advice wanted on kensai/thief proficiencies

[Hazim ibn Gorion]

I want to try a 2-person party game with only a kensai/thief and Aerie. It's obvious that the best time to dual is level nine, giving me 7 points to distribute before the dual. There are a few options I'm considering:
1) dual weilding katanas, eventually ending up with CF and Malakar.
2) one-weapon katana. 2 points in single-weapon style sure would help my AC; is the off-hand attack really worth it?
3) two-handed sword
And then I'm not sure how to distribute those points. Is it really worth it to go to grand mastery? Difference between three points and five in a weapon seems negligible. I can pick up a single star in a blunt weapon when I dual to thief for use against clay golems. May make the thief-only part of the game more difficult, but Blackblood is pretty effective, not to mention purchaseable. Don't care about Crom Fayr.

Anyone's input is welcome.

[Xandax]

I would choose either option 1 or 2 - so you can make use of backstab.

Wheter dual-wielding or singel-wielding - I'll say that it is a matter of opinion, I always go for dual-wield, because I find there are plenty of items that lowers your AC.

[Radek]

1. It depends. If you have level 50 rules from teambg.com then 5+ does give you an advantage. Otherwise, 2+ are as good as 5+.
2. Clubs, katanas and long swords are wise decision.
3. You MUST have some +4 weapon! Greater Mummies & Co. will arrive soon! Reconsider the 2H sword. There are no +4 clubs, katanas or long swords. You gain a +4 2H sword only after returning from the Underdark (Warblade). Reconsider! I would prefer a quarterstaff.
4. I would add short bows. Aerie can use the Sling of Everard.

[Hex92]

I would agree somewhat with Radek. You will need a +4 weapon so you can get the Staff of Rhynn(?) from the adventurers mart. So I would put at least 1 point there. Katanas are a good choice and I would put the rest there +dual wield. You will get more points as you level up as a thief.

Hex92

[Nighthawk]

For a Kensai/Thief that is planning to backstab a lot you definitely want to go single-weapon with Celestial Fury. If you are dual wielding you will attempt to backstab with your off-hand 50% of the time and you want Celestial Fury to be doing the backstabs. (I'm not sure what would happen if you were dual wielding with a weapon that wasn't backstab eligile.)

Also, you will critical hit 10% of the time instead of just 5% which makes a big difference in backstab effectiveness and the AC bonus is very nice to have as a Kensai.

The best time to dual for the maximum top-end power is level 13 since this gives you an extra 1/2 attack which becomes a full extra attack with the boots of speed and still allows Thief level 17. It also gives +1/+1 dam/hit bonus and an extra Kai. However, it does make the thief-only part longer and more challenging.

Some careful planning is needed, but you should have no problem getting 5+ in Katana, 2+ in single weapon and a + in a blunt weapons...I believe the acid from Blackblood or the Fire/Acid from Flail of Ages would harm the greater mummies and co, but creatures that can only be hit by +4 or better weapons are actually pretty rare. Also, while there are no +4 longswords, Daystar and Flame Tongue both act as +4 vs certain enemies.

[Giles the Sorcerer]

first, you get twice as many criticals using two weapons ; ) but your average damage is a hell of a lot higher.

Also consider Dualing later, thieves don't get any special abilities at certain levels, so you are not missing anything by only getting level 17-18 as a thief, but you gain a fair bit in your fighter side (Saving throws, THAC0 etc.)

Also, consider Crom Fayer, imagine the immense damage Daystar (x2 damage vs. undead) powered, 25 stength critical backstab with kai active against a vamp or lich ; )

Also, don't spend any proficiencies from your thief side till you get back your fighter side, that way they can be applied to existing skills. Depending on alignment, axe or mace is good at slaughtering undead (Azure Edge and Mace of Disruption)