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Pure Kensai?

Discussion in 'BG2: Shadows of Amn (Classic)' started by Shura, Jan 6, 2001.

  1. Neverworlder Gems: 7/31
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    [​IMG] I'm stuck with a pure Kensai, and the low armor class is becoming a pain in the ass. I intended to dual her to Mage and set up her stats to facilitate that (Int17), but then, like a fool, made her an elf (for the 19 Dex) and was well into the game before I remembered non-humans can't dual class. D'oh!
     
  2. Sorl Guest

    That's what you get for playing a coward melee character. :D
     
  3. Ragusa

    Ragusa Eternal Halfling Paladin Veteran

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    [​IMG] :D Hi Sorl :D, we had that, didn´t we? :D
     
  4. Maveroick Gems: 2/31
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    I don't think there's anything wrong with a pure kensai class...The problem with ac ...isn't exactly a problem...I had just a pure pure kensai. No dual class at all...he was a human and he had -2 ac by the end of the game...well, -1 if he wasn't wielding Dakkon's Zerth blade...

    Anyway, point is, the point of a kensai is pretty much to kill before you get killed yourself and that's what I did...my kensai didn't die all that much...Minsc probably died more than he did...

    So ...there.

    I love Kensai! I started a new game with a sorcerer...it's not as fun....well, it is, but sometimes not as satisfying...since my kensai could just walk into a room with a buncha silly shadow thieves or something and cut them all up and look cool wielding his two katana... (katana junkie I am)...

    Maybe It's cause I was playing on normal difficulty and the rest of you play on Insane...heheh.

    Mav
     
  5. Maveroick Gems: 2/31
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    I don't think there's anything wrong with a pure kensai class...The problem with ac ...isn't exactly a problem...I had just a pure pure kensai. No dual class at all...he was a human and he had -2 ac by the end of the game...well, -1 if he wasn't wielding Dakkon's Zerth blade...

    Anyway, point is, the point of a kensai is pretty much to kill before you get killed yourself and that's what I did...my kensai didn't die all that much...Minsc probably died more than he did...

    So ...there.

    I love Kensai! I started a new game with a sorcerer...it's not as fun....well, it is, but sometimes not as satisfying...since my kensai could just walk into a room with a buncha silly shadow thieves or something and cut them all up and look cool wielding his two katana... (katana junkie I am)...

    Maybe It's cause I was playing on normal difficulty and the rest of you play on Insane...heheh.

    Mav
     
  6. Maveroick Gems: 2/31
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    I don't think there's anything wrong with a pure kensai class...The problem with ac ...isn't exactly a problem...I had just a pure pure kensai. No dual class at all...he was a human and he had -2 ac by the end of the game...well, -1 if he wasn't wielding Dakkon's Zerth blade...

    Anyway, point is, the point of a kensai is pretty much to kill before you get killed yourself and that's what I did...my kensai didn't die all that much...Minsc probably died more than he did...

    So ...there.

    I love Kensai! I started a new game with a sorcerer...it's not as fun....well, it is, but sometimes not as satisfying...since my kensai could just walk into a room with a buncha silly shadow thieves or something and cut them all up and look cool wielding his two katana... (katana junkie I am)...

    Maybe It's cause I was playing on normal difficulty and the rest of you play on Insane...heheh.

    Mav
     
  7. Ragusa

    Ragusa Eternal Halfling Paladin Veteran

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    ECHO, echo?? :D
     
  8. Neverworlder Gems: 7/31
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    [​IMG] Yeah, we get the point. Get the point. Get the point.

    I love Kensais, too; loved em since Oriental Adventures. I just wish there was more in BG2 that they could use to lower AC - they can't use most of what is available, from helms to bracers. And if you don't pick the right weapon proficiency at the start (I picked 2-handed sword), you are screwed are a bit.
     
  9. Ragusa

    Ragusa Eternal Halfling Paladin Veteran

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    :D Oh, I´m such a joker :D

    <flame> Hah <flame>! I´d not be so sure about that, more: I DISAGREE with you!

    You have a lot of excellent melee-weapons in the game to choose of. There is a great variety of: longswords, two-handed swords, maces & flails, staffs, shortswords, and axes (the only ranged weapon for chevaliers :D).
    And there are a few good Bastardswords and Katanas as well.

    And when you choose the two only really advantageous weapon-style specialisations: two-handes-weapon-style or single-weapon-style you´ll get advantageous hit dices, improved initiative and so on.

    And: A kensai gets 6 prof-slots right from the start - enough to get grandmstery or 4* and 2* in your weapon style of choice. You can kick ass right from the start as a fighter, especially as a kensai who gets improved initiative.

    :D <flame> Stop crying <flame>! :D
     
  10. Sorl Guest

    Fighters :( can't ever get enough!!!
    A terrible lot ;) .

    BTW i'm looking for a replacement for Korgan. The lousy fighter may be correctly aligned but can't weave a spell worth mentioning (as a matter of fact NONE AT ALL).

