What's the goal of Times of Trouble?

[Barokai]

So yeah I'm pretty lost with this one, what's the point of making it so all divine casters who don't follow Helm are basically just unplayable and why make arcane casters super unreliable?

I've been trying to level up a wizard and because of spells rebounding or failing I've died about 7 times now and hard stuck at level 2.

NWN2 is already really harsh on spellcasters at low levels, why make it basically impossible to level the ones that aren't decent in combat? What's the goal with the update?

All it's been doing so far is making me want to leave the server again.

[Almarea90]

I understand this is how Time of Trouble happened in lore (minus the divine spellcasters allowed to cast up to third level). So I'd say that the goal is immersion.

[edmaster]

Lore accuracy?

[Young Werther]

I opted out of the ToT so all my casters are fine. ::shrug::

[Barokai]

I opted out of the ToT so all my casters are fine. ::shrug::

Wait what, how? How do you opt out of this?

[DM Soulcatcher]

By not playing a caster.


The “goal” of the Time of Troubles is to represent one of the biggest historical events that took place on Faerun. It is not permanent, and lasts only a few months (we are already past the half of the duration), but it came with quite some handicaps to divine casters and arcane casters.

BGTSCC is primarily a Roleplay server, as such it’s going to depict certain major events as they did happen, within reasonable constraints.


Since you’re struggling to level your character, and the issue is purely mechanical, my advice would be finding someone to party up with or make a melee character to gain a few good levels and rcr into your wizard, so that it starts at higher level.

I hate grinding myself and always rcr into a higher level when making a new character. That or I level on roleplaying, since it gives a lot of exp on a good session.

[AsuraKing]

The ToT is one of, if not the most impactful events in Faerunian history that we're getting to play through. It is a temporary lore/plot that has a big impact on the setting and has a MASSIVE impact on casters (especially divines).

BGTSCC is first and foremost a Roleplay server, the mechanics follow the lore/setting, not vice versa.

edit: Soulcatcher beating me to it :O

[JIŘÍ]

The ToT is one of, if not the most impactful events in Faerunian history that we're getting to play through. It is a temporary lore/plot that has a big impact on the setting and has a MASSIVE impact on casters (especially divines).

BGTSCC is first and foremost a Roleplay server, the mechanics follow the lore/setting, not vice versa.

edit: Soulcatcher beating me to it :O

Hmm let me think..... ...oh yeah, yesterday my companion failed 4 spells in a row a cursed f**** ToT .

That's a summary of the most impactful events in Faerunian history that we are getting trough to play with in local Underdark in past month (or is it already two since we came back??).

Don't get me wrong, but i am on a channel of several people and all are extremely negative of it over this reason and most of them quit playing. I did not mean to be snarky i just shared my own oppinion

And the worst thing ever is you know you cannot make any impact and all is outlined leaving less and less motivation each day to try and get engaged.

[Barokai]

By not playing a caster.


The “goal” of the Time of Troubles is to represent one of the biggest historical events that took place on Faerun. It is not permanent, and lasts only a few months (we are already past the half of the duration), but it came with quite some handicaps to divine casters and arcane casters.

BGTSCC is primarily a Roleplay server, as such it’s going to depict certain major events as they did happen, within reasonable constraints.


Since you’re struggling to level your character, and the issue is purely mechanical, my advice would be finding someone to party up with or make a melee character to gain a few good levels and rcr into your wizard, so that it starts at higher level.

I hate grinding myself and always rcr into a higher level when making a new character. That or I level on roleplaying, since it gives a lot of exp on a good session.

Yeah I'll probably have to wait until some of the more expensive stuff I've got sells on AH and then RCR my current wizard's stuff to melee character in order to then level that one and RCR it to kickstart a wizard after ToT ends.

That's solid advice, I completely forgot RCR was a thing.

[Ithilan]

I just want to emphasise the last part of Soulcatchers post. RP Xp is a really good source of XP, especially in early levels and later epics from my own experiences.

I know it can be hard to find people to engage with at certain hours of the day or specific time zones. But if possible, its both a great alternative to murdering stuff and its very rewarding, also helps mold a new character a bit and finding their feet in the current servers setting etc.

[selhan]

*Raises hand* Um...go to taverns like the Broken Goblet and the Williams Well, The lucky Coin and one or two others maybe. Some bartenders too provide RP ijs. Far as the Broken Goblet, im on aussie time zone. Im there from 4pm to midnight on mondays to Friday and Sunday Mondays my days off so Im there normally during most the high pop times and beyond .

IF tavern rp is something your up for. If not well ..few campfire Rpers are out there. There is a low level group going about in the level 1-10 range that I have seen and met. With a pair of wizards.

[Archaos]

Level up through RP or other activities or play an alt.
Simple.

If you're going to leave the server because of one of the most important events of the setting, that's a really bad reason to do so but that's up to you

[ZabelSword]

I've been playing a dwarven wizard/alchemist during the ToT and yes it can be frustrating, however I am thinking about writing a sort of wizard guide. I'm going to test it here so I can get some input:

Drinmar Ironfaar's Guide to Wizardry during the Time of Troubles

1) Wizard familiars are not subject to arcane spell failure and can cast any touch spell. Use your familiar to cast spells like mage armor, stoneskin, etc. Unfortunately, familiars cannot use metamagic and therefore cannot extend spells.

2) The advantages of having an "improved" familiar are as follows: More health, spell resistance, better physical abilities but also they can be ordered to attack your enemies unlike normal familiars.

3) Buy a staff of missiles from the Sorcerous Sundries in Baldur's Gate. This will allow you to cast the spell magic missile an infinite number of times per day at your current skill level. If you are a halfling or gnome you will not be able to use it and unfortunately will have to rely on something like fiery burst, which is subject to arcane spell failure.

4) If one is interested in becoming a master alchemist, they will be pleasantly surprised to learn that brewing potions is not subject to arcane spell failure. There has never been a more profitable time to sell potions and wands as they are not subject to arcane spell failure.

5) Polymorph can be very useful for when spells run out, also you can polymorph into a troll or green slaad (lvl 9 polymorph) for regeneration. ((The magical weapons on the lvl 9 wizard polymorph shapes are insanely powerful as well namely the fire giant greatsword and the Erinyes bow. I could see someone who specializes in one of these shapes having a ton of fun.))

lvl 9 Shapechange:

https://imgur.com/gallery/QW00rwQ

Examples: (Note, I am holding a +2 EB, +2 Acid Waraxe on my PC, no buffs, +4 AC gear)

https://imgur.com/gallery/EBzrEFt



I'm sure there's more that I'm forgetting, I'll have to revisit this. Feel free to add something if you have more advice. To answer OP's original question though the point as always is to have maximum amount of fun despite the circumstances.