It is possible to use LLDB with VMware's debug server. While the
virtual machine is powered off, add the following to its .vmx
file:
debugStub.listen.guest64 = "TRUE"
In LLDB, you will need the x86_64 target definitions file.
(lldb) settings set plugin.process.gdb-remote.target-definition-file x86_64_target_definition.py
(lldb) target create path/to/kernel
(lldb) settings set target.load-script-from-symbol-file true
(lldb) gdb-remote localhost:8864