Rurouni Kenshin d20 stats (or "I have too much free time")

[NiTessine]

Okay, so I was bored. I whipped up stats for Rurouni Kenshin. You know, from the anime series. I think I did a reasonably good job, too. The enchantments in his sakaba are there to reflect the tricks Kenshin did and his fighting style, not because the sword itself was magical.
These stats reflect Kenshin in the end of the TV series. Once I've gone through the main cast once, I might also make stats for Kenshin in his days as Himura Battousai. Next in line, however, will be Sanosuke.
So, here he is, the legendary swordsman, master of the Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu, and the main character in the coolest anime ever (Boy, am I sounding like a fanboy or what...), Rurouni Kenshin! Tear it apart.
Edit: Posted a better, edited version, changed with the help of Skarnkai. I'd completely forgotten the PrC...

Kenshin, male human Fighter 8/Iaijutsu Master 10: CR 18; ECL 18; Medium-size Humanoid (human); HD 18d10; hp 95; Init +9 (+5 Dex, +4 Improved Initiative, +1 Int); Spd 30 ft; AC 17 (+5 Dex, +1 Dodge, +1 Int); Melee +29/+24/+19/+14 sakaba (1d10+1d6+1 subdual/17-20x2); AL LG, SV Fort +11, Ref +13, Will +10; Str 12 (+1), Dex 20 (+5), Con 10 (0), Int 12 (+1), Wis 14 (+2), Cha 12 (+1)
Skills: Balance +20, Iaijutsu Focus +24, Jump +19, Listen +7, Spot +7, Tumble +20
Languages: Japanese, Chinese
Feats: Cosmopolitan (Iaijutsu Focus), Defensive Strike, Dodge, Exotic Weapon Proficiency (katana), Expertise, Improved Initiative, Iron Will, Lightning Reflexes, Mobility, Quick Draw, Spring Attack, Superior Expertise, Weapon Finesse (katana), Weapon Focus (katana), Weapon Specialization (katana), Whirlwind Attack
Equipment: +5 merciful defender sakaba of impact, traveler's outfit

Description: Kenshin is a small man, short in stature and slight of build. His hair is an unruly red mop, tied back in a futile attempt to keep it from falling to his eyes. His eyes are a peculiar lavender shade. Kenshin's cheek bears a distinctive cross-shaped scar.

He is usually dressed in a rather worn purple uwagi (the loose shirt), and an equally worn white hakama (the pleated, divided skirt).

Background: Watch the series. I'm not gonna spoil it here for those of you who haven't…

Sources: Player's Handbook, Dungeon Master's Guide, Magic of Faerûn, Oriental Adventures, Rokugan, Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting

New Weapon

Cost Damage Critical Weight Type
Sakaba 500gp 1d10 19-20/x2 6 lb. Bludgeoning or Slashing

Sakaba, also called the reverse-blade sword, is the chosen weapon of Rurouni Kenshin. The cutting edge is on the "wrong side" of the blade. In all other respects, it is identical to the katana, and uses the same Exotic Weapon Proficiency feat.

 

[Gaiden]

I have not seen the series/movie/OAV for a long time but I can say that I would alter a few things.

First, Himura would definitely have a few levels of Barbarian. I am not sure if you can describe the fury he unleashes in any other way than a barbarian's rage.

Next, I am guessing you took whirlwind attack to mimic the succession technique. Really, I think the combined abilities - improved initiative, Sudden Strike (feat from Rokugan), "One strike, two cuts" (8th level ability of Iaijutsu master), Void Use (to spend points to get bonus to attack), Way of the Crane (to quick draw the katanna as well as be even faster than nomral), Exotic Weapon Prof. Katanna, weapon focus - katanna, weapon spec. - katanna, improved crit. katanna, power attack, Power Critical more mimics the attack as it is only used against one opponent, never seems to miss (except for once), when it does miss, the second attack hits (the rake of the dragon claws) and seems to take an opponent out with one hit.

Next, Kenshin should definitely have Sunder. Remember in the movie - his jump attack. Also, in the OAV he uses it.

