I recently started hero called Shade, a thief (level 13) dual to fighter in ToB. Here's some information about him.

strength 18
dexterity 18
constitution 18
intelligence 3
wsidom 15 (for some lore as a thief)
charisma 14

Notable items:

Blackrazor (Main hand)
Scimitar +5 defender (offhand)
Daystar (for killing undead)
Belm+2 (just for a massacre in easy fights)
Short Bow of the Gesen (ranged weapon)
Black Dragon Scales
Armour of the Hart+3
Ring of Gaxx
Ring of free action
Helm of Baldurian
Boots of speed
cloak of the sewers
Neckalce of seldrain (whatever, the one you start with in ToB)
Bracers of weapon expretise
Girdle of Frost Giant Strength

*SOME SPOLIORS AHEAD*

Recently, Shade travelled to the city of Saradush. He teleported into the middleof a discusion between the gaurds who were unwilling to help, and the peasents who were begging(using the pocket plane ability). Soon Shade killed the gaurds who thought Shade was a spy for the attackers. Then, a women named Mellisan filled Shade in on excatly what is happening, and what must be done. The city is under siege by fire giants. Shade must do something. Saradush's leader is making everything worse. Shade soon is given a key from the temple of Waukkeen. Shade's next stop, Gromnir Il-Khan, the leader. On the way through the prison, Shade gibbed many vampires. Shade managed to stay hidden for most of the trip.
Soon, Shade managed to find Gromnir Il-Khan. The fight was tough. Gromnir had two wizards by his side, and he had a thief trying to stab Shade in the back when he was trying to fend off an incoming fireball. An archer was sending arrows into Shade. Gromnir was showing no weakness in his fighting skills.
The situation was despirate. Quickly, Shade slips on a Ring of Fire Resistance and a helmet of Brilliance. Now he's ready for those nasty fireballs. After a short time of bathing in the fire, Shade noticed that Gomnir and his men, apart from the wizards, were all lying in awquard postiltions on the ground, with flames covering most of their bodies. Shade charges the wizards!
"HAHAHHAHAHAHHA!!!!! YOUR MAGICKS ARE USELESS! DIE!" Shade roared. Soon, Shade could see little bits of the wizards arms and legs bouncing around the room. Gromnir and his men had been dispatched.
Mellisan showed up, trying to stop the bloodbath, but she saw she was to late. She was extremely disgusted with Shade, but it was a job well done, non-the-less.

After some more explaining, Mellisan and Shade come up with a plan. Shade will teleport out of the city, and kill Yaga-Shura, the fire giant king. He is supposedly invincible, but that doesn't scare Shade. His mind is wondering how much of the this side of the planet will be covered in Yaga's guts.

So, Shade teleports out of the city, and begins his journey to the marching mountains. Along the way, he encounters a group of Yaga's men who are trying to capture Shade. Quickly, Shade retreats to the shadows. He moves stealthfully, and the men do not sense his presence any longer. Shade moves up behind one man, and thrusts his sword up through his metal plating, evering his spine. A loud cry wails through the air. The other men are alert now; they surrond Shade. There is no way for him to sneak out.
"Well," thought Shade, "I guess it's time for a massacre!" And Shade pulled out his long sword, and his scimitar, and started hacking the men to bits, one by one.
Not long after, Shade had covered the ground in little human pieces. Pleasent.
Following the road, Shade met another band of Yaga's men. This time, there was a mage. "Oh boy!" Shade hid in the shadows, and snuck up behind the unprotected mage. Without having to worry about hitting between metal plates, Shade thrust his sword at full velocity into the man's neck, evering the lovely connection the man had with his body. His head rolled to the ground. The fighters became alert. "More massacres!" thought Shade with a big smile! And so the battle went.

Not long after, Shade discovered a temple. A battle with skeletons was pretty unevertful, same as always.
Also, a wraith impersonated Gorion. Shade saw right through it.
Shade soon met a women who claimed to be Yaga-Shura's mother.
"Well... if Bhaal can have me...." Shade thought. Shade and the women soon came up with a plan to make Yaga no longer invicible.

Shade head out towards the marching mountains, and he is now battling with many a fire giants.

That is where I am now. I can't get inside the lair. My lone Shade can't take out 7 or 8 fire giants (some elite) with out backstabbing. Any thoughts? I need to get in.

