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Thieves
Shadows of Doubt

Thieves

Shadows of Doubt Thieves can use specific weapons and armor. Learn about Assassin, Bounty Hunter, Shadowdancer, and Swashbuckler kits.

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Shadows of Doubt Thieves can use specific weapons and armor. Learn about Assassin, Bounty Hunter, Shadowdancer, and Swashbuckler kits.

Walkthrough
  1. 1
    Thieves may only wear non-metallic armour and equip bucklers.
  2. 2
    They can become proficient in long swords, short swords, katanas, scimitars, daggers, clubs, quarterstaffs, darts, crossbows, shortbows, and slings.
  3. 3
    A single proficiency point can be taken in any fighting style.
  4. 4
    Thieves can invest 25 points per level (40 points at level 1) into all Thief skills.
  5. 5
    They may backstab if armed with a thief weapon.
  6. 6
    Thieves can set increasingly powerful snares.
  7. 7
    They gain 6 HP per level for the first ten levels, and 2 HP per level thereafter.
  8. 8
    Single-classed Thieves are not very effective, but their backstab ability can be decent if requirements are met, and the Set Traps skill can be useful.
  9. 9
    Thieves are almost as squishy as Mages and lack defensive spells, making them ideal for multiclass combinations like Fighter/Mage/Thief.
  10. 10
    Dual-classing from a Thief can create a Fighter-with-benefits, Mage-with-benefits, or Cleric-with-benefits.

Assassin Kit:

  • Assassins trade Thief skills for murder abilities.
  • They gain +1 THAC0 and damage.
  • Backstab multiplier is x6 at level 17 and x7 at level 21.
  • Assassins may use the Poison Weapon ability once per day per four levels, causing enemies to take damage over time.
  • They may only distribute 15 points per level to Thief skills.
  • Taking full advantage of the Assassin kit generally requires single-classing. Dual-classing out at level 9 can create a Fighter-with-benefits, but may not yield significant advantages beyond Poison Weapon.

Bounty Hunter Kit:

  • The Bounty Hunter kit focuses on setting traps.
  • They gain +15% to the Set Traps skill.
  • Bounty Hunters may set an additional 1 special snare per day at level 1, and an additional 1 per 5 levels thereafter.
  • Special snares have additional effects: Slow (+1 save) at level 1, Hold (-1 save) at level 11, Otiluke's Resilient Sphere at level 16, and Maze at level 21.
  • They may only distribute 20 points per level to Thief skills.
  • The special traps can be thrown at enemies, and the Maze trap can be used to prepare an area.

Shadowdancer Kit:

  • The Shadowdancer kit focuses on stealth.
  • They gain +10% to Hide In Shadows and Move Silently skills.
  • Shadowdancers have the 'Hide in plain sight' ability, allowing them to use stealth even when observed.
  • At level 5, they can use Shadowstep once per day, allowing free movement for seven seconds while time is frozen. This ability gains an additional use every 5 levels.
  • They gain +1 to saving throws.
  • Shadowdancers may only distribute 20 points per level to Thief skills.
  • They may not use the Set Trap ability.
  • Their backstab multiplier is one less than a Thief's at a given level, maxing out at 4x damage.
  • Alignment may not be Lawful.
  • Dual-class attributes are Strength, Dexterity + Charisma.
  • Spirit Form provides 50% physical damage resistance and Improved Invisibility for 5 rounds.
  • Shadow Maze can maze any enemy within 10' that fails its save vs. spell at -4.
  • Shadow Twin creates a Simulacrum of the character (with 60% of the caster's level) for two turns.

Swashbuckler Kit:

  • The Swashbuckler kit focuses on combat.
  • They gain +1 AC at level 1 and +1 per additional five levels.
  • They gain +1 THAC0 and +1 damage per five levels.
  • Swashbucklers may specialise (two proficiency slots) in Thief weapons.
  • They may take three points in Two-Weapon Style.
  • They may not backstab.
  • At level 11, a Swashbuckler gains +3 AC, +2 THAC0, and damage.
  • At very high levels, a Swashbuckler can become nearly untouchable with full plate armour and the class AC bonus.
Tips
  • Consider multiclassing Thieves for better survivability and effectiveness.
  • The Fighter/Mage/Thief combination is a strong multiclass option.
  • Dual-classing from Thief can create powerful hybrids, especially with kits like Assassin or Swashbuckler as the base.
  • Shadowdancer is good for a Fighter-with-benefits due to its stealth abilities, allowing more frequent backstabs.
  • Swashbuckler is a decent kit for dual-classing, offering combat bonuses.

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