I'm thinking that I'll take an Eldritch Knight through the game my first time through. I'm hoping that I'll be able to find a strong healer, rogue, and either a fighter or a bard to round out my party.

I'm also interested in trying out the Warlock, but I think I'll save that for a subsequent playthrough, expansion, or a mod.

What classes do the rest of you plan to take your first time through the game?

Probably some sort of Cleric - to see how the Domains / Dieties are implemented.

I played a fighter/thief in BGs, IWDs and NWN so I want to put the plural in NWN too.

Play? What's this about playing? No time for playing - going to be diving straight into the toolset.

Might do a quick run through with a fighter or a cleric just to see how things are done by the professionals, but that depends on how much spare time I have.

Harbourboy - I thought the same thing. I'd like to see how Clerics are implemented too. Plus I like my char to possess Healing capability, that's true for BGs IWDs and just about any RPG there is. Also in the original NWN leaving such an important task as healing to NPCs was a BAD IDEA.

I also find clerics to generally be the most versatile / consistently powerful class, so most likely to be able to handle the variety of situations that might arise in a NEW game you have never played before. But mostly I want to check out the cleric customisation options.

Well it has been a long time since I have read any D&D material, but I suspect there is little customisation for clerics beyond, his God, his domains, and his choice between spontaneous Healing/Harm (For neutral clerics). Did I forgot something?

I also find clerics to generally be the most versatile / consistently powerful class, so most likely to be able to handle the variety of situations that might arise in a NEW game you have never played before. Then we think the same way, this is way I consider that in both BGs the Fighter / Cleric is the most versatile build.

Also in the original NWN leaving such an important task as healing to NPCs was a BAD IDEA.I agree with this where NWN1 is concerned. However, since you'll be able to control any party member at will in NWN2, and choose which spells they put in their matrix, I'm expecting this issue to be resolved.

I would generally agree with the logic that clerics are among the most versatile class-- tanking ability, great spell selection, incredible healer, decent in melee (downright deadly with the right spells). But I've played so dern many clerics that I don't think I'll use this my first time through-- I'm sure I'll try one in NWN2 eventually though.

I also plan on playing as a cleric.....a drow one for sure. I'm thinking of either a cleric of Lurue or Selune...I'm not sure which one

I'll probably play a Sorcerer, it's what I'm used to and what I like to play in games, although I may decide to be different and go for a Druid. :)

I nearly always play Wizards, but I lately I have been in a Barbarian/Cleric mood (or Shamans as I like to call them :D ) so I expect thats probably the first type of character I will play.

I'll probably end up playing a Paladin in my first time. I used a Paladin the first time I beat NWN, BG and BGII so it has bcome something of a tradition.

I'll probably check out the new warlock class.

First I play a rogue in NWN 2. I'll like using stealth, traps, sneak-attacks and the talk-skills (bluff etc.).

I'll probably play some sort of entrepeneurial merchant class so I can earn enough money to buy the game in the first place and then to buy a powerful enough computer on which to play it in the first place. :(

It truly agonizes me to say this HB, but I think there may be a flaw, perhaps two, in the sequence of events laid out in what is otherwise a solid, highly progressive procurement strategy.

I can't quite put my finger on exactly where the breakdown occurs, but it's there--spidy-sense doth tingle.

A deep gnome rogue/cleric of Mask.

Marceror, I suppose I could buy the supercomputer first, but it's only marginally relevant as there is nothing else I need a supercomputer for, other than to play NWN2. At least if I got NWN2 first, then I could possibly have enough processing power now to download the readme.txt file and marvel over the courier-fonted delights (like late enhancements not in the manual!) contained therein.

I'll probably be playing NWN2 on a LAN with friends again, so I can leave the healing to friends and I can roll a sorceror...

For a solo campaign I also choose for the cleric cos the NPC's don't know how to heal sadly...

First things first I'm going to play a straight Wizard...then I'm going to play a Cleric...then I'm going to play a Rogue/Assassin/Shadowdancer...then I'm going to get down to serious character building after someone releases a good leveler on NWVault...

Err... Paladin...?

