe of the apprenti (AC 3; like elven chain +2 (-> not on pure kensais, for mage combos only) )
-ion stone with +1 AC bonus

To bost my relative AC I used various girdles (g of inertial barrier, g of piercing, g of blunntness, golden g) and the boots of avoidance. However, I ended up sacrificing the extra protection for extra bunch using the boots of speed and the girdle of frostgiant strength. The cloack or mirroring also has some neat advantages.

 

I also had a Kensai/Mage, and thought it was a great character, they go good together. Even if you dont dual, they are great fighters.

 

Ragusa, you forgot to mention that's an unlegit multiclassed kensai/mage, which IMO is overpowered, as are all multiclasses with kits.

 

Nowhere in Ragusas post is there anything that suggests he is talking about anything but a dc Kensai/Mage.

Indeed a mc - cheated - Kensai/Mage is very much overpowered for ToB, but not so much for SoA.

 

No, we talked about it in the chat room, so I know it's a multiclassed.

 

*cough* powergamers *cough*

Sorry. I never like the ideas of an overpowered K/M. Kensai, sure, but I just find that taking advantage of the 'no armor' penalty of the Kensai too powergamey, if you will.

 

Someone also told me that a Dwarven Berserker would kick a ton of tail if you equiped him with Crom Faer (sp?) and the Fortress Sheild.

I'm leaning towards a bard for my second go-through. But I am still open to any ideas you may have as to what would be a "fun" character...

 

A dwarven berserker (basically: every fighter) with appropriate strength will *always* deal out tons of damage - even without crom and the fortress shield. The fortress shield (excellent btw) will only take his chance of a critical hit (for deying him single weapon style bonusses) and crom would add some estimated +7 points on damage (due to str-25 compared to 21) ... crom period

As for multiclassed kensai-mage: I indeed tweaked that char a bit, and I have to agree that it indeed seems a little overpowered ... I, however, had a pretty hard time with it in the early stages of BG-2 SoA (until I hit the x-cap - I entered ToB with about 4 Million xp) ... I really like to play it this 6th or so time through and since I don't harass people to follow my example this shouldn't be anyones problem ...

btw - http://www.sorcerers.net/ubb/Forum2/HTML/004601.html

[This message has been edited by Ragusa (edited January 21, 2002).]

 

While we are on the class subject...anyone have any preferences for Paladin kits?

 

A question, don't know if it fits with the original subject though. I made a mc kensai/mage once, just to see how powerful they were, didn't actually play with it.
However, I found that the spell Stoneskin was shaded, that is, couldn't be used by my character. Is that really how it's suppose to be or was there something else wrong with that char?

 

Kensai can be a great class on it's own though it works best if you can have another tough fighter to absorb the damage. If you planned to dual to a mage then it's best to do it at level 9 (get a new prof.) or 12 ( gets the thaco bonus and +1 attack per roung in one level).

Cheers, Void

 

I agree with Void...I'm still on my first run through SoA, with a Kensai. I was planning on dualing, but then changed my mind. I'm glad I didn't dual. I have a mage in my team, and prefer the pure class. Having Minsc in there to soak up the hits helps my Kensai out.

It's hard at the start, because of the high AC. But during the game you can lower that, and some potions to set your AC to 0 come in handy early on.

As for armour...well, I think the character looks better without it!