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Kensai (Fighter Kit)

The name means "sword saint" in the common tongue — a warrior specially trained to be one with their weapon. Kensais are deadly, fast, and trained to fight without the protection of armor.

Note

Despite its name, a Kensai may use any melee weapon with which they are proficient.

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 once per day, +1 use every 4 levels.
    • Kai: All successful attacks within the next 10 seconds deal maximum damage.

Disadvantages

  • May not wear any armor.
  • May not use ranged weapons (both missile and thrown).
  • May not wear gauntlets or bracers.

When to pick it

  • The Kai burst at low levels turns a single melee attack round into massive damage — pair with Grand Mastery and Haste for devastating openers.
  • The armor restriction is severe in IWD's snowfield ambushes — the AC bonus partly compensates, but you'll lean heavily on Stoneskin, Mirror Image, and Defensive Stance buddies.

Source: iwdee/original_manuals/IWDEE - Mastering Melee & Magic.pdf — "Kensai (Fighter Kit)".