Thinking of replaying NWN2

[purpleblob]

I have an itch to play D&D/Pathfinder games without being too involved into story/companions so I chose NWN2.

I was thinking of Solasta as another choice but I still prefer having pre-developed characters over tag system so decided to go with NWN2.

I have finished NWN2 OC previously and attempted at MotB but never finished it due to hunger system + depressing atmosphere. I'm tossing between 2 as an option. I prefer the OC for its lighthearted tone but I finished it once already and IIRC its lower level adventure compared to MotB. So both have pros and cons.

I am thinking of rolling bard then unlock arcane trickster or eldritch knight. I think bard/AT is a better pairing but a bit concerned about survivablity. I played EK during my OC run and struggled a lot during the last segment, so would appreciate any build advice as well. Actually not sure if bard can unlock EK so might have to be fighter/EK.

 

[Couchpotato]

One vote for Mask of the Betrayer and Eldritch Knight.

If you ever do play the second expansion just be warned it's different.

There was supposed to be a third expansion but it was cancelled.

Another proud Atari moment: they greenlit a third expansion for NWN2 to be released epidodically. It would've incorporated Halruaa, the Shar, and psionics. I quit my day and moved abroad with my then-partner to commit two years to the project. Last minute, they pulled out.

Mysteries of West-gate the unofficial expansion also worth a play.

As for mods we talked about them before but here are a few.

The Last of the Danaan | The Neverwinter Vault

neverwintervault.org

The Dana'an Unvanquished | The Neverwinter Vault

neverwintervault.org

The Maimed God's Saga | The Neverwinter Vault

neverwintervault.org

Dark Waters (full) | The Neverwinter Vault

neverwintervault.org

Islander - The Dagger Forged | The Neverwinter Vault

neverwintervault.org

Serene ( the remake ). | The Neverwinter Vault

neverwintervault.org

Bad Habits | The Neverwinter Vault

neverwintervault.org

A Fairy Tale | The Neverwinter Vault

neverwintervault.org

Aftershock | The Neverwinter Vault

neverwintervault.org

 

[Redglyph]

I voted for another module. I don't think the OC is worth playing again, and if you're not comfortable with MotB, why not try a good mod? Unfortunately I haven't played NWN2 enough to try them (and the game's controls are broken for me with today's Windows).

No idea about the class; it may depend on the campaign. Arcane trickster is always fun, but it's a classic.

 

[bkrueger]

I find the original campaign good for a replay to get into the game again after a longer pause. You can then still play additional content later. With regard to classes I always start either as a cleric or a ranger, so I voted "other".

 

[Couchpotato]

I voted for another module. I don't think the OC is worth playing again, and if you're not comfortable with MotB, why not try a good mod? Unfortunately I haven't played NWN2 enough to try them (and the game's controls are broken for me with today's Windows).

No idea about the class; it may depend on the campaign. Arcane trickster is always fun, but it's a classic.

Never had a problem with the controls as I always used the isometric view and not the two offered. My problem was always the games technical errors with shadows/water.

Most of the time I had to lower them or adjust them, or the game stuttered.

Anyway my three favorite classes are favored soul, paladin, or hellfire warlock.

 

[Redglyph]

Never had a problem with the controls as I always used the isometric view and not the two offered. My problem was always the games technical errors with shadows/water.

Hopefully she won't have any, either.

I discussed the bugs with GOG's support 2 or 3 years ago, and they're apparently well-known problems the developers never addressed - no surprise there, since it's Obsidian. Fans have made a patch to try and fix it, but it doesn't work that well any more. It depends what controls you use, but using the keyboard to move and the mouse to look around, like NWN, is glitchy (if you turn while stop moving forward, the character keeps turning until you unstick the key). Other combinations are possible but are very cumbersome with the camera controls. I gave up trying after a few hours of frustration.

 

[Couchpotato]

Ah okay that makes sense but again I rarely used any keys.

Just the mouse to move, attack and most everything else.

 

[purpleblob]

I started MotB and experienced terrible stutter - my character was gliding around in T-pose. Had to install a mod to fix it. Now I fully remember why I hated this game lol. I love RTwP but I can't even comfortably manage party of 4 in this game. I've turned on auto AI thing.

Kinda regretting my choice now and think maybe I should have gone with Solasta lol.

Ah well.. see how I go. I just got Okku and started act 2. I already know story of MotB but thinking maybe I should experience it myself.

Once I get used to build etc might try Maimed God's Saga - heard good things about that mod.