I would imagine he would also have ki shout (used against lower powered opponents to stop bloodshed), and let him go by (first battle with Saitoh)

Given all of these feats and abilities, I am guessing Kenshin is most definitely epic in level. I have been working on putting together D20 stats for the characters of the Kenshin series/movie/OAV for some time now. I will post Kenshin when I finish him - had to revise with the introduction of kata, and Lot5R material.

 

[Glorfindel]

Sounds Cool Gaiden, were will you post his stats?

 

[NiTessine]

Actually, the Whirlwind Attack is there because of the trick he's pulled off more than once... For example, the first episode of the TV series. Runs through the room full of weak, low-level mooks, and downs them all.

I disagree with the Barbarian thingy. He gets angry, but doesn't start to rage.

I statted him as 18th-level for a few reasons. First, with the amount of people he's had close calls with and been deafeated by, there's already a sizeable population of high-level characters in the Meiji era Japan... I think the only guy who truly deserves an epic-level treatment is Hiko Seijuro, his sensei. Shishio is level 20.

As for the feat selection... Well, with the amount of appropriate feats in the PHB, OA, Sword and Fist, the Rokugan books, and all the other stuff published for d20, we could construct several dozen different Kenshins, all with different feat selections. All would work well, and none would be worse than the others. I just picked the ones I though fit well.

 

[Gaiden]

NiTessine,

I totally did not mean to attack your writeup of Kenshin - I hope I did not come across that way.

After reviewing your explanation of feat selection, I guess I would have to say that I could not agree more about the fact that multiple different kenshin's could be made taking our differences as the case in point. I am not sure if I agree with the whirlwind attack, but I am perfectly happy with agreeing to disagree.

However, I do think that there are certain features that should be core to Kenshin's stats:

1.) At least at the point of the Shioshio battle he is not yet epic - After due consideration, I realized that you are absolutely right about distinction between Hiko's epic status and the other characters' non epic status.

2.) I think that Kenshin should have at least a few levels of barbarian. I say this because of at least two battles - the first Saitoh/Kenshin battle and the Cho/Kenshin battle. But more importantly because of the pro's and con's associated with him entering the battousai mind set: he is more agressive, stronger, and he could not master the art of the succession technique while in the mindstate - I take that to mean that the succession technique is like expertise in that it requires to much focused skill to be used while raging IMHO.

3.) And finally a feat/ability/or feat combo that provides for each one of Kensin's maneuvers. (I am still trying to figure out several of them - like how you would work the windmill-fan like block in the fight with Aoshi's firebreathing guy (sorry forget name) and the blocking of ... think his name began with an R (the guy who could make distance attacks with his sword by sending a slice of air) - I am thinking maybe improved evasion (evasion is so ill explained anyway)).

I have not had time to sit down and review my books for stats for him yet, but when I do I will post "my version" here. Hope you will like it.

**edited for syntax

 

[NiTessine]

I'm looking forward to seeing your version of Kenshin...

I'm still a bit peery about giving him Barbarian levels. Perhaps it's just because I still think of the Barbarian as an uncivilized warrior, something Kenshin is not. Then again, I also realize that it's just added rules flavor, which many choose to happily ignore.

As I recall, he was also about to enter the Battousai mindset with Udou Jinei, or whatever was that guy's name who grinned all the time and could freeze people with his eyes.

Aoshi's firebreathing friend was named Hyottoko. The guy who attacked with air pressure was Raijuta.

I think that if one wanted to do a truly accurate representation of Kenshin, it'd have to have very few levels of any other class than Fighter, due to the feats. In addition, it'd probably require writing up new feats. I'm thinking something along the lines of the martial arts systems in Oriental Advnetures.

 

[Gaiden]

The mastery of a style of martial arts brings up a very simple solution to the problems with some of his special attacks. As soon as I finish this problem set for Physical Chemistry, I will jump on it.

 

[kibbitz]

A few comments, if you don't mind.

NiTessine,

I totally did not mean to attack your writeup of Kenshin - I hope I did not come across that way.

