GameBanshee Forums

It's cool because you become a machine of destruction on higher levels. A bit vulnerable, sure, but it's i think it's worth it. If you have a nice dex, put two slots in single wp style and put some nifty items on, you'll end up with a good ac anyway. Or get a tank like Korgan in your party and have him soak up all damage while you demolish.

A kensai is very powerful in a group of six but very weak solo. I would think a group made up of four kensais an inquisitor and a swashbuckler/cleric is very easy to play and will not have much trouble at all.

Originally posted by Zartuul:
<STRONG>Anyone ever try a Kensai mastering in halberds or two handed swords? With their speed bonuses you would think they'd swing those swords pretty fast and when they use the Kai it would be more effective with a big weapon.</STRONG>

that makes sence an is scarry

I once played a Kensai with Grand Mastery in spears and used the Spear +3 Impaler which adds +10 piercing damage every hit, However to me a kensai is a dual-wielder and It didnt fit the image of a sword saint, even though it was powerful. So that was last time I used a 2handed proficiency on Kensai.

i am at the moment makeing a power house druid with som kensai in him it sould be good

first time through I played a pure kensai with grand mastery in 2-handed swords and (eventually) 2 points each in 2-handed weapon style and staves. I never had any complaints. There are lots of great 2-handed swords in the game (and the progression to get each makes good sense). Once you get Warblade and Staff of Rynn, this character has a certain purity that was pleasing for the RP (in that both of those weapons are very powerful but neither have magical bells and whistles beyond their thac0 and damage). Good fun.

Over on the soloing a Cavalier thread several people are talking about their AC -6 Cavaliers going up against Sarevok at the end. Compared to that, I don't understand why people think Kensai AC is that bad.

Consider:

Amulet: AC 4
Dex: +4
Kensai bonus: +2
Rings (Gaxx/ROP +2): +4

That's AC -6 right there, and we haven't even looked at Dakkon's or Defender of Easthaven, Potions of Defense, single-wield option (which does more damage for a Kensai than Carsomyr does for a Paladin), etc.

Granted, it's not hard for a Paladin to have a better AC than -6 either.

There is a big difference between solo and party.
For solo the Kensai have to rely on special items to keep the AC low, especially against missile weapons. The best items: Shield Amulet, Cloak of the Shield/Displacement, Girdle of Piercing/Bluntness/Slashing, Boots of Avoidance, plus the usual rings of prot+2/gaxx.
In a party there are many ways to imporve the weak AC, like Spirit Armour or Barskin (at higher levels).
Still the best way to use the Kensai with duals.