I could use help in creating a melee-oriented character than can use most of the dialog options in NWN2:MOTB.
I am guessing this would involve rogue levels but I want to multiclass and need ideas. I never quite got the hang of D&D and my creativity in that regard is limited.
Would a monk-centered multiclass build work for this purpose in MOTB? Thanks for any assistance.
Need a diplomatic melee build
Which ones of Taunt, Diplomacy, Intimidate, Bluff do you want...Taking all of them makes it a little harder but still possible. I think Rogue is a possible class as well as bard though without Intimidate (could take fighter)...
Such a build will also want higher intelligence because you take all the conversation and you might still want some other skills like UMD, Tumble, Concentration (if a caster).
Most certainly the able learner feat will be used.
Such a build will also want higher intelligence because you take all the conversation and you might still want some other skills like UMD, Tumble, Concentration (if a caster).
Most certainly the able learner feat will be used.
Right Speech has four aspects: 1. Not lying, but speaking the truth, 2. Avoiding rude and coarse words, but using gentle speech beneficial to the listener, 3. Not slandering, but promoting friendliness and unity, 4. Avoiding frivolous speech, but saying only what is appropriate and beneficial.
There aren't to many dialogue dependent conditions in MOTB between non-companion members. Those that do exist usually have a "work-around" dialogue OR can be satisfied with ONLY extremely high skill levels.
The more important dialogue is between your character and companion members - and in several instances the skill spellcraft is more important (but it doesn't need to be stronger than at a native base level (i.e. 23 for a 20th level character).. the same is true of Lore - though less often.
The best choice would be an almost pure Bard with 2 levels of Warlock. To avoid a multi-class penalty you will need to use a Human or Half-elf. Chaotic OR Evil character (or both). And perhaps surprisingly - a Bard can be quite good at melee with nice protective spells like Mirror Image in addition to its melee prowess.
Bards are Charisma based - and your Charisma modifier effects Diplomacy, Bluff, and Intimidate. Furthermore Bards have almost as many skill points at each level as a Rogue. They have access to Diplomacy, Bluff, Lore, and Spellcraft. You will need the Warlock AND the feat Able learner to "unlock" the Intimidate skill. Finally Bards have song modifiers to increase their skill sets.
The Warlock has 2 enviable low level invocations for this build:
1. The Dark Ones Own Luck for a save modifier based on your Charisma, and
2. Beguiling Influance - an additional +6 to Diplomacy, Bluff, and Intimidate.
Better still it only requires 2 levels.
If you choose an Evil character you could further add the Blackguard class for another 2 levels to gain an additional save modifier based on your Charisma.
Remember:
1. Half-Elf or Half-Drow gives +2 to Bluff and Diplomacy.
2. Able Leaner feat either at 1st or 3rd level.
3. Warlock for 2 levels early-on for Intimidate - "unlocked" for skill point distribution.
Specific Feats:
Beginning: Tale Teller ..and = Silver Palm OR Thug (depending if you want Diplomacy & Bluff OR Intimidate enhanced). (..If you want a really high Intimidate then you should look to Thug, in that there are fewer opportunities for increasing Intimidate without reducing the other skills.)
Other Feats: Negotiator, Skill Focus (Bluff, Diplomacy, Intimidate, Lore, Spellcraft).
Search Results
Notable Item: Neverwinter Nights 2 @ GameBanshee
and:
Neverwinter Nights 2 @ GameBanshee
Notable Bard Spell:
Neverwinter Nights 2 @ GameBanshee
The more important dialogue is between your character and companion members - and in several instances the skill spellcraft is more important (but it doesn't need to be stronger than at a native base level (i.e. 23 for a 20th level character).. the same is true of Lore - though less often.
The best choice would be an almost pure Bard with 2 levels of Warlock. To avoid a multi-class penalty you will need to use a Human or Half-elf. Chaotic OR Evil character (or both). And perhaps surprisingly - a Bard can be quite good at melee with nice protective spells like Mirror Image in addition to its melee prowess.
Bards are Charisma based - and your Charisma modifier effects Diplomacy, Bluff, and Intimidate. Furthermore Bards have almost as many skill points at each level as a Rogue. They have access to Diplomacy, Bluff, Lore, and Spellcraft. You will need the Warlock AND the feat Able learner to "unlock" the Intimidate skill. Finally Bards have song modifiers to increase their skill sets.
