Finally decided on my next character and it will be a Tiefling Bladebound Kensai. Any advice/suggestions on how to build it are greatly appreciated. It's a 20pt buy with 2 traits (or 3 and a drawback). Here is what I was thinking for starting stats:
STR: 13
DEX: 17 (19)
CON: 14
INT: 14 (16)
WIS: 8
CHA: 5
Feat level 1: Weapon Finesse
Trait: Outlander
Trait: Magic Lineage (Shocking Grasp)
Trait: Reactionary
Drawback: Vain
Should I go DEX or STR build with this? I was leaning more towards DEX, but am definitely open to swapping. Are my starting stat ideas off? Any suggestions on feats/traits? I was thinking of going Rhoka (1d8; 18-20)as the weapon and my DM is allowing me to have that for the first few levels and then basically have it change into the Black Blade.
Any and all thoughts are greatly appreciated!
Yup, that is why I as going Weapon Finesse at level 1 and Dervish Dance at level 3 (got approval for that already).
Ha, like you actually attack yourself with the AoOs?
Approval for using that weapon with Dervish Dance.
Food for thought: take a look at multicalssing Master of Many Styles and using unarmed strikes as your chosen kensai weapon and a fist wrap or similar weapon as a black blade. This opens up styles like crane, snake, and panther for all those AoOs.
So when I built my Bladebound Kensai I was tired of all the Dervish Dance builds, so I went for a Strength-based character. It was a little fragile at first level, but wound up being highly effective.
Both Dex and Str based have their upsides. I feel like the mid game (level 3 - 11) The Dex based would probably have the edge. I think the aside from the AC problems the Str based would face early on, it would end up scaling better. Looks like this is for RotRLs, so you should get to level 18ish(assuming you don't die).
My advice, with the Kensai you don't need to augment your attacks with spells. You will be doing good damage already. I would invest in some Pearls of Power early on and use them so you can get shield up at the start of each combat. Later when you have a lot more money you can start fueling touch spells for damage and effects. I played a this a Dex based Bladebound Kensai and picked up Craft wondrous items at level 5. While this helped alot. I was still feat starved. I think the STR based might be the way to go due to the flexibility it gives your character. And you would qualify for powerattack.
I wouldn't dip levels on a Magus. It's not worth it, basically ever.
Even with the Karmic Bloodline...you're giving up the attack you could get via Arcane Mark + Spell Combat and Spellstrike for maybe getting the AoO. That's...not a good trade.
if thats how you feel. i disagree. a two level dip taken strategically can net far more than the loss. as an example, my bladebound kensai took 2 dips, both 2 levels. one in monk (MoMS) and the other in fighter (Unarmed fighter). the first level outside magus was taken at 7, the rest we not until 10, 11, and 12 where physical damage is in much more need then spell power (in my opinion). so while at level 12 i only have 8 levels in magus, hes still firmly enough planted in the class that his spells that actually do have saves (not many because strategic spell selection makes needing to overcome SR or have a high DC irrelevant)can still hit, if it cant, no real loss because it doesn't affect the characters DPR or utility very much at all. the idea behind a kensai (any archetype that gets diminished spellcasting) is that they focus far less on spells than they do combat. by level 12 my character can make use of frostbite while spell combating and ALLOW the AoO for casting, then either deflect the attack all together, and make an AoO himself (crane style), or get missed by it and take 2 attacks against the person who missed (snake style), and then continue to make a full attack. if you plan this out right, you can throw in intensified spell with magical lineage (frostbite) and enforcer and be doing quite a bit of additional damage as well as debuffing at the cost of a level one spell thats not going to fizzle, be resisted, or even have to bother with casting defensively to take the penalty to hit, and still manage to burn up all the charges from that spell in 1 round if you are surrounded.
this might be a very specific build, but IMHO, its WORTH the dip to do it. i dont think its fair to say that its never worth a dip for a magus...
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I am trying to help a buddy build a very similar build.
My situation is a bit different, as the Weapon Finesse feat, is available as a trait, and we have access to this feat:
You have learned how to use your agility to greater purpose in battle.
Prerequisites: Weapon Finesse, base attack bonus +1
Benefit: You may add your Dexterity modifier in place of your Strength modifier when wielding a light weapon or a weapon that gains the benefits of the Weapon Finesse feat (such as the Rapier) when determining additional damage inflicted upon a successful attack. This modifier to damage is not increased for two-handed weapons, but is not reduced for off-hand weapons.
Now, I am trying to decide when is the best time to nab Intensified Spell.
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wouldn't dip levels on a Magus. It's not worth it, basically ever.
Even with the Karmic Bloodline...you're giving up the attack you could get via Arcane Mark + Spell Combat and Spellstrike for maybe getting the AoO. That's...not a good trade.
