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.

[Mongerman]

While I'm a big fan of kensai myself for roleplaying reasons, the fact is, when you do the sums, they pale in comparison to berserkers. Lets compare a lvl 21 kensai with a berserker with gauntlets of weapon expertise. Same str, proficiencies, so the only bonus the kensai gets is +7 dmg and thaco.

Gauntlets of weapon expertise give +2 dmg, so kensai is doing +5 dmg per hit compared to kensai
Gauntlets of weapon expertise give extra 1/2 attack per round, so berserker has 8 attacks over 2 rounds compared to kensai 7 attacks over 2 rounds (assume two handed weapon)

7x5=35

Extra attack of berserker at 22 str and GM will cause roughly 25-30 dmg

So a berserker does only 5-10 points less of dmg over 2 rounds, but has much greater survibility.

Then again, a f/m will probably be able to take down a berseker and kensai at the same time as well

[rbeverjr]

While I'm a big fan of kensai myself for roleplaying reasons, the fact is, when you do the sums, they pale in comparison to berserkers. Lets compare a lvl 21 kensai with a berserker with gauntlets of weapon expertise. Same str, proficiencies, so the only bonus the kensai gets is +7 dmg and thaco.

Gauntlets of weapon expertise give +2 dmg, so kensai is doing +5 dmg per hit compared to kensai
Gauntlets of weapon expertise give extra 1/2 attack per round, so berserker has 8 attacks over 2 rounds compared to kensai 7 attacks over 2 rounds (assume two handed weapon)

7x5=35

Extra attack of berserker at 22 str and GM will cause roughly 25-30 dmg

So a berserker does only 5-10 points less of dmg over 2 rounds, but has much greater survibility.

Then again, a f/m will probably be able to take down a berseker and kensai at the same time as well

In my opinion, the kensai is more beneficial to a team in IA4.2 than a berserker. His offense is clearly superior, because he hits the hard targets. Who cares about the vanilla mooks? Also, I get nine attacks with my kensai before L21, if I recall correctly. In IA5, it may be a different story if I can not keep the buffs on the kensai.

I am also not interested in one vs one combat but team optimization myself. In IA5, my team will likely stay 5 or 6 members.

This post has been edited by rbeverjr: Feb 1 2008, 04:09 PM