Kensai Magus

[Amric]

I looked at a copy of UC recently and the Kensai archetype seems interesting. I was wondering what the overall opinion of it is.

Is it worth the decrease in casting ability to increase melee? I am currently using a dervish dance/bladebound build.

My GM gave use permission to recreate (we are only 2nd lvl) so I was curious. I have looked at Walter's guide but didn't see the archetype included.

Any thoughts, concerns or potential builds would be appreciated.

Thanks.

[leo1925]

Amric wrote:

I looked at a copy of UC recently and the Kensai archetype seems interesting. I was wondering what the overall opinion of it is.

Is it worth the decrease in casting ability to increase melee? I am currently using a dervish dance/bladebound build.

My GM gave use permission to recreate (we are only 2nd lvl) so I was curious. I have looked at Walter's guide but didn't see the archetype included.

Any thoughts, concerns or potential builds would be appreciated.

Thanks.

The most popular build is kensai bladebound dervish dance elf.

You need a little help surviving 1st and 2nd level but after that you should be fine enough.

[Scarymike]

I'm currently playing a Kensai Magus who's weapon of choice is the whip.

So, yeah, not optimized (no dervish dance). I did go the weapon finesse route (otherwise my AC was only 11), and hope to get an agile whip eventually (dex to damage +1 enhancement).

he is a little sucky at first level (we have only had one session). I use dirty trick and trip mostly (utilizing the 15 foot range of the whip), but I only get one 1st level spell and 2 cantrips thanks to diminished spell casting.

I expect he will do much better by 3rd level or so. Planning to take the whip mastery feats, and use the gold old fashion magical lineage trait to do intensified shocking grasp through the whip... someday. :) The whip mastery feats require weapon focus, so that's some nice synergy since you get that for free.

[ProfPotts]

Make sure your party Wizard or Sorcerer has a handy-dandy Wand of Mage Armour to spam for you and you'll be fine! :)

[Haco]

But Scimitar is not finesseable weapon even with dervish dance...only for duelist prestige class...

[Thaago]

The feat itself gives both damage and attack bonuses from dex with it. But yes, until 3rd level the Dervish Dance magus is very weak.

I like the Kensai archetype quite a bit. Pearls of power become cheap (especially as Magi are only level 6 casters), so by mid level you won't mind the diminished spellcasting too much. The nice thing about perfect strike is that it lets you choose after the hit/crit whether you want to activate it. You can get a truly ludicrous number of attacks of opportunities at mid levels between the intelligence and dex - my personal favorite is building towards the bodyguard feet with Gloves of Arcane Striking and a Benevolent silken haramaki or robe. Probably not optimal as its defense rather than offense, but it is fun to spike your allies' AC sky high.

Be aware that the Kensai has a slightly higher armor class than other Magi, but it is all touch AC. This is absolutely great against gunslingers and casters, but can be taken away by conditions that negate dex. I personally think its great, but it is a weakness to be aware of.

[Haco]

But where is the officially writting of this for rules GMs?

[EvilPaladin]

Haco wrote:

But Scimitar is not finesseable weapon even with dervish dance...only for duelist prestige class...

Technically, you are correct. It isn't finesseable, so if you have a feat that specifies a weapon you can use Weapon Finesse with, you can't use it. However

Dervish Dance wrote:

When wielding a scimitar with one hand, you can use your Dexterity modifier instead of your Strength modifier on melee attack and damage rolls. You treat the scimitar as a one-handed piercing weapon for all feats and class abilities that require such a weapon (such as a duelist’s precise strike ability). The scimitar must be for a creature of your size. You cannot use this feat if you are carrying a weapon or shield in your off hand.

So, functionally the same as an agile weapon, but with a scimitar.

[Haco]

Ok thx EvilPaladin this is fine for me and allows to use a Scimitar as a finesse weapon.

Thx for the help.

[Zilfrel Findadur]

Haco wrote:

But where is the officially writting of this for rules GMs?

What are you, Casual?