Actually, given that other people will end up playing it before me, I will probably wait to here what it is like. If it is anything like the old NWN and full of endless encounters with minor monsters in places where it is impossible to rest, I'd be more inclined to go for a high CON, high STR meathead that can keep carving through them, in order to keep frustration levels down.

Another consideration would be that it is usually good to explore as much of the dialogue as possible in new game with a new plot so it might be better to have a character who has some intellectual and diplomatic abilities in order to unlock as much of the story as possible.

I will most probably go for a Paladin. It's the closest I can get to having a Knight Templar running through the game :D

fighter or rogue, i am and will always be a melee guy

Monk

I'll start with the aul reliable fighter, to see what the game can offer. Then, I'll probably try the Warlock, for the sake of novelty.

Tradition dictate my wiz/fig/aa Merlanni, as used in all games and a few stories I put together. A half-elf. Often she goes questing(looting) with her two friends a big girl for the skull crushing, while she sets the place on fire, and a kleptomanic elf. But this time she goes alone.

I'd probably start with a ranger, although I'm itching to try how the arcane trickster works in a game.

I will probably play an some kind of elven fighter with skills for using two handed swords, and a crossbow.

Druid, most definitely.

We'll see about wildshape and shifters if there are cool (read: enough) shapes to pick from. Somehow, in games the ability usually disapoints me.

I'm thinking I'll try some combination of cleric, thief, mage, and/or warlock. I think the first time through I'll try to make it what I would be in this game. I've never done that before.

Cantlos, I've always been dissapointed with shape-shifting in the computer versions of these games. They never seem to do a very good job.

Yeah, it's tough to get the balance of shapeshifting right.

I don't think I've ever spent so long waiting for a game. If I instantly won a minor prize in the lottery, I'd be able to but a computer to play as soon as it eventually comes out.

Still think I'll play a combat cleric, but by the time I get to play, my opinion will probably be impacted by all of your comments as you will have all been through it 63 times and have plenty of views on the best classes.

Combat clerics are a nice build, but somehow the character never really interests me.

When was NWN2 announced? Have you been waiting longer for it than for Dragon Age? I bet we'll end up waiting longer for the latter.

Have you been waiting longer for it than for Dragon Age? I bet we'll end up waiting longer for the latter. Definitely, we’ll wait longer for the Dragon Age, but, maybe HB isn't interested in DA.

Back on topic, I’ll probably play a Paladin of some sort, as I usually do. :p

I can't even remember what Dragon Age is.

Dragon Age is the new RPG being worked on by Bioware. It will be an entirely new world, with all intellectual property rights owned by Bioware. I think it's still a couple of years out from being released though.

I'll probably run through as a paladin, or possibly a barbarian or fighter. Of course, this won't be until next year at the earliest, when I can afford a new machine to run it on.

Most likely a Monk/Rogue combo with a sprinkling of Fighter thrown into the mix. Of course that could change when I actually learn how the 3.5 rules changed the classes and how they are implemented.

Well, when I started this thread several weeks ago I stated that I'd likely start out with an Eldritch Knight build. That idea has been duly confirmed recently when I found this pimped out EK only armor over on the NWN2 message boards:

Eldritch Knight Chain Shirt

AC:4
MaxDex Bonus:4
Armor Check:-2
Arcane Spell failure:20%
Armor type: Light

+2ac
Bonus Bard spell slot Level 3
Bonus Sorcererspell slot Level 3
Bonus Wizard spell slot Level 3
Arcane Spell Failure -20%
Bonus Feat: Power Attack
Only Useable by EK

My EK is sure to be quite pimptastic with a suit of this on hand. Hopefully I'll be able to add some additional enhancements, like getting the magical ac bonus boosted from +2 to +4 or +5!

I think i'll play as a solo sorcerer. You can have so much fun with magic :heh:

Aasimar paladin, of course. ;) Probably going to play it till the end, but might want to take a prestige class. Could also start as a generic human but I'd rather go aasimar.