The Warlock has 2 enviable low level invocations for this build:
1. The Dark Ones Own Luck for a save modifier based on your Charisma, and
2. Beguiling Influance - an additional +6 to Diplomacy, Bluff, and Intimidate.
Better still it only requires 2 levels.
If you choose an Evil character you could further add the Blackguard class for another 2 levels to gain an additional save modifier based on your Charisma.
Remember:
1. Half-Elf or Half-Drow gives +2 to Bluff and Diplomacy.
2. Able Leaner feat either at 1st or 3rd level.
3. Warlock for 2 levels early-on for Intimidate - "unlocked" for skill point distribution.
Specific Feats:
Beginning: Tale Teller ..and = Silver Palm OR Thug (depending if you want Diplomacy & Bluff OR Intimidate enhanced). (..If you want a really high Intimidate then you should look to Thug, in that there are fewer opportunities for increasing Intimidate without reducing the other skills.)
Other Feats: Negotiator, Skill Focus (Bluff, Diplomacy, Intimidate, Lore, Spellcraft).
Search Results
Notable Item: Neverwinter Nights 2 @ GameBanshee
and:
Neverwinter Nights 2 @ GameBanshee
Notable Bard Spell:
Neverwinter Nights 2 @ GameBanshee
Thank you, Scottg. One quick question, that build you detailed sounds like it is almost purely geared toward succeeding in dialog. Can it still fight or am I going to get beaten on in the spirit barrows?
Is there such a thing as a compromise between the character build you mentioned and something more combat-ready? Again, thank you for giving me so much to consider.
Is there such a thing as a compromise between the character build you mentioned and something more combat-ready? Again, thank you for giving me so much to consider.
When considering the additional feats it is more geared to maximum dialogue skills.Kefka1983 wrote:Thank you, Scottg. One quick question, that build you detailed sounds like it is almost purely geared toward succeeding in dialog. Can it still fight or am I going to get beaten on in the spirit barrows?
Is there such a thing as a compromise between the character build you mentioned and something more combat-ready? Again, thank you for giving me so much to consider.
IF however you remove most of those skill focus feats, (which aren't neccesary and don't add-up to a lot more skill points for any one skill), in favor of other *melee* feats then a Bard is quite powerful with melee, AND it has some additional perks related to inspirations and song. One of the melee feats I'd strongly recommend would be Blindfight. If possible also consider power attack, cleave, and great cleave.
Here is a list of inspirations:
Bard - Neverwinter Nights 2 - NWN2Wiki: your guide to everything Neverwinter Nights 2
Note that Inspirations can effect the character differently depending on what you need at the time. If you need greater AC you can have that, or if you need greater attack bonus you can have that, OR you can have regeneration.. etc. An extremely flexible class. Also note that a pure bard with the "attack modifier" inspiration has a very similar net attack number as a pure fighter (..not including strength and feat modifier bonuses).
Note this song's potential (epic feat):
http://nwn2.wikia.com/wiki/Song_of_Requiem
I like Scotts Warlock/Bard idea...I might put at least 18 in CHA for saves and conversation skills. Then take 4 levels RDD for strength to give you some more melee presence. 1 level of fighter for a feat and tower shield.
23 bard = all that goodness including hymn of requiem and a bonus feat
2 warlock = dark luck, beguiling influence
1 fighter = tower shield/feat
4 RDD = 4 STR and some Natural Armor
I would try to fit in feats that support a bard and with the beguiling influence you might want to put in combat expertise and feint. Feint is good even without sneak attacks. It only takes 1 action (attack) NOT a whole round like the description says...and if it works you can attack all the rest of your attacks with their dodge AC stripped. And all team members benefit too. You could also switch the fighter level for cleric and take feint + another domain feat (evasion if you don't want battlecaster).
