So what's the status of Neverwinter nights 2?

[Harovan]

By far the most multiclassing options do come with a cost.

And as I said above, UMD being overpowered has nothing to do with multiclassing, it's overpowered for its original classes as well, perhaps not just as much.

[DrSpike]

Stop wriggling - there is sly multiclassing behaviour that nets you massive gain at virtually zero cost, which isn't the intention. I know you play these builds as we've discussed it many times. I do not see what makes playing these builds different than using UMD, and I'd like you to explain why you see that as crossing the line and the sly multiclassing as not.

To me it looks entirely like a preference argument not a cheese argument.

[Harovan]

I need not to stop wriggling, you need to stop to talk in mysteries. Put up or shut up. What builds we discussed net me massive gain at virtually zero cost? The only cheesy thing I could think of is 1 level of shadow dancer for hide in plain sight. Which is overpowered in NWN1 and somewhat fixed in 2, and I didn't take it any longer after realizing this. Other than that...

[DrSpike]

Yes that's a pretty good example. But I don't think this is worth pursuing further. Thanks.

[Harovan]

Then why don't we discuss why I started a vehement campaign against crafting in the NWN2 OC over at Bioware? Because at level 9 you are able to craft a weapon +3 +1d6 elemental +2d6 vs evil (and pretty much anything you fight except animals is evil). What ... the ... ****??? At this point you are supposed to have a +1 weapon if you're lucky and if you're exceptionally lucky (i.e. not in every game) a +2 elemental on top of it. That's how NWN1 OC and SoU are balanced (not HotU obviously, which is overcheesed in the first two chapters and retains some challenge in the third). Or why can you craft a mithril breastplate +3 at the same level, which has +5 base AC +4 DEX allowance (IIRC, it's 3 months back) and is considered ****ing light armor? Why can you craft a mithril full plate +3 with +8 base AC and +3 DEX allowance which is ****ing medium armor? And it's not that mithril is hard to come by. And why can I craft all these monsters +5 at level 15 (where at most +3 is appropriate).

You can believe me I call cheese if I see it. Sometimes I avoid using it (like a no crafting houserule in NWN2), sometimes when the only alternative is not to play (like HotU) I suck it up, but criticize it if asked.

[Jamski]

You need more powerful magical equipment as the game is MUCH more combat heavy than a PnP game would be.

[Harovan]

It is combat heavy, but do you really need such powerful equipment? No, by a long shot. Most normal fights are annoyingly easy even with normal loot drops (which are abundant too). For the very few powerful bosses the proper buffs and strategical approach are much more important than equipment. The certain bosses towards the end (those for which you have to read the scroll) can't be killed by weapons at all. And the final battle is a complete joke and has nothing to do with any equipment. Do I really need a sword +5, +1d6 acid, +2d6 vs evil to oneshot orcs and easy undead, because at least 95% of the game are just like this?

[Harovan]

Bump!

Expansion pack "Mask of the Betrayer" announced for autumn 2007.

Spoiler:

After the final battle of the NWN2 OC (remember, you disappeared) you find yourself in a realm deep under the groud, surrounded by ghosts and other lovely beings.

You will explore the world of Rashemen, get many new spells, base (!) and prestige classes, weapons and armor. And new companions of course. Developer will be again Obsidian.

Linkage (learn German! )

[DrSpike]

Hmm, haven't played the first one yet.

[Kassiopeia]

Rashemen! That's where Minsc was from! Witches and bodyguards who got hit in the head too hard and have hamsters!

I haven't played the actual game yet, though. I even bought it. I just haven't had the time

[Harovan]

I'm curious what base class(es) they'll be adding (if that is not made up). I hope not again such utter crap like the Warlock.

[Harovan]

As for new spells, we're in dire need of a much beefed up version of IGMS.

[DrSpike]

Abuser.

[Harovan]

Truth to be told, it's been nerfed in NWN2. The number of missiles that can hit a single creature is now limited, i.e. you can't blow the full load on one boss anymore.

By the way it appears as if there was a patch 1.05 there yesterday, which today has been withdrawn again. It caused conflicts in the toolset, or so they say.

[Stuie]

I just finished HoTU again.

And I finally went back and finished "A Dance with Rogues 2".

Now what?