Favourite NWN2 character builds (excluding SoZ and MotB for now)

[Sannom]

Is a strength-based Bard interesting when compared to a dexterity-based Bard, when it comes to combat? Sure you might need to"waste" two feats (Armored Caster and Medium Armor Proficiency) but it always seemed as something interesting to me!

[Humodour]

I think strength-based would be boring since you couldn't dual-wield to save your life. You'd get Improved Power Attack which is a nice +12 damage if you don't use a shield. And if you're going two-handed like that your strength bonus would increase by 50%. So you could rack up some hefty damage, but...

 

With perfect dual wielding you get as many main hand attacks as off-hand attacks. So you're going to have at least 8 (or is it 10?) by the time you reach epic levels. Throw in some haste spells, etc... 20 attacks per round seems easy.

[Monte Carlo]

Tried crazy STR-based Barbarian / Bard build in my MotB try-out frenzy, looking for a sort of heavy metal skald. He sucked. Big Time.

[Mamoulian War]

OK, I'm playing NWN2 OC from scratch again now that I have MotB installed.

 

I must say I'm a lot happier with it this time around. The interface is better in many subtle ways, the game no longer crashes at all, and I'm starting to have more fun in the areas past Fort Locke. I ended up taking straight Bard since with Drow ECL I'm already 2 levels behind. It's fun. Bard's are cool in NWN2 - inspirations are a real boon. I just got Weapon finesse so I can hit things often now, too, though not for much damage yet.

 

Just figured I'd update everyone to let them know there's a happy ending.

 

how does it play btw? tbh i never ever played with Bard (not even in group) in 3.0 & 3.5 based CRPGs... But i loved them in 2nd edition games...

[taks]

I did this on my last NWN2 game and was underwhelmed with his effectiveness, but it's likely that I wasn't using him to his full potential.

no, you weren't underusing him, he's just not very effective as a monk, IMO. with the weapon/equipment the story says he should have, he is significantly more powerful than as a monk. since you don't have the CTRL-R heal feature in NWN2 (ahhh, baldur's gate), he becomes a potion chugging fool if you're playing hard-core rules.

 

taks

[Monte Carlo]

^ It would have been a bit more convincing if he'd had some sort of character change after he'd become a monk. But as far as I could work out, he didn't really, his quest for spiritual enlightenment was merely a vehicle for learning new ways to beat people up.

 

Anyway, if I play it again he'll not be taking the monk class.

[Humodour]

OK, I'm playing NWN2 OC from scratch again now that I have MotB installed.

 

I must say I'm a lot happier with it this time around. The interface is better in many subtle ways, the game no longer crashes at all, and I'm starting to have more fun in the areas past Fort Locke. I ended up taking straight Bard since with Drow ECL I'm already 2 levels behind. It's fun. Bard's are cool in NWN2 - inspirations are a real boon. I just got Weapon finesse so I can hit things often now, too, though not for much damage yet.

 

Just figured I'd update everyone to let them know there's a happy ending.

 

how does it play btw? tbh i never ever played with Bard (not even in group) in 3.0 & 3.5 based CRPGs... But i loved them in 2nd edition games...

 

It plays good. I've not got dual-wieldin' yet though so it's only halfway there (at Highcliff Castle).

 

The best things about the Bard seem to be: really strong bard songs (curse song is immense, for example), permanently on inspirations like regeneration, +attack and damage, +skills, strong use any item ability, strong tumble, and lingering song.

 

I have low HP (only 12 con = 7 HP per lvl) but I never get hit because my armour class is 23. With Weapon Finesse and an elemental damage sword I'm hitting as often as Khelgar and doing some decent damage each time.

 

Once I get two weapon fighting I will switch to a rapier in the main hand and a dagger or something in off hand (both light weapons for Weapon Finesse, rapier is considered heavy in the off hand, though). Booyeah 18 to 20 critical chance.

 

Once I get Song of Requiem (a long way off) it'll be even more awesome. It does sonic damage each round to all enemies equal to perform skill times 2. It's divded accross all enemies with minimum damage of 1/3 of perform. And Hymn of Requiem makes it heal your party in the same way while it damages enemies.

 

At the moment though, Khelgar, as a pure fighter, is stronger. Especially with Great Cleave. But that will become useless later.

