NWN Neverwinter Nights (NWN & NWN2) Modules Thread

[luj1]

I wasn't going through the list with the mindset of whether it's well implemented in the PRC, but as a character class and how it would gel with the others already present in NWN

Yup

 

[Grunker]

Btw something else entirely: I'm looking at what I want to do with Shadows of Undrentide. I'll probably be taking the same char through Hordes, so it has to have low-level and high-level appeal. My first thought was an Arcane Archer because I almost never play archers in RPGs and it seems like it would be very fun at high levels in NWN, but then I recalled my experience with the OC. Being bum-rushed by a thousand mobs on a bow build with nothing but a single retarded henchmen in the way of me and my enemies does not sound conducive to a good time.

Single class monk could also be on the table, I don't think I've ever played one in 3rd ed.

Thoughts, suggestions?

 

[Lacrymas]

Fighter or Rogue/Bard or Wizard/Arcane Archer is fairly okay if you want to go AA. Starting out as Fighter would be easier in SoU because there is no melee companion to take the heat off, so you'll have to rely on summons if you start out with Rogue or Bard. HotU gives you 2 companions, so bumrushing is not that much of a problem there. Single class Monk is boring, but functional. Monk/Wizard/AA is also a possibility with Zen Archery, but will probably end up weaker overall due to it being more a build for easy leveling.

 

[whocares]

Btw something else entirely: I'm looking at what I want to do with Shadows of Undrentide. I'll probably be taking the same char through Hordes, so it has to have low-level and high-level appeal. My first thought was an Arcane Archer because I almost never play archers in RPGs and it seems like it would be very fun at high levels in NWN, but then I recalled my experience with the OC. Being bum-rushed by a thousand mobs on a bow build with nothing but a single retarded henchmen in the way of me and my enemies does not sound conducive to a good time.

Single class monk could also be on the table, I don't think I've ever played one in 3rd ed.

Thoughts, suggestions?

I have no idea how anyone can enjoy playing any archer in NWN precisely due to the issue you described.

As for HotU, I remember having a lot of fun playing a kama-using monk/assassin (and maybe shadowdancer too). A pure Druid or Druid/Shifter is also fun throughout the epic levels.

Or just say fuck it, be a man and go Fighter/Weapon Master with a scythe. Cry when dealing with crit-immune enemies. Crit everyone else for 200+ damage.

 

[Grunker]

See, Zen Archer sounds really fun of paper but it's sorely lacking in meaningful build options IMO (something like Zen Archer from Pathfinder that makes into more than just adding another modifier to your rolls). As it stands, it's pretty much just a feat you slam on someone who has high wis anyway to make it a pseduo archer build.

Fighter or Rogue/Bard or Wizard/Arcane Archer is fairly okay if you want to go AA. Starting out as Fighter would be easier in SoU because there is no melee companion to take the heat off, so you'll have to rely on summons if you start out with Rogue or Bard.

Have you done something similar in SoU? I'm leaning towards it because I like the access to skill points that Int-based builds provide and obviously I heckin' love gishes, but I'm a little afraid I'm going to absolutely hate my life for 12+ levels.

kama-using monk

That was actually my first thought when I thought of monk. Combining with Assassin sounds like a decently fun idea.

A pure Druid or Druid/Shifter is also fun throughout the epic levels.

I think I'm turned off of this idea simply due to the sheer efficiency of a Druid. I like having some efficiency holes in my builds in these games to up the challenge.

Same goes partially for Weapon Master. Plus, I played both those builds back on my first NWN playthroughs when the game came out. Druid in the OC and Weapon Master in HotU.

 

[Lacrymas]

Shifter is bad in SoU and HotU because they are high-magic modules and Shifter thrives only in low-magic ones due to how forms work. Starting out as a Rogue in SoU with Use Magic Device to summon creatures with scrolls so you can sneak attack is perfectly viable. Fighter, contrary to my previous statement, will probably struggle a bit, though, and it will be more boring. I forgot that you'll have to pump DEX for an archer later, so you won't be able to melee until you get the archery ready. You'll probably not be able to do the optional fights in chapter 1 either. Archers tend to struggle in NWN unless they have a summon or "tank" companion in general.

 

[ERYFKRAD]

Btw something else entirely: I'm looking at what I want to do with Shadows of Undrentide. I'll probably be taking the same char through Hordes, so it has to have low-level and high-level appeal. My first thought was an Arcane Archer because I almost never play archers in RPGs and it seems like it would be very fun at high levels in NWN, but then I recalled my experience with the OC. Being bum-rushed by a thousand mobs on a bow build with nothing but a single retarded henchmen in the way of me and my enemies does not sound conducive to a good time.

Single class monk could also be on the table, I don't think I've ever played one in 3rd ed.