Thanks,
Shade

So the tables have been turned ehh? Fire Giants givng Shade a dose of "massacre" ;) J/K
You said you're a fighter/thief so have you got that use any item ability or scribe scroll ability yet. A good wand could help turn the tide. Those fire giants have a bit of magic resistance but not too much. Also watch out some of those are "Elite" Fire Giants. Good news ehh? Fun stuff, go forth and "massacre" I suppose.
Oh yeah using Hardiness would help I'm sure.

Just to specify something:
Having 15 wisdom imply a Lore bonus.
BUT: having 3 of intelligence imply a penalty of at least 20 of lore (if I remember right)....

Oh, I see Neitsabes-Naej. So that's why my lore is so low. I can't even idetify a long sword +1!! Big B, I am a thief dual to fighter. Not multi class. So I only have the fighter abilities, an yeah, hardiness does work well. I'm through now.
Basically I managed to lead the stupid brutes across the map, and at some point they got separated from the rest. So I fought and killed three (2 eleite and 1 normal) then went back and finished the rest off. I was having trouble at the beginning with them because I was fighting in such a small area, the first little bit, but then when I spread out across the whole map, with the boots of speed, I could outrun the fire giants, hide in shadows, and then backstab them to death. Thanks for the help guys!

P.S. now shade is in Sendai's enclave. (God that room where dwarves/monsters keep spawning until you kill the slavemaster is hard!!!)


[Edit]

Now I am using the girdle of fire giant strength rather than frost giant strength, using the ring of fire control whenever I need fire resistance, and The Answerer +4 in the offhand when I am fighting a really hard single opponent.

[This message has been edited by Shade (edited July 25, 2001).]

Sounds good. But where are the updates? I'm primarily interested to hear about your fight with Draconis. I would love to know what strategy got your solo F/T past that one.

I, myself am soloing ToB with a F/T, and I have to say, without a doubt, that the fight with Draconis was my toughest yet.


Recount of the events.

Penumbriis had just dispatched Sendai and her enclave and was looking forward to doing the same to Abazigal and his/her's/it's minions (Penumbriis doesn't know yet who or what Abazigal is).

Pen arrived early in the evening at the edge of the steps to Abazigal's enclave. Assuming there would at least be some guards, he hides in the shadows and slowly creeps up the stairs toward the door.

About half way up the stairs he's greeted by an odd looking man who, like all the rest, swears he will be the one to kill Pen.

Pen quickly attacks the man with his best asset, assassination, and the fight is all but over very quickly.

But wait, this odd man was more than he seemed to be. HE'S WAS A DRAGON!! Aughhhhh!

Pen was stunned. Looking up into the eyes of the great wiged creature, he realized very quickly that this would not be the same easy fight he'd just had with ths man/beast.

Pen ran for cover as the dragon roared an acidic blast with his breath, singing poor Pen's behind. The dragon the began to summon several invisble creatures to worsen the odds aganst Pen.

Quickly realizing that he was out numbered and out classed, Pen ran from the area to heal.

While licking his wounds (figure of speech), Pen was thinking of a way to combat such a terrible fiend as this Draconis. He thought maybe with the hide he got from that other dragon (shadow dragon) that protects him from acid he would stand a better chance.

So, Penumbriis summoned his courage, prepped and went back for another round with Draconis. (Gulp!)

Needless to say, it didn't go well this time either. Pen was just no match for the awesome power of such a magnificent beast. Deciding that he would have to use the oldest thief trick in the book, Pen left the area again, rested/healed and came back.

Luckily this time Draconis was not waiting at the entrance and this gave Pen the time he needed to set up his traps at the edge of the steps.

His traps in place, Pen ran headlong up the stair to get Draconis' attention. He defiantely had. Draconis blasted Pen within an inch of his life. All the many things Pen had done seemed to flash for an instant in front of his eyes.

Pen ran down the stairs as fast as his improve hasted legs could carry him. Draconis was right on his tail. He dove behind his many traps and prayed they would work.

They had, for the most part. Draconis was stumbling (near death). Penumbriis smiled at this. Pen jumped to his feet and started hacking away at the foul beast with some mighty blows (assassination).

Finally! Draconis let out an Earth shattering roar and fell to the ground at Penumbriis' feet. It was over.

Pen wiped the sweat from his singed brow and limped over to pick up the items Dranis has left behind.

_____________________________________________
Sorry for the cheese (traps), but I honestly could not beat him without them. :(

-Immoral

hehe funny story, Draconis has to be the hardest fight exept for
SPOILER
*
*
*
*
**
*
*
Mellissan