Feats for the wishlist (must haves with *)
Able Learner
Curse Song *
Battle Caster
Lingering Song
Practiced Caster
Blindfight *
Weapon Focus
Lingering Song
Extend Spell
Combat Expertise
Feint
Knockdown
Improved Knockdown
Hymn of Requiem *
Chorus of Heroism
23 bard = all that goodness including hymn of requiem and a bonus feat
2 warlock = dark luck, beguiling influence
1 fighter = tower shield/feat
4 RDD = 4 STR and some Natural Armor
I would try to fit in feats that support a bard and with the beguiling influence you might want to put in combat expertise and feint. Feint is good even without sneak attacks. It only takes 1 action (attack) NOT a whole round like the description says...and if it works you can attack all the rest of your attacks with their dodge AC stripped. And all team members benefit too. You could also switch the fighter level for cleric and take feint + another domain feat (evasion if you don't want battlecaster).
Feats for the wishlist (must haves with *)
Able Learner
Curse Song *
Battle Caster
Lingering Song
Practiced Caster
Blindfight *
Weapon Focus
Lingering Song
Extend Spell
Combat Expertise
Feint
Knockdown
Improved Knockdown
Hymn of Requiem *
Chorus of Heroism
Right Speech has four aspects: 1. Not lying, but speaking the truth, 2. Avoiding rude and coarse words, but using gentle speech beneficial to the listener, 3. Not slandering, but promoting friendliness and unity, 4. Avoiding frivolous speech, but saying only what is appropriate and beneficial.
As Claudius has noted - 23 levels of Bard is the "sweet-spot" for this class.
Beyond that you should look to either increasing BAB (with a High BAB class) or significantly increasing Strength (to compensate for BAB).
Considering 2 levels of Warlock you have 5 levels left to "play with" then.
RDD is a medium BAB, BUT it has +4 to Strength = +2 attack and + 2 damage with +2 to AC (for 4 levels)
A Blackguard will net you a similar BAB (level for level) and give you Dark Blessing. (the other perks are pretty meaningless for MOTB).
Between the 2 paths I think it comes down to this:
1. Do you want to play an evil character - if NOT then go the RDD route.
2. Do you want to have greater saves (i.e. a better chance of surviving a magical attack), OR do you want a bit more damage and a slightly better AC? For the former pick the Blackguard, for the latter go with Claudius's suggestion.
(note (with regard to Claudius's suggestion), that the additional feat of a fighter is very nice, but the access to tower shields is not necessarily advantageous in MOTB.)
Considering the lack of attribute bonuses for a Half-Elf - I'd recommend something more like:
Strength 15
Dexterity 14
Constitution 12
Intelligence 12
Wisdom 8
Charisma 16
First increase Strength 1, then continue with Charisma to at least 20 and make sure you get a Charisma enhancing item that's as high as possible.
Beyond that you should look to either increasing BAB (with a High BAB class) or significantly increasing Strength (to compensate for BAB).
Considering 2 levels of Warlock you have 5 levels left to "play with" then.
RDD is a medium BAB, BUT it has +4 to Strength = +2 attack and + 2 damage with +2 to AC (for 4 levels)
A Blackguard will net you a similar BAB (level for level) and give you Dark Blessing. (the other perks are pretty meaningless for MOTB).
Between the 2 paths I think it comes down to this:
1. Do you want to play an evil character - if NOT then go the RDD route.
2. Do you want to have greater saves (i.e. a better chance of surviving a magical attack), OR do you want a bit more damage and a slightly better AC? For the former pick the Blackguard, for the latter go with Claudius's suggestion.
(note (with regard to Claudius's suggestion), that the additional feat of a fighter is very nice, but the access to tower shields is not necessarily advantageous in MOTB.)
Considering the lack of attribute bonuses for a Half-Elf - I'd recommend something more like:
Strength 15
Dexterity 14
Constitution 12
Intelligence 12
Wisdom 8
Charisma 16
First increase Strength 1, then continue with Charisma to at least 20 and make sure you get a Charisma enhancing item that's as high as possible.
Another idea is 4 fighter levels for more feats. 1 level for shadowdancer. Or cleric if you don't mind a 20% xp penalty level 29. Cleric could net you toughness and 10% speed or whatever. Take the 4th fighter level late to avoid xp penalty due to split with warlock.
Right Speech has four aspects: 1. Not lying, but speaking the truth, 2. Avoiding rude and coarse words, but using gentle speech beneficial to the listener, 3. Not slandering, but promoting friendliness and unity, 4. Avoiding frivolous speech, but saying only what is appropriate and beneficial.
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dzidek1983
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