I'm also a Born Again player.....just rediscovered Wiz 1 on an Apple II emulator....even found all my old maps....Jeez I'm a pack rat.I noticed that alot of people recommend a Bishop to start...so I decided to give it a shot and it sucked. I abandoned him at about 7th level and left him at the castle. I created a new Mage, and got him up to speed. (Thanks Murph!)
Now, I use the same technique I used to use:
I take the items to Boltac's, and you can tell from Boltac's cost if the item is "worth something". I then remove 1 character and add the crappy bishop in, have him identify the stuff, and then take him out.
Of course I eventually change one of my characters to a Bishop....usually a Priest that knows all the spells. Then I take him down to Werdna a few times and he's. But as far as beginning with a Bishop, they are almost as worthless as a thief.
The other interesting things is the Ninja situation. I just use the Thieve's Dagger....again usually on someone that knows all the spells....right now I've got a LVL 18 Good Ninja with a mess of Priest spells....standing right next to a Lord...
-Darren