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Kensai (Fighter Kit)

The Kensai — "sword saint" in the common tongue — is a warrior trained to be one with his weapon. He is deadly, fast, and trained to fight without the protection of armor.

Note

Despite the name, a Kensai may use any melee weapon with which he is proficient — not just swords.

Advantages

  • +2 bonus to Armor Class.
  • +1 to-hit and damage every 3 levels.
  • –1 bonus to speed factor every 4 levels.
  • May use Kai ability once per day every 4 levels (1st-level Kensai starts with one use):
    • KAI: All successful attacks within the next 10 seconds deal maximum damage.

Disadvantages

  • May not wear any armor.
  • May not use missile weapons.
  • May not wear gauntlets or bracers.

When to pick it

  • A glass cannon: pairs spectacularly with dual-classing into Mage at level 13 ("Kensage") to combine the Kensai's bonuses with mage protective spells.
  • Vulnerable while undual'd — keep him out of incoming missile fire.

Source: bgee/original_manuals/baldurs_gate_1_ee_mastering_melee_and_magic.pdf — "Kensai (Fighter Kit)".