Hi,

Can you help? I've tried to stat the OC a few times but just not happy with my Druid attempts. So I want to try a broadsword wilding Paladin, can I have some help on what to put my points into, and feats to choose etc.

Cheers

at lower levels lower hit dice characters can be difficult and even at higher levels they require some finesse. But in time you'll learn to appreaciate the game more for that finesse factor (in fact you'll likely despise pure melee-type characters after a while).

For now though do this:

Fighter instead of Paladin - MUCH better for feats (which is MUCH better for melee characters) AND not as restrictive alignment-wise. In particular the Fighter is the only class that allows the selection of weapon specilization feat.

If you have SOU and HOTU installed then you will have better prestige classes to "evolve" into - but for now I'm asuming that you don't.

Fighter
Human (for the exta feat)
Str.17
Dex.10
Con.16
Wis.9
Int.10
Char.10

The key potions a pure fighter will require are: Clarity, Cure Poison, and the two Restorations.

IF you have the other modules (SOU & HOTU) installed (you won't be dual-classing to a Paladin)
Str.16
Dex.13
Con.16
Int.13
Wis. 8
Char.8

Always increasing Str. at the appropriate character level-ups.

Feats 1st level:
Power Attack
Cleave
Exotic weapon prof.

2nd level:
Weapon Focus Bastard Sword (or Katana if you would prefer that type of sword - functionally the same).

3rd level:
Toughness

4th level:
Weapon Specilization Bastard Sword (or if you picked Katana for your Weapon focus at charater level 2 then Katana as your Weapon Specilization).

Past this level things feat selection becomes either a LOT more complex (IF you have the other modules) or a LOT simpler.

IF you don't have the other modules then consider:
Knockdown and Improved Critical (for either the Bastard sword or the Katana).

Skill point selection is:
Discipline ALWAYS
Persuade for at least the first 10 points
IF you don't have the other modules and can't select the feat Blind Fighting, then you should also expend some points in Spot and Listen (with more in Spot than Listen).

FIGHTER-PALADIN:

IF you want a multi-class Fighter Paladin (w/out the other modules installed) then you will need the stats as follows:
Str.16
Dex.10
Con.16
Int.10
Wis.12
Char.10

For simplicities sake just alternate levels starting with Fighter (then Paladin, then Fighter, then Paladin, etc.), until you reach Fighter class level 4 (which will be character level 7). At this time you'll get to choose your Weapon Specilization feat and from now on you can continue with Paladin w/out an exp. point penalty. In otherwords at Character level 8-20 you will level-up only as a Paladin.

Attribute increases will be primarily focused on str. BUT if you want your pitifull 3rd or 4th level spell(s) then you will need to select Wisdom at least once (twice if you want that 4th level spell). I'd advise against it however and just increase str.

[ 04-20-2004, 12:43 AM: Message edited by: ScottG ]

Thanks for that Scott, thats a great help, I do have the other modules installed but thought I'd better play the OC first. [img]smile.gif[/img]
Now I've got something to think about...

ScottG,

I agree with your comments about the fighter build, but I think you are off base on the paladin. The paladin's prime stat is charisma. With only a 10 charisma at the start, the paladin's special abilities are going to be sadly underpowered. I would recommend a starting chr of 14 to 16 with the points being stripped away from both strength and constitution.

Additionally, a paladin (with HotU installed) has the option to dual to a champion of torm which add additional power to the paladin special abilities AND partly makes up for loss of feats.

I think I'll have a go as a fighter for now. As I can get the fighting blind feat should I get that sooner or around 5ish?

I've maped out a character progression structure for you here:

http://www.ironworksforum.com/ubb/cg...c&f=7&t=002516

Michah, feel free to anlyze it! Remember though that the base comparison is against a pure fighter - which a Paladin isn't (and incidentally isn't as good melee-wise).

Note that with the exception of only the pitiful lay on hands ability, smite evil's attack bonus (not damage), and savings throw bonuses - charisma is otherwise useless to a Paladin. Of course the biggie is savings throw bonuses - BUT do you really want to sacrifice attack and damgage bonuses that str. provides for a measily 2-3 savings throw points? (though of course their are also a couple of selectable feats of quality only if you have the charisma base - but they are quite limited in use per day and duration.)

Cheers scott, That will be a great help.

After going down the fighter path, I think I’m doing well.
Trying to go solo, and have just finished the prison part of chapter 1. Did struggle with the sorecer in the pits and the interlect devourer.
As I’ve now found a magic Katana I want to go to the smith and get the made one, but where do I find the ardermite (sp??)
In the beggar’s nest at the mo, zombies are easy to kill, they walk so slowly can pick erm off at long range. I find that I seem to have to do a lot of talking, breaks up the flow of the game.

ScottG, I'm trying your build on a dedicated server. It seems to be working, but I must say that I am always as poor as a church mouse there.

your welcome! However it works out, please place your comments on the build on the post (not here) - to let others know if its worthwhile or not.. and where you think it could stand improvement.

Target no doubt you have found some Adamantite by now - if not try and do a search here. (hint: think b4 blackisle..)

Not had much time to play over the weekend, so no Adamantite yet, have found a Gargoyle's skull and fairy dust...Oh well, I'll keep looking.

