Was thinking earlier (rare i know), but with the exception of Jan, there are no thieves to take thru into Throne of Bhaal. So unless you are playing a thief yourself, or on a multiplayer game, you miss out on the cool abilities that a thief gets.

My theory on this was the designers wanted you to take Yoshimo (as there is no other real option)in order for you to see that "aspect" of the story.

There is no real point to this post, other than i think thats really blows!!!!!!!!!!!

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I have't played tob yet, but don't you have Imoen?

Unfortunatly Imoen doesn't cut it as a thief in ToB, traps and locks are much tougher, and her weak little skills just arn't enough.

Yeah it does blow...only Jan is any good at thieving..because he can still go up levels.....Imoen is ok especially with Baldurdash patch which gives her back some of her missing stats...but by the time you get her Jan is still so much better and as a specialist mage=more spells...so they really do need to add a true thief(maybe there is one in the DD mod..)
My first two tries(chronic restarter) I played as thief/mage or fighter/mage...because I felt I had to...and I didn't like that..

Imoen is fine...I've made it all the way through ToB with her as my only thief. There aren't THAT many traps, especially hard ones, in the game. Don't forget about potions of master thievery and perception, and magic items which increase thief skills, to help you through the rough spots.

Having said all that, I do prefer Jan to any other thief alternatives, though.

Yeah, i mean like i beat it with Imoen first time around, but i just think the lack of any other option, kinda forces you along the lines of thief or multi / dual thief. I ended up with Valygar for the stealth and limited backstab and Imoen for the rest, but i would rather have had a dedicated Yoshimo all the way!

Also dont like Jan, cuz he is like 3ft tall, not very intimidating and unlikely to worry Jon Irenicus or a Pit fiend, or even a kobold perhaps!

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Agreed. Theres a real lack of choices when it comes to NPCs. Add that to the fact that all the NPCs are detailed in the manual and you totally take away the surprise of getting a new party member.
The game really came short with good, solid thieves. In order to try any of the new usable classes, you'd have to be that class yourself and most people never get to try the special abilities that classes get in TOB.
Its such a cheat cop-out if it were just to force the player to experience the Yoshimo incident, which didnt work on me because I've never used him that long.