RedGiant wrote: ↑Fri Mar 31, 2023 6:34 pm
Hot take: Just bring Kensai back for everyone?
I think the argument that it was just a straight upgrade to some niche builds (i.e. fighter 30) is no longer valid. The Loremaggedon update permanently changed that landscape.
Let’s first refresh on the core mechanics on Kensai:
+1 APR, +2 AC
Can’t use ranged except thrown weapons
Can’t use wands and scrolls
Can’t use non-mundane item special powers
Kensai offers two distinct themes for character concepts to build on:
the name Kensai, Sword Saint, implies a certain mastery in weaponry.
the mechanics that came with Kensai, which is the inability to utilize select magical items – namely scrolls, wands, and non-mundane marked item special abilities.
For #1, we have Weapon Master as a PrC already, so that fulfilled the concept for that particular name-sake.
#2 is where it gets more interesting, because there are certain anti-magic concepts out there. Templars from Dragon Age: Origin, Witch Hunters, inquisitors.
Now, the concern is that introducing a class which counters a specific playstyle that is casting magic can be fairly unfun for the opponent. Design-wise, if the whole lot of a class were to focus on anti-magic, then when it faces non-magic wielding opponents – the usual barb WM or fighter 23/7 – then depending on the design, the investment into this anti-magic class is likely of little value in that encounter.
With a class that narrowly focuses on anti-magic, it can be a polarizing experience for both the player and the opponent. Casters may feel helpless when faced with such a class, where the player may feel like investment wasted when they aren’t fighting any casters, be it PvE or PvP.
It still makes for great flavor and roleplay potential if we do get Templar-like organization from Dragon Age: Origins, however, and that is something we should focus on.