Kensai/Druid

[The Hairy Caveman]

Has anyone ever played through the game with a dual classed kensai -> druid? I was thinking of dual classing at lvl 13 because the jump from lvl 14 to 15 druid is just wacky. I know that this probably wouldnt be the worlds most powerful class but I've played through so many times I'd like to try something different. Does anyone know if the kensai's attack and damage bonus would apply to shapeshifted forms? It'd be cool to shapeshift into a panther and tear it up like Gwen. The spellcasting abilities of the druid could possibly compensate for the kensai's lack of armor but I think the character would still turn out much more offensively oriented than most. Any comments on setups to maximize AC?

[K2Grey]

A kensai's attack and damage bonus would apply to shapeshifted forms, however, I don't think the shapeshifted panther is particularly impressive in melee compared to a big weapon. In addition, when I think of kensai I think of a guy with two swords, which doesn't work for druids, unless they still have that retarded scimitar thing going on. Oh wait, they do. Ok, then you can make a Drizzt clone, but still ehh.

As for maximizing AC, I dunno, but start with lv4 Spirit Armor spell on him, and go from there. Since Kensai does have a natural AC bonus, he's usually better in fighter in AC. Wear the Ring of Protection +2 and stuff.

[Neomi]

I used a Kensai -> Druid once and I can definitely vouch for her tanking ability. With max dexterity, a Kensai's AC bonus, barkskin (wimpy at low levels but gets better), a few items, and ironskins you are basically untouchable. Take staff as your main weapon. Early in the game you can get a Cleric's staff +3 or the Staff of Rhynn (+4 I think). There is also a nice staff for Druids sold by Joluv (one of the bonus merchants who you can find in the Copper Coronet). Eventually you'll get the various elemental staves and the Staff of the Woodlands. Once in TOB you can upgrade to the Staff of the Ram. It just gets better and better. Add to that the possibility of tons of defensive and disabling spells and you have one very nasty PC.

I do have to agree with K2Grey that the "classic" Kensai is the "sword saint" but you can always develop a cool background story to explain it...

"She awoke to find herself alone in the wooded glen. Looking around, she slowly counted the bodies of her comrades in disbelief. It had been a vicious surprise attack. The foul orcs and ogrons came upon them as they camped for the evening on the side of the desolate highway. Aided by foul disabling magic, the foul creatures had gutted the party and taken every scrap of equipment before thundering down the path in search of further prey. Only Jaliandra had been left alive, and she was sure that it had been an oversight. Her wounds were indeed dire, she was alone and miles from anything remotely resembling civilization, and her remaining strength was waning. Desperate, she searched for a weapon -- anything, even a knife, that might allow her to fight off another attack. But anything with a sharp edge had been plundered by those abominations against nature. Her only option, it seemed, was to improvise, and the young oak sapling at the edge of the clearing would have to do..."

[The Hairy Caveman]

Staff? Staff? We don't need no stinking staff!! I was thinking of using the Impaler....the upgraded version. It's gotta be the worlds most overpowered ranged weapon and thats before the kensai's +4/+4 bonus! Besides this would make up for the lack of armor and free up about half of the spells slots I would use for things like barkskin and ironskin for things like healing and summons/insect plagues. I was planning on using dual scimitars (druid weapon selection stinks) but after looking at the weapons in the game I realized that there really weren't any particularly powerful ones that druids could use. However, I will take staff also, if for no other reason than to be good with the stick I plan to break over imp. Faldorn's head... What I'm most worried about is the stat roll. I made a druid in BG1 that was dualled from a fighter, lvl 7/8 with Icingdeath, and he owned but he needed 17+ charisma as well as 17 wisdom to dual. Thats a lot of stat points when you consider that the only thing my character won't need is int but I dont want to drop that to base because it ruins saves and lore. I was planning to play through BG1 agian with this char and I rolled...

STR 18/23
DEX 17
CON 18
INT 8
WIS 14
CHA 16
Beggining (89 stat points, high but I've had more)

STR 19
DEX 18
CON 19
INT 9
WIS 17
CHA 17
End BG1 (All tomes give +1 except wis which gets +3)

STR 19
DEX 17 OR 18
CON 19 OR 21
INT 8
WIS 18
CHA 18
End SoA (Second column is evil path, I'm dropping int for dream sequence)

STR 20
DEX 18 OR 19
CON 20 OR 22
INT 9
WIS 19
CHA 19
Finale (All machine bonuses, regeneration...drool)
The character (yes I powergame) looks pretty tough but I had some more questions...
1.) Will choosing an evil path at the end for stat bonuses cause a fall similar to a ranger? I know that druids a supposed to be nuetral but it would make me NE...
2.) Will a druid get a 'Holy Symbol' like a ToB cleric? Not really important but I love every stat point/spell slot I can get...
3.) I'll be using this character in my first run-through of assension and maybe other mods as well. Are there any more chances to upgrade/change my characters' stats that ya'll know of in this/other mods?

[ 04-14-2005, 01:57 PM: Message edited by: The Hairy Caveman ]

[Illumina Drathiran'ar]

Choosing an evil path will make you evil, but not Fallen.

Druids won't get a holy symbol, but can acquire an item similar to a holy symbol.

And don't knock the staff... The Staff of the Ram is one of the best weapons available to a druid. But once you get Energy Blades you're set for life anyway.

[uss]

Originally posted by The Hairy Caveman: STR 19 DEX 18 CON 19 INT 9 WIS 17 CHA 17 End BG1 (All tomes give +1 except wis which gets +3) STR 19 DEX 17 OR 18 CON 19 OR 21 INT 8 WIS 18 CHA 18 End SoA (Second column is evil path, I'm dropping int for dream sequence)

Where would you get the WIS and CHA boosts? Or are those non-permanent item boosts?

[Klutz]

Don't knock Scimitar either. Spectral Brand + Belm is a fantastic dual-wield combo: cold damage, level drain, main weapon upgrades to +5, and 4.5 APR. No mods needed. It's my favorite Jaheira TOB weapon combo. If you specialize in clubs also, Blackblood + Belm will serve you fine through SOA before getting Spectral Brand.

For spear, the unmodded Impaler is plenty nasty enough in SOA (with Spear of Withering +4 for elemental damage), and Ixil's Spike +6 is available in TOB. Staff, in addition to the super-powerful Staff of the Ram +6, gives you Staff of the Woodlands +4 which grants its own permanent Barkskin while equipped.

Oh, and if you're going to go with throwing weapons for your Kensai/Druid, the good old Firetooth dagger +3 is plenty powerful enough.

Keep in mind that a dual-class can have TONS of proficiencies in different weapons if desired and planned out. You can wind up, for example, being a dual-wield specialist with Scimitars as well as a two-handed specialist with Quarterstaves by the time your Druid regains the Kensai class.

[ 04-14-2005, 04:33 PM: Message edited by: Klutz ]

[mad=dog]

Also there is Belm +2 mentioned between the lines. Doesn't look like much, but the +1 atk/rnd counts for something. With Kensai Kai you want to get as many attacks in as possible (seen from an utter Kensai n00bs point of view).
Too bad you cannot go Shapeshifter. Can't use armor anyhow and the Greater Werewolf with all the Kensai TH and dmg bonuses as well as Kai would kick some serious butt by my reckoning. Alas not possible.

[Leslie]

If you powergame then check the Fulcrum +4(or Pitchwife +5) and Water's Talon +4 dualwield combo.

[Dace De'Briago]

If you powergame you've seriously shortchanged yourself with the high Wisdom bonus spells