Forget Kensai

Remove all ads!

Just a thought, how would someone prone to mainiacal fits of anger have the discipline to become a skilled mage? The two sides of the Berserker/mage multi class would be in contention with each other all the time. On the other hand the disciplin required of a Sword Saint goes hand in hand with the disciplin required to be a powerfull mage. Again, just a thought.

 

The thing I like about the kensai is that there is less micro management required. The kensais bonus to thaco damage and speed is always active, no matter what, whereas the berserker has to activate his abilities, and can only use them for a limited time. Kensais trade their extra ability for not being able to wear any armour, so thats another reason why I prefer them to berserker mages: they are almost designed to be dualled to mages cos they cant wear armour, and if a mage wants to cast any spells neither can they.

Ignoring elven chain of course.

 

@Shadow Steele:

A Berserker is not necessarily prone to random fits of anger. The kit description says that not all Berserkers are Barbarian-like in nature. As it also says that it can be a conscious decision that a warrior makes, there is nothing to say that Berserkers lack self-discipline. They may have pent-up anger inside and the ability to Berserk represents them unleashing this for a short, controlled burst. Now if Berserking made the character uncontrollable (like Minsc) then I'd agree- but having control implies that they are aware of what they are doing and are choosing to do so willingly.

 

Still, I'm having problems seeing berserkers gathering concentration required for mage training and studying. Imo, if kensai is prohibited from being chaotic, so should berserker be prohibited from being lawful(as should barbarian, but that is another story). Can berserker cast a spell while enraged?

Plus, I'd have to agree with Proteus_za. Kensai requires mauch less micro management. Sure, berserkers can wear any armour, but to cast a spell, he must put it down. And berserker without an armour is no match for kensai, if you ask me. If not for anything else, kensai has his thac0 and damage bonuses. Level 12 kensai has +4 bonus to both, enraged berserker has only +2 bonus, which changes to -2 PENALTY after about half a minute. Add to that -2 penalty to AC, and berserker in on a tight spot.

[ September 21, 2006, 22:44: Message edited by: Mordokai ]

 

No, and that's the very crux of it. They're not always enraged, not always that mindless. In fact, the PnP kit description even makes mention of Berserker Paladins. Rage doesn't make you Chaotic if it's tightly reined-in rage. In fact, I might even argue that it takes exceptional discipline to hold in a rage like that all the time and only release it on cue.

RE: Micromanagement
You two seem to be focusing entirely on the offensive aspect while missing the defensive aspect; you're also missing out on a part of the offensive aspect. The Berserker has to activate his Enrage, true, but so does the Kensai have to activate his Kai ability. Though a Kensai is more powerful offensively than a Berserker when neither have their abilities on, it's not playing the Kensai to its fullest if you're neglecting Kai.

On the defensive side the Berserker takes far less micromanagement. All you have to do is send him into battle with his much better AC and let him chop away, while the Kensai must be treated as a 'flanker' type of fighter, coming in after the first wave to avoid being targetted, and then running from any big threats that readjust to target him. Well, either that or head to a temple every so often to get him raised.