On my way to blacklake (??) district now, still no Adamantite, am I just unlucky??
Had a bit of trouble killing the yun-ti, was a good fight. And made it to level 6, to new feats!! Great cleave (now that’s cool) and knockdown. Was tempted by blind fighting…I’ll get that next time, maybe. Are there many invisible enemies in the game, and are they far away? Also after doing 2 and a bit districts of chap 1 is level 6 on track?

If memory serves... And sometimes it doesn't... You might find some Adamantine if you complete the 'quest' in the no-man's zone before you get to Blacklale.

Just wanted to jump in and say not to write off the Paladin - My first trip through the OC was with a Paladin, and I found the turn undead feat to be very useful in a couple of places. That and the fact that offer more playing variety (better conversation options and spells, if somewhat limited) make them a lot more fun than a pure fighter in my opinion. I pumped my CHA up to 17 by the end and had a +5 Nymph Cloak which made my saving throw very useful.

The Paladin is a very solid class. It doesn't get as many combat feat as a Fighter, but is a class with much more flavour and a useful ability or two. The spells are fairly handy too.

I just thought I'd give the old fighter a go this time, get all the extra feats and make a super tank.
When I play SoU and HotU I will use more of the Paladin, like ScottG post.

Now got the Adamantine from doing that no-mans land thing, cheers Illumina Drathiran'ar. Are there more Katana's out there or is this Saint one, one of the better ones?

Here's a list:

http://www.gamebanshee.com/neverwint...tanas.php#null

If you get to level 9 while in the 1st part of chap. 1 then the variable chest treasure gets better.

I typically will save b4 opening a chest and then open it and if its not what I want (provided its a "good chest") then I reload (rinse and repeat) until I get what I'm looking for.

In particular there is a good chest that I often find has a high variable for Master Li's Way (katana) - which is the best katana that early in the game. The chest is in the Blackisle district behind the bookcase/sewer system (secret entrance) - talk to the little girl on the street about her secret. Note that it is trapped. DO NOT DO THIS UNTIL 9th level - otherwise it will NOT be a variable treasure item.

To get to level 9 do ALL of the quests - including each of the henchmen quests, and the artifacts quest for the head cleric. Search the board here for more info. concerning the quests to learn more.

[ 05-10-2004, 03:39 PM: Message edited by: ScottG ]

How do you get to level 9 in Chap 1? I've done all the side quests ( I think) and just handed over the last of the 4 creatures, but only got 29169XP and need 36000 for level 9. Is it poss?

You'll have to do all the 'class' quests and have a high Charisma or Diplomacy skill to convince the quest-giver to let you do the quests if you're not of the proper class. This includes (Spoiler lookout)
.
.
.
.
.
.
Artful Theft, given by Ophala in the Moonstone Mask. The "Rogue" quest.

The Artifact retrieval quest, given by Judge Oleff in the Hall of Justice. The "Cleric" quest.

The Gauntlet. Check out the tavern in the Blacklake District to find out more, but you'll also have to go to the City Core to get a pass. The "Fighter" quest

The Guild of Many Stars membership quest. Sorry, but this one is only open to mages. The "Mage" quest, obviously.

Freeing the zoo animals. Talk to the druid near the huge tree in the City Core. The "Nature Servant" (Druid/Ranger) quest.

And let's not forget all of the henchmen quests to their completion, and all of the lovely little subquests you can find all over.

hmmm, I'm sure I've done all those quests, apart from the mage one being a fighter!!
I just must be unlucky and not get many XP points. Shame. Was hoping to get to 9.
I hope its still poss to get to 20 bye the end of the game.

Just out of interest, what is the mage quest, as I've never done it?

Basically you need to collect items from each district and then face a battle in the Cloaktower that tests your skills of intellect and observation.

Oh right...Shame I can't do that one as well.
Well I'm now off to watch them make the cure!!

I have Knockdown which I’m finding useful, I have just leveled up (level 8)and was hoping to get Improved Knockdown, but it was not in the list?

Is there any other feats I need first?

I think you'll find that most of your questions can be answered by this site (selecting the general area on the left and only then more specific detail on the right):

http://www.gamebanshee.com/neverwint...dknockdown.php

In this case what you are missing is a base attack bonus of +7. (so as a pure fighter you should probably see it next time you can select a feat.)

edit: Hmm, if your level 8 then I believe that you should have a base attack of +7 (because a pure fighter at level 7 has a base attack of +7).. don't know what the deal is then? Is your character something other than a pure fighter?

[ 05-21-2004, 06:43 PM: Message edited by: ScottG ]

I've just leveled and again there was no improved Knockdown :( I had to take improved power attack which you need and attack bonus of +8, has anyone got any ideas why there is no improved knockdown?

Make sure you have 8 in Base Attack Bonus (BAB), and not just in Attack Bonus (AB). Open your statistics screen and scroll down a bit, it should say 'Base Attack' followed by a number. That's your BAB.

The number that say something like +16/+11/+6 is your AB, and not your BAB.

If you play a pure Fighter, then you should have a BAB of 8 by now but if you've multi-classes with another non-warrior class, it might take a bit longer.

I'll have a look tonight, but I am just a pure fighter class, so I just don't understand why it's not there.