[homer]

I found the Spell casting classes difficult to play in NWN. Not that a player could not do very well with one, especially in a mult-player game. Myself, I only have a dial up so I do not play on-line.

I do recommend playing a monk. I have had great success with my monk. I found that with a little planning in stats and skill choice, the monk is the best fighter type in the game. I found I did not need to hire any NPC’s to complete the game.

I cannot comment on the on-line questions, for I do not play on line.

As far as the NPC’s go, they do have their own quests to complete. Other than that they are just there to back up your character. I do not care for the NPC’s and the way the computer controls them. As well, they take away from the amount of experience your character receives. They do level up, but I just don’t think they are worth the time. This is why I recommend spell casters only in multi-player.

I found the game engine and playability so much better than BG, BGII, IWD, and IWDII. I do not think after playing NWN I will ever play these games again. So if I were you, I would finish BGII before playing NWN.