Kensei Class Guide (Rev. 4)

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Kensei

Overview

Introduced in Exalt Version 2.2.0.0 (Dec 2021), the Kensei is a katana class focused on using his ability, the Sheath, to dash past enemies and boost his stats. His UTs, while similar in function, have unique quirks, either boosting different stats, having different projectiles, or inflicting debuffs on enemies.

Due to the aggressive and risky nature of the Kensei, it is important to understand the nature of his ability to effectively use it.

Stat Analysis

The Kensei offers a balanced 65 ATK and 65 DEX for decent damage output, 60 SPD for decent mobility, and 720 HP, 25 DEF and 60 VIT for decent survivability. However, he has a low base MP and WIS cap, having 252 MP and 50 WIS.

Equipment Choices

Weapon

The Kensei’s weapon of choice is the Katana. Katanas are short-ranged piercing weapons dealing the same DPS as daggers. UT katanas often trade the piercing aspect for higher damage output, or have quirks that make them stand out.

MasamuneSadamuneKusanagi
Tiered katanas are solid options for Kensei due to their decent damage output, piercing and range.

Masamune, dropping from Oryx the Mad God 2, is weaker but easier to get than most top-tier options. Sadamune deals more damage than Masamune but is slightly harder to obtain as it drops from various endgame bosses, notably the Void Entity and The Forgotten King. Kusanagi deals the highest damage out of all tiered katanas, but is also hard to obtain as it drops from Oryx the Mad God 3, and is also Soulbound Soulbound.

Doku No Ken
The Doku no Ken is a sidegrade to tiered katanas dropping from Son of Arachna, trading off damage per shot for slightly higher fire rate and range, and an area-of-effect proc dealing 1000 damage over 6 seconds and triggering every 3 seconds. This katana is most effective for safely clearing hordes, due to the long range and AoE proc.

Void Blade
The Void Blade is a peculiar katana dropping from Gulpord the Slime God, as its shots initially linger in place before accelerating to where it was initially aimed. This katana is most effective against targets that have predictable movement, as you can set up the shots for them to run into. It is also effective as a pre-firing weapon during enemy invulnerability periods, since they will take some of the lingering high-damage shots once they go vulnerable.

Ray Katana
The Ray Katana, dropping from the Rock Dragon, is another sidegrade to tiered katanas, trading off some damage output for higher range, as the shots have 6.2 range. This katana is decent for dealing damage more safely.

Valor
Valor, dropping from The Bridge Sentinel, is yet another sidegrade to tiered katanas, sacrificing fire rate for a huge bump in damage per shot. However, when put In Combat, the katana loses significant damage output for the entire IC duration, due to the ATT↓ ATT decrease (-15 ATT). This katana is most effective for players with decent dodging capabilities.

It is also notable that tiered Sheaths provide an ATT↑ ATT boost multiplier, which at its maximum, can fully negate the ATT↓ ATT decrease.

Enforcer
The Enforcer, dropping from Chief Beisa, is the clear-cut winner in terms of DPS, beating every katana at low-mid DEF. Compared to the Kusanagi, this katana beats it whole in DPS, but it lacks the piercing aspect, making it ineffective for clearing hordes.

Ability

The Kensei’s ability is the Sheath. The Sheath’s mechanic can be split into two main parts: channeling and dashing. Channeling is simply the act of charging up the sheath to allow dashing. Dashing is the main mechanic of the sheath, providing mobility and damage for Kensei.

The dash mechanic can be split into three main mechanics: the trail, stat multiplier, and projectile. Upon using the ability with a dash still active, you dash at the direction of your cursor up to either the sheath’s maximum tile limit, your cursor, or an obstacle. Note that when dashing, you are Mithril Shield Invulnerable until the dash ends, allowing you to dash past enemy projectiles and still survive.

The trail spawns from your initial location to your final location and usually deals damage to enemies. Hitting an enemy with the trail provides a stat buff, which multiplies your current stat by a percentage, increasing for every enemy you hit (although this is capped at 5). Upon reaching your final location, you fire out projectiles dealing damage to enemies.

It is important to note that while you are Mithril Shield Invulnerable during the dash, you are not immune to damage when the dash ends. It is also important to note that there is a cooldown in between dashes, preventing you from chaining the dashes and be effectively immune to damage. Caution is important, as you can be put in a bad situation where you have to Nexus or you die.

A good tip for sheaths is to put your cursor ahead of the enemy, as enemies usually fire towards you, allowing you to avoid the attacks and deal damage at the same time. Avoid placing your cursor directly on the enemy, especially when they have highly dangerous shotgun or radial attacks.

Great Shinobi SheathSonic Wave Sheath
Tiered sheaths are solid options for Kensei, providing high trail damage, consistent projectiles, long dash distance, and an ATT↑ ATT boost multiplier.

The Great Shinobi Sheath, dropping mainly from Oryx the Mad God 2, is decently consistent. The Sonic Wave Sheath, however, is much more powerful, but is harder to obtain as it drops from Oryx the Mad God 3, and is also Soulbound Soulbound.

Armor

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Accessory

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Strengths and Weaknesses

Strengths

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Weaknesses

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