Character progression

Dlightfull · Post by **Dlightfull** » Fri Jan 14, 2011 4:29 am

Hi guys,

I started to play NWN Diamond edition recently and am in the Chapter I of the OC with a pure elf rogue character, level 5 i think. Now i wanted to ask you wich path should i choose further, remain pure rogue, or multiclass into something?

For a first playthrough i would want to stay away from spellcaster classes, so a rogue/wizard, which i know can work wonders, is a no go for me, i have "use magic device" in case i need some magic, and try to carry a fair number of scrolls with me too.

I have Linu as henchman, but it is really too easy with a henchman, although it's pretty difficult without one, so i don't know what to do, maybe try to beat the game solo, getting a henchman only if i really need one in some tough battle?

Also, how and when do the henchman quests start? I really would want to get a henchman only for the quests and then leave them be.

Thanks in advance for your answers.

Tricky · Post by **Tricky** » Fri Jan 14, 2011 6:09 am

Henchmen are useful, but they take away half your xp. As long as you talk to them briefly just before levelling up, you can progress their personal quests without needing to have them in your party (unless their personal quest requires them to be somewhere). I usually park them near a central zone in the chapters, like the teleportation circle.

As for your class, here is a spoiler (highlight to read):

Spoiler

Near the end, among the toughest battles, you'll be facing 2 metallic dragons at the same time, without any help.

As a rogue you'll be able to use some scrolls to deal with that situation, but it would be wise to use a prestige class to increase your defense/offense a bit. Even if you buff yourself with potions, equipment and whatnot, you'll need the edge.

Dlightfull · Post by **Dlightfull** » Fri Jan 14, 2011 6:22 am

Thanks a lot for the advice, but i must ask you now what prestige class would be a good one, from what i understand, shadowdancer would be a good one.

And from the first question derives the second, at what level should i take the prestige class and for how long?

Tricky · Post by **Tricky** » Fri Jan 14, 2011 7:12 am

It's hard to say. You're not likely to reach level 20 by the time the game ends. I'd say the game ends around levels 16-18. Most prestige classes become available around level 8 if you tailor your builds towards gaining them asap. That means you can probably get 8 to 10 prestige class levels in your build.

As for the prestige class selection, well there isn't much choice. I'd say the Assassin loses out here since

Spoiler

dragons are probably immune to being backstabbed, poisons, etc

(don't quote me on that though). The Shadow Dancer is much more usefull in defending yourself from the high level creatures. Evasion/improved evasion helps in dodging

Spoiler

their breath attacks

and slippery mind can help with regular spells. I think the Shadow Dancer the easier bet, but it might still be possibilities for an Assassin or plain Rogue with the right items and equipment.

If like me you feel there could be a few more (official) 3rd edition prestige classes in this game, I can recommend the [url="http://www.nwnprc.com/news.php"]Player Resource Consortium[/url], a big hackpack that adds classes, prestige classes, spells, feats and epic feats from all sorts of sourcebooks. They are usually closer to the PNP than NWN1 or 2.

It's a bit techy to install and use, but I can help out there.

Dlightfull · Post by **Dlightfull** » Fri Jan 14, 2011 3:13 pm

Thanks a lot. Well, i think i'll go for the shadowdancer then, well, i have the diamond edition, so i plan to use this char through the expansions too, so i think i will be able to reach a good enough level by the end of the game

.

Now i kinda started regretting that i didn't pick up a human character, since adding couple fighter levels would help a lot with the damage and attack rolls, but since i'm an elf, that would mess with my level advancing.

it's so weird to read all the posts on this forum, after being "spoiled" by the Eve-online forums, full of trolls

.

By the way, i don't think i really want the PRC yet, since there are a whole lot of different feats and classes and stuff, i surely don't need any more at this moment

. And i also would like to have the original experience first, then i will maybe get the PRC too.

Tricky · Post by **Tricky** » Fri Jan 14, 2011 5:16 pm

Dlightfull wrote:Thanks a lot. Well, i think i'll go for the shadowdancer then, well, i have the diamond edition, so i plan to use this char through the expansions too, so i think i will be able to reach a good enough level by the end of the game .

That's cool, but note that the 1st expansion beyond the Official Campaign will be way too easy for you if you start as a level 16-18 character. I think it was pretty much made for new characters. Still, the difficulty should eventually catch up. I remember the first time I did that I felt like quitting.

Now i kinda started regretting that i didn't pick up a human character, since adding couple fighter levels would help a lot with the damage and attack rolls, but since i'm an elf, that would mess with my level advancing.

Contrary to NWN2, NWN1 knows no xp penalty for multiclassing outside of a race's favoured class. You can safely add some fighter levels.

Visit the Gamebanshee forums again ever feel like trying out the Player Resource Consortium. The programmers' own forums are helpful, but they can be a bit unresponsive / disinterested at times.

Dlightfull · Post by **Dlightfull** » Sat Jan 15, 2011 1:24 am

Tricky wrote: Contrary to NWN2, NWN1 knows no xp penalty for multiclassing outside of a race's favoured class. You can safely add some fighter levels.

Are you sure about this? Because everywhere i read, it says that i will take a penalty for multiclassing.

Tricky · Post by **Tricky** » Sat Jan 15, 2011 1:55 am

I stand corrected, it seems to be there after all. I wonder if it's something they introduced with later patches..