At which levels do I get bigger backstab multipliers and more poison weapons? How long should I wait before plunging into magehood? Planning to play with a full party.

The Assassin's Backstab multiplier increases every 4 levels: 1, 5, 9, 13, 17, and 21. These are also the levels at which their Saving Throws improve. It obviously just makes sense to Dual at one of these levels. Dualing to a Mage much beyond that point is not a viable option under the EXP cap, as you'd never be able to regain your Assassin half.

As to which level you should Dual at, that's up to you. I'll tell you how the game works, but not how to play it.

Well, the allure of the Assassin lies in its' x7 backstab modifier. Under the 8,000,000xp Cap, you can get a 21->24 Assassin->Mage.

Pros:
</font>

• Lots of cheese potential</font>
• "Melf's Minute Meteors + Poison Weapon"</font>
• "The Army Scythe + Improved Haste + Bolts of Biting + Poison Weapon" Throw in a Greater Malison for greater effect</font>
• "Time Stop + Mislead + Improved Haste" is just sick</font>
• Etc...</font>

Cons:
</font>

• No Rogue HLAs</font>
• Only 7 Wizard HLAs</font>
• Limited Mage levels</font>
• Etc...</font>

EDIT] Tag amendments. Urgh... being a member on multiple forums with multiple systems can be confusing sometimes.

[ 06-06-2006, 11:17 PM: Message edited by: Dundee Slaytern ]

Thank you for the information!

If you dual at level 21, you'll get the x7 backstab modifier, and you'll miss out on one level 8 and one level 9 spell slot (as well as 4 mage HLAs.) If you dual at level 17, you will get 3 more HLAs, as well as another level 9 spell slot, but only a x6 backstab modifier.

If you're playing with a party, I'd suggest you just keep on playing as an Assasin. They're so... rewarding. :D Also, keep in mind that you won't be able to explore the full capabilities of your character (regain Assassin abilities) until very, very late in the game if you dual too late.

If you're dead set on dualling, I'd just play it out until you're comfortable with the backstab damage and your thief skills, then dual.