Kamikaze
by Charis

Class: Any
Tag: KAM

Introduction

Out of the Lands of the East come a breed of adventurer with the speed of a Cavalier, the bravery of a Barbarian, and the levelheadedness of a ... FOM. The Kamikaze Variant is for all classes.

There are three defining characteristics of the Kamikaze.

1) Total lack of fear of death.
2) Extraordinary sense of hearing.
3) Inability to sit around and wait for action.

Rules

Their fearlessness often gets them into trouble (see quests). Their reliance on hearing also shows itself in the quests, and in one other manner.

The loss of an ear is NOT a trivial matter. If they lose one, they become rather upset and will return the favor. If they cause the loss of an ear, they are remorseful and will after clearing the area, unceasingly hop into the midst of enemies until the Kamikaze is dead or the level is clear. On the plus side (for coopers), a Kamikaze would not flee a rough situation to save himself, but can be counted on to come for aid quickly. (Note: Due to unity of cause, they will not seek retribution against another Kamikaze who accidentally takes their ear.)

For dual-classing, the Kamikaze is a natural fit for the GFP and the Exorcist, and probably the worst possible choice for a LoL. He will fit well with meleers and more cautious folks, but those who often take ears will not find a Kamikaze a warm companion. (Of course, coop with other Kamikazes works extremely well.)

Items

Shields
A shield may be used as long as the character's modified STR is double the required amount. They don't want to be weighed down.

Weapons
The Long Sword is the traditional blade of the Kamikaze Warrior, while Rogues and Mages prefer the Long War Bow and War Staff. Secondary weapons for these are the Battle Axe (W), the Blade (R) and the Mace (S). Yet any weapon may be used if a good 'preferred' one is not available or appropriate.

Uniques
Any are usable, and the following prized.

- Naj's Light Plate- Tough and light at same time
- Celestial Axe - Extremely nimble battle axe
- Hellslayer - A more powerful battle axe
- Eaglehorn - More so than Windy (which pushes foes away)
- Hammer of Jholm - A lightweight maul
- Overlord's Helm - A strong helm from the East
- Constricting Ring - A reminder that life is fleeting
- Holy Defender - Fast block, protection, and light
- Inferno - A fire-based long sword
- Naj's Puzzler and Gleamsong - Teleport and phasing

Spells

Any.

Quests: Freedom From Fear

There are several situations or monsters that strike terror in the hearts of adventurers. The Kamikaze overcomes these fears by facing them and prevailing...
(Note: That most need NOT be done consecutively...)

I) Fear of Death
When it comes down to it the base fear. The Kamikaze career begins with death. Go to the church naked and swing til you die. Don't retreat or drink potions, just fight bravely and taste death. See? Wasn't so bad!

II) Fear of the Butcher
This wretched Overlord terrifies the young and weak. Terror has no home in the Kamikaze's heart. The Butcher must be defeated with bow he and the Kamikaze INSIDE the meat room, with the door shut.

III) Fear of Disease
Black Deaths are a source of nightmares for many. The Kamikaze must clear two levels of BD's to overcome his fears. A 1hp scar is seen as a badge of courage. More than three is a disgrace that leads to suicide. Calmness, ranged attacks, and knockback blows are needed.

IV) Fear of Undead
What is more terrifying than having to face the ex-King and a cohort of a gazillion archers?! Face the fear, and prevail. King Leo must be killed when in the midst of a posse of archers (horror, burning dead, corpse bow, etc.). Ignore the arrows, neither avoiding nor retaliating.

After this stage, the Kamikaze is known as an "Oligophobe"

V) Fear of Shrines
The multitudes shun shrines for fear of losing mana or other damage. This will not do for the Kamikaze. Four to seven goat shrines must be faced, either for reward or punishment. (Note: The earlier clvl your are and lower your base magic, the less mana you will lose with certain shrines!)

VI) Fear of Hiddens
Stair death by an invisible hoard. More nightmares. The Kamikaze, when entering new levels in the cats, must not move or attack for ten seconds, even to defend himself. Eventually this will lead to stair death. Deal with it, and overcome, fearless Kamikaze! He must keep this up when entering lvls 4-9 until he has been killed by some form of Hidden.

VII) Fear of Fast Spit
At some point, the Kamikaze will be faced with Deathspit (6), Chaoshowler(8) or Plaguewrath(10). When he is, take the hits and learn the rate at which fast spit can damage, drinking up to a full belt of potions before starting to counterattack or avoid.

The Kamikaze who persists through these three trials is known as an "Anaphobe", a fearless one.

VIII) Fear of Shredding
Being caught in Hell with low AC, surrounded by Maws and Lightning Demons... shudder! Face your fear, brave Kamikaze. As soon as you enter a level which has a lightning boss and a maw, return to town and leave behind your armor and any fast block shield. Clear that level, and the next one, and fear low AC no more!

IX) Fear of being Overwhelmed
For Warriors - clear a level with three ranged attackers in hell, with no resists. Face your fear! Sorcerers - clear a level where you do NOT drink any blues with Mana Shield up. Learn to have a buffer, and to get a MS back up quickly. Rogues - clear a melee level with a bow, but where all shots must be point blank range. Flash is allowed.

X) Fear of Soul Burners
Warriors, corner; Rogues, Lightning; Sorcerer's Charged Bolt your way through a level of Soulies. Do not be scared of these vile creatures!

XI) Fear of Fear
The Lord of Terror is your last fear. Simply killing him will not banish your fear, nay, you must, without killing anything else on the level, leap into Diablo's very lair and slay Diablo. After this, you will fear terror no more!

Reward
Title of The Exophobe, Banisher of Fear.

## Optional Quests

Auditory Hunt
Learn to kill by sound. Do a Hell run with the gamma set _way_ down, until virtually nothing is visible, and turn up your volume a notch. Use guardians, test arrows, bone spirits, elementals to scout and hear where they strike. Listen for the direction of those beating on you. Seek ye NOT any treasure dropped, lest ye hear the melodious sound of 'ting'. If stuck, use an infravision scroll, and temporarily turn up the gamma while the spell lasts.

Banisher of Nightmares
On Nightmare difficulty setting, as soon as a room or area is clear, make a blind teleport into new area, and let the monsters experience true fear! Learn the value of armor, flash protection, and quick changes of hotkeyed spells. Laz' chamber must be taken en masse -- no luring out at all, but hop on in.

Hellacious Kamikaze
Same as above, but Hell difficulty. If the Kamikaze dies, he may use stealth to recovery his gear, but must then go as high +l.r. as he can for the remainder of the level.

Kamikaze Striker
Can you sacrifice all to avoid obstacles and take out a single target?! Make a Kamikaze attack on Lazarus, killing not a single creature besides him. Once he is dead, ignore the others, and head down the pentagram. Diablo must then be slain ALONE, as the second and final creature killed in that game.