Single-Player

[bushwhacker2k]

Every time I play this game the weakness of the NPCs ticks me off and I decide to make a single-player game. The problem with this is that I can't get started well enough... I want to make an uber-character (Kensai/Thief or Kensai/Mage) but kensais are REAAALLY bad for soloing early... does anyone have any recommendations for making this manageable?

[Thrifalas]

Play a fighter/thief or fighter/mage instead. They're almost as powerful as their kensai counterparts and they don't require a dualling. If it's the vanilla game you're playing, this is more than good enough.

If you want NPCs considerably strong, I'd recommend the Solaufein and Valen mods. Beware, however, that they'll easily outshine any protagonist you can pick, except an inquisitor or sorcerer, mayhap.

However, these are on the other side of the scale and will most likely tick you off with their overpowerdness. They even take the fun out of challengens like Eclipse party and final ascension battle.

[wise grimwald]

If it is only the weakness of the NPCs that ticks you off, you could play a multiplayer game with two or three of your own characters. That is what I am currently doing, but not for that reason. You could then have a dual-class character and a multi-class character to protect him whilst he is weak.
I actually find that weak period to be the most challenging and rewarding.