Thoughts, suggestions?

Barbarian

 

[Grunker]

Btw something else entirely: I'm looking at what I want to do with Shadows of Undrentide. I'll probably be taking the same char through Hordes, so it has to have low-level and high-level appeal. My first thought was an Arcane Archer because I almost never play archers in RPGs and it seems like it would be very fun at high levels in NWN, but then I recalled my experience with the OC. Being bum-rushed by a thousand mobs on a bow build with nothing but a single retarded henchmen in the way of me and my enemies does not sound conducive to a good time.

Single class monk could also be on the table, I don't think I've ever played one in 3rd ed.

Thoughts, suggestions?

Barbarian

I was actually considering Barbarian/Bard/Palemaster but gave up on account of I think you'd murder me (and I ended up decided it would probably be too strong)

 

[ERYFKRAD]

but gave up on account of I think you'd murder

Not if you single class, I won't.

 

[Grunker]

but gave up on account of I think you'd murder

Not if you single class, I won't.

That was my point

 

[Poseidon00]

It's very useful to take spell focus (enchantment) and greater spell focus

Why Enchantment out of all?

Most of the useful disabling spells in the bard list come from the enchantment school, and those all require a save, so if you want to use them you should take advantage of that. You're not really using a bard for spell damage and your buffs don't need a save, so the only spells needing a good DC for the bard are Enchantment.

 

[Lacrymas]

Basically anything that is half decent will be too strong for SoU and HotU, they just aren't very difficult modules.

 

[Poseidon00]

Btw something else entirely: I'm looking at what I want to do with Shadows of Undrentide. I'll probably be taking the same char through Hordes, so it has to have low-level and high-level appeal. My first thought was an Arcane Archer because I almost never play archers in RPGs and it seems like it would be very fun at high levels in NWN, but then I recalled my experience with the OC. Being bum-rushed by a thousand mobs on a bow build with nothing but a single retarded henchmen in the way of me and my enemies does not sound conducive to a good time.

Single class monk could also be on the table, I don't think I've ever played one in 3rd ed.

Thoughts, suggestions?

Single class monk is always a lot of fun, and the advanced combat animations adds several cool martial arts styles that are fun to see at high levels. Arcane Archer is good from start to finish and never gets old, you can get really insane in HoTU.

Shadows doesn't have the mob-army problem, so don't worry about it.

HoTU is the best of the original campaigns, and Shadows is short enough and the first chapter isn't bad imo.

If you aren't playing with advanced AI, you really should. By HoTU it makes a big difference.

 

[Gargaune]

Btw something else entirely: I'm looking at what I want to do with Shadows of Undrentide. I'll probably be taking the same char through Hordes, so it has to have low-level and high-level appeal.

I'd say factor in your henchman options. HotU lets you have 2 at once and is better rounded with one of each in the first part, then Fighter, Rogue, Bard and eventually Paladin or Blackguard for the rest. SoU, however, has a 1 henchman limit with a Sorcerer that can multiclass to Barbarian (with low Str), a Rogue that can multi to Cleric, and a Bard in the second half. If you choose to multiclass henchmen, remember to repeat the instruction when you transition chapters. Or if you'd like a dedicated warrior for SoU, I recommend Vulcano's Mischa Waymeet mod.

 

[Grunker]

Btw something else entirely: I'm looking at what I want to do with Shadows of Undrentide. I'll probably be taking the same char through Hordes, so it has to have low-level and high-level appeal.

I'd say factor in your henchman options. HotU lets you have 2 at once and is better rounded with one of each in the first part, then Fighter, Rogue, Bard and eventually Paladin or Blackguard for the rest. SoU, however, has a 1 henchman limit with a Sorcerer that can multiclass to Barbarian (with low Str), a Rogue that can multi to Cleric, and a Bard in the second half. If you choose to multiclass henchmen, remember to repeat the instruction when you transition chapters. Or if you'd like a dedicated warrior for SoU, I recommend Vulcano's Mischa Waymeet mod.

Hurrrrrmmmm. I wonder if Misha there could offer a painless (well... less painful...) archer experience? I could go for an Arcane Archer.

 

[Lacrymas]

Hurrrrrmmmm. I wonder if Misha there could offer a painless (well... less painful...) archer experience? I could go for an Arcane Archer.

Yes, definitely.

 

[Grunker]

Btw something else entirely: I'm looking at what I want to do with Shadows of Undrentide. I'll probably be taking the same char through Hordes, so it has to have low-level and high-level appeal. My first thought was an Arcane Archer because I almost never play archers in RPGs and it seems like it would be very fun at high levels in NWN, but then I recalled my experience with the OC. Being bum-rushed by a thousand mobs on a bow build with nothing but a single retarded henchmen in the way of me and my enemies does not sound conducive to a good time.