 

One thing I can do is tank enemies that slaughter the rest of the team (including Khelgar), because of my AC + Mirror Image.

 

I have the game on the hardest difficulty but it still seems far too easy. I wish my characters could actually die. It'd make it more fun.

[Gromnir]

"With perfect dual wielding you get as many main hand attacks as off-hand attacks. So you're going to have at least 8 (or is it 10?) by the time you reach epic levels. Throw in some haste spells, etc... 20 attacks per round seems easy."

 

perfect dw requires dex of 25 and a bucket load of pre-req feats, right? that is a load o' points to dump int dex... and haste don't double your number of attacks neither. still, you get loads o' attacks per round... but the cost is high.

 

'course one thing that always gets ignored in the dw v 2h weapon debate is fact that virtual all powerful creatures in nwn2 (and d&d in general) has got damage resistance. dr of 10 takes off ten points o' damage whether your average attacks is doing 50 or 25. dr is thus much more effective 'gainst the dw fighter than the 2h fighter. between dr and immunity to criticals, some o' our favorite dw builds just don't work out so hot at epic levels. would be sad to picture our rogue/swashbuckler/duelist going 'gainst those ancient vampires... pick up combat insight at epic levels and with a pretty good int you can be getting an intelligence based character who gets damage bonuses in the mid +20s range without much effort... but only 'gainst creatures subject to criticals.

 

*groan*

 

even so, Gromnir likes his strength based dw ranger rogue, but not 'cause he is insane powerful combatant. is still more than powerful enough to cruise through most nwn2 combats. got big str with perfect dw and the bane of enemies feat to give us an extra 2d6 v. any favored enemy (by epic levels we gots favored enemies: human, undead, outsiders, fey and elementals... pick up constructs for laughs maybe) means that Gromnir is a pretty damn effective damage dealer... but we also got enough spread of skill points to be a dedicated party rogue + max diplomacy, lore, spot and umd. you can sacrifice skill points and go 2/21/8 rogue/ranger/frenzied berserker, but the fb skills points suck.

 

is so many good builds out there... and you not gotta be a power build to still feels like an engine o' destruction in combat, regardless o' the difficulty level you play at.

 

HA! Good Fun!

[Kelverin]

Well I dumped the Bard character and went with this

 

Drow

Rogue

 

STR 14

DEX 19

CON 10

INT 16

WIS 9

CHA 12

 

Contemplating taking a level of Shadowdancer for HiPS, not sure though yet, might just go straight Rogue, not a fan of Neeshka and will dump her as soon as possible.

[Humodour]

Well I dumped the Bard character and went with this

 

Drow

Rogue

 

STR 14

DEX 19

CON 10

INT 16

WIS 9

CHA 12

 

Contemplating taking a level of Shadowdancer for HiPS, not sure though yet, might just go straight Rogue, not a fan of Neeshka and will dump her as soon as possible.

 

I don't know why you went strength and neglected con (since you're obviously going for high dex + dualwield and weapon finesse), but it looks like it'll be fun. Oh, you probably want power attack?

 

Gromnir: I'm sure I'll be fine. There's plenty of strength buffing gear and spells, DR only applies to certain enchantment levels, and I'm aiming to add various types of elemental damage anyway. I don't wan't the ultimate character, just a fun one. You need 25 dex, yes, but that's reasonably easy with a Drow starting at 18.

[Kelverin]

I don't know why you went strength and neglected con (since you're obviously going for high dex + dualwield and weapon finesse), but it looks like it'll be fun. Oh, you probably want power attack?

Have not figured out how exactly to go about it, but this is the basic idea for my Feats

 

1 Power Attack

3 Dodge (For shadowdancer)

6 Mobility (For shadowdancer)

9 Cleave or weapon finesse

12 Two-Weapon Fighting

12 Improved Two-Weapon Fighting

15 Cleave or weapon finesse

18 + ?

[Spider]

You're missing out on a few dual-wield feats though. Isn't there Greater Two-Weapon Fighting as well? As well as the Two-Weapon Defense feats (if you care).

 

Then you need Crippling Strike to be able to take Epic Precision in MotB.

