Kensai Dual-Class

Remove all ads!

So I've seen a few posts on here about dual classing, and some about Kensais. It got me thinking, I know the Kensai / Mage build is very powerful. Has anyone ever done some other class combinations, for example: Kensai / Theif (it would be very good at backstabbing it would seem, plus Kai and WHOO)? With the Song & Silence mod from G3 a Soul Knife would be a good mix with Kensai, you'd have to cheat though.... Another build I thought might be interesting would be a Kensai / Druid! You'd not miss the armour too much, because Druids can only use leather. And with Ironskins you'd be good to go tank So my question is, has anyone ever tried these characters, and what were they like. And are there any other really effective Kensai dual-classes that anyone really liked to play. Thanks in advance!!

 

I've been playing a Kensai/Thief in my IA game atm, and he's pretty powerful...if used right. If someone dies in a fight it always seems to be him, but he also has the highest kill percentage of the group (which I suppose isn't surprising with a kensai). The trick is to use him in the right way; use backstabbing hit and run tactics, get enemies to attack a summon or a tank 1st, and get the kensai/thief to retreat for a second if he becomes a target. Use stealth and invisibility as much as possible and backstab as often as you can. also: Improved haste + Kai + stunned enemy = dead.
When dualing with a Kensai make sure you get grand mastery in something before dualing - he'll be way more powerful that way.

 

Hello and good days,

I have played a k/mage and I have gone solo with it. It becomes extremely powerful that way.

The most important thing I have discovered is that, if I did not use the Celestial Fury, the game would be much much harder. I used the CF +5 from the Upgraded items pack but it does not matter if you use CF+3 the important thing about CF is the stunning and it stuns whether you deal damage or not. So +3 or +5 does not matter.

The above post explains it all improved haste+stun = death. I excluded Kai because it becomes really unimportant.

If one is going to play with a party I thing k/thief or cleric or druid whatever will not matter much, you will end up powerfull. But if you are going to go solo I think k/thief is doable with the use any items you can cast scrolls and so and you may even not use any magic.

The thing is about how much time you will spend playing. If it is not a problem you can tackle the game with any k/combo.

 

I have thought about trying that interesting Kensai/Druid-build. Probably not as powerful as Kensai/Mage, but it has some nice possibilities. In roleplaying sense, kensai/druid should use scimitars or maybe daggers.Grand mastery in scimitars (or maybe daggers) combined with two weapon style will make K/D a good fighter. Iron Skins covers the lack of armor and I assume that K/D's enemies will usually be gone a lot faster than those skins.

There are some downsides. If I remember correctly, in SoA scimitars aren't that good. Belm gives that bonus attack, but nearly all scimitars are +2 or below (a certain drow has some nice scimitars though).Daggers could be an option? In ToB this isn't that big issue, since the are some good choices (Yamato, Spectral Brand and so on) for a druid.

K/Mage has more weapon choices and better spells, K/Thief can backstab, but I think K/Druid could be worth trying.

 

A K/D can use a staff as well, Barkskin and Ironskin will provide some nice protection that the Kensai is lacking.

Take daggers if you want to throw them as well. Drizzt's scimitars are not that good (only one can be used since the defender is limited to good characters only).

As for "better" spells that's really a question of opinion, druids are really good offensive casters as well, their real drawback is the level limit. Druid only spells are just too good. Nature's beauty being one of them.

 

When is the best time to dual-class from Kensai to another class? I'm currently a Lvl 9 Kensai and am planning to dual to a Mage, though dualling to a Thief is looking appealing now.

 

Level 13 for the extra half attack or level 9 for HPs and proficiencies. Check when the kensai bonus kicks in.

The inactive class thing can be a pain that's why I mentionned level 9 if you can handle that go for level 13.

 

I've got three slots in two-weapon style, and four in katana. My thinking is get to Lvl 12 so I can get five in Katana in then dual. That makes sense, right?

 

If you go for level 13 you'll get an extra half attack which is a lot better.

In any case when your kensai class becomes active again you'll get your proficiencies back and you'll be able then to get the 5th point in katanas the next time you get a proficiency point with your new class (you won't be limited to one point the way pure thieves or mages are).

If you don't have the grandmastery fix 5 points in Katanas won't matter that much anyhow.

 

I'll dual at Lvl 13, then. Can thieves use the Katana?

 

If you have the patience, wait until lvl 13 before dual-classing, although it means longer transition period than if you dual earlier at lvl 9. Especially with druid the experience gap between level 10 and 14 is huge (125 000 and 1 500 000). If dualing kensai to a thief, you'll need "only" 880 000 for lvl 14.

Sure, K/D could use a staff, but should a sword saint use a staff ?

 

Yup. Fighter/Thieves can use all weapons.

 

Just on the topic scimitars, you can get Yamato +4 on the 1st lvl of watchers keep from the start; it's not too hard a fight.

 

I think you mean Usuno's Blade +4 (the one with a small chance of extra lightning damage)? Anyhow it's a great weapon considering how early on you can get it.

 

IIRC plain thieves can also use katanas.

 

I do.

Yamato is the +4 scimitar that you can buy in Saradush and gives you +1 ac (It has a pretty similar BAM to Usuno's Blade, which is probably the thing that confused me)

 

Now I'm torn between two options. I can dual to Mage and become a fearsome kensai/mage, or I can dual to a thief and look forward to backstabbing people and inflicting huge amounts of damage, with the possibility of chunking people left and right. Decisions, decisions.

 

With Use Any Item your Thief won't suffer from any Kensai penalty and that's certainly awesome (meaning you'll be able to use bracers, armours and helmets).

If you want a Mage you won't be able to use all these items at all which can be rather frustrating.

 

Thanks for all the feedback everyone, you've brought up some very good points. I almost was sold on playing a Kensai/Druid, but I'm really starting to consider that theif leveling! Now I just need to think of to take along with me in my party

 

I think I might go with dualling to thief as well. I was really wanting to give kensai/mage a try, as I've always wanted to see what it's like, but I'm really liking the idea of being able to make use of the Use Any Item skill to offset the penalties of being a kensai. Of course, being able to backstab people into bits is the real icing on the cake.