Who is better Kensai or Blade

[Sythe]

Heard they were both good tried out Kensai. Man he kicked arse wiped out anybody that stood in his way when he was 31st level in TOB nothing can touch him! I haven't tried out blade but people people please tell why soo good??

[Pyrenk]

Personally, I prefer the blade. They get less proficiency and general specialization, but the spells, pickpocketing (rarely) and spins make up for it. Also, they an use the MMM trick. I believe I have one or two topics on them. Look around.

[Dace De'Briago]

Yeah, Kensai's are amazing fighters... beyond that of any other pure fighter.

Because....

+1 THACO every 3 levels *above and beyond* that of a normal fighter makes them THE close combat specialists. Then we have the Kai ability...

[Sir Exxon]

Well, it depends on what you prefer. If you're a hack 'n slash-lover, then the Kensai is of course better. But if you like more aspects, the Blade no doubt. Remember that the Blade is more universal, and is only a part warrior. It is hard to tell which is better when we're talking about that different classes.

If you mean which is better as a warrior, the Kensai would win undoubtly. Being a pure warrior who can obtain Grand Mastery, and who has better THAC0 and warrior-abilities overall, not to mention the Ki-strike. The Blade has two great abilities, yes, but they can't match with all of the aforementioned. There are few warriors who can match with this awesome kit all in all. [img]smile.gif[/img]

If you mean which is better in the game overall - which has the most power and can easier win the game, I say the Blade. It has rogue-abilities, it can be an awesome warrior with Offensive and Defensive Spin, it can cast spells, and it will get a good variation of HLA's in ToB. It is hard for a single warrior to match with all of this.

[Rataxes]

I'm playing a Lvl 13/17 Kensai/Mage at the moment, and though I've always known it, I don't think I've ever understood just how god-like they are. This one can take out just about anything in less than a turn and never receive a scratch, by just slapping on a few low level pre-buff spells and Improved Haste. 9 Attacks per round with an average damage range of 25-35 mops up anything pretty nicely, and it lasts for about as long as 20 Whirlwinds. He's also got -9/-7 THAC0, which can go down to below -20 with the right spells. This evening, I took out the New Lich in the Docks, Improved Kangaxx, Kuirosan (you wont believe how hard and quick he fell to a few MMM when I was under the influence of Improved Haste), Improved Temple Ruins, and Planar Sphere in less than two hours.

And the sweet part is he so amazingly powerful at such an early stage,I got to lvl 13/14 before even doing all of the usual Chapter 2 Quests in Athkatla, he was just about done when I got him through the Unseeing eye quest, reading scrolls for about 150 000 Gold helped of course [img]smile.gif[/img]

I think I shall grow bored with this one quite soon, can't see how anything can be a challenge with him. Even Improved Irenicus looks like he'll be a piece of cake with this character, especially when I get my hands on Lvl 9 and 10 spells.

[Butterfingers]

I would have to say a Blade.

A Blade vs a pure classed Kensai, no contest, Blade wins hands down.

There are a million reasons why a Blade is actually a better fighter then the actual fighter kits. Now, dual classing changes the dynamic a bit.

Blades have spells, self buffs, all manner of skills and the ability to tank. Something a Kensai does not have. I would dare say a properly buffed Blade using the right spells and equipment would probably have better THAC0 and damage then a Kensai would, maybe, maybe not, but I still bet on the Blade. Blades get their own Ki, it's called Offensive Spin. And they can use weapons a Kensai can't. Giving them a decided tactical advantage. Blades can do things a Kensai could only dream of, like taking out a whole city worth of Mindflayers with out ever taking damage, getting stunned, or, brain drained once.

All of the fighter kits in SoA suck eggs really. Give me a Blade or a Monk any day over any of the fighter kits. Unless of course you plan to dual. That changes things a bit.

[Jatelka]

Monks rule: Yay!

[Mr_Krift]

i would go blade also but then again i also use thief type char. in every game and also you cant where armor with the kensi

[Grojlach]

Originally posted by Butterfingers: I would have to say a Blade. A Blade vs a pure classed Kensai, no contest, Blade wins hands down. There are a million reasons why a Blade is actually a better fighter then the actual fighter kits. Now, dual classing changes the dynamic a bit.

"A bit"? A Kensai/Mage eats dozens of Blades for breakfast, I reckon... But I agree with the rest of your post.

[Butterfingers]

Who are you kidding? Kensai Mage this, Kensai Mage that, PHAGH!

Blade would still win. With his smooth charming personality, the Blade would appeal to the K/M's ego, buff him up a good bit, get him feeling good, lead him to a bar to buy him some drinks and a good guys night out, meanwhile, something would be slipped into the K/M's drink probably. After drinking him under the table, he would relieve the K/M of any valuables, coins, magical weapons, trinkets, etc, and probably dump the body out in the street, still passed out. Or worse, plant a dagger in his back and dump the body in the sewers.

Old D&D proverb. Beware of Bards bearing gifts. There is a darn good reason why this proverb was spoken. I know it's not in game, but, in PnP, there was a chance a Bard could charm somebody with out ever once using spell craft bringing a being completely under his or her control. Skills like Diplomocy, Lying, Smooth Talk, etc, a well versed Bard could sooth even the most savage of beasty men or women with but his tongue alone, no blades needed.

Kensai Mages have no style, none at all. They are just weenie humans with short life spans who blunder through life thinking they are the superiour race, in a mad rush to power, fame, fortune, and glory. A Half Elven Bard has centuries to perfect his art, and, believe me, any Bard worth his salt will live long enough to do so.

Besides. Even if the fight was not going well for the Bard, he would employ the most famous of all Bard skills, something they learn in Self Preservation 101 in Bard College. RUN!