NWN Forum Update

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(Originally posted by Z-Layrex)

Jay Watamaniuk, Community Manager

Character Creation stages: I had to demonstrate the character creation process several times (many, many several times) last week at E3 so I'll give you a break down...

1. Gender- M/F

2. Race- The core races plus a place to type in the name of a sub race (not recognized in the official campaign but can be scripted into user-created modules).

3. Portrait- Over 200 portraits to choose from. These get filtered for male and female once gender is selected.

4. Class- The 11 classes

5. Alignment- There are 9 nine Alignments

6. Abilities- Str, Dex, Int, Wis, Con, Char.

7. Packages- Packages are for beginners who wish to have a theme to their characters. These packages do not give you extra abilities they simply select certain skills, feats and spells that fit the text description given as you gain levels. You will always have the opportunity to choose everything yourself however.

Configure Packages:

Skills- 19 Skills in NWN. Some are class specific such as Perform.
Feats- Around 47 Feats to choose from. Some are based on base attack number (i.e must have +4 Base Attack as a prerequisite)
Spells- (If you are a spellaster) over 200 spells in NWN based on character class and level.
Choose Familiar if you are a Sorcerer or Wizard. Animal companions are summoned in-game.

8. Customize
Head- many different head types based on race.
Tattoo
Body
Clothing- Several different starting outfits. These change when new clothing or armour is worn.
Skin Color- Choose one color from 32.
Hair Color- Choose one color from 56.
Tattoo Color- Choose 2 colors from 56.

9. Details
Name- You can type in your own name or hit the generate name button to get suggestions for a name based on race.
Background- Type in your own background.
Age- Age is set based on your race but has little affect on the game except in cases where a scripted event is based off your age.
Deity- Type in your own.
Voice Set- Choose one from a group of 6 for male and 6 for female.

It does not take very long to put together a character. The designers have implemented a 'Recommend' button if you are new to D&D and would like some suggestions as to what spells to take, abilities to choose and so on it will choose things for you. You can always alter these suggestions or simply do not hit the 'Recommend' button. I can't say for sure how long the entire process would take if you carefully choose everything and type up a background story and so on. Anywhere from 2 minutes to.... as long as it takes.

More:
Initially you can select a premade character if you want to have nothing to do with picking stuff for your character. Apart from that you can always hit the 'Recommend' button at every stage of character creation (apart from 'Gender' I believe) and selections will be made for you. It is very tough to make the detail folks happy without making the non-detail people confused- the 'Recommend' button solves all that.

Dragons: Dragons can cast spells. If you wish to give your dragon any spell in the game go into Properties-> Special Abilities and give your dragon whatever spell you want and have them cast it as any level of spell-caster. I've fought dragons- they are mighty and can cast some pretty angry spells. I still think the breath weapon is the best looking thing in the game.

David Gaider, Designer

Monk Weapons: I haven't read this whole thread, but I will say that an item type was added to the game after the beta toolset was made. I believe they're called 'monk's gloves' or maybe just 'gloves' and add their enchantment bonus to unarmed attacks only. I don't know much more about it, personally, but it sounds like that addresses the lack of penetration you're referring to with monks, no?

Active Spells: You will get a series of icons in the upper right that indicate any effects currently on your character. You can also pull up your character sheet and they will be listed there, as well.,

Bob McCabe, Designer

Two Weapons Everyone can use two weapons at the same time. It is all based upon feats (if you want to do it with fewer penalties). Rangers get them free. Other classes may purchase them if they so choose.

Intro Movie One of the animators could probably answer this a lot better, but so far as I remember it (from reading the original intro movie script), the plan was to have four of the major NPCs out doing their thing for fun - killing a minotaur, etc. etc. etc. - and then Aribeth summons them to answer the call-to-duty and protect Neverwinter - a scene that would lead into the opening of the game. Several changes in the story forced the intro movie to shift accordingly, as did a general lack of time (there's never enough time to do all of the things you want to do ). The goal then became to show off some wicked combat and get you pumped up for the game. Judging by the crowds at E3, the animators have a lot to be proud of, because people were watching that thing over and over again Personally, I just really dig watching the guy creep through the forest with the bow readied.