Help choosing new PC

kelrynn · Post by **kelrynn** » Fri Jun 24, 2005 8:15 am

I need a little help choosing a strong dual wielder with two katanas. I'm thinking maybe a Dual class human Kensai/Thief - but then I'm not sure at what level I should switch him over. The Kensai/Thief would be cool because with the high level Thief ability (Use Any Item - can't remember the name), I can wear armor and guantlets or bracers at a high level.

Other choices I have are either a straight Kensai (Cannot wear armor throughout the whole game) but will have an excellent Thac0. He wouldn't miss anything unless a 1 is rolled.

My last choices is an Elven Fighter/Thief - would be cool becuase he can wear armor (Studded Leather) and use both high level Fighter AND Thief abilities.

Another major problem with the Kensai/Thief Dual class is once I switch over, it seems my Thac0 will be set to 20 (Yuck) That could be tough if I switch him over at the wrong time.

Has anyone had any experience with the above classes and would know which one would have an advantage over the other two in SoA and ToB?

Just looking for some expert advise to help me choose my new character.

tamenrot · Post by **tamenrot** » Fri Jun 24, 2005 8:34 am

If you're planning a solo game along SoA and Tob, I think it would be better a multiclass rather than a dual-class character, because of you will level up in the two classes AND the special abilities of the two classes (a greater whirlwind plus an assasination must be... impressive

)
But all the way, many people plays solos kensai/mage of kensai/thief

Now I'm playing a kensai/mage and a wizard slayer/thief, and I'm enjoying a lot (well, until I reached high level with the thief I couldn't use potions of master thievery, because of the wizard slayer restrictions

).
I think the best point (after reviewing) to dual class a kensai who will play the Tob should be level 13 or 15

But I'm NOT an expert

boo's daddy · Post by **boo's daddy** » Fri Jun 24, 2005 10:18 am

Spoilerish

ALso not expert, but currently am playing a Kensai/Thief. I dualled at 13, recovered my kensainess just prior to entering the underdark, and he is a killing machine.

Taking out mind flayers with hide in shadows and backstab is just hilarious.

Some annoying restrictions that I can't see any way around is how slowly thieves get more pips in weapons (screwed up some of my earlier choices), and also only being able to have 2 weapons equipped.

Can't wait till I get Use Any Item. Meantime, and amazingly, I find Barkskin useful. Gets me down to about AC -4 which is handy for those opponents (like flayers) with insta-kill attacks.

Cuchulain82 · Post by **Cuchulain82** » Fri Jun 24, 2005 1:13 pm

I've posted about this many many times before, but I will say it again: the Kensai --> Theif is the best killing machine in the game. Boo, once you get UAI, it will be ridiculous. I really mean that- almost nothing will be able to stand up to you.

I personally like using Carsomyr, so I usually go the 2 handed route. However, Dualing is nice too- consider taking Flail or Hammer prof. as well as katana, or dagger.

masteralef · Post by **masteralef** » Fri Jun 24, 2005 1:54 pm

The general rule on dualing from fighters is that 9 is good for SOA only, while 13 or 17 is good for ToB (extra attacks).

Personally, I'm having a lot of fun with an elvish multiclass Fighter/Thief, who's bloody powerful. I can't imagine what she'll be like when her backstab multiplyer gets higher.

Thrifalas · Post by **Thrifalas** » Fri Jun 24, 2005 6:54 pm

[QUOTE=tamenrot](a greater whirlwind plus an assasination must be... impressive

)[/QUOTE]

Enlighten me about how that's possible as they both just last one round and you cannot cast 2 HLA the same round. At least I never got that to work. But, when HLA's is rolling in you won't need that assassination anyway.

Anything spelled fighter/thief can be soo overpowered when soloing, and it is indeed my favourite soloing class. That way you don't have to worry about traps (thief) or spells (100% mag res), so there's practically nothing real tough. Although when not wielding Carso spells might prove a challenge. Not sure, if I can use Carso, I use Carso. It's just that damn good ^^.

Do not forget to get Vhailor's hemlet though. When you are soloing, you will get really strong... So how about another of you, just for the hell of it? I know that without it, there was no way that I could have killed Demogorgon in single combat. 100% magical res doesn't seem to be a hinder for him

And consider playing through BGI as well - the extra stats are nice (not necessary) and the Big Metal Unit will bring your AC down to somewhere around -25. BGI will be a breeze though, as there's nothing that can stand against BoS + Dagger of Venom.

In the question of multi/dual/pure kensai/thief I'd say that a multiclass is best. Pure is out of the question as you will be way too vulnerable to spells. A dual works fine, if you're willing to spend quite some time leveling up your thief... there's a guide here somewhere on banshee I think that will help you. Anyway, I'd recommend a multi fighter/thief. You won't have to worry about being lvl 1 and he's more than capable of slaughtering anything. Unless you're going for some Tactics mods :s. Whirlwinding Carsomyr with 24 str while your 5 time stop traps does their work is just... Sayonara, minna-san ~~

Edit:
In case you really dont want Carsomyr, try Vhailor's Helmet and have a Protection from Magic in your inventory. Ta-daa, invulnerability to magic and a clone that's pretty damn good. It's up to you, though it's widely considered cheese... not sure if you're fine with that, but in case you're stuck and unwillingly to go back... just a hint. it works wonders.

lompo · Post by **lompo** » Mon Jun 27, 2005 1:56 am

I suggest a multi over a dual, I'm playing a h.orc multi and I think its an optimal choice: the 19 in both str. and con. are very helpfull, more than the 19 dex. (you want a katana backstabber more than a ranged attacker, and 5% more on thieving skill wan't matter much being a active thief class).
The option is better than a dual because you have more variety in the game(you develop both classes, more HLA), and in the long run you will be way more powerfull than any dual class.
If you choose evil path your h.orc F/T can end with a natural 23 str and 22 con which is not bad (no need for any str. enhancing belt and a lot of hp).

tamenrot · Post by **tamenrot** » Mon Jun 27, 2005 4:05 pm

[quote="Thrifalas]Enlighten me about how that's possible as they both just last one round and you cannot cast 2 HLA the same round [/quote"]

Um... you're right, that's a BIG problem

I thought that making more than 1000 points of damage in one single round could be cool, and didn't think about how many time was needed to cast the HLAs

lompo · Post by **lompo** » Tue Jun 28, 2005 1:47 am

But if you are imp. hasted your number ao attack are close to GW and you can select assassination .....
.... and if you are under spell mislead all your hit count as backstab ......
..... and under a time stop (spell or trap) all your attacks are sure hits .....
eheheheh!!!

Thrain · Post by **Thrain** » Tue Jun 28, 2005 1:25 pm

as you move further into ToB, dual classes (espcially ones which dual at level 9) do get outshone by the multiclasses. as a multiclass, you get more HLAs, more weapon pips and you can go toe to toe with any character.

krunchyfrogg · Post by **krunchyfrogg** » Tue Jun 28, 2005 3:03 pm

[QUOTE=masteralef]The general rule on dualing from fighters is that 9 is good for SOA only, while 13 or 17 is good for ToB (extra attacks).[/QUOTE]
Level 17 doesnt give you anything.