Advice needed for a first timer.

[Columbo]

Hello all.

First off I've never played either NWN 1 or 2 before but have just picked up the NWN2 collectors edition plus mask of the betrayer expansion so now I have them all.

I've decided to play 2 with expansion first and was wondering if anyone could either point me in the right direction or advise me on a solid build for a first time run.

My preferences are varied but I usually like to play multi purpose classes, in other words a class that has lots of options not just 1 standard role.

For example in WoW I loved Shamans but hated Warriors.

I've read a lot of forums and gamefaqs to try and get an idea of what classes appeal to me and so far I like the sound of:

Bard/Fighter/RDD/FB
Ranger/Paladin/DC
Spirit Shaman/Stormlord

but they all seem to stop at 20 and I have found no posts about the continuation of these.

I should mention I have no interest in playing evil characters so no assassins or Blackguards

Like I said I've read a lot of forums and all understandably are lacking info after level 20.

So in brief what I'm after is a solid build fully explained from 1-30 with what skills to take, race to take e.t.c so I can learn the game at a steady pace without having to worry too much about gimping my character.

I know it's maybe a lot to ask but I really appreciate anyone who takes the time.

Many Thanks.

p.s Most builds I've seen that are 1-20 talk about getting certain crafted armours or weapons but dont themselves take any crafting skills, now I've heard that in the expansion any followers you may have leave you so if I incorporated crafting into my feats does that gimp me or is it possible?

Many Thanks again.

[sun_facer]

First of all, the recent poll indicated that a number of players in this forum still have no option of MotB since it has not been released in a few countries... like mine.

Now that you are mentioning this - I am itching to try MotB.
You have done your homework - gamefaqs and all, meaning that you know that there are some limitations to your multiclassing and the general advantages and disadvantages mages and fighters have.
For me, at this present moment, you have kicked started something that few have experience.... let alone expertise.
So you are pretty much on your own to explore till the rest of us catch up. In fact, you would be leading the pack.

Secondly, it is has been established that unless you really do not know the rules in NWN1, many builds are good. So you would have to be clearer on what you mean by 'character with many options'.

Mages often give very good variety. Especially the wizards. But I think the rule remains pretty much the same. You gimp your spell casting if you dwell too much into melee. So Wiz/fighters almost always sux.

Now that the level cap is 30. I was thinking of I can finally completely have 20 levels of caster. If things remained as it is in NWN1, spells like fireball rise in power according to caster levels, to a max in 20d6. So, now... i guess the sorc can reclaim her right to the RDD.
For me, unless the new epic feats and classes are outstanding, I would return to the old days of 20sorc/10RDD.

I find the bard/fighter/RDD/FB build full of options, even though the build offers little beyond hacking baddies to smitherings, dragon breath, a simple bard aura, frenzy and enhanced power attack.
So, even though options are always more limited to melee builds, this is already loads of fun with a hp of 306 and an AC of 30+.

For the sake of remembering my battles in HotU,
I wonder if the RDD/WM build is possible now....
1bard/12fighter/10RDD/7WM
That, in my definition would be perfection in the melee classses.

[Xandax]

<snip>
So in brief what I'm after is a solid build fully explained from 1-30 with what skills to take, race to take e.t.c so I can learn the game at a steady pace without having to worry too much about gimping my character.
<snip>

You should be able to complete the game with just about any build, and seeing as character development is a huge part of the game - I would actually just advice you to start a game with a character class which sounds fun to you, and go from there, and leave the "build threads" until you have tried the game.
Just save a lot in different slots before leveling up, if you want to try different things

However, I have no "good build guides" and "skill guides" as I usually never follow them anyway - I prefer to experiment my way through
This current time I'll try a Barbarian/Rogue (few levels for the skills; I like skill strong characters)/Frenzied Beserker (For supreme cleave)/Invisible Blade build ... just for the heck of it

[shift244]

I agree with Xandax. The classes should be straight forward enough with what niche they excel at, and as far as the original campaign goes, you should not worry about being anything and are free to experiment and level up as you prefer... tanker, nuker, buffer...