Build questions

[Moody Loner, Redux_ns3]

Are the epic builds on the NWN site useful on NS 3.5 or am I wasting my time with them?

I have a Chaos Harbinger up to lvl 21 (Note: Next time, forget Craft Trap) and I'm considering a Rogue Archer.

Miss the old level/delevel version of character building I had, but them's the breaks.

[BrookAM_ns3]

Try NS Dojo to test builds.

[Moody Loner, Redux_ns3]

and I'll be <s>downloading and installing</s> logging in to NS Dojo once I get home.

That doesn't help me from work, and I don't see how it would help with determining group vs. solo vs. PVP (or in my case, self-defense) builds.

[cryodog2_ns3]

Not all builds will help you on NS. they are usually good to get a basic idea of a build and then mold it into Neversummer. There are several scripts that have been tweaked or buffed for our servers alone. You just have to see what works.

[Moody Loner, Redux_ns3]

So far, the Chaos Harbinger seems to be a decent solo build - although we'll have to see how the other 19 levels go, already I have a few buffs and Harm to help with the tanking.

Was thinking about a Rogue Archer, but with so many mobs and bosses sneak attack proof, maximizing sneak attack damage doesn't seem like a winner.

[Moonstone Mischief_ns3]

Well, You could use the Builds from nwn.bioware.com but then they will not be as strong as some of the builds that are out in NS right now. If you wanted to find out some strong players builds, they might be willing to tell you how to build that type of character.

[Moody Loner, Redux_ns3]

I don't need the most uber build in NS, I just want a good build for soloing, ambulance runs, and joining in on boss and gear runs, and one the PKers and PPers will leave alone.

Who do you suggest I inquire with?

Oh, and I tried running NS Dojo last night and it was excruciatingly slow, which could very well have been the fault of my crappy PC.

[EDIT] In civilized lands, we end questions with question marks, Moody.

[DM ex Machina_ns3]

no, it's not your PC. the dojo's been wonkily slow for me too. you can test lvl progressions on your own off line.

start a new char

hit the ` key to bring up the command line at the top left of your screen

type DebugMode 1 (case sensitive, a space between the "e" and "1")

type dm_givelevel 40 (case sensitive, space between "l" and "40")

click on your toon, and you're lvl 40.

lets you see when to take what classes and feats.

[Forge_ns3]

Questions like this are difficult to answer, because so much depends on your personal playstyle. The beauty of NS is that a number of builds are viable and useful, especially for play like you describe.

Clerics, Sorcs, Shifters, DEXers, STR soak builds... all of them can work, and work well. It's up to you to decide what you'd like to pursue and go for it.

However, perhaps I can give a few guidelines:

For melee builds, an AB in the high 50s and an AC in the high 70s (when fully geared) should be treated as minimums.

For caster builds, take PLENTY of caster levels to overcome SR. I would recommend 38 or more.


The Dojo is most useful for seeing what your combat stats look like when fully geared. The dojo has copies of a lot of the gear that can be found in NeverSummer including the NS items, which are generally treated as the top end items. You can use the dojo to test against the bare minimums I mentioned above.

[DM ex Machina_ns3]

if you're lvling offline, it's easy to calculate your final ab. just add +8 for triton and +6 from stats (max stats bonus from gear is 12, so that's a +6 modifier), unless you're making an unarmed fighter, in which case you could get optimistic and add +12 for bulletproof gaunts. calculating final ac is more complicated.

[Moody Loner, Redux_ns3]

For melee builds, an AB in the high 50s and an AC in the high 70s (when fully geared) should be treated as minimums.

Jesus God.

And I was happy when I broke AC 50.

Do I understand correctly that "fully geared" means NS gear?

[Moody Loner, Redux_ns3]

if you're lvling offline, it's easy to calculate your final ab. just add +8 for triton and +6 from stats (max stats bonus from gear is 12, so that's a +6 modifier)

Given that -

From the NWN site, the Chaos Harbinger has 38/33/28/23 unbuffed, which gives me 52/47/42/37 AB at 40, unbuffed.

Which looks about five short, at least - barring any math errors on my part.

Of course, their build uses Greatsword, while mine uses Warhammer - I figured I'd need the shield for extra soak and AC. plus I like hammers.

Also, they have Devastating Crit and Overwhelming Crit, one of which is illegal in NS and the other is pointless. Extra 2d6 on crits! Wooooo!

I suppose I can take Great Str a couple more times to eke out another point of AB, but that's still weak.

Dammit, looks like I'll have to write my own.

[Forge_ns3]

yes, fully geared refers to having the NS items, w/ maybe the exception of the armor and helm (since they are tough to get).

With 2nd tier armor/helm and the rest of your gear as NS gear, you should be able to approach the numbers I mentioned. STR builds will tend to be a bit lower in AC.. perhaps around 70.

EDIT: I took a look at the Chaos Harbinger build. I would suggest something else... a lot of that build's power comes from the cleric levels. With only 15 levels of cleric, your buffs will be dispelled and you won't be able to penetrate SR at the high levels. This is what I was talking about earlier about taking lots of caster levels. If you are gonna make magic a key component of your build, you will almost always need lots of caster levels.

[Moody Loner, Redux_ns3]

I would suggest something else... a lot of that build's power comes from the cleric levels. With only 15 levels of cleric, your buffs will be dispelled and you won't be able to penetrate SR at the high levels. .

Yeah, I was hoping for buffing cleric rather than casting cleric - with maybe the harm drop and the darkness trick - but I'm getting my buffs dispelled now.

Did well the first 20 levels, though.

[disastro_ns3]

if you're playing on midwest, there's no build that the pkers will leave alone, and there's no possible defense vs pp except a good attitude towards re-eq grinding. none of this is a concern on the other ns servers.

also I found that harms rarely land until I get about 30 levels of cleric under my belt + epic spell penetration.