GameBanshee Forums

Hey all. For some reason I can't get the search function to work properly today so please bear with me as I ask a question that has probably already been answered.
I'm playing through with a F/M/T whose thief levels cap out at level 14. With that in mind I know I'll have a limited amount of points to allocate to his skills. Between Move Silently and Hide In Shadows, which is more important to raise first in order to be a viable backstabber? And should I end up with the same amount of points in each, or favour one over the other? What would you recommend as a good ratio for a base? 100-100, 110-90, 120-80, etc. - that type of thing.
I know I've seen this before, but just can't remember what the answer was. Thanks for indulging me...
ElvenKing

Bump

Yes I'd like to know how Move Silently works also. Is it used by stealth mode???

And while we're at it, any ideas how Detect Illusions actually works? I've never detected one.

From what I understand, move silently will keep you in the shadows.

@ velvetfreak - How are things in Oz? I hope it's nicer there than it is here...
From what I understand, the Detect Illusion skill works much like True Sight once you have built up enough points in it. I remember reading that 120+ points in this skill will pretty much dissolve any mirror images, shadow door, etc. that you may run across. Which makes it a pretty kickass skill to dump points in if you can since then you can free up extra spell slots for your mages and clerics that you would normally use for True Sight. Unfortunately with my F/M/T my skill points are limited so I can only really focus on being good in 4 or 5 skills, and ignore the rest. Since I've discovered the joy of backstabbing I've decided that I'll be neglecting Detect Illusions to make sure I have enough Hide In Shadows and Move Silent points.
Which brings me back to my original question. Anyone know what ratio to follow to make a good backstabber? Let's say I have 220 total points to spend on those two skills. How should I spend them?
Thanks for the input.
ElvenKing

As I understand it, Hide in Shadows affects your ability to successfully hide, and Move Silently affects your ability to stay hidden. Divide your points equally between Hide in Shadows and Move Silently. I've found 110 in each sufficient. Don't forget that Potions of Mind-Focusing boost your thief skills by raising DEX (as well as INT), last 12 hours, and are plentiful in this game.

You might want to put less emphasis on certain skills like lockpicking and find traps since there are items that can augment this readily.

@ Sojourner - Thanks for the tip. I wasn't sure about how to divide those points (so far I've kept them equal) and since every point matters I appreciate the advice. Also good call on the potions of Mind Focusing. I had actually forgotten all about those! Usually I just collect potions until they take up too much inventory space and then end up selling them. Here's one more for you. How much do your thieving skills increase by after taking a Mind Focusing potion? My elf has DEX 19, so it is now 22. Unfortunately the manual's charts end at DEX 19.
ElvenKing