New to NWN here. Need a build advice.

[Amy]

Hi all!

I've never played NWN before. When I've bought NWN:EE here, the common impression reminded me of playing on mom's computer when I was a child - and the game was ages old (I believe the name was Eye of the Beholder 2). But NWN has so much more options - I just can't get how to start.

Last few years, the most similar games I've played were ARPGs - like Titan Quest AE or Torchlight 2. And there, my favorite builds were pet-masters supporters. Where my companions (summons, constructs, animals, undeads, you name it) do main damage - and I mostly buff (sometimes heal) them and debuff (rarely do direct damage to) enemies.

Could you advise a build with similar gameplay?

[DrLoboto]

Druids can have the biggest party in single player mode, followed by wizards, sorcerers, and clerics. All of these would be suitable for your playstyle, with the difference that druids and clerics are also tough enough to join the companions in melee and heal the party when necessary, while wizards and sorcerers are glass cannons, squishy in melee combat or ambushes, and very vulnerable during lower levels, but extremely powerful at higher levels and able to wipe out large groups in short time with fireballs and similar bombastic spells.

Anyway, as a druid you get an animal companion right from the start and it levels up with you. Additionally, you can summon another creature by spell (Summon Creature, different one for every spell level, they get stronger and stronger, and the spells usually last quite long). And last but not least, you can put points in the Animal Empathy skill, which will allow you to charm certain animals you meet in the game for a short while (animals like wolves, deer, birds etc., but not spiders, bugs and the likes).

So even without adding any henchmen or fellow player character to your party, you can have a temporary party of four: your druid, the animal companion, a summoned creature and a charmed animal from the wild. You can buff and heal them, too.

Clerics, wizards and sorcerers also get access to the Summon Creature spell, and wizards and sorcerers get a familiar (similar to the druid's animal companion, but also including some magical creatures). Rangers can be good at Animal Empathy, too, and they also get an animal companion, but only starting from level 6, and they can't really buff very well (they only get a few weaker spells later on). Bards can cast Summon Creature and buff as well, but may be a bit tough to play for a beginner in single player.

So in short:
druid: 1 animal companion, 1 summoned creature, 1 charmed animal, buffing and healing
wizard & sorcerer: 1 familiar, 1 summoned creature, buffing
cleric: 1 summoned creature, buffing and healing
ranger: 1 animal companion (lvl 6+), 1 charmed animal, possibly some buffing at higher lvl
bard: 1 summoned creature, buffing

[DrLoboto]

Oh, and btw, Eye of the Beholder 1 & 2 have been adapted as NWN modules as well. :D
You can play them alone or online with friends.

[grognardgary]

You left out pale master granted you can't start out as one ad low level undead pretty much don't do much beyond slow down the people trying to kill you but...

[DrLoboto]

Yes, I only mentioned the base classes, no prestige classes. Otherwise, shifter would be an option too, that will allow you to turn into animals yourself, on top of it, I think? Though IIRC druid offers that too, at higher levels ... I'm just not that familiar with the prestige classes, and for a start, as a beginner, it might be easier to stick to pure base classes and learn about them first.

[Amy]

DrLoboto, thank you! Do you suggest a one-class build (e.g. pure druid) for the first run? All "best build" guides I've found before starting the thread are about multi-class (I didn't follow them because they're too detailed - like mentioning exact skill for every level-up - and I don't like spoilers).

[grognardgary]

Originally posted by Becca:

DrLoboto, thank you! Do you suggest a one-class build (e.g. pure druid) for the first run? All "best build" guides I've found before starting the thread are about multi-class (I didn't follow them because they're too detailed - like mentioning exact skill for every level-up - and I don't like spoilers).

Just remember this is AD&D 3,5. Characters are almost infinitely customizable. Probably the best way to get a feel for how it all works is to go to HOTU and build a few fifteenth level characters yourself. You don't have to actually play the module since you develop a fifteenth level character before the game starts.

[n00bdragon]

Just to be overly correct, NWN is neither AD&D nor based on 3.5. "AD&D" refers to a branch of 1e rules and the name was carried over into 2e but dropped in 3e when it returned to just being "D&D". Wizards of the Coast bought up TSR in 1997 and then in 2000 published D&D 3rd edition and later revised the rules in a 3.5 edition in 2003. Sometime in the period between 1997 and 2000, WotC licensed Bioware to make Neverwinter Nights and the system that NWN uses reflects a late, but still unfinished, version of 3.0 rules. Skills like Parry and Discipline never made it into the final pencil and paper version of the game and many of the spells and proficiencies are reflective of original 3.0 design, such as the zoo buffs lasting for an hour per caster level instead of 1 turn / level as in 3.5.

[ThatKoboldGaming | #FixTF2]

I have a tier list on the classes on their own

[DrLoboto]

Originally posted by Becca:

DrLoboto, thank you! Do you suggest a one-class build (e.g. pure druid) for the first run? All "best build" guides I've found before starting the thread are about multi-class (I didn't follow them because they're too detailed - like mentioning exact skill for every level-up - and I don't like spoilers).

The players who write these guides usually try to create the most powerful combinations possible, but you don't need the "best build" to enjoy the game. If you don't like following detailed advice on what skills to pick on each level up etc., just go with the flow, pick whatever you think sounds like you would enjoy it and see how it works out for you. You don't have to play a "pure" build either, if you think multiclassing sounds like fun. I just thought it might be one less thing to learn about and pay attention to, so you can concentrate on the basics first, and then try the "advanced" stuff later on. But whatever floats your boat.

If you're looking for information on specific rules of the game, the NWN Wiki is a good source to check: https://nwn.fandom.com/wiki/Main_Page

Of course, you can also ask here on the forums.

[ThatKoboldGaming | #FixTF2]

I'd honestly just say Avoid Harper Scout, Purple Dragon Knight, and Shifter. Those classes are just flat out terrible

[Lady Crimson (RIP)]

You'd like druid I would say, that is all about buffs, healing, and your personal animal companion on top of summoning.

[Lady Crimson (RIP)]

Originally posted by Becca:

DrLoboto, thank you! Do you suggest a one-class build (e.g. pure druid) for the first run? All "best build" guides I've found before starting the thread are about multi-class (I didn't follow them because they're too detailed - like mentioning exact skill for every level-up - and I don't like spoilers).

For your playstyle I would suggest druid. Cleric may be the strongest at all parts of the game, however, spells can be a lot for people not used to it. So a classic fighter can be good, if occasionally difficult. You'd probably favor a cleric or druid though as they provide more balanced approaches.

[Amy]

Thank you, DrLoboto and Lady Crimson. I'll start with druid and then see how it goes.

[Captain Dickärd]

Originally posted by ThatKoboldGaming:

I'd honestly just say Avoid Harper Scout, Purple Dragon Knight, and Shifter. Those classes are just flat out terrible

Shifter can be lackluster at lower levels but the epic shapes are often hilariously powerful.

[ThatKoboldGaming | #FixTF2]

Originally posted by Captain Dickärd:

Originally posted by ThatKoboldGaming:

I'd honestly just say Avoid Harper Scout, Purple Dragon Knight, and Shifter. Those classes are just flat out terrible

Shifter can be lackluster at lower levels but the epic shapes are often hilariously powerful.

It's not that shifter is flat out terrible but it has glaring flaws and issues that make it very weak and underpowered.