I was thinking of playing a dual class kensai/druid my next time through. However, I was wondering what would be my best option(s) as far as weapons and weapon proficiencies. I was thinking about quarterstaves, especially with the staff of woodlands later in the game (the permanent barkskin and AC bonus would be huge for a kensai). I know spears are good, too, but then you sacrifice defense. Any other suggestions in this area?

Unless you're using a game editor you may have trouble dualing a Kensai with a Druid as sub-classes are unable to be dualled (unfortunately). A fighter/druid combo is always fun to play but personally I prefer sticking to a single class so I am able to max out their abilities, thinking of doing a Totemic Druid next time through. [img]smile.gif[/img]

A kensai/druid is a perfectly legitemate dual class as long as you start with the kensai. He/she will need 15 in the prime requisit (i.e. strength for the kensai) and scores of 17 in the secondary class (so for a druid, WIS and CHA need to be set to 17). The alignment of the kensai must be true neutral. Then he can dual to a druid. You cannot dual into a kit, only a pure class (unless you want to cheat and use shadow keeper)

I think a Kensai/Druid would be quite cool. Place slots into scimitar to maximise those attacks per round (think Belm). Staff of the woodlands is a good idea and will vastly improve the kensai's AC. Don't worry about sacrificing defence since kensai's cannot wield shields (even when dualled), concentrate on dual wielding to get as many attacks as you can from the kensai since each attack is going to hit hard!. Dual-class to druid at level 13 IMO to get the extra 1/2 attack per round and give yourself decent melee skills.

I'm soloing a single class Avenger Druid at the mo and it was a total nightmare earning 1,500,000 XP to get from level 14 to 15 and the game was very tough since druids lack melee skills. Things are beter now I can summon Elemental Princes and Devas to fight side by side :D

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Jim:
A kensai/druid is a perfectly legitemate dual class as long as you start with the kensai. He/she will need 15 in the prime requisit (i.e. strength for the kensai) and scores of 17 in the secondary class (so for a druid, WIS and CHA need to be set to 17). The alignment of the kensai must be true neutral. Then he can dual to a druid. You cannot dual into a kit, only a pure class (unless you want to cheat and use shadow keeper)<hr></blockquote>

Exactly. If I don't do it with a kensai, I'll do a berserker/druid.

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>I think a Kensai/Druid would be quite cool. Place slots into scimitar to maximise those attacks per round (think Belm). Staff of the woodlands is a good idea and will vastly improve the kensai's AC. Don't worry about sacrificing defence since kensai's cannot wield shields (even when dualled), concentrate on dual wielding to get as many attacks as you can from the kensai since each attack is going to hit hard!. Dual-class to druid at level 13 IMO to get the extra 1/2 attack per round and give yourself decent melee skills.<hr></blockquote>

Actually, the staff gives AC3 from permanent barkskin, and an additional 3 point AC bonus (for a total of AC0, BEFORE any dex or other adjustments). That's a LOT of defense to be giving up! Then again, depending on the type of items you find along the way, you could forgo this if the weapon is right (Belm is good, but the number of other good Scimitars in the game is not great, and clubs are decent but not great, either). You would almost certainly need every AC item available (that he could use) to avoid getting hit.

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>I'm soloing a single class Avenger Druid at the mo and it was a total nightmare earning 1,500,000 XP to get from level 14 to 15 and the game was very tough since druids lack melee skills. Things are beter now I can summon Elemental Princes and Devas to fight side by side :D <hr></blockquote>

Yeah, that's the really lousy part about druids, that "little jump" they have to make. How are avengers? I would have probably done the totemic druid (if I really wanted a single-class druid), because I'm not huge on shapechanging.

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Jim:
A kensai/druid is a perfectly legitemate dual class as long as you start with the kensai. <hr></blockquote>

I stand humbly corrected. [img]smile.gif[/img]

the reason you would take an avenger(my fav druid) is to get the extra spells especially chromatic orb, lighting bolt and chain lightning.

I luuuuuuv Avengers. If Cernd were an Avenger, I'd probably dump Jaheira for him, even with his whining "personality".

Having 6 spare Chromatic Orbs really helps in many encounters: killing Faldorn was a matter of Insect Plague, Doom, Doom, and then Chromatic Orbs until she was petrified.

Lightning Bolt is great, too, as long as you cast Protection from Lightning first [img]smile.gif[/img] And of course my favorite Druid spell, Conjure Fire Elemental.

-- Nifft