Junior Adventurer's Guild: July: Neverwinter Nights 2: Storm of Zehir

[J1M]

I would be interested in something that stretches the limits of the 3.5 system. Or something thematic. Or something niche built based on knowledge of the game.

It looks like you haven't played as classical mages. What about builds with metamagic?

I have had mages in party. But I tend to be overly conservative with spell slots because I don't like resting everywhere. I'd rather have full BAB than full BAB via a spell slot. Maybe if there were designated rest spots like DDO I wouldn't feel like resting is cheating myself of challenge.

You are correct I haven't used metamagic a lot. I had an Arcane Trickster in Pathfinder: Kingmaker, which is probably the simplest way to use it? But ultimately I felt like it was kinda **** because it did mostly fire damage and ran out of gas unlike an archer.

So I'm open to a caster, I just haven't enjoyed them when I've tried them. Possibly user error. (I started Doom of Icewind Dale as a sorcerer and ended up rerolling it.)

[J1M]

I think one character will be a Swashbuckler since I've flirted with the Duelist build before but never pulled the trigger. Since Storm of Zehir uses more skills it will be helpful to have a fighter with high INT. Need to look into if taking Duelist levels with that would be a good idea or not.

Arcane Scholar is interesting because it only exists in NWN2 and makes metamagic cheaper.

These are both generic thoughts though. Would be nice to have a character or two tailored to the campaign.

[Norfleet]

Arcane Scholar is interesting because it only exists in NWN2 and makes metamagic cheaper.

I'm unclear what the benefit of making metamagic "cheaper" would be. At the end of the day, the main purpose of metamagic is to make use of higher-level spell slots to fart out more of the same, so I can fill basically every slot with more fireballs or whatever and just nuke the **** out of my enemies.

[J1M]

Arcane Scholar is interesting because it only exists in NWN2 and makes metamagic cheaper.

I'm unclear what the benefit of making metamagic "cheaper" would be. At the end of the day, the main purpose of metamagic is to make use of higher-level spell slots to fart out more of the same, so I can fill basically every slot with more fireballs or whatever and just nuke the **** out of my enemies.

It means you can use a lower level spell slot for your maximized whatever and potentially (depending on the spell list) metamagic some spells that would otherwise be infeasible.

[lucky-SVLLa]

Definitely Neverwinter Nights 2, because it's the oldest

[rusty_shackleford]

@Oyster Sauce might want to bump that 5 minimum up next month

[gerey]

The King Arthur game is pretty fun, though Mordred's armor is just hilarious to look at.

Why does the protagonist have the shittiest set of armor out of every other knight I have met so far? Even Sarevok wasn't this edgy.

[Eyestabber]

Don't forget Finarfin changed his vote ;D

[J1M]

I can't tell if the poll is closed or almost closed, but if it ends up tied I will be tie breaking in favor of NWN2.

[Oyster Sauce]

Neverwinter Nights 2: Storm of Zehir

The Sword Coast is in the midst of an uneasy economic recovery. Trade syndicates have sprung up to exploit the post-war confusion for their own ends. The player’s party will wade into this uncertain environment; in order to increase their own fortunes, they can either ally with a syndicate to create a trade empire, or cut their own path through Faerûn by preying upon caravans and selling the goods on the black market. As they attempt to extend their influence, players will become aware of a new faction working behind the scenes: the evil, shapeshifting, serpentine Yuan-Ti.

In addition to trading and economic manipulation, the Neverwinter Nights 2: Storm of Zehir Overland Map allows players to explore the Chultan Peninsula and Sword Coast in a non-linear manner never before seen in any of the Neverwinter Nights games. Exploration will take players from well-known locations, like Neverwinter and Crossroad Keep, to more exotic areas, such as the xenophobic jungle nation of Samarach. Groups of highwaymen and monsters populate the Overland Map and the farther from civilization the player roams, the more difficult the encounters become. The 15-hour campaign in Neverwinter Nights 2: Storm of Zehir is also packed with new classes, spells, creatures, and playable races.

-Travel the Sword Coast and Samarach using the open ended exploration of the new Overland Map. Use skills like Spot and Survival while on the Overland Map to avoid ambushes and even find hidden locales and lost artifacts.
-Create your own full party of adventurers. Devastate your foes with a squad of fireball-flinging Sorcerers, form a solid wall of steel with a party of Fighters, or strike the perfect balance in your party by spreading out the classes you choose for your characters.
-Improved party gameplay including streamlined party conversations, a new Teamwork Benefit System, and powerful party feats.
-The world's economy reacts to your adventures and choices. And, through trading and quests, you can expand your merchant company into a massive trading empire.