PDF files of the manuals in various languages have become available online. After reading through it I'm really getting overwhelmed by possibilities. Both Arcane Trickster and Shadow Thief of Amn look very cool. Druids are getting some new abilities and spells which make them look very fun too. Hmmm...

Anyone know what is the max lvl in NWN2?

All of you guys who are so looking forward to the new races and classes are invited to take part in the contest. ;)

@Melhisedek: I think 20, but don't kill me if I'm wrong. There are no epic levels, so not above 20, and there are prestige classes and stuff like running your stronghold and all, so I think it's going to be capped at 20, while you won't likely hit the XP limit during the campaign. So, all in all, my guess would be 20 as the limit and something like level 17 that you actually achieve.

<Slight Spoiler in this post, really slight, but thought I'd mention it anyhow>


Well, I got the game yesterday, but due to a crazy schedule have still yet to only clock in about 10 minutes. Those 10 minutes were enough to meet Amy and Bevil, a wizard and fighter, respectively (that was the slight spoiler, btw). So, in the interest of party balance I have a hard time considering my eldritch knight for my first time through. I'm suddenly feeling compelled to play a healer or a rogue type character to have the classic balanced 4 person D&D party. Since Amy and Bevil seem to be my character's childhood friends, I'm thinking it will be only right to keep them through the duration of the game.

Hmm, an Aasimar cleric might be fun! Okay, son to bed soon, then play time... finally! :)

barb zerker, weilding a 2hander. Destruction is at hand :) .

I have clocked in about two hours and I love it. Spend a half hour as a Human Warlock but the warlock is a bit confusing to play so I started another game with a Duergar Fighter who I am going to make into a Dwarven Defender. However a Monk with a few levels of sorcerer or bard could become one powerful character if you go with the Red Dragon Disciple prestige class as it gives +8 to strength at level 10 of the prestige and another great bunch of bonuses. This game has many good twist so far and I love the fact that when you are a different type of race the conversations change dramatically. So great!

Just ran a Human Warlock through the tutorial. From what I saw from this admittedly brief exposure, I have a feeling this class is going to be a favorite of powergamers. The eldritch strike packs a mean wallop and add in some other nice abilities, this class makes one mean fellow.

SPOILER********************


@Marceror
I'm suddenly feeling compelled to play a healer or a rogue type character to have the classic balanced 4 person D&D party. Since Amy and Bevil seem to be my character's childhood friends, I'm thinking it will be only right to keep them through the duration of the game.Don't bother. You can't take A&B out of the tutorial. Also, there is a feat that will allow you to gain cross-training skills on a point-per-point basis. My sorcerer has no trouble with traps and locks.

Eep!! Appreciate that head's up Bombur! I guess I just need to figure out what I want to play and stick with it.

My first run through is with the class I love best, a bard.

I'm lvl 5 currenly and I'm going to add some RDD next level.
The play through is great, I just hope I get a cleric soon, cause I go through healing potions fast and I don't want to spent my spell slots on healing...

You do realize, healing potions are only necessary during combat? Whenever you rest, you are brought to full health.

I know, but Neeshka always manages to die...

I find the targetting system frustrating in this game. Kelghar is in melee with a mob. Neeshka hits with her bow, the monster runs half across the battlefield to get to her. Meanwhile the other monsters are running after Kelghar, who gets sneak attacked to oblivion cause so far most human enemies have rogue classes...

Guess I have to do everything myself :D .

Really? I haven't had any problems so far with Neeshka or Kelghar. I've just finished up the bandit camp and the graveyard around Fort Locke, so I guess it's still early.

Typically what will happen (other than in the graveyard when my Ranger took up the Bone Phoenix to smash undead mano-a-mano) is Kelghar will attack head-on while my Ranger and Neeshka will shoot with bows. Anything that gets by Kelghar, usually comes after me and I'll switch to a greatsword until I don't have to melee any more.

Also, judicious use of commands or taking them off puppet mode helps. The danger of taking them off puppet mode though is that you really have to be watching everything.