After reviewing your explanation of feat selection, I guess I would have to say that I could not agree more about the fact that multiple different kenshin's could be made taking our differences as the case in point. I am not sure if I agree with the whirlwind attack, but I am perfectly happy with agreeing to disagree.

However, I do think that there are certain features that should be core to Kenshin's stats:

1.) At least at the point of the Shioshio battle he is not yet epic - After due consideration, I realized that you are absolutely right about distinction between Hiko's epic status and the other characters' non epic status.

Hmm, depends on your definition of epic. Being a Hittokiri of legend with such a reputation (and very well-earned), you might argue that he deserves to be classified as epic. Of course, since we agree that Hiko Seijuuro is stronger than Kenshin (we do, right?), Kenshin will need to be somewhat less epic if this path is taken.

2.) I think that Kenshin should have at least a few levels of barbarian. I say this because of at least two battles - the first Saitoh/Kenshin battle and the Cho/Kenshin battle. But more importantly because of the pro's and con's associated with him entering the battousai mind set: he is more agressive, stronger, and he could not master the art of the succession technique while in the mindstate - I take that to mean that the succession technique is like expertise in that it requires to much focused skill to be used while raging IMHO.

Sorry, disagree. Kenshin's reasons for seeking the succession technique was a "selfishness" of his own, namely the ability to defeat his enemies without drawing upon his Battousai side. He never mastered the succession technique because he left his master before his training was complete. And yes, he could not master the succession technique while in his Battousai side, but it's not truly about focused skill as much as having a mindset contrary to that required for the technique.

Any more and I'd be spoiling

3.) And finally a feat/ability/or feat combo that provides for each one of Kensin's maneuvers. (I am still trying to figure out several of them - like how you would work the windmill-fan like block in the fight with Aoshi's firebreathing guy (sorry forget name) and the blocking of ... think his name began with an R (the guy who could make distance attacks with his sword by sending a slice of air) - I am thinking maybe improved evasion (evasion is so ill explained anyway)).

Heh, I would help, but all I have is the core rule books and you'd need either brand new feats, or other things to represent all his techniques and advantages.

I have not had time to sit down and review my books for stats for him yet, but when I do I will post "my version" here. Hope you will like it.

**edited for syntax

Look forward to seeing your version

A few more comments:
1) IMO, Barbarian Rage doesn't truly suit Kenshin in Battousai mode when it comes to the bit about losing AC. Not a matter of balance or anything, just that I feel that Barbarian Rage involves going, well, berserk, so you get more careless and suffer the AC penalty, but you're so psyched up to the point where you don't notice the fatigue and pain anymore, so you can deliver and receive more punishment. Kenshin doesn't get careless in Battousai mode, IMO.

2) It's hard for me to build Kenshin as I'd like to because that would require him to take certain levels in other classes and gain certain class feats. However, he was always a trained swordsman (ie Fighter), so I really don't see other class levels belonging, barring Commoner occasionally.

3) Which Class-specific Feats? Too lazy to pull out the PHB atm but here's a guess at some:

(i) A variation of his Barbarian Rage with major RP side effects, but no AC penalty, from his earlier days
(ii) Uncanny Dodge, Evasion, Increased Movement of some sort, since Hiten Mitsurugi-ryu revolves around speed and foresight

Well, this is all I can think of at the moment. Feel free to throw more comments. BTW, Kenshin's not my favourite character

 

[demon_jr]

i like what you've done with your version NiTessine. it seems fairly balanced and nothing too outrageous.

i've watched the kenshin series, but i believe i'm only half-way through. saito has just made his appearance within the series.

anyways, i would be interested in seeing how you would put stats to other characters in the story.

on another note, i would also agree that barbarian rage would not fit in with kenshin's character, in my opinion. however, i also believe that anything can be changed to suit a campaign or a DM's preference, so that being the case, you could probably give kenshin an ability that is exactly like barbarian rage, but call it by a different name and have a different reason for this ability. game-mechanics it would be "barbarian rage", but role-playingwise, it would be tailored to fit more into kenshin's character.

 

[Glorfindel]

Gaiden, when will you post your stats for Kenshin? =))