Kensai fighter archetype

Halivar

First Post
This is an attempt at converting the 1st Edition AD&D kensai from Oriental Adventures as a fighter archetype for 5E. Take a look and let me know what you think! Suggestions and criticisms are welcome!

Kensai Fighter Archetype


The kensai, or “sword-saint,”is a moral ascetic who has mastered the use of one particular weapon.For the kensai, the chosen weapon is an extension of self. The kensai requires dedication and constant meditation to keep his or her martial focus.

Bonded Weapon – Upon taking the path of the kensai, the character eschews all other weapons and adopts one single, solitary weapon as their martial focus. Using any other weapon other than their bonded weapon type confers disadvantage to the attack. This weapon cannot be a magic weapon. NOTE:You can use weapons as the same type as your bonded weapon, but such weapons do not confer kensai bonuses. But, for instance, for two-weapon fighting, you can use a similar weapon in your off-hand without extra penalty, even a magic one.

Purity of Body – A kensai does not wear armor, but instead receives an armor bonus equal to their proficiency bonus so long as they wield their favored weapon. Also,the kensai gains proficiency in Wisdom saving.

Swift of Foot
– The kensai can cover ground very quickly. At level 6 their speed increases by 5 feet. At level 10 it increases by a further 5 feet.

Sword Meditation – The kensai must daily meditate on their chosen weapon to maintain their preternatural martial ability. Starting at level 7, while holding their bonded weapon, a kensai can meditate for as little as two hours and receive the same benefit as eight hours of sleep. During this time they are fully cognizant. They can choose to meditate for as long as they wish, and while they do so, they are immune to sleep, hunger, thirst, disease, or poison.Meditating for two hours confers a bonus to attacks and damage with the chosen weapon equal to half the kensai's proficiency bonus(rounded down).

Two-Weapon Fighting – At level 10, the kensai gains the Two-Weapon Fighting fighter weapon style. If the kensai already has Two-Weapon Fighting, choose any other fighting style.

Frightful Display – At level 10, the kensai has mastered a series of impressive maneuvers with their chosen weapon that intimidate and unman potential foes. As a bonus action, an uninjured kensai can perform a series of dizzying swirls and slashes that frighten attackers. Foes must make a Wisdom save (DC8 + proficiency bonus + Wisdom modifier) or have disadvantage for all attacks against the kensai. This affect ends the first time the kensai takes damage. This ability can be used once before a long or short rest.

Whirlwind Attack – At level 15, the kensai can attack every foe within reach. This ability recharges after a long or short rest.

Master of Swords – At level 18, the kensai has perfected his or her weapon focus. They receive half-proficiency on all untrained saves (round down), and advantage for attacks against foes with no allies adjacent to themselves or the kensai.
 
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IMO, you get too much at level 1 and not enough from 2-9.

I would switch the AC bonus from PROF to wisdom. It's more in line with the 5E rules.

I would add 5' of movement at 3 and 6.

And maybe one of the fighting style option?
 

I would switch the AC bonus from PROF to wisdom. It's more in line with the 5E rules.
I considered it, but you'd get the AC boost all at once. Tying it to proficiency raises it gradually over a character's career.

I would add 5' of movement at 3 and 6.
Good idea; it should be split up. Also agree that the kensai gets too much at level 3. Adding 5 foot increments at levels 6 and 10.

And maybe one of the fighting style option?
I was actually thinking about this for level 6. In 1st Edition AD&D, the kensai got two-weapon fighting at level 7. I'll add something similar here.
 


I still think the PROF BONUS to AC is to good.

I would suggest using the wisdom mechanic (2nd level abilitiy).
Then at 7th level giving the PArry feat (DEfensive something) for free. That way your base AC is still "normal" (15ish?) but you can add 3 or so once per round as a reaction.


I would recommend something like:

1. Bonded Weapon
2. Purity of Bodity
3. +5 movement
4. feat/ASI
5. two attacks
6. feat/ASI (+5 movement)
7. PArry Feat
8. Fighting Style


Or something like that. It's nice when you get something every level
 

Sword Meditation – Meditating for two hours confers a bonus to attacks and damage with the chosen weapon equal to half the kensai's proficiency bonus(rounded down).

That is REALLY good.

I suggesting make this a sometimes as opposed to all the times. MAybe something like:

can add the bonuses for one round a number of times equal to their wis modifier. Have it recharge on a short rest.

These keeps them from being better than the fighter ALL the time. Very few things give + to hit ALL THE TIME.
 

That is REALLY good.

I suggesting make this a sometimes as opposed to all the times. MAybe something like:

can add the bonuses for one round a number of times equal to their wis modifier. Have it recharge on a short rest.

These keeps them from being better than the fighter ALL the time. Very few things give + to hit ALL THE TIME.
Consider that this is in place of ever having a magic weapon. In a low-magic game, the kensai will be over-powered, but if you follow the loot guidelines in the DMG the kensai should be slightly behind a fighter of equivalent level. At least, that was the intention. I'll check my DMG when I get home.

EDIT: And I think you're right about the AC boost. Should be Dex + Wis for consistency's sake with the monk. It will make it more powerful at lower levels, but will be less powerful at higher levels. This is an okay trade-off, I think. That, and the fact that the 1E AD&D kensai is strongly monk flavored, anyway.
 
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Or something like that. It's nice when you get something every level
Fighter archetypes only give stuff at level 3, 6, 10, 12, 15, and 18. The other levels you still get regular fighter things (Ability improvements, Action Surge, Extra Attack, etc.)
 

Fighter archetypes only give stuff at level 3, 6, 10, 12, 15, and 18. The other levels you still get regular fighter things (Ability improvements, Action Surge, Extra Attack, etc.)

I was assuming the Kensai got the regular fighter stuff as well. This guy seems like he will need the feats and stuff.

In fact, I would use feats instead of the fighter style at some level. Just spit balling but I think I would use:

Defensive Duelispt (that's the parry one right?)
Resiant
Mobility
A variant of the pole arm master where you can make a bonus attack at 1d4 or something
 

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