Quote:
Originally posted by MonksRule:
I am almost done with my first run through the game with my monk, and was planning on trying a thief for my second run. Just wondering what everyones favorite type of thief is. Right now i am leaning towards a swashbuckler.
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What alignment will have for your character (and/or will lean towards with the group)?
Assassins are essentially backstab specialists (they get a higher backstab multiple than other thieves); their thieving abilities are reduced to the point that you pretty much need another thief to open locks and find/remove traps (after you jump up hide and move silently, there won't be many points left to put elsewhere). If you are of good alignment, just add Valygar the stalker (not quite as effective with backstabs, but comes with a katana that poisons the target, and can actually stay in toe-to-toe with the target after the backstab). Then just take another type of thief as your main character (and concentrate on Find/Remove Traps, Open Locks, Pick Pockets, and Set Traps, in that order; get each to 100%, then move to the next one, as you can raise them later with level ups and items). If neutral or evil, Jan is excellent at Find/Remove Traps, Open Locks, and Pick Pockets (both due to high scores and items he comes with that boost his thieving abilities). Assassins become more viable then, but a neutral party could just add Valygar and Jan both, and then you wouldn't need to be a thief at all. Thus, assassins work best with evil parties (who take Jan as the main picking/disarming thief, and the assassin concentrates on backstabbing).
Bounty Hunters are excellent thieves; many feel that they are the best thief kit. The reduction to their thieving abilities is not that great, and they have excellent traps (traps are great; the only drawback is that you must engage the enemy in some way before the trap kills them (fire an arrow, etc.) or you do not get the experience for the kill). If good aligned, add Valygar to do the backstabbing, then concentrate on the Big 4 (Find/Remove Traps, Open Locks, Pick Pockets, and Set Traps). If neutral or evil, add Jan to do the first 3 of the Big 4; concentrate on stealth and setting traps, and you will be the group's "demolition man," backstabbing the opponent then luring them over the traps. You will kill many tough opponents this way!
Swashbuckers are also good; however, I find that they work better when dual classed (especially to mage, giving them decent fighting abilities, thieving skills, and magic all in one package). The big problem with swashbucklers is the lack of a backstabbing multiple; this relegates them to concentrating on the Big 4 (and you will be good at them, since their thieving abilities have no reduction). In a good aligned party, just add Valygar to do the backstabbing, and you are all set. The same goes for a neutral party; you would never add Jan, since he specializes in the Big 4 himself. However, in an evil party, there would be no backstabbers in the group. Backstabbing is extremely useful against enemy mages (for a country that dislikes magic, there sure are a lot of mages around...), and the evil party would be without that. Thus, swashbucklers work best with good parties (and neutral ones, if you lose Jan).
Note: You can do the game without a backstabber. The main thing you need a thief for is to disarm traps and open locks. However, backstabbing is a useful ability, and it does help to have one in the party. Some people use them, others don't. It all depends on how you play.
Hope this helps!
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Death is only the beginning...