FOR HONOR: Kensei Guide

The Kensei is the Vanguard class hero of the Samurai faction. It’s classified as an easy to learn character that’s balanced and simple, with long range but slow overall movement. 


The Kensei has good range against most classes, but slower actions as well. A lot of the Kensei’s advanced Strategies revolve around its quick step attack forward, and its signature Top Heavy unblockable Attack Chain finisher.

Basic Tips

üThe Kensei has 4 Attack Chains:


üDawn of the Steel Sun: three consecutive light Attacks.


üSpirit of Inevitability: two consecutive Light Attacks, and finished with a Heavy Attack.


üForm of the Dragon: Light Attack, followed by two consecutive Heavy Attacks.


üDoom of the Kensei: three consecutive Heavy Attacks. Be sure to switch Guard directions between swings to confuse your enemy.


üA signature of the Kensei is the ability to finish any chain with a Top Heavy Attack to perform an Unblockable Attack.


üWhen surrounded, press Light Attack and Heavy Attack simultaneously to perform a Zone Attack.


üWhile Sprinting, perform a Heavy Attack to initiate a Rushing Sweep.


üDodge forward and perform a Light Attack to perform a quick Helm Splitter.


üDodge left or right and perform a Light Attack to execute a Swift Strike.

Advanced Tips

üAfter a quick Helm Splitter (performed by dashing forward with a Light Attack), follow it up with the second hit of a chain, initiating the rest of the Chain Attack.

üYou can also follow up a Guard Break with the second hit of any Chain Attack.

üAfter throwing your opponent, follow it up with a Chain Finisher, like the unblockable Top Heavy Attack.

üPerform a Guard Break during a Dash Forward to guard break from a long range.

üDuring the unblockable Top Heavy Finisher, switch Guard directions and Attack to cancel into another Finisher. This is an excellent way to catch opponents that try to side dodge the vertical unblockable finisher.