Where to acquire

https://www.gog.com/en/game/neverwinter ... 2_complete - $19.99


Time to beat

15 hours - Main
27 hours - Main + Sides
31 hours - Completionist


Troubleshooting + Community Patches

https://www.pcgamingwiki.com/wiki/Never ... ed_Edition

https://github.com/nwn2fixes/player

Storm of Zehir is a standalone expansion campaign for Neverwinter Nights 2 - you don't need to finish NWN2 first and it has a unique party

[rusty_shackleford]

Your pcgamingwiki link is wrong
Community patch here: https://github.com/nwn2fixes/player

[Dorateen]

Main theme from the Storm of Zehir soundtrack



It's such a John Williams-esque rip off, but works for this Indiana Jones style adventure.

[Tangerine]

Main theme from the Storm of Zehir soundtrack



It's such a John Williams-esque rip off, but works for this Indian Jones style adventure.

Video game music was better when they were ripping off John Williams instead of Hans Zimmer.

[Eyestabber]

KAKT LOST?! NOOOOO, IT HAPPENED AGAIN!!!



Well, that's it. I'm gonna beat it again and enjoy the fact that the HQ is learning to appreciate NWN 2's glory. And nominate KAKT AGAIN.

[J1M]

Inspired by suggestions above, for my party I have decided to do something foolish and make all of them Yuan-ti Purebloods with level adjustment +2. From what I've read about how XP is calculated, the party should get extra XP for being two levels lower, so in theory it will eventually even out to the equivalent of LA+1.

In terms of characters, I'm just going with some options I haven't used before.

1. Cleric / Doomguide
(Interested in having a character that turns undead like a pro, even though this was probably a better choice in MotB. Free ******* sword proficiency is nice.)

2. Stormlord
Finally a class that focuses on a spear! And the weapon modification effects seem cool. Not sure how to build this, but was thinking of starting with a Favored Soul and making this the face of the party. Monkey Grip for shield?

Concerned about how both of these melee characters will fare without full BAB. Tips welcome.

3. Swashbuckler 3 / Monk 3 / Rogue 2 / Duelist
I don't like being forced to take a rogue, so this will be my trap finder via the Able Learner feat. Leaning into the multiple attribute dependency. Might be a terrible idea. I don't recall how common attribute enhancing items are, but this class benefits from STR (damage), DEX (AC, to-hit), INT (AC, damage, skills), WIS (AC). With a different favored class choice the distribution of monk and rogue levels could be different.

4. Crafter Caster
I usually ignore crafting in NWN2 so I'd like to do the opposite of that this time. Haven't looked into how to build this yet.

[Eyestabber]

1. Cleric / Doomguide
(Interested in having a character that turns undead like a pro, even though this was probably a better choice in MotB. Free ******* sword proficiency is nice.)

There's a cohort with this exact same configuration, possibly the best companion in the game.

And where is your overland map specialist? It's the single most important character slot in SoZ.

[J1M]

1. Cleric / Doomguide
(Interested in having a character that turns undead like a pro, even though this was probably a better choice in MotB. Free ******* sword proficiency is nice.)

There's a cohort with this exact same configuration, possibly the best companion in the game.

And where is your overland map specialist? It's the single most important character slot in SoZ.

I had a ranger first time through. Was thinking I could just slap nature skill on someone. No idea what the consequences of skipping that would be.

[TKVNC]

The King Arthur game is pretty fun, though Mordred's armor is just hilarious to look at.

Why does the protagonist have the shittiest set of armor out of every other knight I have met so far? Even Sarevok wasn't this edgy.

Is the game actually good? The hideous armour makes me not want to play it.

[Eyestabber]

1. Cleric / Doomguide
(Interested in having a character that turns undead like a pro, even though this was probably a better choice in MotB. Free ******* sword proficiency is nice.)

There's a cohort with this exact same configuration, possibly the best companion in the game.

And where is your overland map specialist? It's the single most important character slot in SoZ.

I had a ranger first time through. Was thinking I could just slap nature skill on someone. No idea what the consequences of skipping that would be.

