First-play character build suggestions

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I have the game but haven't installed it yet (I'm about to build a compatible system). Let's assume I'm only going to play it once. I'm looking for suggested character builds that will allow me to experience as much of the game as possible (accessing areas, opening the most interesting dialogues), rather than just build an uber-powerful killing machine (and there are already threads with those kinds of characters). Granted, I'm also hoping for someone who has enough firepower to get through the tough battles without a dozen reloads.

My initial thought was something including a Sorcerer/RDD combo, but that's more of a fleeting thought than anything else. Ideas?

Edit: The other factor would be complementing the NPCs I'm likely to get into my party.

 

If its the campaign your after, then know that you can finish it with any class. Due to the NPC's available, your never wanting for a class to do something for you, nor will you be overpowered in more than one specific fight.

My basic suggestion would be to chose whatever class interests you, but make sure they have points invested in one, two, or all three speaking skills (this is where you would miss stuff!).

 

Unfortunately, the game is definitely geared towards a Lawful Good tank, i.e. a Paladin. There are numerous situations in the game that force your character upfront into a conversation that inevitably leads to a fight. There are also a few fights you're forced to solo. It's certainly do-able as a wimpy Bard or Wizard but it's a pain to be forced to tank while your henchmen stand behind you. Also, most of the evil options are kind of lame and immature.

Most fights aren't that challenging and you get lots of henchmen you can level up as very good killing machines allowing you to play a conversation skill-focused character just fine. A Bard or Rogue-type would do well as it will open up the most conversation options and about half the game is talking. Such a character would struggle during the tougher fights, but you'll survive.

Don't bother with the crafting skills and feats as your henchmen can craft just fine and you get so many that it's no trouble to make one of the mages or the bard the dedicated crafter.

I would not recommend a Sorc/RDD. Worst. Build. Ever. I had a blast with a pure sorcerer but failed every conversation skill check (with zero ranks invested -- I figured his Charisma would be high enough but not so). Bard, Harper Scout or Shadow Thief of Amn would be a great conversation-focused character.

 

I can recommend playing a druid. They can handle themselves and have fun spells like firestorm, earthquake and similar, and they have Diplomacy as a class skill. They also have some nice feats.

The only drawback is the lack of interesting prestige classes for druids. There is the warpriest, but no option feels really tempting.

One other minor drawback is their neutrality issues.
It is a bit of a challenge to stick to the right track, but as long as you are prepared to role-play a druid then I strongly recommend giving it a go.

I chose a Wood Elf to get the extra weapon proficiences, but there are good druid weapons in the game, so any race would suit just fine.

 

I'd agree with that. My first playthrough was with a druid\warpriest and i had a good time of it. The character could talk herself out of any situation with her diplomacy skill (you'll need boosting equipment in order to succeed in most cases), buff herself up and lay it on the enemy via spells and melee and as for special feats, there is oaken resiliance and elephant hide - the former gives immunity to knockdown and critical, etc, while the latter gives a huge boost to AC.

I found that the neutrality restriction wasnt that great of issue. While its hard to judge where you stand alignment wise (no visible counter that i saw anyway), I enjoyed being able to be the chaotic type once in a while - keeps things from getting bland.

 

I would suggest a dual-classed rogue of some sort, not only for the fun of it (love the Arcane Trickster), but you'll have enough rouge-skills yourself, and won't be obligated to bring along an NPC thief (who's, IMO, quite annoying indeed). I'm play as 4 Rogue/5 Wizard/X Arcane Trickster. I guess this class is more if you want to micromanage, sneak attack, buff yourself, and just backstab around (trickster-wise).

Alot of people seem to enjoy playing as good-aligned characters, mostly Paladins, and also Druids. I've never enjoyed playing as good. I always seem to end up with either Chaotic Neutral or Neutral Evil. Either not caring about anything, or just looking after my own benefit. It feels good to role-play in that way.

