Kensai

From Scratchpad

The Kensai is a Kit for the Fighter. More similar to a Monk, the Kensai could be seen as a Monk that does more damage but is more vulnerable.

Contents 1 Official description 2 Primary Attribute (s): 3 Class Abilities 4 Kit Abilities 5 Restrictions 6 Dual-classing 7 Notes

[edit] Official description

This class is also known as the “Sword Saint”, and consists of a warrior who has been specially trained to be one with his sword. They are deadly, fast and trained to fight without encumbrance.

[edit] Primary Attribute (s):

• Strength (9)

[edit] Class Abilities

• D10 Hit Points.

• Additional bonus Hit Points for Constitution above 14.

• Advanced Weapon Specialisation.

[edit] Kit Abilities

• -2 to Armor Class.

• +1 THAC0 and damage for every 3 levels.

• -1 attack Speed for every 4 levels.

• Kai ability once per day for every 4 levels. The Kensai deals maximum damage for 10 seconds.

[edit] Restrictions

• Cannot wear armour, gauntlets, or bracers.

• Cannot use missile weapons, unless they have a melee component such as throwing dagger, throwing axes or magical weapons that return to the bearer's hand after being thrown.

• Cannot cast spells from Priest scrolls.

[edit] Dual-classing

Kensai are among the most popular classes to dual-class as they get incredible bonuses at low levels and their restrictions can be compensated for easily. Two combinations stand out here, the Kensai/Thief and Kensai/Mage.

• A Kensai/Thief can get the High-Level Ability Use Any Item at level 24. This effectively ignores all normal restrictions, allowing the character to wear armour, gauntlets, bracers and use missile weapons. He can also then cast spells from Priest scrolls, but Wizard scrolls are much more interesting as they allow him to "buff" himself - to cast spells making him harder to hit or damage. On top of the restrictions being lifted, the Kensai/Thief can backstab. Combining the Kensai's THAC0 and damage bonuses with the Thief's backstab multiplier (dealing up to 5x the normal damage) will allow usually the character to deal over a hundred damage. On top of this, the Kensai/Thief can set a Time Trap. If an enemy sets this off, the Kensai/Thief can simply walk over, activate Assassinate (all attacks count as backstabs) and hack the enemy to pieces.

• The Kensai/Mage can cast spells wizards cannot cast on other creatures such as Stoneskin, Black Blade of Disaster and Tenser's Transformation. Defensive spells such as Stoneskin, Blur and Mirror Image compensate for the lack of armour while spells such as Tenser's Transformation compensate for the lack of Fighter levels. By using Contingencies, Sequencers and Time Stop, the Kensai/Mage can quickly "buff" himself and get into combat without too much to worry about. However, spells can be dispelled so one should make sure this is either prevented or dealt with quickly.

[edit] Notes

• Kensai can get the best THAC0 and do most damage of all melee classes.