How to build a thief?

[Neon Lotus]

Hi, could someone advise me on building a thief, specifically how to level up Dranor and Gladys (who both use fencing weapons), the issue I'm mainly having is that they die so easily. Should thieves use armor? Shields? Should I try focusing on building their dodge? What's a good way to do that?

Thanks

[NavFamG]

OK, you're not locked into anything with any of the companions you pick up along the way. Just because they start out with X doesn't mean they have to stay that way.

First there's really no reason to have 2 thieves and Gladys isn't much of a magic user, but does have some useful at the start and the ability to learn others. I'll go on with the thought you'll keep both.

Dranor: What I did was have him learn swords, shields and all the armors. By the time I was done he was wearing plate armor and armed with a 2 handed sword with high pickpocket, disable traps and search skills.

Gladys:For her it was swords, shields and Leather armor and then push the magic side, had her learn Thunder-clap? the one that does actual damage, vice Lightening which is just a debuff and fire spells.

My core party was Fighter Hero, Rhulana - heavy fighter, plants and my medic, Forgrimm - HEAVY fighter - dwarf skills and Dranor (with Gladys as a fill in thief while he was locked up).

Character Stat's: This is were you really need to take your time and float over the different one's to see how they work together. It's not only a high dodge that's needed for all but also:

Vitality for your damage points. Made up from the Constitution + Strength numbers

Endurance for how much and how long he can do it (attack specials). Made up from Courage + Constitution + Agility.

And then on the magic side Astral Energy with is from Courage + Intuition + Charisma.

So since you asked about a Thief: Dexterity for thief abilities, Strength, Constitution, Intuition (Dranor is your main one for fast talk, sweet talk etc...), Charisma (same).

If you float over the different skills like pick pocket, disarm traps etc.... you'll see what skills are needed to be sucessful.

As your two stand right now, you might want to go to the weapons section of each character. At the end of the line that starts 'Fencing Weapons' is a column of 2 numbers with a back and forth arrow between them. This is the ATTACK / PARRY spot. If you click so the parry number is higher they'll defend more and might stay alive longer.

The Dark Eye Game system or more proper Das Schwarze Auge is a German version of D&D that's SO much more detailed and pushes the number crunching to get your characters how YOU want them. It's one game I'd very much recommend reading the rule book for as it'll explain what I just covered so much better.

[NavFamG]

In addition to the rules you might find this site useful for explaining things and to make sure you've found all the quests in each zone:

http://www.gamebanshee.com/drakensangthedarkeye/walkthrough/overview-1-avestrue.php

[Neon Lotus]

Thanks for that information man very useful. Could you tell me where I learn combat/ranged/defensive abilites?

[NavFamG]

Each town / area you go to will have various trainers.

In the starter area Avesture it's one of the fighters at the small tent off to the left front as you first enter the area. You have to beat him first to unlock him though, so wait until you have your first groups together and do it before you leave the zone.

In Fredock it's at the top of the hill from the bridge. So you leave the Temple, cross the 'picnic table' area (note there's an Elf sitting on some lumber by a building you have to pass that trains some stuff and the Alchemist gal trains some magic and stuff), cross over the bridge, go up the hill and around the big rock at the top and you'll see guards off to your left. The single guy under the over hang is the main combat guy. Later on the woman guard commander in the Ducal area can do some stuff too.

That's the one that sticks out in my mind. Sadly after playing all 3 and not playing for a bit now they tend to get mixed up in my mind. If you use the Game Banshee link it'll point you to more.