In the game of Neverwinter Nights, online in multiplayer server modules that is, there are a few playing environments you will encounter, depending upon what type of server you log into...
This is how I have personally classified servers/modules/playing environments.Brainless Bashing, usually monsters are super tough, they may or may not do much damage, if they hit you at all, and usually these type of "Hit The Tree" type of combat modules are usually listed under "action" or "pw action".
I am God, you are NOTHING! usually monsters are super hard, they do a lot of damage, and you can expect to be drinking heals at least 1 / 2 - 6 rounds, in fact don't expect monsters to miss you (even with 100+ AC), even if your character has the best server gear on you should expect to take a lot of damage, and usually these type of "Pwn The Player" type of combat modules are usually listed under "action" or "pw_action".
Talk I Said! usually monsters are pushovers, you pull out your sword and they die, and you can expect a lot of low level items on these module where "Role Player or Leave" is the main focus, and usually these type of server moduels are listed under "RP", where role playing is the major focus not "Roll Playing" / Action. On this type of server, don't expect PCs to do much else than RP, as they are often rewarded for doing so, and adventuring usually takes a back seat if it even exist at all, here players like to talk about their "PC History" and RP the day away, chatting endlessly in special chat formats (which are often required by server rules)...
Top This! usually monsters are completely uber, but so are the players, "Uber" is defined clearly as anything goes & anything is possible, these type of server modules are rare to find anymore, but some may still exist, anyway they will be listed in various places, so keep alert for crazy stats like "10,000+ Damage" from mobs/PCs... This type of server is usually a Local Vault (you can play your own characters, not server characters) type of servers.
(Uber Servers are not even remotely legit), they use 100% custom haks or 2da overrides to change damage/spells and game play to "The Server Admininstrator's" desires)
Let's Get It On! usually monsters are usually challenging but probably not overbearing, but the greatest challenge you will face will be from PCs, not monsters, that's becuase this is a "PVP" server, where you can be attacked at random at any time by a PC, possibly even getting pick pocketed as well. Be careful to check "PVP Settings" on the server by looking for "FULL" pvp settings, not "PARTY", as a FULL PVP server will most likely be "Hard Core" where spells effect the caster and game play is usually very tough, to say the least. (RP Is usually relegated to cursing shouts of PCs who get mad because they got owned by another PC)
Real D&D usually monsters are challenging, may or may not be overbearing, storyline though is a major focus, and sometimes RP is forced (usually via dialogue), but these type of server modules are usually listed under "Story", "story lite" or "pw story", though not all servers listed are truly real like D&D (Dungeons & Dragons) style of gameplay, but usually most are close. Here you will usually find a good mix of quest, stories, rumors, puzzles, and an endless supply of monsters to go beat down/kill. (though mileage may vary) Sometimes leveling up can be slow, or it can be moderate, but rarely ever will you find it to be fast (expect 0-100 xp and rarely anything over that, because it should take you a long time to reach level 40 by their standards).
Insane but Cool! usually monsters are very challenging and most likely you will meet overbearing monsters from time to time, but the sidekick is, the players can become very powerful too! If the world /module is well balanced, meaning the DM / Builder goes out of their way to make it fun & enjoyable without making monsters just auto kill PCs without any problem. Here XP is high, adventure & action is high, and there is a lot of fun to be had, sometimes players will RP their characters well either via chat or voice commands, and this type of world may or may not have much storyline at all in it. (It's usually well DMed and events are run frequently or infrequently). These type of servers are rare, though some still exist, they are often Uber Legit, meaning they don't have super high level items, but items are very powerful none the less! (compared to RP worlds they would be considered "Uber), though the balance is struck at combat testing, and usually a high amount of testing goes into every adventure / monster that is created on these modules. (Personally this is one of my favorite type of modules, but they are hard to find!) These type of modules are usually listed under either "action" or "pw action", though some may be found elsewhere. (You will have to check quite a few servers to find out)
Molasses Anyone? usually monsters are either weak, lame, and gameplay is at the epitamy of gross or monsters are horribly overpowering & gameplay is very annoying at the very least, meaning don't expect to have any fun at all, xp is always super low (0-50 xp), storyline may or may not exist, and the server may have restrictions that completely turn you off (like limits to rest, how fast you can level, etc. etc). These type of servers are the worst in my book, but if you like super slow & sucky RP / Storyline, then it won't be hard to find these type of servers, for they aren't as uncommon as one may think...
