Question about fighting new Kensei | Forums

[AkenoKobayashi]

I like the new Kensei, since I main that class, but that top heavy starter is too slow. If you are going to use a top finisher, then you need to use a Light+Light+Heavy combo or something. Still getting used to it, and the new parry system with still screws me over now that it is different.

[mrmistark]

I don’t understand. Has NO ONE realized Kensei has ALWAYS had the soft fient of his top UB heavy finisher into side HA heavy? I’ve used it since beta. It’s not new, just no one else uses it much. It’s particularly useful against dodgy assassins.

[Tyrjo]

So Kensei can cancel the TH to either an unblockable which in turn guarantees damage, side lights or guard break. If you don't want to subject yourself to unreactable feints and just GTFO he can catch you with a huge leap heavy. Sounds about as close to "damned if you do damned if you don't" as you can get.

[Vakris_One]

So Kensei can cancel the TH to either an unblockable which in turn guarantees damage, side lights or guard break. If you don't want to subject yourself to unreactable feints and just GTFO he can catch you with a huge leap heavy. Sounds about as close to "damned if you do damned if you don't" as you can get.

On paper, sure. In practice you have a choice of options:

● His first top heavy is super slow. Hit him with a light as soon as you see him do it and he won't be able to whip anything out of it. The best he can do is hard feint it and block, the cancel doesn't give him enough time to parry a light so anything that is as fast or faster than a Warden top light is safe to use.

● Maintain some distance between you and you negate his pommel strike. If he tries it and follows up with dash GB or light/heavy you can react to them.

● Hyper armour also negates the pommel strike so characters that have it or can generate it on certain moves can punish Kensei's initial mind game by trading with him or disrupting him out of his attack.