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Kensei

Kensei

Master of the Nodachi

Dawn Empire - Samurai

The Kensei is a master samurai wielding a long nodachi, offering excellent range and battlefield control. Known for extensive soft-feint options from top heavy finishers, Kensei rewards patient players who can read opponents and adapt their mixups accordingly.

Character Stats

Difficulty
Medium
Health
125
Damage
High
Role
Vanguard

Key Abilities

Top Heavy Soft Feints

Mixup Tool

Top heavy finishers can be soft-feinted into side lights, side heavies, pommel strike, or guardbreak. This creates one of the most versatile mixup tools in the game.

Pommel Strike

Bash

A bash that guarantees a light attack if it connects. Can be used from top heavy finisher or neutral top heavy, excellent for opening up defensive opponents.

Swift Strike

Dodge Attack

Side dodge heavy attack that leads directly into finishers. Useful for punishing bashes and creating space, but can be parried if overused.

Gameplay Guide

Playstyle Overview

Kensei excels through patience and adaptability. Observe your opponent's patterns, then use your extensive soft-feint options to punish their habits. Don't rely on a single move - mix up your finisher options to keep opponents guessing. Use your range advantage to control space.

Key Combos

Light → Light → Top Heavy Finisher (Unblockable)

Basic chain to unblockable finisher.

Top Heavy Finisher → Soft Feint to Side Light (Hyper Armor)

Catches parry attempts with armored light.

Top Heavy Finisher → Pommel Strike → Light

Guaranteed damage against defensive opponents.

Tips & Strategies

  • Don't spam Swift Strike - it's easily parried and punished
  • Mix up all soft-feint options to avoid being predictable
  • Use pommel strike against opponents who block too much
  • Soft-feint to side heavy for hyper armor trades
  • After guardbreak into wall, guaranteed top heavy for max damage
  • Zone attack is great for mid-lane clearing and team fights
  • Be patient - Kensei rewards reading opponents, not spamming

Strengths & Weaknesses

Strengths:

  • Excellent range with nodachi
  • Versatile soft-feint mixups
  • Strong mid-lane control
  • Hyper armor on finishers

Weaknesses:

  • Dodge attack is very punishable
  • Requires patience and reads
  • Predictable if relying on one option
  • Slower attacks than some heroes