I really love my gnome thief/illusionist. I've seen other people using straight up thieves or fighter/thief. Why? The thief is a fairly weak character by himself, so he shouldn't be running around tackling monsters face to face. Why not give him some magical kick? Here's his primary weakness (lack of fighting ability) doesn't really harm him because a mage sucks in that dep. anyway so you're not losing anything. Being a gnome, he gets extra "thiefiness" and the ability to specialize while multi-classed (giving him more spells, etc.). When I combine him with elven necromancer, I get kick ass spell-casting cabability while not having to sacrifice fighting capability by using another pure wizard. He's like two for the proce of one. A good thief and a specialist mage. When you team him with the necromancer you get access to all spells AND both are specialists. Kick Ass!

I agree with you 100%. I'll also add that the +1 to INT is nice also. Also the ability to use long/short swords & short bows is a favorite of mine. Screw +2 sling bullets he's got arrows of detination! Who says you have to keep him out of melee. Cast mirror image & stone skin on him, put a sword in his hand then hack & slash with him until you run out of mirror images. There is no better way to make a thief in my opinion.