So I am thinking on soloing a kensai (4th game, 3th solo), and I want to ask you all about the weapons I should spec. in (i plan katanas for now), and for some cool (maybe cheesy) tactics for kensai. Although he will never reach the level of power my lvl35 sorceress is (at the very beginning of ToB, I believe he still will be a decent fighter.

So, any advice? Anybody gone solo with kensai before?

Also, what would be the way to deal with locks&traps? lacking 'Knock' and thief...

Katana is great. You also might want to take a star in dagger or axe as this will allow you to use the throwing versions, or hammer if you're a dwarf and plan to get the Dwarven Thrower.

Unless you plan to dual him to cleric, druid, or mage you'll just have to deal with traps and locks the "brute force" way - with plenty of healing potions and reloads [img]smile.gif[/img] Note that any locked compartment that has an item vital to advancing the plot can be forced open, so I wouldn't really worry about it. BTW, green scrolls of protection can be your friend if you know what kind of trap you're facing beforehand, like the one at the Twisted Rune/"Rogue Stone" door.

I dont want to dual or multi my char.
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What about Kangaxx and other low-enchanted-weapons-immune monsters?? I have heard that there is no +4 katana in SoA, only in ToB.

thats why you get proficiencies in more than one weapon type.

OK, which ones should I use for my kensai?

An 'ideal kensai item list' would come in veery handy ;)

i think a while back Alson posted about a kensai. He said something to use defender of easthaven and flail of ages.

Defender of Easthaven+2:
Equipped Abilities:
+1 AC bonus
+20% resistance to slashing, piercing, and blunt damage
THACO: +2 bonus
Damage: 1D6 + 2

Flail of Ages+3:
Combat Abilities: A chance each hit that target will be slowed (no saving throw)
THACO: +3 bonus
Damage: 1D6 + 4, +1 Acid Damage, +1 Cold Damage, +1 Fire Damage

Also, the best katanas in SoA are:

Celestial Fury+3 and,
Malakar +2 (or any other katana+2 :D )

[ 10-07-2002, 07:34 AM: Message edited by: White Lancer ]

Not so good, even the Flail Of Ages is only a +3.
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In Watchers' Keep i have found the 4th flail head. But that's in ToB, and quite tough to find ;)

Take a star in longsword. The Flametongue (not to be confused with the Flame Blade) is treated as a +4 weapon for purposes of determining what it can hit, and there are lots of other nice specialty longswords out there, like Daystar. As an alternative, you might consider installing the WeiDU "Item Upgrade" mod, which will allow you to upgrade Celestial Fury to +5.

Yes, but they have good special abilities...

There is always Belm+2, a scimitar that gives you an extra attack every round, The Equaliser+3, Dragon Slayer+2, The Daystar+2, Blade of Roses+3, Adjatha the Drinker+2, all long swords with varying special abilities, Dak'kon's Zerth Blade+2, a katana which grants extra spells (multi(dual)-classed mages only)

Also, i believe that the Flail of ages can be upgraded to +5 in ToB, but i don't have ToB, so i can't confirm...

Good solo kensai kit:

Pale Green Ioun Stone
Ring of Gaxx
Ring of Protection +2 (SoA) /3 ( ToB)
Boots of Speed
Cloak of the Sewers (melee) /Clock of Mirroring (for mage battles)
Girdle of xxx Strength (Frost SoA, Fire ToB)
Shield Amulet/Amulet of Seradine/Amulet of cheta speed

This combo gives a base AC of -2 assuming DEX of 18. Applying the shield amulet sets this to -8 which isn't at all bad to say you're not wearing any armour. That then stays for 5 turns, so equip the amulet of cheta speed to cast improved haste, and then equip the amulet of Seradine to get the MR and saving throw bonuses.

For weapons, the roleplay factor should see a kensai using a 2-Handed sword. For powergaming purposes, dual wielding will produce a higher amount of damage each round, but if you really want to see some high damage values, use the staff of the ram from ToB and the kensai can hit for a max of 55 damage each hit which is truly awesome.

BTW I hope you're brave enough to try it on insane ALL THE WAY :D