Beginner: Need spellcaster help

[nappey]

Hello all, this is my first post on this forum.

I am completely new to this game (almost, lvl 7 now), and i'm looking for some help with a spellcaster build. I'm leveling as a Fighter but will RCR as a caster around lvl 10.

Both DC and blaster builds are welcome. Divine and Arcane are also options too, i'm just looking for some inspiration as i'm a bit of a clueless newb.

I would prefer to not play an evil character.

It is worth noting that i am playing in party with a friend, so i don't have to tank everything head-on myself.

[chad878262]

Hi and welcome to the server!

Casters have a steep learning curve, but are definitely powerful when you get the hang of it. W30 can actually be a very powerful option as you get the bonus epic feats as well as the bonus Wizard feats at 25 and 30 which allow for higher INT (for higher DC's). In my opinion Sorcerer is better for blaster, Wiz is better for DC. However, I know there are those that disagree with me. A popular choice with players less skilled in the positioning needed to stay out of harms way as a caster wizard is to go HiPS Mage, which essentially just requires W26/SD4.

All of that said, I'm going to link builds that I made for various folks so you can take a look and see if anything is interesting to you. Whatever you decide, have fun and feel free to reach out with any further questions.

Armored Blaster:
http://nwn2db.com/build/?236664

RTA - Sneak blaster (doesn't have HiPS, but you said you would be playing with a friend so not as necessary)
http://nwn2db.com/build/?238747

Orc Blaster Sorc (obviously a different race will be stronger):
http://nwn2db.com/build/?250758

HiPS Arch Mage:
http://nwn2db.com/build/?239890


You could also consider a Wisdom based Cleric/Monk/Sacred Fist/Hierophant, which can act as a caster cleric (DC's will be a few points below a 'true' caster), but also can do ok as a front line fighter when properly buffed.

For a blaster, you might enjoy warlock (don't have to be evil) which is a bit less difficult to manage since you never run out of your blast.

When you've narrowed down what you want to play it will be easier for me or others to give more specific advice. Good luck, and have fun!

[metaquad4]

A classic blaster build is wizard 7/shadowdancer 3/frost mage 10/arcane scholar 10.

http://nwn2db.com/build/?206229 (Example build)

Its effective, and it contains some excellent goodies and RP potential. This can also be done with blood magus instead of frost mage.

Another one is Wizard 5/Frost Mage 10/Arcane Scholar 10/Palemaster 5.

This one is a little more tanky and does not feature Palemaster's arm, allowing you to not have to RP that. And it can be any neutral. Like before, you can insert blood magus instead of frost mage.

Finally:
http://nwn2db.com/build/?251926

This build is a HiPs DC wizard, who features DCs comparable to many high DC builds as well as HiPs. As the name might suggest!

For none wizard builds:

Druid 12/Hierophant 8/Hospitalier 10.

I haven't built this one, but it can lead to better DCs than a fully shifting druid if you pump full wisdom and take as much hospitalier as possible in the epic levels (then use its bonus feats for +wisdom). It makes a good blaster but its more DC oriented.

Warlock also makes for a good blaster.

http://nwn2db.com/build/?228310 This is a CHA-based DC warlock who is more CC than damage.

http://nwn2db.com/build/?128511 This is a CON-based warlock who does good damage and is very tanky as well.

Notes:
--If you'd like details on the none shifting druid or the wizard with 5 palemaster, PM me. I'm sure I could build it when I have time later.
--If you are deciding on your wizard opposing school, I would choose:
Enchantment: You lose greater heroism and dominate, those are really the only spells of significance.
OR
Divination: You lose a fair few RP-centric skills, but not many with mechanical significance.
--I would personally steer clear of sorcerer. Its not a bad class, but:
1) It loses out on many of the new spells, because its spell picks are so limited.
2) It gains from that ordeal 1 additional spell a day (specialized wizards cast 5/day, sorcerers cast 6/day).
3) Sorcerers do have spontaneous casting, but its not really that useful once you get to learn the ropes and develop a spellbook for every situation (or 99% of them) on your wizard. Which is fully doable, especially so with frost mage (though, FM isn't necessary for this).
4) INT is a better core stat than CHA unless you are shooting for divine shield. Even then, I consider HiPs far more effective, and wizard opens up HiPs far better than sorc does. You need to seriously gimp your sorc to get HiPs on it. It also turns you into a skill monkey, which is always fun.

[aaron22]

if you are playing with a friend a smart play might be a divine caster. they are just so good especially in a duo.

[Tsidkenu]

Also check out my New Player's Guide to Wizardry thread in my sig below, because BG has a few changes in the way wizards work on here. This advice does not entirely apply to other casting classes like Warlock, Cleric, Sorcerer etc, just wizard.

[nappey]

Thank you all for your input, it is very much appreciated!
I would like to count out HiPs builds, as I don't think I will be relying on it playing in a party most of the time.

@metaquad4

That CON-based warlock is very intriguing. What about only picking 3 Dragonslayer, and put in 3 Hellfire warlock for a bit extra dmg and a possible summon?
Is Baatezu summon any good with low Charisma?

@aaron22

Divine caster, that would be a cleric or druid? Do you have a good build for this?

[Sun Wukong]

Divine casters...

Primary casting stat for clerics and druids is wisdom, the higher your wisdom, the more spells you get and the higher your spell DCs will become.

Spirit Shaman: Wisdom for spells per day and extra slots. Charisma for DCs.

Favored Souls: Charisma for spells per day and extra slots. Wisdom for DCs.

Basically, to have level nine spells you need primary casting stat of 19. So that is wisdom for Druids, Clerics, and Spirit Shamans. Charisma for Favored Souls. You can raise it to 19, or just leave it at 16 and use a +3 item to get it where it needs to be.

Druids should go high wisdom for more spells and DCs, because their wildshape ability will eventually enable them to ignore nonexisting STR, DEX, and CON.

The others can go for DC builds, or just do something else.

So the question is, what kind of divine caster would you want to make?