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D&D Older Editions
2e Fighter vs Fighter/Thief vs Thief Play Balance
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<blockquote data-quote="James Gasik" data-source="post: 8561294" data-attributes="member: 6877472"><p>This is really dependent on 3 factors. The first is, how much Dexterity do you have? </p><p></p><p>You might think this is an odd question, but an 18 Dexterity gives you the equivalent of 50 more Thieving ability points, where a 16 gets you 5.</p><p></p><p>Then, the next question is how badly do you think you're going to need high numbers at low levels. Is your DM likely to immediately throw out death traps? </p><p></p><p>The third is if Kits are on the table.*</p><p></p><p>Generally speaking, if you need high thieving abilities fast, the best thing you can do is be an Elf or Halfling and find a useful Kit. It is worth noting that a Dwarven Locksmith does get very high Open Locks and Find/Remove Traps despite being less optimal as a Rogue. Then you can rely on fast xp progression to earn you more points to develop your abilities.</p><p></p><p>If, however, you are going to be asked to do more than be just the "Trap Guy" and/or you have a high Dexterity, then multiclassing is not a bad way to go. However, I would say that Fighter/Thief is only a good choice if you're going to use a Bow.</p><p></p><p>As your abilities are still penalized by armor heavier than leather, your AC and hit points are going to be woeful compared to a Fighter (and even a Ranger is tougher than you). Since most DM's require Backstab to be melee (no sniping), you're basically firing 2 arrows a turn and offering utility outside of combat.</p><p></p><p>*It's worth noting there are a few multiclassed kits as well.</p><p></p><p>As a straight Thief, however, you don't provide a lot of utility in combat. You can also use a shortbow, but you can't get exceptional Strength to use a composite short bow, and your Thac0 progression is outsripped by the Fighter, even with your rapid level progression.</p><p></p><p>So, again, unless you're going into a massive dungeon right off the bat, you may want to consider Mage/Thief, or even Cleric/Thief (though this requires the less optimal Gnome race). Cleric/Thief is especially nice because most parties will love having an extra Cure Light Wounds around and you can still use a Sling. Plus, Clerics have better low level advancement than Mages.</p><p></p><p>This can go especially well if your DM allows Specialty Priests to be multiclassed, or you have access to some of the better Specialty Priesthoods (some, like Coyote, give you Thieving Abilities as well, making them an amazing alternative to a Thief!).</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="James Gasik, post: 8561294, member: 6877472"] This is really dependent on 3 factors. The first is, how much Dexterity do you have? You might think this is an odd question, but an 18 Dexterity gives you the equivalent of 50 more Thieving ability points, where a 16 gets you 5. Then, the next question is how badly do you think you're going to need high numbers at low levels. Is your DM likely to immediately throw out death traps? The third is if Kits are on the table.* Generally speaking, if you need high thieving abilities fast, the best thing you can do is be an Elf or Halfling and find a useful Kit. It is worth noting that a Dwarven Locksmith does get very high Open Locks and Find/Remove Traps despite being less optimal as a Rogue. Then you can rely on fast xp progression to earn you more points to develop your abilities. If, however, you are going to be asked to do more than be just the "Trap Guy" and/or you have a high Dexterity, then multiclassing is not a bad way to go. However, I would say that Fighter/Thief is only a good choice if you're going to use a Bow. As your abilities are still penalized by armor heavier than leather, your AC and hit points are going to be woeful compared to a Fighter (and even a Ranger is tougher than you). Since most DM's require Backstab to be melee (no sniping), you're basically firing 2 arrows a turn and offering utility outside of combat. *It's worth noting there are a few multiclassed kits as well. As a straight Thief, however, you don't provide a lot of utility in combat. You can also use a shortbow, but you can't get exceptional Strength to use a composite short bow, and your Thac0 progression is outsripped by the Fighter, even with your rapid level progression. So, again, unless you're going into a massive dungeon right off the bat, you may want to consider Mage/Thief, or even Cleric/Thief (though this requires the less optimal Gnome race). Cleric/Thief is especially nice because most parties will love having an extra Cure Light Wounds around and you can still use a Sling. Plus, Clerics have better low level advancement than Mages. This can go especially well if your DM allows Specialty Priests to be multiclassed, or you have access to some of the better Specialty Priesthoods (some, like Coyote, give you Thieving Abilities as well, making them an amazing alternative to a Thief!). [/QUOTE]
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