[Kelverin]

Apparently at 10th level I get a chance to pick up Crippling strike and will take it before I begin MotB,

 

Feats

1 Power Attack

3 Dodge (For shadowdancer)

6 Mobility (For shadowdancer)

9 Weapon finesse

10 * Improved evasion

12 Two-Weapon Fighting

13 * Opportunist

15 Improved Two-Weapon Fighting

16 * Crippling strike

18 Cleave

19 * A bonus normal feat

21 Greater Two-Weapon Fighting

24 Perfect Two-Weapon Fighting

 

 

"Special ability

 

At 10th, 13th, 16th, and 19th level, a rogue gains a special ability of her choice from among the following options:

 

* Crippling strike: A rogue with this ability can sneak attack opponents with such precision that her blows weaken and hamper them. An opponent damaged by one of her sneak attacks also takes 2 points of Strength damage. Note: The effects of this ability stacks with itself per hit landed.

 

* Defensive roll: The rogue can roll with a potentially lethal blow to take less damage from it than she otherwise would. Once per day, when she would be reduced to 0 or fewer hit points by damage in combat (from a weapon or other blow, not a spell or special ability), the rogue can attempt to roll with the damage. To use this ability, the rogue must attempt a Reflex saving throw (DC = damage dealt). If the save succeeds, she takes only half damage from the blow; if it fails, she takes full damage. She must be aware of the attack and able to react to it in order to execute her defensive roll-if she is denied her Dexterity bonus to AC, she can't use this ability. Since this effect would not normally allow a character to make a Reflex save for half damage, the rogue's evasion ability does not apply to the defensive roll.

 

* Improved evasion: This ability works like evasion, except that the rogue takes no damage on a successful Reflex saving throw against attacks such as a dragon's breath weapon or a fireball and she takes only half damage on a failed save.

 

* Opportunist: The rogue automatically gains a +4 competence bonus to attack rolls when making an attack of opportunity.

 

* Skill mastery: The rogue cannot roll less than 5 whenever using the Disable Device, Open Lock, or Set Trap skills, even if in combat.

 

* Slippery mind: This ability represents the rogue's ability to wriggle free from magical effects that would otherwise control or compel her. If a rogue with slippery mind is affected by an enchantment spell or effect and fails her saving throw, she automatically gets one reroll.

 

* Or a bonus normal feat. "

 

http://nwn2.wikia.com/wiki/Rogue

[Humodour]

Stormlord looks fun!

 

Does their spell progression mean more spells per day, or new spell levels (and associated spells) as well? The answer to this question dictates whether or not I try one.

[Monte Carlo]

IIRC you simply increases your existing spellcasting levels, if you have more than one you choose which.

 

I don't really dig it because I'm not into standing at the back and throwing things.

[Kelverin]

I tried Stormlord fun at first then I got bored and started another character.

[Gromnir]

IIRC you simply increases your existing spellcasting levels, if you have more than one you choose which.

 

I don't really dig it because I'm not into standing at the back and throwing things.

 

have never tried the ranged stormlord. monkey grip your spear and add a shield for serious cleric or druid combat cheese. is not our cup o' joe, but our stormlord weren't no back row party member neither.

 

HA! Good Fun!

[Pope]

Stormlord looks fun!

I had great fun with my Favored Soul of Talos / Stormlord. Air Genasi was probably not the best choice, but I picked it because I thought it fitted the character.

[Sannom]

Don't you have a malus on Wisdom AND Charisma with that race??? Wow, yeah, doesn't strike as a powerful race for the class, even without the ECL!

 

But bah, as long as you had fun with it

[Monte Carlo]

Am looking for an interesting fighter build, maybe one like Jaesun's but will be fun developing. I note that a lot of these builds are all about outcomes at level 30, but I want a character that's fun to play on the way there, if you get my drift. Any ideas?

 

Cheers

MC

[Humodour]

Am looking for an interesting fighter build, maybe one like Jaesun's but will be fun developing. I note that a lot of these builds are all about outcomes at level 30, but I want a character that's fun to play on the way there, if you get my drift. Any ideas?

 

Cheers

MC

 

Favoured Soul x (as few lvls you can)/ Storm Lord 10/Paladin 4

 

OK, so it looks like a cleric, but trust me it's mainly a fighter. G0t cha to 20,leave wis at 10 and then strength the rest of the way.

