First Time - Starting Tonight

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Hi All,

I finally got my hands on the basic NWN and will be downloading it to my computer tonight. Now I have never played this game before so I don't want any spoilers expect with the question below.

As mentioned this would be my first time so I will take spoilers on to what character I should create for the first time through NWN. Abilities, skills, weapons, etc...

I have played through Baldur's Gate and Shadow of Amen. I am not fimilar with the 3E rules so any help would be apperciate from that point, such as what are the main differences between 3E and 2E rules.

Thanks.

 

Are you playing the Original Campaign?

What sort of characters do you like playing? Fighter types or Magic types?

3e rules are quite different and the differences are mostly around the increased flexibility you have to create whatever sort of character you want. You can now multiclass at each level up rather than the restrictive dual class and multiclass rules in 2e.

Once you have an idea of the sort of character you'd like, we can help you with some suggestions.

 

I like being a Ranger (sneak) and a Mage. I find those two classes to be the best of both worlds.

 

Then start as one and take levels in the other too.

Rogue and wizard go along well together. Start as a rogue to maximize the skill points.

 

Rangers rule. I particularly like the combo of Ranger/Rogue, as the two classes mesh very well in 3E rules. I take Rogue at level 1 (for bonus skills) but keep to mostly Ranger levels for the fighting capabilities.

Important skills are Discipline, Hide, Move Silently, UMD, and Tumble (might not be available w/o expansions) but depending on your play style you may also want points in Heal and/or Animal Empathy.

Good feats are: (Improved) Knockdown (especially if you have the INT for IKD), Weapon finesse (if you're DEX-based), Weapon Focus & Improved Critical: Shortsword. Power Attack & Cleave are handy if you've the STR points. Alternatively, you can concentrate on bowmanship (Rapid Shot, Point Blan Shot, WF: Longbow), but you'll need a strong tank henchman (Daelan) and/or Animal Companion (Dire Wolf or Bear). Melee types will probably get the most out of the Panther companion, but don't underestimate the sheer power of the Dire Badger's anger!

Best bets for Favoured Enemies are (in order... sort of ): Undead; Constructs; Outsiders; Elementals; Dragons; Aberrations... and some others I've forgotten. You'll not get any more than 5 in the OC anyway. For choice of race, I'd go either Human or Elf. Human for the Bonus Feat, Elf for the DEX. Don't bother with CHA for your stats; it's the least important stat for Rangers (it only effects AE), and even from an RP perspective it seems out of place. You are supposed to be a wilderness type of guy after all.

I know a lot less about mages, apart from that they're a pain to play in NWN (not enough party members, basically). I think Gothmog makes a good point for CON-based gnomes over DEX-based elves, but as you like Rangers & Mages, you may want to consider a Ranger/Wizard/Arcane Archer, if you have the expansions.

Above all, experiment and have fun! *

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* and don't take the Bard girl. She might be a fitty in the portrait, but she's very nearly useless in combat, and you can't get her to identify stuff.

 

A Ranger / Wizard could be OK and a Rogue / Wizard is definitely OK. Use the Wizard levels to provide some awesome buffs to you and your henchmen.

 

After getting to ability section I have to ask a question. Are the stats preset based on the Race and Class selected or are they randomly generated? Just curious.

Also this game reminds me way too much of the console Baldur's Gate games. If this is the way they plan on making their newer games they should place them all onto the console sytems. I rather play something like this on Console than PC. It would be easier with a controller than a mouse to move your character.

 

IIRC, the stats are based on race. A halfling will start with these:

Str 6
Dex 12
Con 8
Int 8
Wis 8
Cha 8

But your distribution points are less than 30. WTF? One reason I never finished chapter 1.

 

kuemper the stat part doesn't bother me at all. At first it did but after trying to create a few different characters I realized how exactly the system worked. So after I figured that out I decided how I want to go about creating my character. I looked at each race negatives and positives and decided to go with my first class as a Elven Figther. My stats ended up being as followed.

Str 14
Dex 14
Con 14
Int 14
Wis 10
Cha 10

My goal is to multi class into a Wizard since Elf's don't get negative modifiers on their experience when multiclassing. I might start over and try a ranger but I just might stick with a fighter for now. I did however found a nice loop hole when creating my character. First I started off as a human and got all the way down to part where you customized your character. I finished the customization and than changed my race to a Elf. I got to keep the extra Feat from selecting human and got all the feats that Elf's have naturally. Does any one know if this is a game bug when generating your character?

[ December 06, 2005, 17:42: Message edited by: Abdel - Bhaal Spawn ]

 

I have never heard of that bug before. Character generation in NWN rules.

 

I started the game over last night and made a Human Ranger, I wanted the double blade sword for my main weapon. I dualed to a Mage and now my character sits at level 2/1. My question is with regards to the weapon I selected. If I wear heavier than studded leather armor am I hindering my character from fully using the double blade sword? Thanks.

[ December 07, 2005, 14:09: Message edited by: Abdel - Bhaal Spawn ]

 

I'm getting the feeling you'll soon grow really weary of the starting procedure if you keep up the character testing

About that bug... are you using the latest patch?
Also, is the extra feat still usable once you start the game?
Like, try taking knockdown and disarm and then changing the race to elf. Then, when you start the game try using both of them.
I would, but i dont have access to my NwN until tuesday, so there's that


About the double-bladed sword... yes, TWF feats apply to it, and so does ranger TWF feats restrictions.