 

[Carnifex]

You can never go wrong with Mask of the Betrayer, imo.

 

[JDR13]

Sorry to hear about the technical issues. Hopefully you can still enjoy the game well enough. I've never played it myself.

 

[purpleblob]

I'm progressing well with MotB. I've rolled a human female bard/rogue/arcane trickster.

Didn't realise Bard is strong and quite self sufficient in NWN2. I feel this is a good class to play for MotB since she is passing most of lore/spellcraft/persuasion checks without much issues.

Combat is more hectic than I remember. I can't even see my character in middle of spell clusterfucks in some battles. Most of you guys know I love RTwP (with 6 companions) but I just can't seem to manage a party of 4 efficiently in NWN2 so I've put AI on for companions. They seem to do well enough on normal. I'm also mainly auto-attacking other than throwing in few bard songs and heals when needed.

I also don't like companions. Not hating them but not liking them much either. Okku is at least cute in appearance (rainbow bear!) and is easy to please. Safiya and I are getting along well too because I have high spellcraft. Both currently sitting at 100 influence. I'm struggling to gain influence with Gann - his "oh-I'm-so-good-looking-and-charming" is rubbing me wrong way. I benched Kaelyn as she was most annoying of the lot. I was a bit worried that I lack dedicated heal class but between Gann (spirit shaman) and my character (bard), we are doing well enough.

I might just chug through to see the ending. Maybe I will try Solasta once I finish MotB.

 

[Carnifex]

I've done the rogue/bard hybrid before, it's quite powerful, imo. And aye, I'm not sure I could put up with the frantic pace these days, lol.

 

[ChaosTheory]

I still, for whatever reason, liked NWN2 more than any other old school RPG. Decent story, decent characters, one of the first RPGs to give you an upgradeable "base"... I just wished they had actually finished it. You can tell they hacked off features before release, or a kingdom management system that never got implemented. For instance, the whole "Captain's Company" thing that you never hear about again, etc.

Unfortunately, the game didn't age well and I don't ever see myself going back to it.

 

[Drithius]

I'm one of the few who absolutely loved Storm of Zehir. I've always found Mask of the Betrayer to be a bit heavyhanded (as most Avellone stuff tends to be) and the overland exploration of SoZ really hearkens back to a different style of RPG.

 

[purpleblob]

I still, for whatever reason, liked NWN2 more than any other old school RPG.

I remember enjoying OC more than MotB back in the days maybe because it features wider range of companions to choose from. But since I finished it once already, I don't see the reason to go back. I found it rather mediocre.

I'm one of the few who absolutely loved Storm of Zehir. I've always found Mask of the Betrayer to be a bit heavyhanded (as most Avellone stuff tends to be) and the overland exploration of SoZ really hearkens back to a different style of RPG.

Hubby also recommended SoZ but I generally prefer games with full fledged companions rather than rolling my own. Seeing how hectic combat is in NwN2, I think I might skip SoZ.

I'm not enjoying MotB writing much either so not sure why it was so highly praised.

 

[bjon045]

Sorc is the best class to play MotB with if you want to win all the battles solo and leave your companions under AI (or even just have them doing nothing). Like bard you can max diplo charisma skills but you have even stronger casting. Just pick up the empower and maximise metamagics and focus on missile spells. A single cast will normally kill anything including most bosses.

 

[Hastar]

The only way I can play NWN 2 is on the persistent worlds controlling one character. The combat controls with companions are awful. A few years back I tried to play the Icewindale remake and managing a group was about the least fun I've had in a crpg.

 

[lackblogger]

Yes, of all the D&D and related computer games that are considered widely popular, NWN2 is the only one I've had a severe allergic reaction to.

 

[purpleblob]

I finished it tonight but gosh, I didn't enjoy it at all. Pathfinding was atrocious and companions AI bugged in last chapter so they stopped following me and attacking enemies. Yes, I checked and puppet mode wasn't on.

Almost all combat encounters were easy except the last one which I enabled cheatmode to get through.

I didn't enjoy story either. All that pain caused by 2 selfish lovers and they glorified it lol. Wish I went with evil route and devoured all of my companions souls (except the rainbow bear) but I'd rather not go through the pain of playing it again lol.

Might have some break first before I make decision on whether I try Solasta again. If I do, I hope it will be more enjoyable than NWN2/MotB.

 

[Couchpotato]

Show me more games like NWN 1+2 that are getting free campign mods almost twenty years later. Solasta was close but nowadays most tool-sets don't allow for campaigns.

So I'll probably be playing both games for another ten years.