Kensai [Base Class]

[Siosilvar]

Kensai
The Kensai. Devoted to complete mastery of a single weapon, he attempts control over mind and body. The sword of a kensai is an extension of his body. A kensai could no more give a name to his weapon than to his foot.

Why a Kensai would Adventure: To test their prowess and further their mastery of their chosen weapon.
Background: In ancient Japan, a kensei (剣聖, kensei sword's saint; sometimes alternatively rendered in English as Kensai, Ken Sai, Kansei, or Kenshei) was an honorary title given to a warrior of legendary skill in swordsmanship. The literal translation of "kensei" is "sword saint". Thus, the term is considered by some to imply a higher degree of perfection (possibly also encompassing a moral dimension) than the more commonly used kengō (剣豪, kengō) or "great sword."
Role in a Party: The Kensai serves as a maneuverable combatant. A Kensai specializing in a bow can serve as a viable archer, and many kensai are exceptionally acrobatic.


Game Rule Information

Abilities: Strength is important for kensai specializing in melee weapons. Constitution allows a kensai to survive a combat to live to the next. Wisdom is especially important if a Kensai wishes to use his Ki powers. Dexterity is less of a priority, especially because Wisdom is used for their Armor Class.
Alignment: Any nonchaotic. The path of a kensai requires great discipline. Chaotic Kensai may be allowed
Hit Die: d10.
Weapon and Armor Proficiencies: All simple weapons, plus signature weapon. No armor or shields.
Class Skills
Balance (Dex), Climb (Str), Concentration (Con), Intimidate (Cha), Jump (Str), Listen (Wis), Spot (Wis), Swim (Str), Tumble (Dex), and Use Rope (Dex).
Skill Points at 1st Level: (4 + Int modifier) * 4.
Skill Points at additional levels: 4 + Int modifier.


Class Features
Improved Initiative: At first level, a kensai receives Improved Initiative as a bonus feat.
Kenjutsu Dodge (working title): A kensai gains a +1 bonus to AC at 1st level. This bonus improves by one every 3 levels thereafter (levels 4, 7, 10, 13, 16, and 19, for a total of +7). The Kensai may also use the higher of their Wisdom or Dexterity bonus for their armor class. This ability only functions when the Kensai is not wearing armor.
Signature Weapon: A Kensai is devoted to mastery of a single weapon. They choose one weapon at 1st level as their signature weapon. The Kensai is automatically proficient in their signature weapon, and may not use a magical signature weapon. The Kensai also adds his level to the HP of any signature weapon he wields. These HP are not transferred if he loses possession of it.
At 2nd level, the Kensai gains a +1 enhancement bonus to damage when using his signature weapon. This bonus improves by 1 every 2 levels thereafter (levels 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18 and 20, for a total of +10).
At 3rd level, the Kensai gains a +1 enhancement bonus to hit when using his signature weapon. This bonus improves by 1 every 3 levels thereafter (levels 6, 9, 12, 15, and 18, for a total of +5).
Ki Pool and Ki Abilities: A Kensai has a variety of abilities that he can power with his ki pool. A Kensai's ki pool is equal to his Wisdom modifier plus half his Kensai level. At levels 5, 8, 11, 14, 17, 19 and 20, you may choose an ability. Each ability is detailed in table 2, below.
Dodge: At 2nd level, the Kensai gains Dodge as a bonus feat, even if he does not meet the prerequisites.
Mobility: At 3rd level, the Kensai gains Mobility as a bonus feat, even if he does not meet the prerequisites.
Signature Weapon Strike: As a Kensai's prowess grows, he gains abilities to strike true regardless of damage reduction.
At 4th level, the Kensai's weapon is treated as magic for all purposes.
At 8th level, the Kensai's weapon is treated as silver for the purpose of overcoming damage reduction.
At 10th level, the Kensai's weapon is treated as lawful for the purpose of overcoming damage reduction.
At 16th level, the Kensai's weapon is treated as adamantine for the purpose of overcoming damage reduction.
At 20th level, the Kensai's weapon is treated as epic for the purpose of overcoming damage reduction.
Spring Attack: At 6th level, the Kensai gains Spring Attack as a bonus feat, even if he does not meet the prerequisites.
Evasion: At 7th level, the Kensai suffers no ill effects if he suceeds on a Reflex save against an effect with a save of Reflex half. The Kensai only benefits from this ability when wearing no armor and carrying at most a medium load.
Mettle: At 9th level, the Kensai gains mettle. If he succeeds on a Fortitude or Will save against a spell or effect with a save of "Fortitude Parital", "Fortitude Half", "Will Partial", or Will Half", he suffers no ill effects. An unconscious or sleeping Kensai does no gain the benefit of mettle.
Skirmish: When the Kensai moves more than 10 feet, he gains the indicated dodge bonus to Armor Class. This ability does not qualify the Kensai for any prestige class or feat requiring Skirmish, Sneak Attack, or Sudden Strike.