I think dipping on a Kensai can be incredibly useful. One of the common ones is a first level dip in Admixturist Wizard, so you can change your element types as needed, and you can get access to Mage Armour wands and scrolls without needing to waste one of your rare arcanas [since you are BladeBound and Kensai, you miss out on some of those]. Now, I don't think Karmic is the best dip on a Kensai, because you at least want some synergy with your class, but still it can be good to dip on a Kensai.
I have gone through that but being new to the class, I wasn't sure if there was anything to keep in mind for doing both Bladebound and Kensai together (since it is only covered in about two sentences towards the end).
My game is starting up this Saturday, so any and all input on the build in the original post would be greatly appreciated!
I reccomand taking a Moms monk level around level at level 11 or 14 or so it is a great Way to boost AC and sneek In crane style. With a starting wis of 12 you Can get quite a bit of extra AC out of it. And crane style Will allow you 4 more for 2 to hit when it Burns. This should lift your AC that all important few points in to the stratosfere.
Magus is one the non-playtest classes I have the least experience with.
I know upping your critical threat is key.
My biggest concern, has been dealing with early levels, when the damage is light, and you're still squishy.
Is this for an adventure path?
Nope...DM is creating it
Dump STR and take Dervish Dance, you can maximise DEX to take more AC, REFLEX, INIT, and damage!
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Dumping stats is a very risky thing to do. Just ask four of my characters if dumping stats was a good idea when they were facing enemies with ability damage and drains. Two rounds of attacks and your done for the day.
Encumbrance can be defeated though, consider bags of holding, mule back cords, etc...
Building a bladebound doesn't really change anything when building a character. You simply two things (some arcane pool and an arcana) to gain a blade with utilities. Nothing more, so it's kinda like a template you slap on whenever.
but you can't wear armor so you encumbrace will be just your weapon and some items on your bag... i think that kensai is one of the best build to use for a dex build
Hi Guys! Just stopped buy to say a couple of things! =) ...
One, i've checked the kensai guide, and seems very nice... I've played the Kensai a couple of times and i really like the archetype... I just noticed something in the session 10. Special Tatics... About the spell storing weapon combo, there's a thread where somebody from paizo explains that although you can apply some metamagic feats without increasing the spell slot, they still take an storage level inside the weapon (or if it is a ring) ajusted by the feat...
So an Empowered Intensified Shocking Grasp takes 4 spell levels inside items, and it wouldn't fit inside a spell storing weapon...
But i recommend putting in a spell storing weapon things like a Rime Frigid Touch (it's still 3rd level!) ... The Vampiric touch is nice as well, and you can increase the burst with the Shocking Grasp Intensified... If you take A Familiar with an Arcana, and later on the Improved Familiar Feat, to take some magical beast that can cast spells, you can make it replenish your spell storing weapon once per round!
=)
I would like to indicate taking Spell Blending for Fluid FOrm, at the late game... Being a Kensai who's never surprised, and have that amazing initiative , and besides has a lots of AoO... Your reach extends a LOT with this spell!
Now, about the weight the kensai doesn't have to worry about it, he will not wear any armor! ...
=) ... (rein"forcy"ng)
Since this thread has been necroed, I'll use it to solicit advice on my bladebound kensai whip build:
Elf (Arcane Focus, Darkvision)
strength 9, dexterity 18, constitution 12, intelligence 18, wisdom 10, charisma 7
traits: Bruising Intellect, Magical Lineage (shocking grasp)
1: Weapon Focus (whip), Weapon Finesse
2:
3: Slashing Grace (whip)
4:
5: Whip Mastery, Intensify Spell
6: Flamboyant Arcana, FCB Arcane Deed (precise strike)
7: Improved Whip Mastery
I've never played a magus before, so I'd love to hear any advice people may have!
I considered going the Rime Spell route. But, the current concept is a Calistrian "revenge artist", and somehow dishing out mountains of pain seemed more fitting than battlefield control. I was also thinking that it would depend on the group I end up playing in - if it's heavy on damage-dealers, I could go the Rime route for more control, or if I'm the primary hammer I would focus more on Shocking Grasp.
Moving up Whip Mastery is not a bad idea, but until I get Slashing Grace my damage is going to be 1d3-1, so it doesn't really matter whether or not the weapon damage goes through. My understanding is that whether or not the weapon damage goes through, the Spellstrike will still go off, and the Shocking Grasp is going to be the real damage, especially before I get Slashing Grace and Precise Strike. But, not provoking would also be nice.
Ah, now you're making me really sad Bestow Curse is not a magus spell. I wonder if my GM would let me research it...
Unfortunately, without Kensai giving you free whip proficiency and Weapon Focus, the ridiculous whip feat tax is rather unmanageable.
I suppose I could play a half-elf instead of an elf to get the whip proficiency, but that still pushes both Whip Mastery and Slashing Grace to 5, and Intensify to 9.