I am so curious about what is so good about a kensai dualed to a mage because after I dual, the the character will drop all its weapon. A fighter dualled to a mage can't use bows too. It is that a bug that I have, because I remember reading it somewhere that it can't be done.

you have to exceed your kensai level with the mage level before being to able to use abilities from them both. You need to be a bit clearer in matter

The Kensai dualed to mage is probably the second most powerful class available (IMHO) behind the monk precisely because you *can* use swords and cast and, since a Kensai can’t wear armor anyway, you do not have to sacrifice anything. Plus, they can wear mage’s robes.

Lokken is right – you must exceed the level of the first class (Kensai) in your new class (mage) before gaining the old class’ powers. Therefore, if you dualed from Kensai to mage at level 9, you need to reach level 10 in mage (from level 1) before being able to use swords. However, it is incredibly easy and quick to reach that level.

I advise you to use the search features to learn more, as this is one of the most widely discussed topics. Plus, that will save you from being flamed.

Greetings Dayo!

Yep, Lokken and Auger are right about the level. Just replied to tell you not to give up on your kensai/mage even if levelling up seems an eternity. Once you get to level 10 as a mage, it will be very satisfying. Keep at it, man! :) Weapon to get: Dakkon's Blade (katana).It fits so well with a Kensai/Mage.

To Auger: I'm not sure about the second most powerful stuff, although I do see your point. At higher levels, the monk is so way beyond wrong, its unfair to the max. Poor monsters... Anyway, I guess its my playing style, but I find the dual class more versatile, especially when my other mage is (Imoen or Edwin)too occupied or charmed, held or drained.

The great abilities that the Kensai/Mage gets is that they can use both good melee weapons and great magics - just as good as any other mage! Since they start out as fighters, they get great hp in the beginning - plus that they can (when dualled to mage) summon familiar to get even more hp. Then they can use a special katana - you all know wich one! - and kick serious ass plus stunning their opponents and while stunned - use magics! They can also you the robe of vecna wich is available from the bonus cd´s - if you do not consider RoV to be cheating.
Hope this help a bit // Zaragoth

[This message has been edited by Zaragoth (edited September 06, 2001).]

You guys are just awesome. Thanks for the info. What do you think about a fighter(specialized in composite long bow)dualed to a mage.

Hm. That´s a pretty cool idea! Since mages almost always stand behind the fighters, he can use both spells and arrows!
Sometimes it´s simply best to use ranged weapons. There are some great bows in the game too :)
Good luck // Zaragoth

Sounds good to me. The mage will be much more useful in combat when he can use a bow instead of a sling. And there's a great variety of arrows out there...
Many people here think that the shortbows are better than the longbows, but I'm not one of them. There are both good short- and longbows in the game.

I created a similar character in BG1, where the longbows rule: a multiclass gnome fighter/illusionist. It worked out pretty well.

[This message has been edited by Namuras (edited September 06, 2001).]

Im currently playing a kensai/mage and i only need 4 more levels till my kensai is reactivated and all the power will be mine.

I like the idea of a fighter dualled to a mage (it would have to be a pure mage, though, not a Kensai, so you can get proficiency points in some sort of missile weapon. Preferably +++++ in Short Bow, or, even better, Crossbow). The idea is that, unlike the Kensai/Mage, you can keep this character on the back lines at all times (when he's done with his spells, he can use the bow, and when he runs out of arrows, he can cast spells). Very nice, since you don't have to charge into melee unless your front line collapses, and you're forced to. That way, there's less chance of you getting hurt, or your spells becoming interrupted. Handy, if the Fighter/Mage is your main character!

Ok Dayo. ABOUT POSTS NOT SHOWING!!!I noticed BTA closed the other thread so I'll post in this one instead; Just push the refresh button in your windows menu. Then your new posts will appear. ITs the one between "Stop" and "Startpage" :)

even better, dual an archer to a mage :)
tho the dual classing never appealed to me.

Archer is a Ranger, Rangers can't dual with mages.

Check this thread out for reliable DC options:
http://www.sorcerers.net/ubb/Forum2/HTML/003591.html

my bad
thanks for the correction

A kensai mage? How the hell do u get both classes high enough to be any good in SoA with the level cap?
Plus wouldn't they start with no spells? you'd have to get them to learn all from scrolls, that would cost a lot of cash, u can only really find crap spells

i like kensai/thieves better =)

hide in shads, take out the mages, no magic required ...

but a kensai mage with tensers transformation... creeping death!

would you please explain why a kensai/mage with tensers transformation is better then a regular kensai?

Tassadar you are great. Now Why bother whith which way to go F/T of T/M when you can have BOTH? F/M/T, anyway whats so bad about dualing a kensai at 9th level to mage. Its near perfect.

Anyone who says that Kensai/Mages aren't INCREDIBLY powerful needs to play one again...or for the first time. I won't get into the argument about K/M vs F/M, because they are both very good, except to say that a F/M with mastery of bows (preferrably short) would be powerful but boring, so why not just be a monk?

And Spearhawk, by the time you are done with the I dungeon and the circus, you will have enough scrolls to not only learn plenty of spells, but also (if you kick out other members temporarily) ce almost ready to activate the Kensai.

I think one the basic advantages of the kensai mage has been pretty much overlooked here: It is THACO and initiative, not so much the Kai-abiliy and the AC bonus.

-Kensais get -1 on their weapon speed for every four levels.
-Right from the start they have the -2 AC bonus.
-They get +1 to hit and damage every 3 levels.

Considering this I always preferred the kensai-mage to the fighter-mage. Further, I used the melee abilities on weak enemies like gibberlings, goblings or on near death enemies or in self defence. Even the inherently powerful kensai-mages are imho primarily spellcasters.

An example:
A level 13 (for the 3rd attack) kensai will have, compared to a pure fighter, have: +4 on THACO, +4 on damage and -3 on initiative. The kensai simply gives more bang per level.

The reason why I stress initiative is, that, when dealing with a strong enemy in melee in case of emergency, it is decisive to hit first and hard so initiative is becoming important, especially when consitdering the relatively poor AC of the kensai mage. This strongly supports the use of staffs & two handed weapon style.
On the other hand, when you want to use your kensai-mage in melee more regular, it might be useful to have the +2 AC bonus of single weapon style.

As for a ranged weapon ability: I really doubt the use of a mage specialising in a ranged weapon like a shortbow, since I always considered magic as a mages ranged weapon .... anyway, playing a kensai you can have a ranged weapon ability using daggers like firetooth, using the kensai's THACO & damage boni ;)

I never really decided what is better for a kensai: single weapon style + katanas or two-handed-weapon style & staffs ... basically this is a question of preferred offensive or defensive qualities.

I prefer the idea of a Kensai using a sword (they are SWORD saints, after all); besides, aside from the defensive bonus that single weapon style gets you, katanas do more damage.