Fighter build help...

[Legacy_apollo521]

                I just recently picked up NWN for the first time and I am playing through with a fighter. I am on chapter 1 currently and I am a little concerned about my ability spread. I used the recommended fighter stats, and now I am afraid that it has left me an incredibly strong, however somewhat dumb, character. I have very little multiclass options because I don't have the dex or int.. I can't go WM because of my DEX and no sort of magic is worthwhile. I want to go RDD, which shouldn't be a problem, but I would like to at least be able to cast some lvl 1 spells. I am not sure if I should maybe just use the one Sorceror rank for use magic device and call it even, and then move into RDD. I really don't want to restart, and I have been doing pretty well so far, but I have heard epic fighters aren't great so I want to multiclass.
               
               

               
            

[Legacy_HipMaestro]

               Apparently, you are referring to playing the OC so you really can't do anything build-wise that would become a disaster, not in that campaign anyway... so feel free to blunder through any way you can.

WM is pretty tough to take advantage of in the brief  OC (final PC level approx.17-18) so I wouldn't lose sleep over losing that choice.

RDD is certainly viable, but as a fighter, you probably would be better off just taking advantage of the scrolls, wands and other arcane items available by virtue of the sorc class.  Be wary that if you REALLY want to cast known spells as a sorc you will need to unequip armor (and shield, if applicable) when you cast since there is a huge casting failure penalty associated with arcanists (Still spell can help if you have enough "spare" feats).  Also, you will need the "base" Cha set at 10 + (desired spell level).  Cha-boosting items will not help to qualify, unfortunately.

If it were my PC, I would rely on the boosts from RDD feats combined with the martial proficiencies of the fighter levels and make a solid melee strength-based fighter who can buff with scrolls and the occasional AoE wand attack.  But you can experiment with your own ideas, of course... and that's really the BEST way to learn. '>

BTW, you will not get access to UMD with any of the classes you have selected.  Only rogue, bard and assasin classes can develop that skill which will grant use of both arcane and divine magic-based items and all class-based items depending on the skill level.

Finally, and IMO, unless you really do not want to control the building of your chosen PC, NEVER EVER use the pre-made characters or "Recommended" button.  I have yet to find any that use some common sense in the choices.
               
               

               

                     Modifié par HipMaestro, 12 avril 2011 - 04:48 .
                     
                  

            

[Legacy_jmlzemaggo]

               You said you're low on DEX, otherwise a Fighter/Rogue surely could be a lot of fun.
Why going RDD for a fighter?
What are your present stats, (that would us help greatly, well at least a PC builder like Hip...)?
If you get bored, just take L..., then at least you'd know why...
Oups, sorry, that was the most amazing joke ever, but way too spoilerish for that restricted forum area I'm afraid.
Too bad...

Hey, by the way, welcome aboard!
               
               

               

                     Modifié par jmlzemaggo, 12 avril 2011 - 05:49 .
                     
                  

            

[Legacy_Guest_Lowlander_*]

               A few Rogue levels can open up a large range of possibilities regardless of dexterity.

I always multiclass my fighters with rogue unless I don't have any more classes left (like building a Fighter/Bard/Arcane Archer).

Most of my Fighter/Rogues wear heavy plate armor and have low dexterity, but the Tumble skill gives them better armor class, UMD lets them use any magic item and search/disarm/unlock skill all work in plate...
               
               

               
            

[Legacy_jmlzemaggo]

               Good point. My reference being Vico, from ADWR, but in light armor.
               
               

               
            

[Legacy_HipMaestro]

               

Lowlander wrote...
Most of my Fighter/Rogues wear heavy plate armor and have low dexterity, but the Tumble skill gives them better armor class, UMD lets them use any magic item and search/disarm/unlock skill all work in plate...

As long as a ftr/rogue doesn't try to set a trap or use stealth,  the armor check penalty from heavy armor/shield won't be much of a factor.
               
               

               

                     Modifié par HipMaestro, 12 avril 2011 - 07:42 .
                     
                  

            

[Legacy_Shia Luck]

               Any class with tumble as a class skill will be a good choice, if you have the skill points available to put into it.  (every 5 ranks = 1 AC)
Bard or rogue to get UMD is also a good choice, again, only if you have spare skill points.
Bard, sorc or wiz to get access to AA can give a str ftr ranged options (with enough levels... OC finishes a bit early for that maybe).
If nothing else, get a bit of rogue for the feats you get and some sneak attack for when they are knocked down.

Likely you are most limited by your INT score, no? INT of less than 14 is not a good idea imho. Restricts your skill points and your feat selections and means you depend on gear instead of having your character able to do things themself.

...but as Hip said, the OC is designed to be an easy learning curve. SoU and HotU will get you to mid 20s and there's community modules to carry on from that to go to lvl40, and it's the higher levels where multiclassing really comes into it's own.

have fun '>
               
               

               
            

[Legacy_Gregor Wyrmbane]

                Actually, I'm playing through the OC right now with a Weaponmaster and having a great time with him. It is a viable build for the OC, if not the "best" build. Here's a stat sheet on what I've done so far.

Human, true neutral.