    Is Haer'Daelis worth anything as a fighter?
     
  11. Shura Gems: 25/31
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    Of course a fighter can't cast spells. He/She fights and is damn good at it!!
    Never underestimate a well-swung blade admist all the powerful spells. And Haer'Dalis's an ass. Don't bother.
    :D
     
  12. Ragusa

    Ragusa Eternal Halfling Paladin Veteran

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    :D fighters. They always mourn like "I needed FOUR hits to kill that enemy, oh my god I´m going to be senile soon!" while feeling vulnerable in any AC higher than -20 :rolleyes:
     
  13. Sorl Guest

    [​IMG] What so f... bad about Haer'Daelis? His lines??
    His stats look acceptable. As Scald, he should be able to wear armor, melee, sing his songs and do a little bit of magic. That sounds like a well balanced NPC.

    Last time around I was happy with my party (Sorcerer, Vionia, Jaheira, Valygar, Nalia, Imoen), so I didn't go near him. But this time I want a nicely balanced caster-party. Just enough melee provisions, so I don't get run over.
     
  14. Neverworlder Gems: 7/31
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    I agree that there are a lot of good weapons. What I meant is that Kensai generally are proficient in one (maybe two) weapon, and if you don't pick the weapon type that you are going to encounter frequently in the game as magic weapons, you're screwed. I have enountered only a few magic 2hswords, most along the no-frills +1 or +2 variety and none that surpass Lilarcor. But I've enountered a wide variety of more powerful magic weapons - including ones that lower AC - in other weapon types. I wish I had dumped all my wps into longsword rather than two-handed, because I think I'm going to be stuck with Lilarcor for the entire game - a little boring. (Carsomyr is paladins-only.) So yes there are great weapons; my Kesnai just can't use most of them.

    I thought Hair-Dallas was a swashbuckler, not a skald (I haven't encountered him yet)?
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Dec 27, 2017
  15. Maveroick Gems: 2/31
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    Haer'Dalis is the man! He has the best lines and he is not a skald or swashbuckler, he is a Blade (which is the coolest name of all).

    And he wields Chaos and Entropy, the two coolest swords around..they have cool names... Okay, so Lilarcor has more of a personality...but still Entropy! Gotta love that ...and Chaos!

    Anyway, just thought I'd clear up that class mix-up...Blade...blaaaaade.

    Wee, I say take him, he stole stuff for me, like Tansheron's bow...good guy...I like him.

    but if you have a romance with Aerie, watch out.

    Mav
     
  16. Sorl Guest

    [​IMG] Thanks, I guess i'll try the BLADE :) .
     
  17. Ragusa

    Ragusa Eternal Halfling Paladin Veteran

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    [​IMG] Neverworlder: I got your point ;)

    I think longswords are the best choice in bladed weaponry for a fighter for you have a wide variety of good weapons to choose of. My favourite is flamethounge, followed (unsorted) by Adjatha, Blade of Roses and, of course, Ras.
    My second weapon category of choice wold be maces in blunt weapons for they also offer a good variety of formidable weapons up to +4. I like skullcrusher and of course this whats-its-name undead killing mace.

    As a dc kensai-thief I finally got some 12 Prof-slots - grandmastery with katanas and longswords + sinlge-weapon-style the first time and choosing longswords and maces for the second time.
    This allowed to choose weapon by enemy - for example blunt vs skeletons, bladed against other ones, depending on enemies vulnerability.

    About Haer´Dalis: I never considered him as a party member for I disliked a) his face and b) his voice and talk - even Minsc is better! However, possibly I´d need a back-up spellcaster in my party next time - BUT NOT without changing his Portrait :mad:
     
  18. Neverworlder Gems: 7/31
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    [​IMG] Blade! That's right.

    Another thing that blows about having chose the two-handed sword for my Kensai is that I can't dual-wield either, as I could if I'd chosen longsword. So I'm stuck again, like crap on a shoe. Bad planning. Time for Shadowkeeper.
     
  19. Sorl Guest

    Well, I guess I'll keep Haer'Dalis for the time being, even though he hasn't prooved to be the one and only front line tank yet (he kinda died on the first encounter and had to be resurrected) :( .

    And Ragusa changing the portrait of an actor can't even be considered cheating. If he's as good as the folks at the theater said, you could ealy use Minsc's or Jaheirqas portrait on him.

    The custom portrait I'm using on my weakling mage (first roll character) somewhat belies his gnome origin and can only be justified by him wearing that charisma ring and a belt of oger strength plus some expensive face surgery ;) .
     
  20. Ragusa

    Ragusa Eternal Halfling Paladin Veteran

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    I wouldn´t consider changing HDs portrait as cheating. It´s relief. Even worse than most of the new portraits Haer´Dalis is REALLY UGLY, hurting my sensitive eyes recently spoiled by watching the great medieval artworks in our splendid new museum here in Cologne :D

    <FLAME> GOT THAT HAER`DALIS? <FLAME>
     
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