A discussion of why Kensei is not viable in 1v1 duels and my suggestion for change | Forums

[x_Senduko_x]

Kensei can block while dodging actually, you just need to set your block in needed direction before you hit the dash button. Superior block is a part of kensei's kit since forever, still almost noone knows about it. If you dash forvard and successfully block the incoming attack this way, you'll get guaranteed (and probably uncounterable) GB or a Helm Splitter. Still this move is a bit risky as far as you can be GBd while dashing.
It would be great to change guard stances while dodging tho, a bit op even

But on the valkyre it issnt op? and the asassins even has an "Deflect" which works very simular

[pRo-Olowain]

Kensei is a lot of fun when u face the right players

Facing good players means --> dont attack! its frustrating seeing the light attacks getting parried over and over again.

[abecx]

Kensei can block while dodging actually, you just need to set your block in needed direction before you hit the dash button. Superior block is a part of kensei's kit since forever, still almost noone knows about it. If you dash forvard and successfully block the incoming attack this way, you'll get guaranteed (and probably uncounterable) GB or a Helm Splitter. Still this move is a bit risky as far as you can be GBd while dashing.
It would be great to change guard stances while dodging tho, a bit op even

re-read what I wrote.

I said Kensei has the ability to block while dodging, but right now its under utilized. Some changes to how guard stance changes interact with the dodge would help make it a bit less of a clunky mechanic for Kensei. Allow dodge and guard stance change to overlap locking you into a guard direction 1/4th or 1/3rd of the way into dodge animation would fair.

[DemonKENAN]

re-read what I wrote.

I said Kensei has the ability to block while dodging, but right now its under utilized. Some changes to how guard stance changes interact with the dodge would help make it a bit less of a clunky mechanic for Kensei. Allow dodge and guard stance change to overlap locking you into a guard direction 1/4th or 1/3rd of the way into dodge animation would fair.

His pseudo deflect is not underutilized at high level. Its not even an option. All of the higher tiered heroes don't even need to attack the kensei until after they utilize an opener. The only way for kensei to do damage is to trick the opponent. If the opponent has a charge attack and uses it properly they don't attack until they hit you with it. I have been forced to switch from just playing kensei. Every higher skilled player will not attack unless they gain the advantage first via an unblockable charge or a parry. Out of the top 5 Warden is the only class that his deflect helps against. Baiting a crushing counter with a top feint and dashing into it. This does not work on good players however they simply wait and grab or dodge. Kensei is not viable at all vs turtles. Side attacks are 700ms... Slowest in the game. The only thing you can do is hope to bait a parry and counter it or throw randomly timed UL and pray the other person goes for an attack or charge.

[Epoqx]

Kensei needs stamina cost reduction on feints.
Kensei needs faster side light attacks.

Kensei can strictly NOT open a turtle at high level, so any new opening/uncounterable move could be welcome too. Our only source of nearly-non-risky damage at that level is the top light.

The dash parry is awesome, but way too hard to use on consoles, because without mapping, u need to move your finger from RS to A (xbox), so you can't really change the guard stance the way u want before dodging, means u need to predict... Go predict some valks/PK's lights.
A good button mapping option would allow us, Kensei's, to truely shine by having another way of opening the GB combo mixups (which is where we are at our best in a fight).

[Ikeru_Densetsu]

Kensei should get an option to cancel his heavies and make that count as a combo move, similarly to the zerker playstyle. I think this would be a simple fix for the class in regards to 1v1.

[TCTF_SWAT]

I picked up the kensei the other day. 17 hours in and I've already hit a wall. And people say the LBi is bad......yeah right. Compared to the kensei...the LB is godlike. Cracking a turtler is ridiculous with the kensei. Like holy hell. ON top of being super slow (like..how are his side lights as slow as LB's chained lights?! Come on ubi really?).

Ubi buffed the conq and zerks free GB after blocking their lights but left kensei's dash lights punishable? Are you serious? Baffles me. Is it because they come from the opposite direction? Still unwarranted if you ask me.

Like only 4 characters lack a disable move. The assassins and the kensei. Fighting someone in revenge as kensei....there's no point.

I will however say this.

Steaadfast and unblockable feat are awesome. I love watching warlords attempting to push me over ledges and such with their running GB only to have them run by my (since I'm immune) then I push them off. It's great. Don't know if it works on demon embrace though. Haven't been able to test it yet.

[Alchemist..]

I will give him some unique ability to feint every first light attack in chain. It will help to bait parrys and open defensive opponents

[GoldenTor]

Rep 8 Kensei main here. Yes, Kensei lacks any real tools to open up high level opponents. I honestly stick to mainly 4v4 for this reason. But even then, you are forced to 1v1 from time to time. Your feint game must be fantastic. You must understand every class, how to counter them, how to punish their mistakes, and parry at a high level. Even then, it's a rough life for us.

My suggestion is this: Kensei needs an unblockabe opener. This is probably asking too much (even if his finisher was downgraded to uninterruptable to compensate). A simple shoulder bash instead of Grasping Pounce would do. But that won't happen.

Another feasible idea would be to remove the "stun" effect from his throw, (useless against high level play anyway, I only throw into a wall for a free UB) and add the stun to his helm splitter. Still, high level players would be hard to crack, but with a solid feint game this could really do some good I think.

[Epoqx]

Rep 8 Kensei main here. Yes, Kensei lacks any real tools to open up high level opponents. I honestly stick to mainly 4v4 for this reason. But even then, you are forced to 1v1 from time to time. Your feint game must be fantastic. You must understand every class, how to counter them, how to punish their mistakes, and parry at a high level. Even then, it's a rough life for us.

My suggestion is this: Kensei needs an unblockabe opener. This is probably asking too much (even if his finisher was downgraded to uninterruptable to compensate). A simple shoulder bash instead of Grasping Pounce would do. But that won't happen.

Another feasible idea would be to remove the "stun" effect from his throw, (useless against high level play anyway, I only throw into a wall for a free UB) and add the stun to his helm splitter. Still, high level players would be hard to crack, but with a solid feint game this could really do some good I think.

+1 for the unblockable opener but it can totally boost kensei to top tier. So i don't think it will be possible.

On the other hand, Your idea about changing that stun to helm splitter, is a really fantastic idea tho, and can really help and still fits the feinting identity the Kensei has become.

Or we could add and natural heavy to light feint too.. Like the barb.