I didn't run into the Bone Phoenix during my run through the graveyard so I had to do it the hard way (ouch...ouch...ouch) Summonses helped quite a bit though (Summon up Dire Badger: "Say Hello to my leeeetle friend")

Kelghar is a nice tank--my dark elf wizard likes him! But you do need to make sure he's properly equipped with plenty of potions--same with Neeshka--generally they're pretty good about using healing potions when they need to.

On another, slightly related note, I'm having problems figuring out where all the Neeshka hate is coming from. She's performed quite well for me so far and her and Kelghar have some pretty funny banter--they don't seem to like each other, do they? I wonder if it's her voice acting/character that's turning people off--she definitely gives off the 'teen sidekick' vibe.

Returning more to the topic at hand, running a drow wizard is an interesting experience. The slow level-up definitely handicaps you spellwise. I've found that Ihave to rely on her natural attributes--especially create darkness--that has been a lifesaver for me on more than one occasion. Also, the game has spawned some interesting--and often fun--dialogue.

In any event, it's an interesting crew I'm running here: A drow, a tiefling, and a dwarf walk into a bar together... ;)

Ofcourse I can switch to puppet mode and control them directly, but I don't want to micromanage every wimpy combat. The hard battles alright.

I just wish the AI wasn't so silly... Why does a mob run half across the map cause the rogue did 5 damage, while there's a cranky dwarf at knee height doing 20...

Everyone is running around more then they are actually fighting, which is silly...

Why does a mob run half across the map cause the rogue did 5 damage, while there's a cranky dwarf at knee height doing 20...Interesting... I don't really see that in my game. Anyone trying to break away from Kelghar gets an AoO on themselves and turns right back. The only time I have to worry is when there are enough enemies to get by both Kelghar and my Ranger.

Pretty rare, and when it does happen, I just attack the ones on Neeshka first.

Ah, but it does happen, only your Kelghar has more luck on the dice.

My point about the AI is, why does the mob try to go after Neeshka? Why do the archers and mages target the fighters?

Wouldn't it be more efficient if the ranged picked off the other ranged attackers? I seem to make short work of enemies that way, why doesn't the computer?

Fighters are more dangerous to spell slingers and archers in close because ranged attacks and spells provoke AoOs when a fighter gets in close. And they are usually pretty weak in melee so go down quick.

Unless a melee creature present is far more dangerous, I immediately go straight for the spell casters with my melee people and then go for the ranged attackers.

I'm an Arsehole paladin or something like that (might be Aasimar). Blonde hair, red eyes, looks a bit like a poof. I think I'll be starting the game again once I'm familiar with everything

The Warlock is fun to play. I am gonna stick with this character until I get the hang of the game. My proper play through will be with a rogue/wizard/arcane trickster.

If you think your Paladin looks like a poof, select Duelist on character creation. Now thats what I call a poof :eek: hmmmm that gives me an idea for an evil Vincent Price type of character :idea:

How do I get access to all the cool ones that are redded out? Someone wants to release a mod that unlocks them all.

1st Build

DeepGnome
Bard 6/ Fighter 4/ Red Dragon Disciple 10
(currently playing (B2/F3/RDD2) ECL hurts in the beginning)

Next up (finished Tuturial)
Drow
Sorcerer 6/ Eldrich Knight 10 /Harper Agent 4
(Powergaming -> will be a solo; @Lvl 20 = BAB 16 (4 Attacks) and lvl 9 spells)

3rd
Human
Monk 1/ Druid 19
taking Natural Casting -> Shapechange to Elemental and still Casting :cool:

I've got a Wood Elf Ranger6, who has a Longbow and Scythe. And L33T skillz.

Undecided as to which prestige class to go for, as I'm, not sure how good the Arcane Archer can be, as a damage dealer.

My first character, as always is:

Sir Belisarius Durendal
Str 16, Dex 12, Con 10, Int 12, Wis 14, Chr 16
Paladin of Tyr
feats selected feats so far:
Luck of Heroes
Exotic weapons
Weapon Focus: Longsword
Extra Smiting

He's a decent fighter and compliments Khelgar well. I love having Neeshka to do a bit o' thievin' though.

Next characters:

Elf Wizard

Hin Rogue

then maybe Dwarven Fighter/Defender