Character Rurouni Kenshin


Advice


Hey all, We are starting a new campaign and I want to build a Rurouni Kenshin character (the campaign is one where the GM said to make characters based off your favorite anime) My problem is I know about Rurouni Kenshin and could easily build an 15-18th level character for him. I am having a hard time trying to build a first level Kenshin. Like when he was starting out. What are your thoughts on the feats, traits and skills.
I am thinking of a human fighter with the stats of Str 16, Dex 18 (16 + 2 human bonus, 14 con, and 10 for int, wos, and chr

Any help would be appreciated


It may not be possible to build a 1st level Kenshin. But you can build your 15th level Kenshin, then ask youself, what should I take at 1st level to start on my path to become 15th level Kenshin.

Remember, we come upon most characters in anime (and comics/novels/tv) after a certain amount of development. We frequently delve into their backstory during the series through flashbacks. This means the character we are watching isn't 1st level.

But you can make what you think he will become, then start plotting your way there, trying to make him as close as possible at each level even though some of the pieces will be missing until higher levels.


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You're going to want some levels of Samurai (Sword Saint) with the Order of the Blue Rose for both the quick-draw-strike and the ability to freely use any weapon to deal non-lethal damage. Also, bear in mind that Kenshin's real advantage is keen insight into his opponent's motivations, so ranks in Sense Motive, Bluff, and Diplomacy are going to be a must (although it took Kenshin a very long time to properly apply these traits, so getting high scores through ranks and maybe a few feat or two is acceptable.)

Sczarni

What kind of sources are you allowed to use? If 3.5 material is allowed, I'd strongly recommend looking at the Swordsage from the Book of Nine Swords. It's basically perfectly-suited for a Kenshin-type character; light armor, lots of mobility, and powerful single strikes.

If that's not allowed, take a look at the Sword Saint Samurai archetype from the Dragon Empires Primer. If you don't mind the concept of throwing some actual magic into the mix, try the Kensai Magus archetype from Ultimate Combat.


Diamond Mind Warblades and Swordsages are very samurai esque, bit out of date for pathfinder though.

Blade of mercy is a trait that lets you deal non lethal with slashing weapons at no penalty. If thats something to go by it might be worth a trait for you to get something similar. Goes well with enforcer to make your character terrifying but entirely non lethal.

I'd suggest Urban Barbarian for a samurai. Controlled rage can be refluffed as an intense focus, gives extra options and is much more durable than the samurai class I think. Rage powers can help mobility and durability, and don't have to make you an angry monster. 4+ skillpoints and diplomacy and intimidate inclass seems much more like Kenshin to me.

I'd also vote against Sword Saint. The way it performs is dramatic and tries to make fluff meet mechanics, but I just don't feel like it works out in its favor. You can just fluff any running dash as that moment of focus where their eyes meet and they perform Iajutsu.


Thank you for all the advise. I am going to start the build and will post the finished product here.


A merciful weapon is a must, too.

Grand Lodge

Pathfinder Adventure, Rulebook Subscriber
Ashiel wrote:

For example, a friend of mine who isn't very good at making characters himself due to inexperience wanted a "Rurouni Kenshin" samurai. Wandering swordsman type who wears little armor, was really fast, and could deliver devastating surprise blows even in the midst of combat with his katana.

After examining the key points, we settled on Barbarian 1 / Rogue 3 / Fighter X, and gave him the Cloak Dance feat which allowed him to gain concealment in combat and thus use Stealth to seemingly vanish from sight, which emulated his ability to move so quickly that your senses couldn't follow him correctly. Sneak attack represented his Iaijutsu surprise strikes.

So we ended up with a warrior with HD-1 BAB, 40 ft speed, good athletic abilities, who seemingly vanished before appearing next to people to slap them silly with +2d6 sneak attack strikes.


Chris Kenney wrote:
You're going to want some levels of Samurai (Sword Saint) with the Order of the Blue Rose for both the quick-draw-strike and the ability to freely use any weapon to deal non-lethal damage.

He was a bloodthirsty thug early in life wasn't he?


Early life he was. But using a Merciful Katana you would be perfectly fine. Though Bracers of Armour might be necessary to make him survivable.

If you use Barbarian you might use the Urban Barbarian Archetype. If you could Flurry with the Katana then Monk might fit. Though Fleet might be a wonderful Feat for him.

Though Ninja might be a good fit since he did spend his younger life as an Assassin.


Why waste a +1 on merciful when you could just get the trait...


Wouldn't it be cooler to try to replay his history over the campaign? From thug, to assassin, to reformed badass with a goofy front who refuses to kill?

PS. barbarian doesn't really fit IMO.


Becuase barbarians are all big stupid brutes with no skillpoints or class features related to being fast, or durable, or capable in combat with a katana. Right?

Edit: I should say, that it helps to explain why something doesn't work instead of just saying that is hard for some not to read as "PS: your idea sucks!"


Also, there are several cases in which Kenshin enters a rage. Hell, Udō Jin-e works him into it just to make things interesting.


Loup Blanc wrote:
Also, there are several cases in which Kenshin enters a rage. Hell, Udō Jin-e works him into it just to make things interesting.

