Kensai

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Revision as of 20:07, 19 August 2006

Kensai

The kensai are a type of warrior that melds aspects of the fighter's martial

prowess with parts of the monk's dedicated focus to their art. Kensai are by no

means effective with a wide arrangement of weaponry - rather, they choose a

weapon and master its use until the weapon is, in a way, part of their very soul.

Kensai disregard armor, favoring a quick, accurate style over brute strength. The

best of the kensai can match the best of fighters in combat - and their prowess

often earns them the title of "sword saints".

Alignment: The path of the kensai may only be traveled by those of a lawful

alignment, due to the sheer dedication necessary to master the use of one weapon.

Hit Die: d10.

Profiencies: A kensai is only proficient with his or her weapon of choice (see

Kensai Abilities below). Kensai are not allowed to wear armor or shields, or else

they lose all of their Ki Strike-powered abilities.

Skill Points: 2 + Int Modifier

Abilities: Dexterity is possibly the most important stat for a kensai, as they

achieve their combat prowess with fast, graceful movement rather than brute

strength. A high Wisdom score adds to the effectiveness of some of the kensai's

special abilities.

special: A kensai cannot wear armor, so they apply both their Dexterity and

Wisdom modifiers to their AC. This is a dodge bonus, so kensais lose this extra

AC if they are caught flat-footed.

Saves: Reflex and Will high, Fortitude low

Base Attack Bonus: High

Kensai Abilities:

Weapon of Choice: At 1st level, the kensai must choose one weapon of choice. The

weapon of choice must be a melee or reach weapon (an unarmed strike is considered

a weapon, and if chosen, the kensai is considered to have the Improved Unarmed

Strike feat). Because of this, bows, crossbows, and other ranged weapons cannot

be chosen.

The weapon of choice is the only weapon the kensai is considered

proficient in - all other weapons take the normal -4 nonproficiency penalty.

Kensai special abilities may only be used when he or she wields the weapon of

choice. A kensai is considered to have the Weapon Finesse feat for thier weapon

of choice (even if the feat cannot be normally applied to that weapon).

Bonus Feats: At 1st level, the kensai gains the Dodge feat. At 2nd level, the

kensai gains the Mobility feat. At 4th level, the kensai gains the Combat

Reflexes feat. At 6th level, the kensai gains the Spring Attack feat. All of

these feats are automatically gained - the kensai does not need to meet the

prerequisites.

Ki Strike: Starting at 1st level, the kensai may make a strike at maximum damage.

The intent to use a Ki Strike must be declared before the attack roll - if the

attack hits, the value of the damage die of the weapon plus the kensai's

Dexterity modifier is the reulting damage. (Add on any other modifiers normally, and

roll any extra damage dice as usual.) Therefore, a kensai with Dex 16 and Str 10 and a

longsword would do 11 damage on a successful Ki Strike. If the attack misses, the

attempt is used up. The kensai may make as many Ki Strikes per day as his or her

kensai level. Ki Strikes cannot score a critical hit. Extra damage from weapon

properties or special abilities are still determined normally, and not maximized.

       At 5th level, the kensai may also add his Wisdom modifier to his Ki 

Strike damage.

Flight of the Phoenix: At 3rd level, kensai gain a +10 ft. bonus to their speed.

This extra speed is lost if the kensai is carrying a heavy load, or is somehow

encumbered.

Slashing Winds: At 4th level, kensai gain a +1 bonus to their attack rolls made

with their weapon of choice. At 8th level, this bonus increases to +2.

Evasion: At 5th level, a kensai gains evasion. This improves to Improved Evasion at 9th level.

Fangs of the Dragon God: At 6th level, the kensai learns an ability known as

seiryuga - this special training allows a kensai to focus, and improve their

ability to make a critical strike with their weapon of strike. This improves the

threat range of a critical hit made with their weapon of choice by +1 (applied

after modifiers, such as for the one or Improved Critical). At 13th level, the

damage multiplier of the critical increases by one. For example, a longsword,

which would have a x2 critical multiplier, would now have a x3 multiplier.

Circular Heaven Strike: At 8th level, the kensai gains the Whirlwind attack.

However, at 12th level, the Whirlwind Attack improves, and may be made as a

standard action instead of substituting your full attack option. Only one

Whirlwind Attack may be made per round.