ZlothZ the Dark elven Thief, gate closer.

[blunk]

I finished my second thief win.
The early and mid game was a bit scary because of low to/hps, I later lucked out on some toghness increases and beefed up.
But the DE dex provides decent dv (despite no dodge) which helps.

I went healing skill --> pc.
Managed to drench the bridge building manual on overland map no less

I used invis to get through SMC -->UD --> hmw to get atleast some gold from shops.
Killed 21 blink dogs no corpse so I said "sod it" and didnt bother.

DH2 had a tension room of black unicorns (there was no way I would have survived animated forest) I barely escaped down and back up again, luckily only 2 or 3 noticed me.

I got crowned with fire immune and cloak of oman so a lot of usage for ring and amulet of telecontrol, it's a bit annoying but is perfectly ok solution for a normal gate closer.

Did some smithing, my 7/7 gloves later got eaten by annihilator and bracers went poof in tension room of ancient black dragons.

I stayed with Big punch until D45.
Talents went TH-->stride-->beast of burden.

Frost giant caves lvl 5 had a firevault where I hit the jackpot, True-aim AND Thunderstroke (also long sting and scorched spear).
In fire vault d45 I got vanquisher+purifier, since I'd used BP from all of midgame purifier was a perfect drop.

I got several skills from education: dodge (very late), concentration, law and necromancy.
One of the rare occations where I found an aols to give khelavaster (and not getting one from rods).

Mana took quite a plunge after creating some defense/protection scrolls.

Got a wish after casino for Girdle of giant strength, found 2 more gogs later in the game

I gained a surprising high endgame willpower and learning (both above 40) so together with concentration 100 and book starsign I read the books I'd saved up on d49.
On d50 killed jellys and mutants with ranged/melee and then opened a can of lightning ball whopass.

While several thief abilities feel lackluster or late:
The lvl 25 ability "Level 25: Critical hits will stun opponents." is very good, extra so with find weakness.

At lvl 32 "better loot from pickpocket" comes very late, lvl 32 is at best gained in earth temple or somewhere after, (I had no slow monster so couldn't cheese exp), a lot of late game monsters are not that cool to pick pocket or doesn't have pockets.
The main gripe however is that a gate closer probably have all tools here already and fiddle with pick pockets here feels too tedious.
Have you any experience of this in late game where it was useful or even awesome?

The lvl 40 +20 speed is nice but if you don't have slow monster if really puts a plug in the lvl's.
Lvl 50, well didn't get there despite lvl 40 before d50.

Important items missing: seven league boots, helm of mental stability (found one on D50), blink dog corpse.

Gear used on d50 also worn in attachment.
zlothz.txt