By the end of the D2:ED section of the game you should be in the mid thirties for level; I assume you can probably get to the early or mid forties by the end of FoV.
Near the end of D2:ED (original release), at level 36 I re-skilled and had 76 free skill points, and there were half a dozen available after that point. In the FoV portion of the game there are apparently lots of skill points to be had.
Without equipment I had 172 stat points total; equipment bonuses added 26 more stat points, and I had various charms I could have used if I wished. In general, the equipment available in DKS is better and available sooner than it was in D2:ED.
The character I just started in DKS is a ranger, using unarmed combat as a backup, rather than having to dodge and roll around. Whirlwind is suppose to be quite effective combined with unarmed combat, at least according to someone who used that build in D2:ED. Unarmed is still the most challenging build for melee combat, though.
You can use a shield with unarmed combat (or at least could in D2:ED); it would remain on your back, but you would get the benefit of the armour and bonuses.
Some of the axes kind of fit a ninja style, but I don't recall much armour that is very close.
For stats you would need to get your strength as high as possible, to help with combat damage. I think in DKS you can get damage bonuses and enchantments on jewelry, as well.
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