The consequences boil down to "miserable gaming experience". SoZ has an overland map and roaming mobs that are just WAY too common. You need a dedicated character to move faster (Survival), spot and avoid mobs, otherwise you can forget about "15 hours of playtime". Here's some other "noobs beware" tips for SoZ:

• The final battle is very hard, so don't make parties that suck
• The early game is also rough, so don't make parties that only come online after level X. Mid game tends to be the easiest part.
• Learn the mechanics of your trading company. It can generate tons of wealth for your party.
• Crafting is much easier than it was in the NWN OC. You don't need a dedicated crafter, so long as someone meets the requirements you're golden
• Read up on cohorts. Most of them suck balls, but a 5th member can be a huge power spike depending on your party. XP is split, so I don't recommend going for a 6th member.
• If your game is stuttering do THIS

Is the game actually good? The hideous armour makes me not want to play it.

Yes.

[rusty_shackleford]

Is the game actually good? The hideous armour makes me not want to play it.

Only character with silly looking armor is essentially Mordred, everyone else has very tasteful armor.

[Valter]

The King Arthur game is pretty fun, though Mordred's armor is just hilarious to look at.

Why does the protagonist have the shittiest set of armor out of every other knight I have met so far? Even Sarevok wasn't this edgy.

Is the game actually good? The hideous armour makes me not want to play it.

Yes.

[Finarfin]

The King Arthur game is pretty fun, though Mordred's armor is just hilarious to look at.

Why does the protagonist have the shittiest set of armor out of every other knight I have met so far? Even Sarevok wasn't this edgy.

Is the game actually good? The hideous armour makes me not want to play it.

Sounds pretty gay of you to not wanna play a good game because one character has "hideous" armor.

[TKVNC]

The King Arthur game is pretty fun, though Mordred's armor is just hilarious to look at.

Why does the protagonist have the shittiest set of armor out of every other knight I have met so far? Even Sarevok wasn't this edgy.

Is the game actually good? The hideous armour makes me not want to play it.

Sounds pretty gay of you to not wanna play a good game because one character has "hideous" armor.

Would it make sense if I said I had autism?

I'm being facetious. I dislike seeing mixed-era armour. Great helmets especially I find ugly when used out of context, because they remind me of 'deus vult' larp autism.

[Valter]

The King Arthur game is pretty fun, though Mordred's armor is just hilarious to look at.

Why does the protagonist have the shittiest set of armor out of every other knight I have met so far? Even Sarevok wasn't this edgy.

Is the game actually good? The hideous armour makes me not want to play it.

Sounds pretty gay of you to not wanna play a good game because one character has "hideous" armor.

First impressions are everything, so I don't blame him.
Purely aesthetics aside, there's still nothing like just booting it up and trying it out

[gerey]

The hideous armour makes me not want to play it.

Armor design is questionable, yes, but the game is nice. I especially like that the "evil" choices are pragmatic, the protagonist doesn't come across as a typical BioWare sociopath.

As an example, in one mission you liberate a village beset by brigands, and afterwards get to pick what to do with the criminals. The "good" choice is to kill all of them, the "evil" choice is to spare them and put them to work, since the realm is short on men and under siege.

Voice acting ranges from professional to "grab whoever is free in the office", but the real meat and potatoes are the battles themselves, which are pretty fun.

Sounds pretty gay of you to not wanna play a good game because one character has "hideous" armor.

To be fair, the armor looks like absolute ***. I have no idea what they were thinking, especially since none of the other knights I've encountered so far look this ******* bad.

[Eyestabber]

Since the HQ finally found the glorious light of Neverwinter Nights 2, I want to share this:

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[Lich]

Would it kill them to design armor like this?

[rusty_shackleford]

KAKT discussion here: viewtopic.php?t=201-king-arthur-knight- ... q-or-shitq

[TKVNC]

The hideous armour makes me not want to play it.

Armor design is questionable, yes, but the game is nice. I especially like that the "evil" choices are pragmatic, the protagonist doesn't come across as a typical BioWare sociopath.

As an example, in one mission you liberate a village beset by brigands, and afterwards get to pick what to do with the criminals. The "good" choice is to kill all of them, the "evil" choice is to spare them and put them to work, since the realm is short on men and under siege.

Voice acting ranges from professional to "grab whoever is free in the office", but the real meat and potatoes are the battles themselves, which are pretty fun.

Sounds pretty gay of you to not wanna play a good game because one character has "hideous" armor.

To be fair, the armor looks like absolute ***. I have no idea what they were thinking, especially since none of the other knights I've encountered so far look this ******* bad.

Unironically, that looks less **** than whatever the **** this is



At least Mordred is blatantly fantasy, rather than the mixed-bag larp slop above.

[J1M]

I was firmly explained to that matching armor is unrealistic.