WARNING: THIS IS NOT A POWERGAMING Vs RPG DEBATE PLEASE DO NOT POST SUCH MATERIAL.

I like Berserker/Mage DC better than Kensai/Mage DC because of the following advantages:
* B/C can have bracers and use missile weapons. A K/M can't.
* Dualing Kensai out at lvl 9 (for max lvl mage) means he/she is not much better than a normal fighter - compared to normal fighters they only have +3 to hit and +3 damage (plus 3 uses of the Kai ability and -2 speed factors)which is about about an additional 15%-20% bonus depending on your stats, skills and weapons AT THE EXPENSE OF HIGH AC, no bracers, gauntlets.

* Berserker is almost equivalent with a level-9 Kensai in melee abilities with his +2 Thac0/ +2 damage during his rage. During rage will gain 15 hp and have very important immunities (which alone IMO makes up for the Kai ability); can use ranged weapons if you want, and has zero limitation to equipment (handy for Bracers AC3).
* Even if you dont like the B's rage over K's abilities, he will still be a better MAGE because of toughness.

This is MY OPINION and only considering the priorities of mage. If you wanna be Lvl 17 mage, why not add a level 9 berserker in with no penalties. Anyway, that's how I see it. Whats your opinion.
Peace ;)

Damn. I did an extremely long paragraph on this topic before but I lost it.
Ah well.
To sum it up, for Berserker/Mage, dual at level 9 to be an archmage with average fighting ability.
For a Kensai/Mage, dual at level 12 for mage level 15 to be an awesomely offensive fighter who can use stoneskin, Mirror Image, Blur and Haste.
A kensai/mage is more of a fighter than a mage than a berserker/mage.

The same as Drunken Monk I also prefer a dc Berserker/Mage to a dc Kensai/Mage. I don't like the Kensai restrictions on equipment.

Shura's thoughts on dc first after 12th level may be very good for next expansion (ToB) but playing "through" another 1,125,000 xp :eek: before reactivating the Kensai kit is just too horrible in BG2.

That Beserker rage ability is nice... Immunity to Maze, Imprisonment, Fear, etc. +2 AC while enraged, +15hp, +2 to hit & damage. Yep increasing the thickness of your Beserkers frontal lobe area, veins popping out, growling and foaming at the mouth for 60 seconds certainly has benefits.

With CF or the Flail of Ages in hand (or dualed) liches don't have a chance! The effects of those weapons go right through most of the liches protections.

Agreed as well, Bracers of AC3 and the like assist with having a protection that cant be dispelled/removed with Breach, Pierce Magic/Shield and the like.

I may actually try a Berserker/Mage.

[This message has been edited by Draco Vlasavius (edited April 21, 2001).]

it means that a kensai dc into a mage...he still cannot use robe and bracers.....

then is there really any way to get a kensai AC at least a -10?

A kensai mage can´t use bracers but robes don´t count as armor. A kensai-mage without robe of vecna would be incomplete ;)

Straight Kensai to AC-10? That seems very tough.

Here's what I can come up with right now:

-4 from Dex
-2 from Ring of Gaxx
-1 from Ring of Earth Control
-2 from Cloak of Protection +2
-1 from a weapon (several give bonus to AC)
-2 from Single Weapon Style**

This "only" results in AC-2.

With spells it naturally gets better, Defensive Harmony and Invisibility come to mind

More ideas:
- An amulet perhaps?
- I forgot if Ioun stones can be used by Kensai. You can get AC bonus from one of those.

Thanks for your opinions guys.
Although a Kensai Lvl 12 DC is a better fighter, like I said, I prefer the B/M DC as he/she is better mage material. If your prefrences are the arcane arts, why not add the buff of a Berserker with no penalties and added bonuses.

I know this should be a new post, but what do you guys prefer in the ways of Specialist Mages? I know most people would say Conjurer because of their opposing school, but I think the Invoker is better. (IMHO) conjuration spells are weak until the higher levels, and if ToB follows in the steps of HoW (which I think it will), the Conjurer will have a new opposing school of magic, the... INVOKER ;)
What are your thoughts on this?
Peace :)