Single class monk could also be on the table, I don't think I've ever played one in 3rd ed.

Thoughts, suggestions?

Single class monk is always a lot of fun, and the advanced combat animations adds several cool martial arts styles that are fun to see at high levels. Arcane Archer is good from start to finish and never gets old, you can get really insane in HoTU.

Shadows doesn't have the mob-army problem, so don't worry about it.

HoTU is the best of the original campaigns, and Shadows is short enough and the first chapter isn't bad imo.

If you aren't playing with advanced AI, you really should. By HoTU it makes a big difference.

Thanks friendo. What's advanced AI, a mod? Mordaedil said TonyK's AI would break PRC, so I didn't install that.

 

[luj1]

Siege of Shadowdale EE (Luke Scull)


Disappointed with this module. And I don't care that it's old. It was re-published after 20 years and supposed to be "enhanced." For example there are numerous generic NPCs called "Dalefolk." It takes 20 minutes to copy-paste random Faerun names, make the world feel more alive. I told this to Luke - that's not a matter of age. Perhaps give some of them some basic dialogue. Ditto for statics and their descriptions. Many portraits are wonky and don't even work. Some quests are buggy and won't close such as Milly's quest. The only henchmen in the module have no dialogue. Area design is quite poor. Monsters and containers are just slapped together and thrown in rooms without logic. That's not a matter of age either, but low effort. One could improve this module threefold in a week with simple manual work. That's more essential than adding a world map or a cinematic. The only things I liked were a few fun sections (Knights chase, Elminster battle) and the challenging difficulty that forced me to use consumables to survive. Onto the next one.

 

[Infinitron]

For example there are numerous generic NPCs called "Dalefolk." It takes 20 minutes to copy-paste random Faerun names, make the world feel more alive.

This would be bad because it would make you think they're important quest NPCs instead of background extras.

 

[Lacrymas]

Reptile God's Orlane had all the townsfolk named because all of them were involved in the plot in one way or another, so not all modules can have this. Reptile God is extremely well made and polished to a mirror shine, one of the best modules ever made, so it's not entirely fair to compare the two, considering SoS' age and circumstances. However, it can be touched up significantly and it probably won't take more than a week for an experienced modder to do so.

 

[luj1]

This would be bad because it would make you think they're important quest NPCs instead of background extras.

I guess you never played any other module in your life. But GJ always finding an excuse for the developer, jew shill

 

[Poseidon00]

Btw something else entirely: I'm looking at what I want to do with Shadows of Undrentide. I'll probably be taking the same char through Hordes, so it has to have low-level and high-level appeal. My first thought was an Arcane Archer because I almost never play archers in RPGs and it seems like it would be very fun at high levels in NWN, but then I recalled my experience with the OC. Being bum-rushed by a thousand mobs on a bow build with nothing but a single retarded henchmen in the way of me and my enemies does not sound conducive to a good time.

Single class monk could also be on the table, I don't think I've ever played one in 3rd ed.

Thoughts, suggestions?

Single class monk is always a lot of fun, and the advanced combat animations adds several cool martial arts styles that are fun to see at high levels. Arcane Archer is good from start to finish and never gets old, you can get really insane in HoTU.

Shadows doesn't have the mob-army problem, so don't worry about it.

HoTU is the best of the original campaigns, and Shadows is short enough and the first chapter isn't bad imo.

If you aren't playing with advanced AI, you really should. By HoTU it makes a big difference.

Thanks friendo. What's advanced AI, a mod? Mordaedil said TonyK's AI would break PRC, so I didn't install that.

I use the henchman inventory and Battle AI mod, I have not noticed any issues. Enemies are much more likely to use all their skills against you, including summons and familiars.

It's very useful for companions especially. I like to get all my prebuffs in before battle, then let them hang back until I need them. But they are highly customizable and much better.

 

[Poseidon00]

Reptile God's Orlane had all the townsfolk named because all of them were involved in the plot in one way or another, so not all modules can have this. Reptile God is extremely well made and polished to a mirror shine, one of the best modules ever made, so it's not entirely fair to compare the two, considering SoS' age and circumstances. However, it can be touched up significantly and it probably won't take more than a week for an experienced modder to do so.

It takes two seconds to generate a random name using NWN's system though, I have never liked this choice of design personally.

 

[rogueknight333]

It can be a convenience for players (if perhaps a bit unrealistic) to be able to quickly distinguish quest-giving NPCs from those who are just scenery. Possibly the best and most immersive system (though it takes a bit more work to implement) is that in Almraiven where NPCs just have generic names until you talk to them and learn their actual name, at which point you can see that name over their heads henceforth.

 

[Lacrymas]

Having all the NPCs be named will fuck with completionists to no end.