Thief questions

[Stiehl26]

Hi folks. I had some general questions in regards to thieves and I was hoping that anyone who could, wouldnt mind offering some advice/answers.
1. I know that only certain zones can be hidden in, but the help files didn't seem to mention if there was, if any, difference in the chance that one could hide in those zones. Meaning, do I have the same chance to hide in a city as I do on a road, or underground?
2.I also know that size has an affect on certain thief skills...trip and blackjack I believe...but is backstab percentage based on anything other than the thief's backstab percentage and stats?
3. Does me flying negatively affect any of my skills? I saw something about flying warriors don't do well in the help files...I didnt know if that carried onto other melee classes.
4. I know to always stay in weapon advantage but are there any other 'intangibles' that I may need to be aware of?

Thank you for any time spent. I have been on the mud on and off over the course of many years, but things are always different when I come back. I just don't want to make any mistakes doing things that are considered newbish mistakes. Also, I saw the beginnings of a request for player guides. These would be invaluable. The current help files are very very good and to make player guides a part of the actual in-game mechanics (rather than having to consult an outside resource) would be invaluable. So all you people who have stated interest in doing a guide (there are 2 pages of people talking about how they could do a guide...but nothing has come up) lets hop to it. I am betting that some f you veterans could spend 15 minutes putting together a guide that would be a huge asset to us that have been a way for a while...not to mention brand new players.

[Davairus]

I'm sure there are already guides on the website.. I could open a subforum if there is enough interest.

1. I know that only certain zones can be hidden in, but the help files didn't seem to mention if there was, if any, difference in the chance that one could hide in those zones. Meaning, do I have the same chance to hide in a city as I do on a road, or underground?

Rogues prefer cities and shadows.

2.I also know that size has an affect on certain thief skills...trip and blackjack I believe...but is backstab percentage based on anything other than the thief's backstab percentage and stats?

This is a question best left to experiment.

3. Does me flying negatively affect any of my skills? I saw something about flying warriors don't do well in the help files...I didnt know if that carried onto other melee classes.

Flying screws up dirted fleeing and lagging skills, but makes up for that with mobility and its own protection from being lagged.. I don't see any reason why a rogue would not want to risk flying in combat. Warriors are considerably more disadvantaged while flying and some of the best ones still do it situationally.

4. I know to always stay in weapon advantage but are there any other 'intangibles' that I may need to be aware of?

Having sanc is the most important, then using a vuln, then using a weapon advantage , then staying out of combat disadvantage, also keeping stats maxed and carrying gear for saves / stats depending on situations again.

[Vertas]

I agree with dav on the last part but If you fighting a warrior or berserker i would worry about style advantage over weapon advantage just because most thief races have really high dex and hobble effects high dex opponents more than low dex, so while keeping offensive in mind (weapon type for rogues) its more important to worry about style advantage when fighting anything that can hobble you.

[Stiehl26]

Thank you both for your answers. I had not been paying a lot of attention to combat style...luckily I hadnt yet fought someone who could hobble. If anyone else has anything to contribute...please do. Thanks a bunch!