I am planning on soloing the game, but I cant decide between these two. Can somebody give me advice?

P.S. I like backstabbing, so I am reluctant to use a Swashy/Mage.

<font color="gold">First of all, welcome to Ironworks! [img]graemlins/happywave.gif[/img]

Now, of those two, I would say the Thief/Mage is more suited for solo, having both max Thief and Mage skills. With the Blade, however, you have fairly small fighting skills, spellcasting, and reduced rogue-skills.
The little fighting-advance the Blade has, the Thief/Mage quickly matches with a backstab. Thieves have stronger rogue-abilities. Mages have stronger spellcasting.
The only two reasons you would want to pick the Blade over a Thief/Mage, is Offensive & Defensive Spin and Battle Song. These are both abilities that aren't necessary, though, so the Thief/Mage won't miss out on alot. ;) </font>

Or you could go a different route.

A Skald.

A Skald's powerful song along with a few skeleton warriors and earth elementals will chew through most anything the game has to offer. Also, remember, a Bard class character will have some spells more powerful then a mages, since they can get to a higher level. Like Skull Trap for example. Soloing a Skald is surprisingly easy. Your Mislead can sing as well, and, song stacks. A Skald's favourite spell should be Mislead.

There is also the surprisingly powerful Jester. Singing while invisible is a good safe way to kill things [img]smile.gif[/img]

Thanks for the welcome, and the information. Some more questions:

-The only reason I was thinking about using a Blade is the spins. Now, wouldn't the improved bard song be better than the skald song? If yes, the blade would get it fairly quickly (as he gets all exp).
-I have read a post on the Priest of Talos, and it is quite appealing. Does it stand up to the Thief/Mage or either bard?

Priest of Talos is disgustingly powerful. IMHO.

With Stormshield, and, a certian helm with elemental resists, any form of elemental damage will heal you.

The lightning bolts do not seem to be capped for damage. I still can't confirm this, but, I got a lightning bolt with 111 damage. Perhaps bugged...

My Stormlord and Viccy have been like Mickey and Mallory Knox... It has been a candyland of murder, mayhem, destruction, and carnage. Pit Fiends are a fantastic summon. They can even chew through dragons, and, they can not be banished by death spells since they are gated. Also, Skeleton Warriors who have been blessed, chanted, and granted defensive harmony rock the casbah.

He has killed entire towns, murdered legions of self rightious paladins who pop up every time I travel between maps, annoying knights who keep lying when they say my villially ends today. I am guessing out of the close to 1600 kills he has made, most of them have been cowled enforcers and paladins.

Right now, his reputation is an astounding 4! and I plan on trying to keep it that way for a while.

LOL. I believe that it was your post on the Lightning Bolt that got me into the Priest. Anyway, what would you recommend in terms of weapons? Due to the fact that he cant get more than one * in dual wield, I dont think that it will work too well..although I could just use the Crom /Defender for their bonus' (25 str or damage resistance, respectivily).

Anyway, any feedback would be appreciated.

P.S. I am trying to roleplay, so is the Storm Star a viable choice for a weapon? IIRC, it was specifically designed for the Talosian church..

Well, Garreth uses both sword and shield style, along with two handed weapon style. He uses hammers, flails, and quarterstaves. I got two shields of harmony, from the very EVIL way I solved the Trademeet problems, so, I have charm/domination/hold problems covered. Viccy wields the improved mace of disruption and the skullcrusher I think it is called. Garreth has the staff of rhynn, the flail of ages, and the hammer of thunderbolts, hopefully someday to be the crom faer. Also, he has the various elemental staves stashed.

<font color="lightblue">Blades are very powerful if you use extreme amounts of cheese...
Dundee`s MMM Exploit comes straight to mind http://img.ranchoweb.com/images/lennon/sagrin.gif</font>

MMM?

What should I make the stats? And since I have spare time, what is the best roll that you think is possible? (number; 132)