It all depends on your level of playstyle, Sin. I'll break it down like this :

If you have access to money and a buffbot then /30 is for you. If either of the above is not the case, you're better off starting from scratch. Here's my rationale on why.

The reason that equipement you get ( found from the two old folks outside the Mage trainer building in TNN if you don't already know ) is free is because it's utter crap that is only marginally ( even less since yer a shade and will only get leather ) protective and the weapons are worse than ROG drops with +15 to Empathy. Granted, a buffbot will mitigate a bit of damage you'd take with AF buffs and dex/qui or str/con will boost damage output a bit, you'll still hit like a 4-year-old and fold like a card table.

Besides, starting from scratch, to me, is more fun. I enjoy the low level encounters and dungeons. The quests are fun also and rarely take a long time. Finally, very few people make brand new toons anymore so most, if not all the low level camps are constantly full.

If you do choose to autotrain ( which I don't recommend ) you only net 77 additional skill points and make leveling more difficult for yourself. We ( shades ) autotrain stealth. If you don't put any points into it until it's autotrained fully you miss out on the best part of our class ; attacking from stealth. You also pretty much have to skip battlegrounds as you won't be able to perform well without stealth.

Statistically, choosing an elf is worse than choosing a Lurikeen. The 10 extra points you receive in Intelligence ( Keens get 5 more points in Dex and Quick ) do nothing for you as a Shade. Our power pool is based off of Strength ( ?! ). However, making an Elven shade will in no way gimp your character.

Putting 10 into dex/con/str at creation is standard, although some of us throw 15 points into con as it will never raise through leveling and, as you'll soon discover, hit points throughout our career are god awful although your buffbot will help tremendously.

I hope you enjoy your Nightshade as much as I do. They're a fun class to play, especially in BG. If you happen to be on Igraine, look me up, my Shade's name is Bluetoes.

Raeth SilverSword
50 Hero of the Syndicate ( Aw, yeah )
Protector of the Mad Mentalist and his pets

< Dismis > : Raeth was always the kid who was eager to jump up on the rope in gym class. But when he got on it just sorta squirmed around on the bottom.

< Grianrua > : Nice try Raeth but you did'nt have bitchy nuns beating Gaelic into ya like I did.