Critique these builds

[WhatsInTheBox]

Ok so I made up a few builds today... the first three are more pure casters because I was told to make money for later characters I should prolly roll one of those first.... I don't usually build casters all that often so I thought I'd post them up to see what people thought and to see if I was making any big mistakes

The races of said builds are likely to not change so any advice should keep that in mind.

First up a druid build : http://nwn2db.com/build/?246539

Secondly, Favored soul EDM build : http://nwn2db.com/build/?246569 (his Diety will be Uthgar in game but it wasn't selectable) !UPDATED!

Third, A cleric 26/fighter 4 , not sure if the 4 fighter is worth it: http://nwn2db.com/build/?246559
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And these were just for fun based on what people told me in the other thread...

Bard/DP/SB/tempest : http://nwn2db.com/build/?246546

and... a bard/cleric/DP/assassin with EDM : http://nwn2db.com/build/?246550

[realayer]

if you are going to melee with your Fs and cleric builds, then don't take combat expertise, you will hv plenty of AC with FS/cleric buffs. The minus attack will hurt your ability to hit target when the extra AC is not necessary. That way you can save 3 int for other ability score.

Divine Might need to be taken by cleric at feat granting levels.

This PW disabled persistence spell.

Choose epic feat if possible when you are in epic levels, they are the best choices.

[WhatsInTheBox]

What about epic divine might? Does that need to be taken on a cleric level?


EDIT: Nvm found out this is not necessary. Only divine might and shield require them to be taken via the class that gave them turn undead

[WhatsInTheBox]

Updated Favored soul EDM build : http://nwn2db.com/build/?246569 !UPDATED!

Updated Cleric build : http://nwn2db.com/builder.php?id=246559

[metaquad4]

Favored Souls don't get all those Kaedrin epic feats. They get bonus epic feats at 23/26/29.

For an EDM Favored Soul, I'd advice something along the lines of these:

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http://nwn2db.com/build/?205815 (FvS/Paladin/Rogue)
http://nwn2db.com/build/?206048 (FvS/Cleric/Silverstar/Rogue)
http://nwn2db.com/build/?216235 (FvS/Stormlord/Rogue/Blackguard) -> With the recent caster level/dispel fix, this one might be a hard one to play.
http://nwn2db.com/build/?214266 (FvS/Stormlord/Blackguard)
http://nwn2db.com/build/?210683 (FvS/Rogue/Blackguard)
Or another variate I recently tried out, which was Favored Soul 18/Paladin 4/Rogue 3/Master Alchemist 5. Similar to the FvS/Paladin/Rogue. I think I removed a few feats, I forget what I did.

Since you are going Tempus, you have two options with respect to the above builds:
http://nwn2db.com/build/?210683 - FvS/Rogue/Blackguard with Tempus as your deity.
or
http://nwn2db.com/build/?206048 something similar to this. FvS/Cleric 3/Rogue 3.
Take able learner instead of sacred vow (placeholder for True Believer), and blind fight instead of combat casting. Shift extend spell so you take it earlier. Cut out silverstar of course, and put in more favored soul.

If you have +3 items, then, there is no need to pick up the +stat boosting spells (except for allies, ofc) generally.

For the druid build:
Be aware that the druid code prohibits wearing metal armor. Unless you have some heavy armor made from animal parts, that is a no-go.

Onto the mechanical!
Wildshaping makes that heavy armor null and void, as its pretty much useless to wear it. It'll also ensure that with the low strength that comes with being a shifter druid, you are encumbered nearly all the time. Put in improved combat expertise instead.

Your con doesn't need to be that high, as when you shift, it'll go to whatever your form dictates it should be.

You can't cast epic spells whilst in wildshaped form, as they are feats.

Natural Spell comes a bit late, I'd pick that up asap.

I'd pick up spellcasting prodigy instead of luck of heroes. It gives you extra spellslots and +1 DC, as if you had +2 to your casting stat. Your defenses are good enough as is, it pays to push out your DC as much as you can. Its a druid's best form of offence, too.

Animal companion feats are ok, though, (this is my opinion. I know many animal companions can become tough with a good investment) the companions aren't very useful in most practical situations. When you are partied up with at least semi-competent members (which, you should be nearly all the time in events, grinding, etc) you'll have friends who will need your buffs (which it requires to become strong) more than it, and who will overshadow it. I never ended up using mine, even when I was soloing, so I decided to scrap the feats myself (I was going to pick up dragon companion). I only ever take it out for RP, at this point.

[WhatsInTheBox]

I like the animal companion but I also couldn't figure out how to take the dragon animal companion

As for Natural spell... for whatever reason that was the first level the builder let me pick that feat. I wanted to get it as early as possible.

Why quicken spell in both the favored soul builds?


http://nwn2db.com/build/?246569 New FS EDM build

http://nwn2db.com/build/?246570 Another FS EDM build but altered from what you posted for a Banite.

Updated Druid build http://nwn2db.com/build/?246539

New paladin build for a friend version 1 of 2 http://nwn2db.com/build/?246574

Version 2 http://nwn2db.com/build/?246576

[metaquad4]

Be aware, you can't use none mode feats while in wildshape (you can use stuff like combat expertise and power attack [which doesn't have much use anyway since you aren't two-handing a natural weapon] but not feats like expose weakness or knockdown). Ergo, you can't use knockdown in wildshape (and thus, its useless to you). I'd personally advice a spell focus in conjuration, necromancy, or evocation. I'm more bent towards conjuration, since some very devastating spells lie in that school and you have a spell which targets each save (a spell for will, fort, and reflex) in conjuration as well.

The favored soul build looks good. Quicken spell is mainly for anti-caster combat. Quickening a silence or a lesser/least spell mantle at the right time can save your life. Its a niche use, but when its useful its really useful. 90% of the time you won't need it, though. You can swap it out if you so desire, just prepare your mantles in advance if you know a mage is coming your way.

"I like the animal companion but I also couldn't figure out how to take the dragon animal companion"

You need to take dragon shape and epic animal companion for that. Be aware that dragonshape's wisdom requirement was reduced here to 27, but the builder won't take that into account since it was a BG change.

[WhatsInTheBox]

thank you very much for all your advice and help bud!

[realayer]

Re: Pally builds
Pally has spell that grant your weapon keen property, so you don't need to take two more lvl in WM for Ki critical, instead take two more pally to increase caster level

Also, if you want to enjoy the good buffs the pally has (+8str and +8cha) to better utilize EDM, consider aiming for a caster level of 30, so they won't get dispelled by mobs

WM in my opinion does not synergy well with pally, as WM eats up a lot of feats for the feat-starved pally. If you want more combat oriented feats, consider taking fighter instead

[WhatsInTheBox]

Ki critical stacks with keen and the idea was to make a WM paladin. That's what they wanted. if I was going to make an EDM Pally for myself , not sure how I'd want to do it but I'd prolly go for a higher CL as you mentioned as well. This server doesn't have CotSF and templar and stuff ... Going pure paladin just seems kinda boring so I'd want to mix it up at least a lil bit.

[realayer]

If you want more combat feats, consider taking 10 hospitaler. It offers 3 bonus feats and 6/10 pally progression.

[metaquad4]

For the updated druid build, druids don't really have any spells worth quickening.

I'd advice either maximize spell, empower spell, or improved conjuration.