Favored Soul

[K'yon Oblodra]

Guys I am sure this is not going to gain me friends and probably has been debated before but why are favored souls so much better than a normal cleric? Or are they not?

I looked at that class for the first time and thought Oh they have high saves all around, monks have that too but they can't really wear armor.
That made me think okay that's pretty damn strong...

Then I saw they get energy resistances... 4 of them 10 each and at 20 they get DR 10/ alchemical silver/cold iron...

Is there any reason they seem to get so much more than a normal cleric? Is there a drawback to them at all... Besides the no heavy armor proficiency?

Also does one still get a relatively high wisdom for DCs or just ignore it for more Charisma...

Really confused by this class's power level...

Don't mean to pick a fight here just looking if anyone can explain it to me

[Sun Wukong]

Is there a drawback to them at all...

In PnP? Sure, they are missing the bonus spells from domain that make the clerical spellbooks far more expansive. (Two domain spells per spell level, not to mention that clerics can cast whatever spell combination you can find from sourcebooks, Favored Souls are stuck with they got.) Moreover, they have no Turn Undead progression, which prevents them from just blasting mobs of undead into dust.

In NWN2? Not really.

[chad878262]

Yes they are more powerful than a cleric for the reasons you mentioned and more. No, we have no plans to weaken them at this time. Many players enjoy playing them and if they were weakens wer would be having a discussion about bards next. Then we would go down the list of top builds nerfing the fun out of the game. I realise it's am innocent question, but a simple search will bring up multiple topics near 20 pages each about favored souls.

Now, I'm going to go hide under a rock and pretend this topic doesn't exist...

[Flasmix]

They're an easy to play top tier class that doesn't rely too heavily upon equipment. You are able to buff most of your gear, where say, Rogues and Warriors are extremely gear reliant. They get fantastic sustain via Heal and Regen.

Most will go Charisma to get more spells and allow for taking Strength as well for EDM.

It's really a no skill required class compared to many others.

[VillageGreenWitch]

I don't get how you came to this conclusion, K'yon.
Favoured Souls are weak in NWN2.

They are so very weak that players are forced to combine them with 4 levels of Istishia Cleric or with 4 levels Paladin or BlackGuard to have at least boosted their saves by CHA or to have at least Evasion/Expose Weakness.

And even with this direly needed powerlevel boost only the most expert NWN2 players dare to even play them. Usually they give up shortly after reaching level 12, though.
It's a shame, really, since FS is a pure RP class and noone wants to play it just because it's so weak. Every level 30 pure Rogue wipes the floor with them.
FS/Pal or FS/Cle or FS/BG is really just a tiny bit more "powerful" (hahaha, what a misleading term!) than an EDM bard.

Hidden: show

Chad, is there some free space under your rock still? I .... errr .... I'd appreciate if I could hide there, as well . . .

[K'yon Oblodra]

Lol okay didn't mean to cause troubles and didn't want it to be nerfed... Guys get Pious Templar into the game I wanna start a FS/PT and then maybe BG or Paladin... If that's even possible .

Good to know I'll be hated then

[Calodan]

Put simply FvS have very little weaknesses. However they are like the slowest at going through dungeons and looting aside from playing a Dwarven Defender but those are going to get a major nerf here soon when Evasion gets nerfed so that will pretty much make FvS the 2 best class aside to a STR Bard to solo the server.

I used to get all wonky about nerf calls for this but at this point I really could care less as I grow on the server I have begun to realize that the mechanical power is trash. Complete trash. RP POWER IS THE ONLY POWER!!! So true DM rewards that give cool shit that can only be honored in DM events and stuff like that! Titles and recognition from the nobles and higher ups IG ICly. Those things are the true power.

Does not mean I go out and build a complete dud of a mechanic build. Just not as concerned with the cheese. Tired of being the mouse in a wheel.

[ARHicks00]

Favored Souls gets a free weapon focus, some DR, and can cast more spells per day, but that's it. The cleric has them beat in everything else, especially versatility. Because their spells per day, Spell DC, and range AB (with Zen Archery) is tied with wisdom, Clerics can assume almost any position. Domains also increase their versatility, if not survivability. Finally, besides Paladins, Clerics have access to Turn Undead and Divine Feats. So unless you Cleric 3/Pal 3 or BG 3, you're not getting much from playing a pure Favored Soul

[Rasael]

Clerics have the same kind of thing going for them as Wizards, when you compare Wizards to Sorcerers (arcane favored souls, sort of).

Your spell selection is a lot broader and more versatile as Cleric.
You also get domains. Easy access to certain prestige classes (Hierophant among them). And of course Turn Undead.

[K'yon Oblodra]

Well the saving throws are pretty damn nice though.

How strong is the turning? Can I imagine a high level cleric just going into an undead area rounding then up and then using a few turnings to erase them all?

[Calodan]

Well the saving throws are pretty damn nice though.

How strong is the turning? Can I imagine a high level cleric just going into an undead area rounding then up and then using a few turnings to erase them all?

For the most part if you build for a Turning Cleric yes you can and with the right build one can even turn the Grey Peaks Balor.

[K'yon Oblodra]

That sounds very sexy, maybe one day I'll come up with a cool cleric... So far I haven't found anything I'd feel comfortable playing

Do evil clerics still have that turning to take over undead thing? Or was that BG only?

[chad878262]

even better, by taking evil domain you save yourself an epic feat since you can turn outsiders without taking the epic turning feat.

[K'yon Oblodra]

Do evil clerics still have that turning to take over undead thing? Or was that BG only?

But taking them over doesn't work right?

[chad878262]

Right.