Sword and board build (new player)

[Darksol]

Hello peeps, after spending some time in the nwn2db, I pieced together the following build (based on existing ones ofc), and I need your expertise:)

**UPDATED BUILD**
http://nwn2db.com/build/?237411

Things to consider:
- The character is level 7, and unless its really broken I'd prefer to avoid RCR. The toon is meant to be a semi tanky - semi dps fighter who uses wands etc for buffing.

- Dodge was taken to get mobility and spring attack, but I m not sure it's worth it so I swapped them out. Stuck with dodge but I think it's fairly ok by itself. Are mobility and spring worth it?

- I was considering Bastard sword or monkey grip greatsword (I want to be able to use a shield) and I picked bastard. If I had to do it again I would take Greatsword, but meh. I don t think it s the end of the world. Unless bastard swords are extremely hard to get? Pros - cons of each?

-I got the improved critical instead of greater heavy armor optimization to squeeze some more DPS in there.. Whadayathink?

- Overall, just how bad is it?:). Did I forget something extremely usefull? Did I get something that sucks? Mind you that I dont need a cookie cutter exterminator build, but I d like to play with a strong character.

-The leveling priority was semi random, I tried to get a few levels of all classes early because who knows when I ll get to 20, and I want to have fun. I dont know if that messed up mi skills, I cant get heal to 30 and I have no spot/listen etc.

Thanks for your time!

[mrm3ntalist]

What armor are you planning on using? Seeing 13DEX i assume Mithral fullplate. If that is the case, then heavy armor optimization wont work, so it is a waste of a feat.
If you plan to use iron full plate though, the dex 13 is too much


Other than that, it is a pretty solid build

[Darksol]

Well, yes, the original idea was to go for Mithral Full, but I dont know if I ll be able to afford it. Still, armor optimization is one of the feats I got because most people have it, I dont know if its really necessary. What would you suggest if I swap it out?

[Steve]

Most important: Anointed Knight DOES NOT get bonus feats on AK 3 and 6 levels (custom to BGTSCC).

Get Imp. Knockdown and Steadfast Determination, earlier. I'd also reconsider Bastard Sword, unless you think your toon will switch to two handing it, now and then. Still...you'd get better mileage out of a scimitar or long sword, and save a Feat. And you probably don't need Improved Crit—getting a Keen weapon is rather easy, or should I say, likely..

[Theodore01]

Nothing is easy for new players with a meelee toon - and definitely not getting epic items or a mithral fullplate.
Better go for fullplate on your first toon.
Armor Spez. does not stack with unbroken flesh.
You probably want blindfight.
Good bastard swords are rare.
Maybe take a look at that vendor at the palace district - his epic weapons are easy to get

[Darksol]

Ok, so I removed Imp. Crit and moved Imp. Knockdown and stead. Deter to much lower levels.

I do use the Bastard sword as two handed often, the other alternative was greatsword but as I said, I dont want to RCR just for that :/.

What do you think?

[Darksol]

Isn t blind fight given by AK? I did remove armor spec, so that s taken care of.
As for the sword... Unless I RCR its too late now

[Karond]

The build is good as it is, no need to RCR. It's a twohander build though, with sword and shield as a backup. I like the feats as they are, good choices. You could switch out greater resiliency for greater weapon specialization, but I guess it works

[Theodore01]

Isn t blind fight given by AK?

oh yes, you're right.
If you consider a RCR (lv7 is quickly reached again) you coud drop your Dex to 9 or 10. and aim for a +2/3 dex item. And Luck of heroes for dodge.
Not sure about combat exp. - as you will use Power attack most of the time.
Armor skin for great. resiliency.


(Kelemvor ascends to become the god of death ten years after the Time of Troubles with the (covert) help of Mask. He then attempts to dampen the dark image of death that Jergal and Myrkul have created over their many centuries as gods of death.
Kelemvor is still a sullen mortal adventurer.)

[Darksol]

Well, as Theo said, 7 is low, so lets say I RCR. I updated the build as follows:

http://nwn2db.com/build/?237411

Main changes are:

- Stats: I dropped two points of dex, to 11 and increased my con by one. I could drop dex to 9 but honestly I dont know what to do with the two extra points. Intelligence? And then again, If by some miracle I get mithral, 11 dex will be better than 9...

- Weapon: Greatsword. I know falchion is the cheesy build but I dont care, I want two hander and shield. My only concern is finding a decent weapon. So is Greatsword a better choice than the bastardsword I used to have? I think there is a very good 2 hand mace in the trader in the palace district. Is that usable with monkey and shield? Maybe axe? Comments?

- Feats:
1) Dodge was replaced by luck of heroes
2) Combat expertise replaced by Improved P attack. As Theo said I will probably be in P att mode very often, and +10 to damage is not bad. I placed it quite late in the build though, in order to get the epics first and increase + attack.
3) Greater Res replaced by weapon specialization, as Karrond suggested. I dont think +1 to DR would make such a difference anyway. Am I correct?
4) Heavy armor optimization replaced by Lightning reflexes. I had a spot left very late in the build (lvl 27), and my reflex saves suck so yeah. Seemed usefull... Could I get something better?

Overall I lost 1 DR an 2 AC but gained 30 HP and +2 on all saves. How bad is the AC hit? I want to be a bit tanky. Mind you that I will have a good tower shield available if I start getting my @ss kicked in 2 hander mode.

Again, I appreciate your time and any comments!

[Steve]

You will want as much AC as possible, especially if you plan on going 2 handed a lot (even if using wands and scrolls, which could be dispelled rather easily).

[Theodore01]

You will want as much AC as possible, especially if you plan on going 2 handed a lot (even if using wands and scrolls, which could be dispelled rather easily).

That !

Try to take epic feats in the epics - the other ones before.
Dex 11 is an odd stat - usually one goes for either 10+2item or 9+3item for a fullplate user.
If by some miracle you get mithral - it is worth another RCR

[Darksol]

Added armor optimization and rearranged the feats a little. Got to 15 AC before items and I dont think it will get much better:). I am almost there I think.

The only dilemma I have is if it would be worth it to remove knockdown completely and free up two feats (and early in char progression) which could be used for Greater armor optimization and greater weap specialization or whatever else would be more useful. I dont know if the interrupt value of knockdown is lost due to server lag....

As for the stats, I dont think I can do anything better with the 2 extra points to dex without radically changing stat allocation.

[Steve]

My opinion is to go for 13 DEX natural and a +3 DEX ITEM (+3 modifier) in preparation for Mith plate—you just never know?!?

Keep Imp. Knockdown. It is a lifesaver against casters, if you learn how to time it right.

[Theodore01]

If you take the heavy armor optimisation feats, should use heavy armor and not a medium armor (like a mithral fullplate).

And where are all the weaponspezialisation feats ? These provide more damage than +3 STR feats.