Utterly nOOb! usually monsters are either weak or insanely overbearing, no balance, module items are insane, power is given out like it was candy, (expect to find +20 items or the likes), obviously the builder/scripter is new at what they are doing, and game play at best is either extremelly annoying or insanely easy, both of which are not fun. (Pushing over goblings gets boring FAST!) These type of servers can be listed anywhere, you will know soon that you are on a nOOb's server, the items will tell you everything, and you can expect to see a lot of OC (Original Campaign) items as well, though many may or may not be modified to the server admin's taste (which is usually silly or insanely uber, & not balanced at all)...
stOOPid stOOpid stOOpid! usually monsters are trees (mega tough), you will be given a nerf bat, spells are weaker, and your gear, well it will probably be worthless to boot, IF you can find any good gear at all, storyline will be lame or non-existent, the module hook will be lame too (an uber item that is worthless or just plain silly all together), don't expect to be impressed or wowed on this module, though do bring your heals and ressurection rods, you will definitely need those (and lots of them!) Player base on these type of modules tell the whole story, maybe 1-4 consistent players, and sparatic visitors, but don't expect anyone to stick around. These type of modules & servers are usually very annoying as the game play is sickening at best, and combat will often involve auto-pwnage scritping (like oh look your blind, oh look your dead, constant lame spells being cast by monsters, like dispel / timestop / etc). (The builder is usually not a nOOb, they just want everyone to die & live horribly)
Realism Extreme! usually monsters are hard - godly, but you, well your just a normal PC, items are usually weak, and though some of these servers modules are listed under "Role Playing", they can be found in most categories except of course "Arena" These type of modules go to the extreme with real life situations, like "You can truly only rest every 8 real hours", you need food/water, and everything has been changed to be as realistic as possible in this "Fantasy" game called NWN. Lame? YOU BET! Not only have they nerfed rest, but also spells, and may or may not let you get much more than some trickets to play with. (+1 to +3 items) Here on these servers "Realism" and "Low Low Power", like it's a Dragon Lance (max 18th level casters) campaign or something. Expect the core game rules to be change significantly.
Custom Extreme! usually monsters are hard to impossible or greatly overbearing, hard core may or may not be used/implimented, everything about this module is usually 80-100% custom, don't expect anything to work like it should, bring your reading glasses too, you will probably have to read countless manuals to "Re-Learn" the game entirely, as the Server Admin would have you play in "His/Her World". But don't get me wrong here, these type of servers can be very fun, RP may or may not be encouraged, but action is definitely everywhere to be found. Areas are often usually very well designed (like on many RP Modules) and the game is very enjoyable outside of combat if you have low level items on. It's tough being a new player on this module, but once you learn it well, the game can change for you significantly, as you will develop quirks and likes/dislike, even eventually you will master certain things if you stick at it long enough. The server admins usually go out of their way to create as high quality custom content as they can, but often they may "over do" it some times...
Faction / Guild Wars! usually monsters are either lame or decently challenging, the module is usually well balanced, and items are restricted by level to ensure balance because PVP is a major focus, that's because players are "Teams" or Factions/Guilds if you will, here action is a focus, but the module takes a major back seat, in fact the entire module is usually designed around the PVP style Faction/Guile Wars idea. These modules/Servers are hard to find anymore, if any exist at all, and they may appear under any listing (e.g. RP / Story / Action / etc) They can be very fun if you get on the right "team", especially if the "team" is fully of veterans. =)
Tough Cookies! usually monsters are extremely annoying, gear is low, and storyline is extremely lame. These may or may not be a large module, don't expect much adventure, but do expect to be harrassed to the extreme by the builder as they go out of their way to annoy you and screw with your character, giving it diseases, poisons, curses etc. quite often via monsters. Expect monsters to the worst sorts, meaning super nasty and have crazy annoying abilities. Much like the "I am God You Are Nothing Module" but the difference here lays with how the module builder goes out of their way to "Rat Trap" you into their little world. Don't bother complaining, the DM channel will alway be blank, and even if a DM was on, they would probably laugh at you... (0 Respect)
Um, who let the dogs in? Here you will find a bunch of insanely grossly rude players, they will always talk crap to other players, like "You Suck", "Quit crying ___ (curse word)", blah blah blah! The DMs are often lacking morales & judgment, meaning they will spawn mobs on you JUST to kill you (for sure), like 30 liches you cannot hurt but they hurt you real bad. Who care about the module, if the players don't ****** you off, the DMs will be sure to help you leave! (These servers aren't uncommon, but it's mainly about the player base & DMs than anything else) -
(Also, they are often Administrated by immature punk kids as well.)
Hard Core! Here you will find much like the slow-leveling / low item worlds, a very challenging set of monsters, if not overbearing, however dying, well, that's handled a bit differently, when you are dead, you are D.E.A.D., so your corpse will be left laying around, along with all of your items you "use to have". You better hope you can get to your corpse before someone else can though. Hard Core is sometimes optionals on some servers, but mandatory hard core modules may or may not be fun, depending upon your taste / like/dislikes / quirks. Spells usually damage the caster, though spells may or may not be modified (if they are they are usually nerfed/weakened). On some of these servers, you have to make a new character if you die, and these type of server modules can be listed anywhere in nwn (action / story / etc).
Soft Core! these are a social module/server, usually listed under "social", but what separates these type of modules from the others is, it's an "Adult" server, where "Sleezy is cheezy!" =) Expect to encounter naked PCs, horny RPers and have a grand role playing time, if sex is your thing.. =) Though, sometimes these servers can be listed anywhere, so be sure to read the "Server Description", they often use custom haks, so you will most likely have to download their hak to play on the server, though, not always.
I'm still working on the list here & post, so be paitent as I finish my writings...
If anyone would like to add to the list pipe up, because I'd love to hear the nwn communities feedback on this.. =)
Modifié par _Guile, 04 juin 2013 - 05:56 .
