thief profiency

IHateUsernames · Post by **IHateUsernames** » Tue Aug 05, 2003 5:16 am

i have a solo thief and dont know what to put my last 2 profiency points in. i'm a swashbuckler and have decided to put 3 in two weapon, 1 shortbow, 2 katana, 2 dagger and 2 shortsword.

so should i take 2 schmitar, 2 longsword or 2 quarterstaff

i have the item upgrade and aVENGER's thief mod (exept the cyric thing)

DraySkullan · Post by **DraySkullan** » Tue Aug 05, 2003 8:22 am

I'd go with longsword, because of all the cool longswords in the game, like BlackRazor

Zelgadis · Post by **Zelgadis** » Tue Aug 05, 2003 8:27 am

I'd go with longsword, theres some pretty nice ones you can get.

IHateUsernames · Post by **IHateUsernames** » Tue Aug 05, 2003 1:29 pm

i forgot to say i have ToB..

there are so many good wepons of the other class.

spectral brand
unsunos blade
staff of the ram
staff of the magi

but the longswords have the equalizer
the answerer
anguvardel (sp?)

i cant decide.

the celestial fury +5 and some other weapon (possibly a dagger i have already) are going to be my main weapon with a switch to other combos (stilleto of demarchess and the poison dagger i have, and something with good abilitys) man im going to switch weapons a lot. the NWN inventory system would really come in handy (the litle boxes at the bottom of the screen. they could be used as quickslots for weapons spells and abilities and there was 36!)

Shin Jaon · Post by **Shin Jaon** » Tue Aug 05, 2003 11:32 pm

hm.. I would try to go pro with Katana or 2 in schimitar. I'm more of a craftsman in fighting. Except when I use my trusy Minsc, the harder he hits the happier I am. That's why when i fight I use Kensai or I use mages or priest. I prefer art, not bloody brawls. I use animal summons for that, hehehe

VonDondu · Post by **VonDondu** » Wed Aug 06, 2003 12:44 am

When I play a Swashbuckler, I don't put any proficiency points in bows or shortswords. Yes, there are some very nice shortbows and shortswords in the game, but I decided it would be better to concentrate on playing my Swashbuckler as a "tank" and put as many proficiency points in katanas, scimitars, and longswords as possible. I think it's better to let other party members use the nice missile weapons I find (bows, throwing daggers, etc.). I also put as many points as I can in Two Weapon Style and Single Weapon Style. I think some people overlook the benefits of Single Weapon Style. I occasionally switch to using only one weapon if I need a temporary boost to AC and THAC0, and the effects are worth the cost; otherwise, I normally use two weapons. I don't even remember the last time I gave a Thief any proficiency points in clubs or quarterstaffs; they just don't fit my mental image of a Thief, especially not a Swashbuckler. Some of the daggers in the game are very nice, but I'm just not in the habit of using them (with the exception of Firetooth), so I don't give my Swashbuckler any points in those. Like you, I don't like to switch weapons constantly, so all in all, I simply find that it's better to stick with the large swords (katanas, scimitars, and longswords) and not bother switching weapons all the time.

In your case, I think you should put two proficiency points in Longsword so you can use the Answerer, which is my top choice at that point in the game. Prior to that, longswords take a back seat to katanas and scimitars (I don't use Blackrazor and I don't like the Equalizer), so I think you should stick to using katanas if you don't have any proficiency points in scimitars.

In any case, there are lots of fine weapons to choose from, and while all of them have different strengths, you can't really go wrong with any of them.

Mirk · Post by **Mirk** » Thu Aug 07, 2003 1:24 am

the problem with swashbuckler is not the thac0 or damage, as they get astronomical bonuses, but number of attacks, which basically never grows from 1 main hand and 1 off hand attack per round. some items give an extra 1/2 attacks (gauntlets of extraordinary weapon specialization, boots of speed - unpatched, i think). i never checked if these bonuses were cumulitive, but that's not the point.

there are some weapons that give an extra attack per round (kundane +2, belm +2, scarlet ninja-to +3). now, the way the game engine works is by adding the extra attack to the MAIN HAND WEAPON ALWAYS. thus, if you hold a weapon that has some effect on every hit (e.g. celestal fury), and hold one of the extra attack weapons in the off-hand, you get an extra attack with the main weapon - 2 main + 1 off hand.

you can see whwere i'm going with this...

if you hold one of the extra-attack weapons in both hands, you get 3(!) attacks per round with the main hand, 1 with the off hand. thus, for all the "regular" fights (the big fights you'll be buffed up with improved haste/whirlwind anyway) holding the scarlet ninja-to & belm (both using scimitar profociency) will give you an attack rate compatable to those of a warrior-class (you'll have to get "use any item" first, as the ninja-to is only usable bu monks), usefull for anty-mage fights, due to the poison damage, and before that belm and kundane for not-stunnable opponents, and the awesome celestal fury & belm...

IHateUsernames · Post by **IHateUsernames** » Thu Aug 07, 2003 7:30 am

ive decided on longsword. the other weapons are good but to have extra bonuses with longsword is great. i can still use the others because of my incredible thac0

IHateUsernames · Post by **IHateUsernames** » Fri Aug 08, 2003 7:55 am

i am now level 32 (or 33) and ready to move on to longswords. still using a combination of a poison dagger (The dagger of Venom or somrthing like that) and a katana from Deidre. going to get Celestial fury and the Stiletto of Demarchess now. Just killed Kangaxx and Firrkrag. Used Carsomyr on Kangaxx