Wiz/Rog skill point allocation

[Ancient]

I am working on my first "main" character, a WF wiz 18/rog 2. I'm having a blast so far, but I have run into some questions trying to plan out my skill points. My goal is to be able to handle traps, pick locks with useful stealth. I used a +1 int tome at level 2 and a +2 int tome at level 7.

My point allocation so far has been to keep search/disable device maxed put one point per level into hide/move silently and split the remainder between concentration and UMD.

I don't have enough skill points to also max UMD, concentration and balance. Before making this character, I read that an initial 4 points in open locks was enough... and that advice has not failed me so far.

My question is are there similar stop points for some of the other skills? I understand that the final numbers may depend on equipment, but I can always upgrade equipment. Changing skill point allocations seems like it would require a more drastic step.

It would also be nice to know the importance of UMD/Concentration/Balance for a WF Wiz. While I understand that some of these may be personal preference, It would be comforting to know the pros/cons. This would help me decide if I can try to max hide/move silently or if I need to start spending those points on other skills

Thanks in advance!

[Wildseed]

I am working on my first "main" character, a WF wiz 18/rog 2. I'm having a blast so far, but I have run into some questions trying to plan out my skill points. My goal is to be able to handle traps, pick locks with useful stealth. I used a +1 int tome at level 2 and a +2 int tome at level 7.

My point allocation so far has been to keep search/disable device maxed put one point per level into hide/move silently and split the remainder between concentration and UMD.

I don't have enough skill points to also max UMD, concentration and balance. Before making this character, I read that an initial 4 points in open locks was enough... and that advice has not failed me so far.

My question is are there similar stop points for some of the other skills? I understand that the final numbers may depend on equipment, but I can always upgrade equipment. Changing skill point allocations seems like it would require a more drastic step.

It would also be nice to know the importance of UMD/Concentration/Balance for a WF Wiz. While I understand that some of these may be personal preference, It would be comforting to know the pros/cons. This would help me decide if I can try to max hide/move silently or if I need to start spending those points on other skills

Thanks in advance!

As for concentration, make sure you get quicken, that will take it out of everything you cast, only have to worry about it for scrolls... and btw once you get higher, concentration does nothing, stuff starts hitting for 80 points of damage, and unless you go around with a concentration item on, you won't make it even with a 20 (no one runs around with a concentration item, other items are more important) as for UMD I would recommend umd over concentration, only because umd opens up the use of scrolls and your rogue gives you a full point into it. Also remember if you planned correctly your level ups are going into int ... so you will get more skill points as you take your int up. Balance, balance is only useful right now in one quest unless someone is gung ho about using grease to try to make you slip. The quest is the Titan if you have enough balance he won't knock you down, Balance is also how quick you get up if knocked down, so not saying it's "not" important just that you probably already have enough if a 15 item gets you to 30 something you're good on balance, i think 30-36 ish and pretty much titan can't knock you down (personally I don't put pts into balance unless they're left over and I have nothing else to put it on)

[Beld]

and also tend to not put points into Hide as I can self cast invisibility on my wiz/rogue for stealth situations and use a move silently item in situations requiring stealth.

I keep UMD, DD, Search maxed, got my one rank in tumble, have I think 10 balance with stat bonus and stopped raising concentration around level 8 or so and am putting the remaining in Spot for the new content that I don't automatically know where all the traps are.

I also went a little higher on OL (think I trained 8 ranks) just so I don't have to roll so many times to get something open

[Phidius]

Balance: I like getting my balance to 40 with +15 boots on for those occasional run-ins with the WF titan, but this is not usually a priority in a skill-strapped build.

Concentration: Very useful when you've accepted the job of repairing the main WF tank. I've got a retired battle cleric that ignored Concentration expecting to use Quicken, and the number of failed scrolls is much higher than my new battle cleric that invested in Concentration.

Neither Concentration nor UMD are good candidates for going halfway.

You might want to consider a 3rd level of rogue at the end to beef up your rogue skills.