Riskbreaker info request Options

[rbeverjr]

Looking at the riskbreaker kit, I suspect that the riskbreaker is generally inferior to the fighter and fighter kits early on in the game (the time when I have the most difficulty). He'll either have poor AC or require potions/battle buffs (and still not have great AC). Late in the game, I suppose the riskbreaker will become more interesting once he has better AC and his special super power. I don't recall ever seeing anyone who has said they will have a riskbreaker in their group. Can someone who has played the riskbreaker comment on this kit?

I notice that quick was mentioned twice in the description of the kit. From that, I would have expected him to have the ability to haste or improve haste himself. However, he doesn't really seem any quicker than any other fighter. Instead he can Slow/Hold monsters if they are unlucky on their saves.

Please note that this post is not meant as a criticism on this kit. As I have never played this kit, I don't feel that I have the experience/information to critically evaluate it.

[rbeverjr]

As far as damage is concerned, I think the Kensai is top dog over all classes in IA - at least while he lives . At high levels, he will hit 95% of the time generally, but I prefer using Hardiness+Critical Strike+Improved Haste which results in 10 attacks (grandmastery patch dual wielding the IA shortsword) doing double damage and hitting 100% of the time. The extra damage that the kensai gets at high level is nice too; although, it is less noticeable in IA because of the high resistances of the monsters. The disadvantage of the kensai is he can be fragile if you don't give him some attention in outfitting him, buffing him, and trying to keep those buffs going.

I find the riskbreaker interesting. As an armorless warrior, it is natural to compare him to the kensai. I think the riskbreaker will be as fragile as the kensai early on (or incur considerable expense for potions or considerable nuisance for extra battle buff of ghost armor or such - he is immune to spirit armor). It appears that his defense improves later, but I doubt his offense will ever equal the kensai. The 15% increase in critical threat range doesn't make up for the kensai's THAC0 bonus against the hard targets of IA. Again, this is only my speculation based on the kit description.

I was hoping for some input from people who have played the riskbreaker. My general impression is that he needs a little better defense, particularly early on, to be a desirable option compared to the kensai (a great hammer if you have a suitable tank anvil) or traditional tank (such as the berserker or barbarian).