Hello all. I'm starting SoA and want to play a character through to ToB. I'm down to either:
1) LN Monk
2) LN Kensai/Mage
3) LN Kensai/Thief

For choice 1: Are there new special powers for the Monk in ToB? Do his fists become better than the +3 at level 15?

For choices 2/3: What recommendations can you make for a level at which to switch? Which class would be best to start with? Can I do Kensai/Wild Mage? How about Kensai/Assassin?

Thanks!

You can only be a kit on your first class not second so no kensai/assassins or anything else like that. Monks fists go up to level 4 at some high level i forgot :D . Why not be a different race than human, its much more fun(and different races get different abilities)!

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Chip Molter:
Hello all. I'm starting SoA and want to play a character through to ToB. I'm down to either:
1) LN Monk
2) LN Kensai/Mage
3) LN Kensai/Thief

For choice 1: Are there new special powers for the Monk in ToB? Do his fists become better than the +3 at level 15?

For choices 2/3: What recommendations can you make for a level at which to switch? Which class would be best to start with? Can I do Kensai/Wild Mage? How about Kensai/Assassin?

Thanks!<hr></blockquote>

Welcome to IW.

I don't know about #1, altho TOB has several High Level Abilities (HLA's) which may do just that.

you can only become a specialist mage/kit after dualclassing if you use shadowkeeper, otherwise you're limitted to kensai/mage, kensai/thief.

level 13 is the best level to dual at if you're going through TOB, as it gives you an extra attack/2 rounds, a kensai/mage with ***** in staff, and the staff of the magi is a truly terrible foe indeed.

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Chip Molter:
Hello all. I'm starting SoA and want to play a character through to ToB. I'm down to either:
1) LN Monk
2) LN Kensai/Mage
3) LN Kensai/Thief

For choice 1: Are there new special powers for the Monk in ToB? Do his fists become better than the +3 at level 15?

For choices 2/3: What recommendations can you make for a level at which to switch? Which class would be best to start with? Can I do Kensai/Wild Mage? How about Kensai/Assassin?

Thanks!<hr></blockquote>

Answer to above: Depends on what you want to play. All three are good, for different reasons. Monk is self-explanatory. Kensai mage is good fighter mage, cast and fight. Kensai thief is ultimate backstabber. Go with what interests you, and build from there.

As far as monk abilities, this is quoted from the ToB manual:
The monk's magic resistance stops increasing at 78%
21st level: +1 AC
24th level: +2 AC
25th level: His fists become +4 weapons
27th level: +3 AC
30th level: +4 AC
35th level: +5 AC
40th level: +6 AC

For your next question, you can only take a kit on the first class you take, not the second, when you dual-class. Thus, you can be a Kensai Thief, but not a Kensai Assassin or Fighter Assassin. For switching, do it at either 9th or 12th level, depending on how long you want to wait to get your full abilities. Why these levels? Fighters get weapon proficiencies every three levels, and stop rolling hit dice at 9th level (thus, giving you full fighter hp, a nice benefit). Kensai also get +1 to hit and damage every 3 levels, and -1 speed factor every four levels. Thus, 12th is good if you want the extra bonuses, but 9th is great to quickly get your full abilities back. Your choice.