Is Udo the guy with the creepy eyes? I haven't seen that series in forever. I do remember him freaking out on several occasions, in particular a few times he reversed the blade on his sword. Mostly only occured in the early parts o the series if I remember right.

Sczarni

You might also want to consider having a higher than 10 int, at least enough to snag combat expertise eventually.


No, because Barbarians can increase their abilities for a short time while giving up a level of mental control and becoming fatigued afterwards.

The rage/concentration/fatigue aspect I can ignore ... but the discreteness of the ability increase I can't. There are plenty of anime characters which power up in a way which would be compatible with Rage, Kenshin just doesn't feel like one of them to me.


Pinky's Brain wrote:

No, because Barbarians can increase their abilities for a short time while giving up a level of mental control and becoming fatigued afterwards.

The rage/concentration/fatigue aspect I can ignore ... but the discreteness of the ability increase I can't. There are plenty of anime characters which power up in a way which would be compatible with Rage, Kenshin just doesn't feel like one of them to me.

What about discreteness? Are barbarians all scary yelling monsters or something when they rage? I don't see why it can't be silent, especially controlled rage. It doesn't say anywhere I can find that raging causes you to yell, scream, foam at the mouth, or any other craziness. Its just a mechanic that gives you temporary bonuses.


Yeah, Jin-e is early on. He's got the weird eyes, and a weird laugh in the manga ("Uhu-hu-hu"). Captures Kaoru in order to make Kenshin angry, because otherwise he's an easy kill. Ends up getting his arm shattered, and then he kills himself.

I personally haven't gotten very far in the manga, but I can think of several times when Kenshin's gotten angry. However, he's able to control that rage, focus it, and use it to fuel his speed. Thus, Urban Barbarian makes sense.

Grand Lodge

Pathfinder Adventure, Rulebook Subscriber

This is Kenshin's rage.


@Pinky's Brain: Read the Urban Barbarian. And might wanna rewatch the series and pay attention to when Kenshin enters Battousai mode.


+1 to TriOmegaZero. That's the point exactly.


Maybe a mix of Urban Barbarian and blue-rose Samurai? Clunky, but it sort of works.


Remember, Kenshin isn't a samurai... He's a swordsman.

I'd suggest going Fighter with the Aldori Swordlord Archtype, replacing the Katana with a Dueling Sword (pretty much the same thing, and perfectly fits Kenshin's one-handed style). You should also consider taking Crane Style.

I'd recommend following this guide

The Exchange

Pathfinder Adventure Path, Lost Omens, Maps, Rulebook, Starfinder Roleplaying Game Subscriber

Also: You can use Deadly Stroke and Wave Strike to get the Battōjutsu idea. I've been trying to figure out this concept as well.

Deadly Stroke:

Deadly Stroke (Combat)
Deal double damage plus 1 Con bleed
Prerequisitites: Greater Weapon Focus, Shatter Defenses, base attack bonus +11
Benefit: As a standard action, make a single attack with the weapon for which you have Greater Weapon Focus against a stunned or flat-footed opponent. If you hit, you deal double the normal damage and the target takes 1 point of Constitution bleed (see Conditions). The additional damage and bleed is not multiplied on a critical hit.
Source: Pathfinder Core Rulebook

Wave Strike:

Wave Strike (Combat)
You present a serene facade until you unsheathe your weapon and strike in one fluid motion.
Prerequisitites: Weapon expertise class feature or Quick Draw, Bluff 1 rank.
Benefit: If on your first turn of combat you draw a melee weapon to attack an opponent within your reach, you can spend a swift action to make a Bluff check to feint against that opponent.
Source: Ultimate Combat


Keep in mind Two-Weapon Fighting, since Kenshin's finishing moves all rely on backup blows with the scabbard.


Combat Scabbard use Club Stats.

But he doesn't use it as often as you make it sound. Though I will say have TWF & TWD does fit somewhat.


My point in needing the Blue Rose order is that the Sakabatou really isn't a proper merciful weapon. In the hands of an amateur it would be just as dangerous as a real sword - it's stated that it's only because Kenshin is already highly skilled that he can control his strikes well enough to not beat people to death with it.

That said, it's probably better as a dip in mid-levels for the extra +2 damage during your rare challenges than as the base.

The Exchange

Pathfinder Adventure Path, Lost Omens, Maps, Rulebook, Starfinder Roleplaying Game Subscriber

Chris, The feat Stage Combatant from Ultimate Combat.

Stage Combatant:
Stage Combatant (Combat)
You are a master of stage and nonlethal combats.
Prerequisitites: Weapon Focus, base attack bonus +5 Benefit: When you make an attack with a weapon that you have Weapon Focus in, you take no penalty on the attack roll when you are attempting to make an attack that deals no damage or nonlethal damage.
Normal: When making attacks that deal no damage or nonlethal damage, you take a -4 penalty on attack rolls.
Source: Ultimate Combat


both the urban barb/swordlord fighter/swordlord and blue rose SS samurai fit well.

Sczarni

nice call Xevious

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