I'd say just look through the diffrent classes and prestige classes and pick whatever feels right for you, not the game itself.

I've got some points in bluff and diplomacy, though as my character views the world, any loot from a corpse is better then talking yourself out of it. This is just my style of play.

Anything goes, don't go with the flow. I'd say that the game experience is maximazed if you enjoy playing your class and feel fine about it through-out the whole game, not specific encouters and such.

Cheers

 

LOL, thanks for the unqualified recommendation against the RDD. I just liked the wings.

Good warning about the Rogue NPC. I kind of like the idea of a multi-class rogue type, and being able to avoid an annoying NPC is a big plus. I also like to cast spells, without being a delicate flower who can't handle a couple rounds of melee, so a buffed druid is definitely an option. My preferred alignment is Chaotic Good, but I can go neutral in a pinch (I usually avoid Lawful or Evil alignments, though).

I'm a few days away from having a working machine, so I'm still listening if there are more suggestions.

 

RDDs don't get wings in NWN2, so yet another reason not to make a Sorc/RDD.

 

The character I'm trying to work on right now is a wizard with 16str/17int/16Dex 10(11) all other stats going with martial weapon prof and two weapon fighting. (could be 18 str/int and 10 other stats and no two weap fighting though), and it's awesome. I can't believe how fun it is to aggro a mob with magic missile, burning hands it, then charge into the melee frenzy with Khelgar!

The character is going to have weak diplomacy/intimidate because of no charisma and cross-class skills, but I figure it doesn't matter since I have skill points to spare with high int.

 

That sounds pretty crappy. So there's no point at all in taking those skills? What a waste of time. Having those skills should have some impact, otherwise, it's stupid.

 

The conversation skills help with some things. You can talk your way out of a fight, for example (sometimes netting more XP than if you had fought) and it helps when influencing your companions in some cases.

Other skills get used in conversations as well, such as Appraise, Spellcraft, Perform and even Spot. But ultimately the game turns out the same regardless. There is a big defending-your-life trial in the game which gives you about a million conversation options and angles but in the end it doesn't really matter how well you do or how much you flub it, win or lose the end result is always the same and the game moves forward.

NWN2 is like a massive row of dominoes; each one must fall in turn or the entire game breaks. So you may be given three options but they all end up being some form of "Okay, I push the domino over."

 

It's hard having them at (level + 3) / 2 as well. But nonetheless I think they're worth having. I plan on intimidating Torio with my uber melee/caster eldrich knight!

 

I am enjoying playing a paladin/divine champion. Decent fighter, ok spells, excellent interaction stats (Diplomacy, Taunt, etc...) My Diplomacy is so high, I won my trial!!!

Anyway, I like pallys, I always play them first, then a halfling rogue, then a dwarf, then a wizard, etc...I want to try the eldritch knight.

 

that seems to be my first character through a game everytime as well Bel.

 

I just tend to think that no matter the game or module, so long as it's 3E and well made, you do well to have good CHA and INT at the same time, for talking skills. Unless you really don't want them. For example, I generally go for Diplomacy alone, so I'm perfectly fine with just it.

 

Aasimar Paladin-Fighter was an irrresistible temptation for me. Good offensive power coupled with supreme defense in a tank.

Perfect talking head for a party, too. Only drawback is that giving it a prestige class will be a tough choice.

It's so long since I played IWD2 that I forgot what stat-monsters Assimars are, or Tieflings for that instance.

 

BTA wrote:

Wow! Just like my real life!

[Corrected the missing "my" typo -BTA]

[ December 29, 2006, 20:44: Message edited by: Blackthorne TA ]

 

@Rags:

If you already take 4 levels of fighter, you may as well forget paladin spellcasting already (caster level is properly halved and spells are nerfed) and just get a PrC or even two - Divine Champion and Neverwinter Nine seem to work for people.

I guess I'll just still go plain pally the first time through. And with even the nerfed spells.