Looking for kensai/thief suggestions..

[Parak]

At what level should I be dualing over to a thief, 9, 12? (I don't have throne of bhaal yet, though I plan to get it in the next few days)

Also, I'm looking for some suggestions as to how get experience fast after act one, in order to get to to the dualing point as fast as possible, and afterwards, to level the thief up fast as well (preferably in a non cheating or bug abusing way).

Thanks.

[nael]

the best way to get your thief up in levels is to go ahead and start the thieves guild quests. that room with all the locked doors and traps helps get your thief up in levels.

[polaris]

You will need your Kensai levels to give you your THACOs later in the game. The Thief, fortunately, has a very kind XP table. As such, dual out at level 12. Getting to 13th level thief is cheap and easy....especially if you do the thieve's guild quest. Note that for a class with a harder XP table (like the Mage), I prefer 9th level, but thieves have a kinder XP table and are more survivable (albeit with a bit of babying).

-Polaris

[bst6]

Get all the way to 1,500,000 exp as a Kensai and then switch to a thief then. You'll still be able to get to lvl 39 thief with that. It'll give you the most bang for your buck. If you like to do all the quests you'll get to both in no time. Just don't take a full party if you can help it.

[Parak]

How many party members should I get? And which?

[bst6]

I just used Jahiera and Nalia, J being the fighter when i was getting to lvl 15 thief. saved as many scrolls for Nalia to read when i dueled to thief as i could. You can take more, it just divides the exp a lil worse. depends on how fast you want to lvl i guess. Get Nalia to memorize the scrolls when J is gone to talk with the harpers for the best effect.

[Xyx]

Originally posted by polaris:
<STRONG>You will need your Kensai levels to give you your THACOs later in the game. The Thief, fortunately, has a very kind XP table. As such, dual out at level 12</STRONG>

This must be the zillionth time I hear about dualling Kensai at level 12. I must be missing something.

Why level 12, and not wait till level 13 for that extra half attack you'd otherwise never get?

[]RiPPeR[]

i dualed my kensai/thief at level 18, you will have the max number of attacks, maximum damage bonus from kensai a thac0 around -10
and can still get to level 35 as a thief

[polaris]

I suppose dueling at 13 has its merits, but that means you have to make it to 14th theif WITHOUT the use of armor or bracers (that is a *REAL TRICK*. Having to only go to 13th level theif means you actually need less XP than it took to make it to 12th Kensai. In addition, you get pretty much maxed out THACOs and your get your +4/+4 and 4 Kais.

-Polaris

[Xyx]

Originally posted by polaris:
<STRONG>I suppose dueling at 13 has its merits, but that means you have to make it to 14th theif WITHOUT the use of armor or bracers (that is a *REAL TRICK*.</STRONG>

Ahh, a bit of trap setting and dart throwing never hurt anyone (else)... You can always run and rest if things go badly. The really tough fights can usually be avoided with stealth (just go back later). Besides, after a couple of levels you'd be able to backstab lots of the regular beasties in one go. Then just run, hide, repeat.

[polaris]

XyX,

That is not always true. In order to do some quests sucessfully, you HAVE to do some real tough fights. Look at the XP table to get to 14th level thief, and I think you will change your tune.

-Polaris

[Xyx]

Originally posted by polaris:
<STRONG>Look at the XP table to get to 14th level thief, and I think you will change your tune.</STRONG>

Level 13: 660K XP
Level 14: 880K XP

That's not such a huge difference. I'm not saying it would be a cakewalk, but I would be banging my head against the wall by the time I got to level 20 if I wouldn't have done it. This way you get something valuable that isn't available in any other way, and all it takes is a bit of persistence.

[Parak]

Hmm, I can understand dualing at 13, but 15 or 18? Isn't that kinda late?