New to NWN2 - Bluff or diplomacy??

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Hi,
I have my new PC-upgrade and this game coming in a few days and I've already started planning on a character to play: A drow LE Sorcerer 7-8/Eldriicht Knight 10/Black Guard 2 (possibly 3 later on).

Which talking skill should I take? I will play the OC and maybe later the expansions.

The sorc has bluff as class skill and the BG has diplomacy (the EK has neither, but some of these skillpoints can be saved or used for hide to access the black guard).
My charisma will be quite high (at least a +4 bonus).
With my planned lvling scheme I can have a maximum diplomacy of 11 ranks or a maximum bluff of roughly 17 ranks without using cross class skills.


It's also possible to sacrifice some spellcraft (which will otherwise be almost maxed) and maybe even some concentration (also almost maxed) and take some of both diplomacy and bluff, but these will then be slightly lower.

Which is most useful in the OC? How high should these be to access most dialogue options?

 

I really like having at least one talking skill to be able to solve problems without killing everyone.

That being said, intimidate don't fit the character type.

Diplomacy fits a lawful character but is it too "good" in this game?? (in other words: will the diplomacy options be of the helpful good-guy type of way to solve problems.)?

How about bluff? Will the bluff options in conversations only fit chaotic characters?

And do you generally need very high skill to pass the DC or is it useful to have some ranks in both of these skills?

 

I always give my PCs high diplomacy, since I like it and it can be helpful at a certain segment of the game involving the legal system.

However, it's purely a matter of preference. Neither of the skills are paramount.

Diplomacy is useful overall, and there is a little quest in which high Bluff (or Charisma, or Eagle's splendor) comes quite handy, but none of the two are extremely helpful, nor will lacking them hurt your progress much.

 

Even though this is slightly off-topic I feel I should warn you though. I was planning on a LE (or a LN) character as well for my first run.

However, the game is mostly based on a lawful good party, I've heard that MOTB even assumes you took the good path through the game (though I can't confirm that). Even worse, most actions rewarding evil points also grant chaotic points, same deal with good and lawful. Trying to play a chaotic good warlock is practically impossible in the OC.

 

I have yet to play an evil or neutral character; though I believe Bluff or Intimidate would fit those builds nicely. The diplomacy skill tends to be more on the lawful and good side. I believe bluff to be more neutral and intimidate to be more chaotic evil. Playing anything out side of LG, TN or CE is going to be hard because the game drives the alignment towards one of those three depending on the paths you choose.

 

Thanks guys!
I'll probably go mostly with bluff in that case! I'll probably try to reach a high score in bluff and take some diplomacy if I have some spare skill points.

I can still take BG-lvls if I turn NE or CE, so the good-evil score will be more important than the lawful-chaotic points.