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I'm considering starting a new party and I want my main character to do lots of different things. He has to cover thieving abilities for one thing (really just traps and locks, maybe sneaking), and be my main arcane caster for another. Also I want him to be a capable tank as well. Just to illustrate what kind of tank I like my favourite NPC tank would be Haer'Dalis.

Seems to me that the swashy version would be better alround but that the assassin would have some specialized advantages that might be fun...

I was thinking dualling either at 10 or 12. I'm actually leaning quite strongly towards the swashbuckler... Any reason to choose one or the other would be appreciated also suggestions on when to dual.

I'm also going to include Haer'Dalis, Keldorn and Viconia. I know the last two may cause trouble but... Well... I want those two in my party... I may just install the happy patch...

Also can someone just remind me how a mage gains weapon proficiencies?

I'd definitely go with a swashbuckler there. As an assassin, it'll take ages to just accumulate the points needed for 100% traps/locks, not to think of stealth.
Especially going for a tank, the bonus AC of the swashbuckler ON TOP OF everything you cast will be very handy - forget about doing big weapon damage with your puny 1 attack per round though. You might consider dual-wielding, but again, that's only possible with a swashbuckler.

The assassin has that great poisoning ability, but a mage has access to all kind of spells that make the poisoning ability a bit obsolete.
The other great ability of the assassin is the 7x backstab ability, but IIRC your assassin will have to be really high level, something he won't be if you dual him at level 10 or 12.
The assassin has significant penalties when it comes to thieving abilities as well.
All in all, I'd say, go with Swashbuckler.

Thrar wrote:I'd definitely go with a swashbuckler there. As an assassin, it'll take ages to just accumulate the points needed for 100% traps/locks, not to think of stealth.
Especially going for a tank, the bonus AC of the swashbuckler ON TOP OF everything you cast will be very handy - forget about doing big weapon damage with your puny 1 attack per round though. You might consider dual-wielding, but again, that's only possible with a swashbuckler.

A good point. I was planning to dual wield Belm and Celestial Fury with this character. I think I knew the answer already. Swashbuckler it is.

Swashbuckler 10 > Mage enough points for disarming and opening locks. The Assasins x7 backstab comes in too late to dual reasonably; past level 20 IIRC.