Fighter or Samurai?

[Ranger REG]

Kensai.

Kensei (from OA), like Kensei Kenzei from HEROES (Hiro's idol).

 

[Ranger REG]

The OA Samurai is different. More like a paladin but with a magic sword instead of spells and magic ponies. Less featses.

Less like a paladin, more like a knight.

If you don't have OA -- shame on you -- then try emulating the samurai through the Knight class (Player's Handbook II). Just remember to embrace the Eastern concept of honor and the Bushido code.

 

[Wik]

Fighter, but with PHB 2 fighter class variants.

Just a better class, I'd say.

 

[theredrobedwizard]

Warblade, with Quickdraw.

Either this or Swordsage. Warblade works well for the samurai mentality. Take a few Diamond Mind maneuvers to replicate Iaijutsu.

-TRRW

 

[Philotomy Jurament]

Kensei (from OA)

In my copy of OA, it's still Kensai.

 

[Nifft]

Let's see, how to do a Samurai as a Warblade:

Assuming Human for feat & skill points.

1/ Warblade 1 -- Quickdraw, Unnerving Calm -- Clarity of Mind (DM/Stance), Sapphire Nightmare Blade (DM/Strike), Moment of Perfect Mind (DM/Counter), Steel Wind (IH/Strike)

2/ Warblade 2 -- Steely Strike (IH/Strike)

3/ Warblade 3 -- Power Attack -- Emerald Razor (DM/Strike)

4/ Warblade 4 -- Punishing Stance (IH/Stance), Steely Strike -> Wall of Blades (IH/Counter)

5/ Warblade 5 -- [Ironheart Aura] -- Insightful Strike (DM/Strike)

6/ Warblade 6 -- Stormguard Warrior

7/ Warblade 7 -- Ruby Nightmare Blade (DM/Strike)

8/ Warblade 8 -- Steel Wind -> Mithral Tornado (IH/Strike)

9/ Warblade 9 -- [Combat Reflexes], Adaptive Style -- Dazing Strike (IH/Strike)

- - -

Now you've got everything you need for much stereotypical (not historical) Samurai behavior: "one-hit-kill", the will to resist stuff, the ability to win a fight before it starts (Unnerving Calm), and the ability to cleave your way through a crowd of pesky commoners.

The key to a lot of this is Power Attack + your maneuvers. Mithral Tornado is just like Whirlwind Attack, but as a standard action and at +2 to your attack roll. Stormguard Warrior's Combat Rhythm option is great if followed up with Ruby Nightmare Blade or Emerald Razor (against heavily armored foes).

Insightful Strike is nice if you're caught with your pants down -- i.e. if you don't have a real weapon handy. It's the maneuver which allows you to say: "Yes, as a matter of fact, I will kill you with this little tea cup."

Cheers, -- N

 

[Kae'Yoss]

Depends.

If I want to play a Samurai, I play a samurai. Otherwise I play warblade or fighter.

 

[Drowbane]

Fighter.

Three of the House Rules that my (main, Planescape) group has adopted are focused on skills in general, and they (IMO) eliminate the need for multiple base classes of a similiar type.

1) All classes get more skill points. Typically as RAW +2 (fighters are 4 + Int mod, Rogues are 10 + Int mod, Warlocks are 6 + Int mod...)
2) Class/crossclass skills are eliminated. Everybody can now take whatever skill this wish to help build thier concept.
3) Redundant skills have been "fixed". Example: Move Silently/HideinShadows = Stealth, etc.

Therefore, with the above in mind.

Fighter as...
knight/samurai: mounted feats, other combat feats, knowledge skills, social skills, etc
ninja (non-mystical version 1)*: combat feats, stealth skills, social skills,
rangers: archery feats, stealth, survival, etc.
swashbuckler: weapon finesse, Martial Study, Martial Stance, Shadowblade, appropriate skills.

etc...

Either this or Swordsage. Warblade works well for the samurai mentality. Take a few Diamond Mind maneuvers to replicate Iaijutsu.

-TRRW

replace? Hell they augment each other!

 

[ninja_master]

Race:Human Int:10 Level:6

Fighter Samurai
Skill Points: 28 Skill Points: 45
Number of feats:8 Number of Feats:5
Base Attack:+6/+1 Base Attack +6/+1
Base Fort:+5 Base Fort:+5
Base Ref:+2 Base Ref:+2
Base Will:+2 Base Will:+5
Special:You get a free
masterwork Bastard sword
and M. short sword

Special:Ancestral disho

Special:You have to live
by a code of code of conduct

Special:Iaijutsu Focus is a class skill

 

[Ranger REG]

In my copy of OA, it's still Kensai.

The old book misspelled it.

James Wyatt corrected the name in the new OA. At least this American researched Asian Studies thoroughly, which is a rarity.