Table 1: The Kensai
{table=head]Level|Base Attack<br>Bonus|Fort Save|Ref Save|Will Save|Special

1st|

+1

|

+0

|

+2

|

+2

|Improved Initiative, Kenjtsu Dodge [+1 AC, Wis Bonus], Signature Weapon

2nd|

+2

|

+0

|

+3

|

+3

|Ki Pool, Kiai, Dodge, Signature Weapon [Damage +1]

3rd|

+3

|

+1

|

+3

|

+3

|Mobility, Maximum Damage, Signature Weapon [Attack +1, D +1]

4th|

+4

|

+1

|

+4

|

+4

|Signature Weapon Strike [Magic], Kenjutsu Dodge [AC +2], Signature Weapon [A+1,D+2]

5th|

+5

|

+1

|

+4

|

+4

|Ki Ability

6th|

+6

|

+2

|

+5

|

+5

|Spring Attack, Signature Weapon [A+2,D+3]

7th|

+7

|

+2

|

+5

|

+5

|Evasion, Kenjutsu Dodge [+3 AC]

8th|

+8

|

+2

|

+6

|

+6

|Ki Ability, Signature Weapon Strike [Silver], Signature Weapon [A+2,D+4]

9th|

+9

|

+3

|

+6

|

+6

|Mettle Signature Weapon [A+3, D+4]

10th|

+10

|

+3

|

+7

|

+7

|Ki Ability, Signature Weapon Strike [Lawful], Signature Weapon [A+3, D+5], Kenjustsu Dodge [+4 AC]

11th|

+11

|

+3

|

+7

|

+7

|Ki Ability

12th|

+12

|

+4

|

+8

|

+8

|Multistrike, Signature Weapon [A+4, D+6]

13th|

+13

|

+4

|

+8

|

+8

|Skirmish [+1 AC], Kenjutsu Dodge [+5 AC]

14th|

+14

|

+4

|

+9

|

+9

|Ki Ability, Signature Weapon [A+4,D+7]

15th|

+15

|

+5

|

+9

|

+9

|Skirmish [+2 AC], Signature Weapon [A+5, D+7]

16th|

+16

|

+5

|

+10

|

+10

|Signature Weapon Strike [Adamantine], Signature Weapon [A+5,D+8], Kenjutsu Dodge [+6 AC]

17th|

+17

|

+5

|

+10

|

+10

|Ki Ability

18th|

+18

|

+6

|

+11

|

+11

|Skirmish [+3 AC], Signature Weapon [A+6, D+9]

19th|

+19

|

+6

|

+11

|

+11

|Ki Ability, Kenjutsu Dodge [+7 AC]

20th|

+20

|

+6

|

+12

|

+12

|Ki Ability, Signature Weapon Strike [Epic], Signature Weapon [A+6,D+10][/table]

Table 2: Ki Abilities
Table notes: All Ki abilities that refer to "attacks" can only be performed with the signature weapon. All saves (Ref, Fort, Will) have a DC of 10+Wis mod +1/2 class level.
{table=head]Ki Ability|Requirements|Action|Ki Cost|Effect|Duration

Kiai|Automatic at 2nd|Swift|1|+4 Strength|1 minute

Maximum Damage|Automatic at 3rd|Free|1|All attacks deal maximum damage|1 round

Whirlwind Attack|Automatic at 10th|Full-round|3|Attack everyone within range (natural reach per 5 levels)|1 round

--Improved Whirlwind|Whirlwind Attack|None|-|When using Whirlwind attack, you may make one 5-foot step during the attack and make the full attack again at the new position.|Special

Multistrike|Automatic at 12th|Swift|1|Next attack's damage is multiplied by x[1/3 Kensai levels]|1 attack

Acid Slash|None|Move|1|1d6 acid damage/2 levels in 5ft/2 levels cone (Reflex 1/2)|Instantaneous

--Poisoned Blow|Acid Slash|Move|1|Attack deals 1d4 Str or Dex damage or 1d3 Con, Int, Wis, or Cha damage. Fort negates (DC +2)|1 attack

Flame Blade|None|Swift|1|Attacks deal +1d6 fire damage and force Ref save or take same damage again every round for 1 round/5 levels|1 round/2 levels

--Sword of Silver Flame|Flame Blade|None|-|Flame Blade burn duration increases to 1 round/3 levels and save DC +2|Special

Force Strike|Kensai level 11+|Swift|2|Attacks deal force damage +1/2 levels. Weapon also gains ghost touch property.|1 round/4 levels

--Invisible Strikes|Force Strike|Full-round|2|You become invisible, but attacks do not break invisibility|1 round +1 round/5 levels

Freezing Edge|None|Swift|1|Weapon attacks deal +1d4 cold damage and force Fort save or be paralyzed 1 round/4 levels|1 round/2 levels

--Blue Blade of Frost|Freezing Edge|None|-|Freezing Edge deals +1d4 damage, save DC +2, and damage multiplied by critical hits|Special

Ki Dodge|None|Immediate|1|20% concealment|1 round/3 levels

[B]Parry/B]|None|None|-|+1 Dodge AC, can be taken more than once|Permanent

Powerful Blow|None|None|-|+50% strength bonus to attack and damage, can be taken more than once|Permanent

Ranged Strike|Kensai level 8|Swift|1|Make all attacks at a range of up to 25 feet + 5 feet/2 levels away|1 round/5 levels

Shocking Sword|None|Move|1|1d8 electric damage/2 levels in 5ft/level line (Ref half)|Instantaneous

Sundering Blow|None|Swift|1|+1/level damage to objects, can be taken more than once to stack bonus|1 round/2 levels[/table]

Credits:
Wikipedia, for providing the Kensei description.
Avi from Myth-Weavers for suggesting scaling abilities.

Edits:
Posted 4/23/08
4/23/08 - Tables 1+2 added