Str 17
Dex 13
Con 14
Int 14
Wis 8
Cha 8

1) Fighter. Weapon focus, Dodge, Mobility. Discipline=4.   (16 skill points left over)
2) Fighter. Expertise. Discipline=1,  (20 left over)
3) Rogue. Power Attack. Disarm Trap=6, Intimidate=4, Open Lock=6, Search=4, Tumble=5, UMD=6.
4) Fighter. Str+1. Discipline=2.  (3 left over)
5) Fighter. Spring Attack. Discipline=1.  (7 left over)
6) Fighter. Whirlwind Attack. Discipline=1.  (11 left over)
7) Weaponmaster. Discipline=1.  (15 left over)
Rogue. Str+1. Disarm Trap=5, Open Lock=5, Search=6, Tumble=5, UMD=5.
9) Weaponmaster. Improved Critical. Discipline=2.  (3 left over)
10) Weaponmaster. Discipline=1. (7 left over)
11) Weaponmaster. Discipline=1. (11 left over)
12) Weaponmaster. Str+1. Cleave. Discipline=1.  (15 left over)
13) Rogue. Disarm Trap=5, Open Lock=5, Search=5, Tumble=5, UMD=5.  (1 left over)
14) Weaponmaster. Discipline=2.  (4 left over)
15) Weaponmaster. Great Cleave. Discipline=1.  (8 left over)
16) Fighter. Str+1. Weapon Specialization. Discipline=1.  (12 left over)

Once you get past the 3rd level of Rogue at level 13 you don't really need to save the skill points anymore. I was putting them in Lore after that. I'm still in chapter 3 and having a pretty good time with this character. I took the Rogue levels at 3, 8, and 13 to compensate in UMD for the -1 modifier in Cha.

It was just for fun. ;^)
               
               

               
            

[Legacy_jmlzemaggo]

               *** I never take that Whirlwind feat anymore. Still so very bugged, even with 1,69. And the worse part being you could realise you've been cursed sometimes only hours later...
Too late for any "still active" savegame... ***
               
               

               

                     Modifié par jmlzemaggo, 13 avril 2011 - 06:54 .
                     
                  

            

[Legacy_apollo521]

               Yeah, unfortunately my int is low and I don't really want to reroll necessarily - is there anything I can do to compensate for it? I don't know if I can take tumble either as my dex is low.
               
               

               
            

[Legacy_Gregor Wyrmbane]

               

jmlzemaggo wrote...

*** I never take that Whirlwind feat anymore. Still so very bugged, even with 1,69. And the worse part being you could realise you've been cursed sometimes only hours later...
Too late for any "still active" savegame... ***

Whirlwind is a prereq for Weaponmaster. And since the 1.69 patch, I've never had a problem with it. Although I've read that Linux and Mac users can still have issues with it.

apollo521 wrote...

Yeah, unfortunately my int is low and I don't really want to reroll necessarily - is there anything I can do to compensate for it? I don't know if I can take tumble either as my dex is low.

I actually posted that info for future reference, not for your current game.

However, if you really wanted to, you could make it happen for this game. You could use the console to de-level your PC, adjust the ability scores, and then re-level to your current level and XP amount while still maintaining a "legal" character. Just a thought.

I think you can take Tumble no matter what your Dex score is. It's only a class skill for a few classes, though.
               
               

               
            

[Legacy_jmlzemaggo]

               @ Gregor Wyrmbane
Thanks for the tip. Great, I never really liked those Mac users anyway... 
               
               

               

                     Modifié par jmlzemaggo, 13 avril 2011 - 03:12 .
                     
                  

            

[Legacy_HipMaestro]

               

Gregor Wyrmbane wrote...
I think you can take Tumble no matter what your Dex score is. It's only a class skill for a few classes, though.

Absolutely, Gregor.  BTW, nice WM design for a short campaign.  Kudos!  My WMs tend all to be dual-wielding kukrimasters so instinctively impose the Dex 15 requirement in my design along with many DWing feats into the mix.  A WM with a greatsword would be very nice  though, even in the OC. '>

As long as one takes Tumble ranks in increments of 5 (as you implemented in your build), each group of 5 will provide +1AC to any toon regardless of the equipment being used or the Dex level.  Heavy armor users will seldom pass the Tumble check, though, and therefore open to AoO's on those occasions.

@jml: Whirlwind takes LOTS of practice.  Timing is everything.  It actually can be very effective if the toon's dang animation doesn't lock up and force a save/reload (or quit/rejoin, on-line). Never got the curse effect myself.  That's a new one to me, one I am happy that I have not experienced... so far. '>

However, with all these excellent suggestions, I was under the impression that the OP was trying to continue as an RDD.  Incidentally, a fighter/RDD (I prefer ftr/bard/RDD over ftr/sorc/RDD, myself) can achieve one of the highest melee AB's possible, very comparable to a well-designed WM, just without the boosts to crit range, but with the sweet RDD immunities and AC.  Plus, INT matters little in this case and even gets boosted at RDD9.
               
               

               
            

[Legacy_jmlzemaggo]

               Yes Maestro, I'd try go live on a mountain see if I can learn as much as you know of those things, just while fishing and skiing... 
Is your NWN teacher happens to be a bear as well? '>
               
               

               

                     Modifié par jmlzemaggo, 13 avril 2011 - 03:18 .
                     
                  

            

[Legacy_Gregor Wyrmbane]

               

HipMaestro wrote...


............ BTW, nice WM design for a short campaign.  Kudos!  My WMs tend all to be dual-wielding kukrimasters so instinctively impose the Dex 15 requirement in my design along with many DWing feats into the mix.  A WM with a greatsword would be very nice  though, even in the OC. '>

Thanks. Although I've used the Greatsword for WM builds, and it is very effective, this time I went with Heavy Flail just for grins. It's the only bludgeoning weapon available in the OC that starts out with a critical threat range of 19-20. So you end up with 13-20/ x3 for crits. Not many adversaries have resistance to bludgeoning damage.  ;^)