 

Excellent build but you'll need to use a spear. I am drunk. Even if you don't like spells it does more dmg than a fighter.

[Gromnir]

Am looking for an interesting fighter build, maybe one like Jaesun's but will be fun developing. I note that a lot of these builds are all about outcomes at level 30, but I want a character that's fun to play on the way there, if you get my drift. Any ideas?

 

Cheers

MC

 

ok. monks ain't our favorite, but the sacred fist builds is powerful from start to finish. only two races Gromnir would consider is grey orc and human. otherwise you gotta do some silly alternating 'tween cleric and monk levels.

 

take 1 level o' cleric... make sure 1 domain is war and that god gots unarmed for weapon o' choice.

 

11 levels o' monk.

 

10 levels o' sacred fist.

 

8 more levels o' cleric.

 

with greater flurry you end up with 9 attacks per round. buffed out with the cleric spells like divine power and battletide, you is getting bab equal to any fighter and your ac is nothing to sneeze at if you focus on wisdom. focus on str and you does serious damage. forget the grey orc and put some points into charisma and you can eventually add divine combat feats like divine might... but that not seem worthwile as you gotta wait til late in game.

 

monks get 4 skills points per level, and class skills include diplomacy, spot, tumble and lore. take able learner if you want to pump up spellcraft, but most o' your spell casting is gonna be for buffing rather than actual spell combat.

 

Gromnir played human, but am betting that grey orc would be impressive if you go strength route rather than wisdom.

 

power versions involve alternating monk and cleric levels early... but a monk/cleric multi is kinda lame. such builds only real shine at epic levels.

 

am not a monk fan, but you is a killer in combat, have best saves in game, and your skills choices and points ain't bad.

 

HA! Good Fun!

[Monte Carlo]

^ Thanks Grom, but what I'm wondering is how to integrate the Red Dragon Disciple into my favourite overall build, Ftr / Rog?

 

I want a dual-wielding character, I prefer STR based tanking augmented by sneak attack to the weapon finesse route (but am open to persuasion) and I'm thinking something outrageous (i.e. two monkey-gripped weapons, specialised and looking at critical hit-enhancing feats). Obviously, as I'm playing thru OC / MotB I want to be skill-boy with lots of dialogue options. Any suggestions, especially -

 

Race (I'm thinking human for obvious reasons, not a fan of ECL races as a rule)

 

What base Class for RDD and when to take it, i.e. Bard or Sorc (am thinking a level of bard for the skill points and low-level song), do I only take the one level?

 

Able learner seems a must-have feat, any others I'm missing bearing in mind that I'm going to be spending a few getting my dual-wielding / crit hit abilities going?

 

Alignments / Dieties that provide interesting in-game stuff?

 

Cheers

MC

[Monte Carlo]

I've started a character, I'm only in the early stages of the OC:

 

Human, Chaotic Good (currently level 4, thus the +1 I dumped in DEX).

 

STR 14

DEX 15

CON 14

INT 14

WIS 10

CHA 14

 

Bard 1

Fighter 1

Rogue 2

 

FEATS

Power Attack

Cleave

Dodge

Able Learner

 

I'm investing skill points heavily in dialogue skills, lore, crafting, disable device / lock, UMD and tumble. Not interested in stealth.

 

The plan is to build up some good sneak attack damage and extra skills, then use fighter levels to develop monkey-gripped dual wielded Falchions (crit hit x 3 + power criticals). Then start as a Red Dragon Disciple for added twinkiness, extra INT and STR. I'm putting my level based extra abiltity points into DEX and CHA, any spare feats into mobility / spring attack.

 

The intended result is a combat-heavy skills monkey with superb melee / sneak attack / critical hit opportunities.

 

Any thoughts?

[Kelverin]

9 Weapon finesse

After I get my Shadowdancer level , maybe at 7th I'll pick up the SD armor that Deekin offers, looks sweet and get the free weapon finesse feat, have to find a way to increase Charisma to lower the 59,000+ price tag.

 

Material: Metal (Iron)

Use Limitation: Class: Shadowdancer

AC Bonus [+ 2]

Bonus Feat: Weapon Finesse

Ability Bonus: Dexterity [+ 2]

Arcane Spell Failure [-05%]