Kensai build for HotU SP Campaign lvl27max

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I'm trying to come up with a good solid BG2 Kensai recreation build, optimized for lvl27 max progression in the HotU SP Campaign. The primary goals of this build are as follows

1) The WM levels for Ki ability and other epic WM stuffs
2) Dual wielding katanas
3) No armor
4) Optimized for HotU SP campaign play up to lvl27

So far what I've come up with from the official forums is either a rogue/fighter/wm or monk/fighter/wm. I would start out with rogue or monk for the skills or defensive feats, then take 8 levels of fighter to qualify for 7 levels of WM, after that I'm unsure. It has been suggested that I take several levels of monk so that I am taking those 7 levels of WM into Epic levels. I'm most likely going to use monk levels because this character wont be wearing armor, and the combo of AC from dex and wis will make him more resiliant and versatile than the rogue. Any help with level progression, stats, feats, or anything else would be appreciated.

Human
Fighter/WM/?
Dodge, Mobility, Expertise, Weapon Focus, Spring Attack, Whirlwind Attack, Weapon Specialization, Exotic Weapons, Ambidexterity, Two Weapon Fighting, Improved Critical. Power Attack/Cleave? Blind Fighting?

 

What is sure is that you need to take WM levels for that.

Style-wise, kensai implies no armour, which is monk. But monk relies on WIS for AC, which you won't have tons of, as a fighter.

Observation: If you focus on fencing and reduce armour but not to null, you are more and more of a swashbuckler character.

You could, however, for a more Eastern-mystical feel, combine Paladin with Monk and WM. Seen this?

http://nwn.bioware.com/guilds_registry/viewtopic.html?forum=13423&topic=157553&gid=8061

Or a Kensai from BioWare boards (actually, Wizard/Rogue/WM):

http://nwn.bioware.com/underdark/character_versatilekensai.html

Take a look at those epic builds in general:

http://nwn.bioware.com/underdark/character_builds.html

 

Rogue/Fighter/WM

Rogue16/Fighter4/WM7 would have 3 Rogue special feats (Crippling Strike, Improved Evasion, Defensive Roll)

However, a Rogue10/Fighter10/WM7 could possibly work a lot better. (Pre-epic Rogue8/Fighter8/WM4 or Rogue8/Fighter5/WM7.)

You do want pre-epic rogue levels divisable by 4, and if you're going for a no armor build, you do want at least 3 rogue levels. And you do want to start with rogue.

Rogue(1), Fighter(3), Rogue(1), Fighter (4), Rogue(1), (L10) WM(4), Rogue(5), Fighter (1), (Epic) WM(3), Rogue(1), Fighter(2), Rogue (1) should work relatively well.

Feats you need: Exotic Weapon Profiency, Weapon Focus (Katana), Weapon Specialization (Katana), Improved Critical (Katana), Dodge, Mobility, Expertise, Spring Attack, Whirlwind Attack, Ambidexterity, Two-Weapon Fighting, Improved Evasion.

Nice feats: Blind-Fight, Toughness, Epic Dodge.

You WILL be running low on feats with this build, and I'm not 100% sure it's even possible.


EDIT: Decided to run a test build

CN Human. STR 15, DEX 16, CON 14, INT 14, WIS 8, CHA 8. All level increases to dexterity.

Code:

L01: Rogue (Dodge, Mobility)
L02: Fighter (Exotic Weapon Profiency)
L03: Fighter (Weapon Focus (Katana), Expertise)
L04: Fighter
L05: Rogue
L06: Fighter (Weapon Specialization (Katana), Spring Attack)
L07: Fighter
L08: Fighter (Whirlwind Attack, 8 points to Intimidate)
L09: Weaponmaster, (Improved Critical (Katana))
L10: Weaponmaster
L11: Weaponmaster
L12: Weaponmaster (Two-Weapon Fighting)
L13: Rogue
L14: Rogue
L15: Rogue (Ambidexterity)
L16: Rogue
L17: Rogue
L18: Fighter (Improved Two-Weapon Fighting)
L19: Rogue
L20: Weaponmaster

L21: Weaponmaster (Epic Weapon Focus (Katana))
L22: Weaponmaster
L23: Fighter (Epic Weapon Specialization (Katana))
L24: Fighter (Great Strength I * )
L25: Fighter (Epic Prowess)
L26: Rogue
L27: Rogue (Improved Evasion, Armor Skin **)

* Great Strength can be replaced with an another feat if you lower CON to 12 and take 16 STR when starting

** Armor Skin may be replaced with a feat of your choice

That build has a *lot* of skill points to spend as well - I suggest maxing at least Tumble, Discipline and Use Magic Device.

[ March 12, 2006, 01:11: Message edited by: Taza ]

 

It has to be a Str based build because you can't finesse katanas.

 

It is dex-based for a reason.
I know you can't finesse Katanas, nor is Weapon Finesse on the feat list. The build is dualwielding two medium weapons, it's AB will suck anyway.

If you want, I think the build works as well with starting stats of STR 16, DEX 16, CON 12, INT 14, WIS 8, CHA 8, and then putting all level increases towards strength. It's a tradeoff between saves and AC versus AB.

EDIT: The above build can drop Great Strength from it's feat list and select any feat.

[ March 12, 2006, 13:15: Message edited by: Taza ]