Character Creation Advice
Posted: Tue Jan 04, 2011 1:40 pm
Yello, y'all!
So I've finally got around to playing the NWN2 expansions, and for MotB, I want to do something very...esoteric. I want to try and make an interesting build with the Invisible Blade class, mainly because it seems so pointless. But I've never been good at build experimentation, and would like some tips.
Here's what I have in mind for the time being. First let's look at the IB class itself.
Honestly, there's not much to say. For one, it looks like a very low damage dealing class. Bleeding Wound looks interesting, but I really can't see a need to choose this class over something like Assassin or a Rogue's regular sneak attack with the additional perks like Crippling Strike. However, there is the fact that IBs have their INT modifier added to their AC. This could be useful.
So the only real way to get any mileage out of this class is to couple it with being a Wizard, right? Not really. There's a major problem with this: The IB class forces you to choose three feats that are of no use to a Wizard, 3 feat slots that could be used for something that would more than offset the loss of the INT AC bonus.
So trying to make the most of the IB's only useful trait turns out to be a dead end. I'm not convinced the only way to work in the IB class into a build is as a stealthy melee character.
Since one of the feats required for the IB class is two weapon fighting, and another is weapon focus in either daggers or kukris, I decided to go with a dual kukri wielding Strongheart halfling. So this is what I did.
These are the stats I gave him:
14 str
20 dex
8 con
14 int
8 wis
8 cha
I first took 6 levels of Ranger, so that I could get the Improved Two Weapon Fighting feat, as well as decent base AB (went down the dual wield ranger route). After this, I decided to go for 8 levels of Rogue, figuring that the character could use a decent boost in damage through using sneak attacks. Plus, the Improved Uncanny Dodge feat couldn't hurt. I did consider waiting till level 10 for Slippery Mind or Crippling Strike, but meh.
So after 8 levels of rogue, I finally took the IB class. And as you've probably already guessed, it added nothing of worth. Plus, because of the skill distribution caused by 6 Ranger levels and 8 Rogue levels and a further four levels of IB, I feel the character has become very diluted.
Some of you might say that I should have started off with the Fighter class instead of Ranger, mainly because of it would help make the feat requirement quicker. Sure, go ahead. I worked it out in my head, and the only snag is having to invest points in INT for the Feint feat, and also for getting the required 8 levels of Bluff for choosing IB.
There's only one reason I used this highly convoluted build: because I've come to the conclusion that the IB class is something that is only usable if your planning on creating your character purely for role-playing purposes, and nothing more. Hence the rogue/ranger classes - because it suits my character's history. But otherwise, I can't think of anyway to work in the IB class into a build that is geared towards making a powerful, useful character.
Does anybody else have any thoughts on all this?
So I've finally got around to playing the NWN2 expansions, and for MotB, I want to do something very...esoteric. I want to try and make an interesting build with the Invisible Blade class, mainly because it seems so pointless. But I've never been good at build experimentation, and would like some tips.
Here's what I have in mind for the time being. First let's look at the IB class itself.
Honestly, there's not much to say. For one, it looks like a very low damage dealing class. Bleeding Wound looks interesting, but I really can't see a need to choose this class over something like Assassin or a Rogue's regular sneak attack with the additional perks like Crippling Strike. However, there is the fact that IBs have their INT modifier added to their AC. This could be useful.
So the only real way to get any mileage out of this class is to couple it with being a Wizard, right? Not really. There's a major problem with this: The IB class forces you to choose three feats that are of no use to a Wizard, 3 feat slots that could be used for something that would more than offset the loss of the INT AC bonus.
So trying to make the most of the IB's only useful trait turns out to be a dead end. I'm not convinced the only way to work in the IB class into a build is as a stealthy melee character.
Since one of the feats required for the IB class is two weapon fighting, and another is weapon focus in either daggers or kukris, I decided to go with a dual kukri wielding Strongheart halfling. So this is what I did.
These are the stats I gave him:
14 str
20 dex
8 con
14 int
8 wis
8 cha
I first took 6 levels of Ranger, so that I could get the Improved Two Weapon Fighting feat, as well as decent base AB (went down the dual wield ranger route). After this, I decided to go for 8 levels of Rogue, figuring that the character could use a decent boost in damage through using sneak attacks. Plus, the Improved Uncanny Dodge feat couldn't hurt. I did consider waiting till level 10 for Slippery Mind or Crippling Strike, but meh.
So after 8 levels of rogue, I finally took the IB class. And as you've probably already guessed, it added nothing of worth. Plus, because of the skill distribution caused by 6 Ranger levels and 8 Rogue levels and a further four levels of IB, I feel the character has become very diluted.
Some of you might say that I should have started off with the Fighter class instead of Ranger, mainly because of it would help make the feat requirement quicker. Sure, go ahead. I worked it out in my head, and the only snag is having to invest points in INT for the Feint feat, and also for getting the required 8 levels of Bluff for choosing IB.
There's only one reason I used this highly convoluted build: because I've come to the conclusion that the IB class is something that is only usable if your planning on creating your character purely for role-playing purposes, and nothing more. Hence the rogue/ranger classes - because it suits my character's history. But otherwise, I can't think of anyway to work in the IB class into a build that is geared towards making a powerful, useful character.
Does anybody else have any thoughts on all this?