Returning player, could use some build help.

[Relleck]

In between games currently, and as is normally the case when that happens I reinstalled NWN2 and the BGTSSC module files.

I have a lvl 21 caster I can, and possibly may want to RCR. And I'm most interested in a character that is capable of solo play comfortably, but can fit well with a group. Self-buffing is OK, but looking to stay very clear of any builds relying on short-term buffs. Would much rather opt for a buff-and-forget playstyle...but maybe a few short term situational buffs. Melee is definitely fine. I've played bow, a hipster sneak and pure caster so a change-up wouldnt be half bad. Preferably no polymorph/wildform builds.

I know monk/cleric/SF used to be pretty good, but If Im not mistaken I think this server finally corrected the magic dispell bug? If there is still a viable, strong version of this that can comfortably solo and not be stripped of all buffs easily I'd definitely be interested. But I'm open to other builds as well.

[Steve]

STR Bard 26 / X 4. You can't lose with this combo.

[Zkenic]

A little more specificity might be needed. With just "no short buff requirements" an "solo capable" still leaves a huge swath of builds, from gishes to stealth to fighter, ranged and melee.

[Tsidkenu]

STR Bard 26 / X 4. You can't lose with this combo.

Definitely +1 this. Bard 26/ Blackguard 4 with EDM, Divine Shield & Hymn of Requiem is top tier, but if you don't want to bother with the 'short term buffs' inherent in an EDM build then a full STR bard 26/ Fighter 4 (use mithral full plate, 12+4 DEX) or Bard 27/Rogue 3 (expose weakness, 14+4 DEX, use mithral chainmail) will be more than adequate for a vast majority of the server content solo and even better when grouped.

[Relleck]

A little more specificity might be needed. With just "no short buff requirements" an "solo capable" still leaves a huge swath of builds, from gishes to stealth to fighter, ranged and melee.

Fair point. I mentioned Monk/SF as an example (assuming its as good as it used to be) to give some context. But lets see...

No pure spellcaster. I have one now, and I dont think I ever got any good at it.

Stealthy is fine. I've played one. I don't much care for SA builds that dont have the ability to do at least half SA damage. HiPS splash would be nice, even if not going pure stealthy. Not required though.

Gish..yeah, maybe? Never played one. Would need to be as close to dispel immune as possible though.

Ranged...maybe. I had an oobi/asn/fighter/ea build at one point. Was absolutely broken. Would consider something similar again, but it admittedly got a bit boring as its basically the opposite of pure spellcasting (in that there was none, and it got bland after a bit).

Fighter types are fine/fun, as long as there is an interesting flair there. Not interested in a f/fb/wm. I want something interesting, and fun to RP. Swash/dual/?? perhaps? But then there is the issue of crit immune monsters negating the intellect bonus damage.

Main problem is I play for a while, quit, come back after a year or so and forget most of what I've learned, while the server has in turn seen new updates and meta changes. So, as a result I'm pretty blind as to whats a good option at the moment.

[Relleck]

STR Bard 26 / X 4. You can't lose with this combo.

I might be limiting myself here, but I've never played a bard, and frankly never had much interest. Now, I might just be judging a book by its cover and should just give it a try. But, from an RP perspective, I'm not really interested in RPing as an entertainer. Don't really want to sing, play an instrument or write poems.

[Tsidkenu]

You don't have to sing or make poems or entertain. Some bards are researchers and loremasters, or in the case of drow, are specialist infitrators, assassins and divine champions of their dark deities. I could easily see a bard/blackguard of Myrkul or Jergal exploring tombs and chronicling the dead, or a Sharran operating as a propagandist and saboteur, or a Lolthite baeqeshel like my current bard is.

[Relleck]

You don't have to sing or make poems or entertain. Some bards are researchers and loremasters, or in the case of drow, are specialist infitrators, assassins and divine champions of their dark deities. I could easily see a bard/blackguard of Myrkul or Jergal exploring tombs and chronicling the dead, or a Sharran operating as a propagandist and saboteur, or a Lolthite baeqeshel like my current bard is.

Ok, well that's something then. How does a 26bard/4x play mechanically? Having never played a bard at all I'm not really familiar with sing-spells, and how they're utilized.

[Tsidkenu]

Basically you cast Extended Bulls, Cat's, Mirror Image, (Greater) Heroism, Freedom of Movement, (Energy Immunity if necessary), Keen wand/clicky/scroll on your weapon and that buff that improves your Inspire Courage by +1, chuck on said Inspire Courage for +AB & Damage, Extended Haste and run around and bash everything you see.

For tougher fights (boss mob) or vs a swarm you pop on a Greater Invis/Displacement for 50% conceal, Ethereal Visage and/or Programmed Image, Curse Song, Requiem, and then everything dies. Rinse and repeat wherever you go. EDM versions simply tack on Divine Might/Divine Shield to this procedure for extra damage/AC.

[Relleck]

Basically you cast Extended Bulls, Cat's, Mirror Image, (Greater) Heroism, Freedom of Movement, (Energy Immunity if necessary), Keen wand/clicky/scroll on your weapon and that buff that improves your Inspire Courage by +1, chuck on said Inspire Courage for +AB & Damage, Extended Haste and run around and bash everything you see.

For tougher fights (boss mob) or vs a swarm you pop on a Greater Invis/Displacement for 50% conceal, Ethereal Visage and/or Programmed Image, Curse Song, Requiem, and then everything dies. Rinse and repeat wherever you go. EDM versions simply tack on Divine Might/Divine Shield to this procedure for extra damage/AC.

Do you have a build link I can take a look at? I assume the 4 levels are fairly flexible? Rogue sounds pretty good.

That said, Im still very open to other ideas. If there is a strong viable monk options, or a pirate/fencing option that would be good to look at too. Gish build...maybe? Honestly dont know enough about them.

[Theodore01]

monk http://nwn2db.com/build/?262988
bard https://www.bgtscc.net/viewtopic.php?f=64&t=64149

[Relleck]

monk http://nwn2db.com/build/?262988
bard https://www.bgtscc.net/viewtopic.php?f=64&t=64149

Both of those looks pretty interesting. I admit to probably thinking too linearly about a bard, primarily because I really didn't want to RP an entertainer. But, as mentioned, I apparently wouldn't need to.

I'm still pretty interested in the monk as well. A question about expose weakness though, is it really as good as the builds are making it out to be?

I feel like either RP style would be doable, so I'm mostly interested in what's going to be able to solo most effectively, but also play well with others. Which of these two build styles would ultimately win out against the other?