No worries at all, real life comes first and all that (which is why I disappeared for so long). Was just looking through my old games recently and remembered GvM as some of the best fun I'd had on NW and thought I'd check in.

I'm heading home in a few weeks to see family for the holidays, maybe I'll see if I can find my old CDs (I think I know where they are).

I feel the need to reply here as I see so many names I used to recognize. Are any of you STILL playing? Khaine, firecracker, radagast, steelwarrior, and many more. If so I might go buy NWN from some source just to experience the good old days of GvM again. It's been SO long. I miss it!

No biggie - I was just confused momentarily when trying to make them.  Wouldn't be a problem if my HS toon didn't keep dying

For most people this probably isn't an issue since they most likely don't run their HS down to 780k exp as much as I do...  but I have 780351 exp right now and even though it only costs 250 exp, the HS potion dialogue will not allow me to create a Lion's Shield OR Lion's Courage potion.  I checked to make sure I had enough GC (only 200,000+, but enough) so I think it's a bug in the script. 

Just thought I'd mention it - not really a big deal. 

Would be tough to fit all those feats required in and still get anything else (even imp crit) I think...  I'll take a closer look at it later, because it looks like a potentially fun build. 

Haha, np.  I figured it was something minor.  Thanks!

EDIT: Obviously wasn't a big deal if it took this long for anyone to even notice/comment.

My rogue loses this each time I log in unless I'm in pocket...  so if I log out anywhere else when I come back I don't have the bag until I go back to Eru's. 

I went STR build because I wanted to make good use of the two-bladed sword.  Double weapons intrigue me for several reasons.  They typically posses better damage types/amounts than their single-handed versions (this is justified by the inability to swap to a shield when convenient, I think).  They also only require one spell/item use to affect all of your attacks (Blade Thirst, for example, which is great since Rangers have very limited spells per day).  I also had tried a STR-based Ranger with hide/ms and was just unhappy with the results.  The thing's a good hitter, so I decided to focus on hitting and screw the sub-par hide/ms scores (camouflage/mass camo only give + to hide, AFAIK). 

The reason for fighter is because of the lack of UMD in the build.  Fighters get so many nice items that putting one level in seemed better than UMD (since I want all the skills I've got currently).  Monk was, as loc pointed out, taken simply for evasion and tumble.  Going +12DEX/WIS is certainly good advice if I can find gear to max all that AND STR (and possibly CON too). 

I periodically make stuff (or used to, I might get back into it again).  I had the first two levels of hell (from D&D) made at one point.  Not on this computer, though, sadly.  That would actually be a fun project to work on again sometime when I'm bored. 

Another variation on an earlier post (the Ranger 38/SD2 Dex-based one), this build is the result of me trying to find the best use for my Menelvagor's Blade (the Two-Bladed Sword from Imrahil).  I tried to come up with something fun with a str-based Assassin but I wasn't impressed.  Then I considered this build and was tempted to do a 37 Ranger/2 SD/1 Fighter split as a str-based HIPSer...  but Hide/MS is too depressingly low to be useful most of the time with a str-build.  Instead, I've decided to drop the pretense of being a HIPSer at all and rely on the Ranger Shield AC from Parry, as well as other Ranger self buffs, to make a half-decent hitter (I hope). 

As usual, comments and feedback are appreciated.  I'm still in the "is this toon worth the effort" phase of development. 

Important notes: because this build is based off of trying to make a toon to use Menelvagor's Blade well I include it's stats so that I can reference it for damage calcs later:  +5, Keen, 2d6 Electric, 2d4 Positive, +12 Spot, +2 Vamp Regen.

Race: Human

Starting (Final) Stats:
14 (30) STR
14 DEX
14 CON
14 INT
14 WIS
8 CHA

Level Progression:

1: Ranger
2: Fighter
3-36: Ranger
37: Monk
38-40: Ranger

STR at Every Level Up Chance

Feats
1: Toughness, Luck of Heros, Favored Enemy: Humans
2: Weapon Proficiency Exotic
3: Weapon Focus: Two-Bladed Sword
6: Knockdown, Favored Enemy: Elves
9: Improved Critical: Two-Bladed Sword
11: Favored Enemy: Dwarves
12: Alertness
15: Blind Fight
16: Favored Enemy: Constructs
18: Improved Knockdown
21: Great Strength, Epic Weapon Focus: Two-Bladed Sword
24: Great Strength II, Bane of Enemies
26: Epic Prowess
27: Great Strength III, Favored Enemy: Elementals
30: Great Strength IV, Favored Enemy: Dragons
31: Favored Enemy: Half-Elves
33: Great Strength V, Favored Enemy: Undeads
36: Great Strength VI, Favored Enemy: Halflings, Favored Enemy: Outsiders
39: Armor Skin
40: Favored Enemy

Same as the last build, the final Favored Enemy is on level 40 intentionally so it can be re-rolled as necessary for any new bosses / targets you want at the time.

299 Skill Points:

Concentration: 43
Discipline: 43
Heal: 36
Parry: 42
Search: 10
Set Trap: 42
Spot: 43
Tumble: 40

Why the changes?  Concentration was desirable in the last build but 43 Hide/MS made it impossible - now I can abuse (hopefully) the Cure Serious Wounds spell more.  Parry 42 is for the +6 Shield AC from dual-wielding.  Set Traps is for +14 DC on Entangle Spell (I've heard it's not half bad) and also for some light Deadly trap setting.  Spot is for spare points and also because the sword gives +12 Spot.

Final Stats:
HP: 518+240 = 758 w/ +12 CON Items
Saves: Fort = 26, Will = 19, Reflex = 19
AB: 30 (BAB) + 16 (STR) + 5 (Weapon) + 4 (Feats) + 7 (Aid) + 2 (Bane of Enemies) + 2 (Ranger Dual Wield) - 2 (Dual Wield) = 64 AB
AC: 10 (Base) + 2+6 (Armor) + 6 (DEX) + 6 (Amulet) + 6 (Ring) + 2 (Double Weapon) + 4 (Boots) + 8 (Tumble) + 6 (Ranger Dual Wield) + 2 (Armor Skin) = 58 AC
Damage: 1d8+16+5+2d6+8 Physical Damage, 2d6 Electric Damage, 2d4 Positive Damage, 1d10 Magical Damage. 

Hm...  that makes me wonder about the possibility of an Assassin Epic Gargoyle...  it would provide decent conceal, a nice bonus to hit (+5 at 24, I think?), and limited HIPS if one wanted it... 

Although, now that I come to think of it I think the assassin's use poison would be wasted with the OnHit properties of claws and bite most likely.  I'll think some more on it - but thanks for the feedback Loc. 

I made a toon built around the Epic Gargoyle a while ago, ended up not liking it and deleveled it to use the exp for other stuff.  I wanted to present the basic stats for it here and see what people think about it.  It's an odd build, and certainly doesn't seem like a primary tank to me - but can anyone think of places it might be useful?

Druid 6/Shifter 13/DD 22

BAB: 26
HP: 856 Base + 240 (+12 CON Items) = 1096
AC: 77 Self-Buffed with +6 Gear and Haste, 87 with Imp Expertise.  89 with Bard Song/Other Dodge Bonus

Parry: 85+ (4 Attacks Per Round) - This is less useful than for SDs since it doesn't get huge AC *or* Conceal but could still help I guess.
Discipline: 75ish
Spot: 70+

Other info:
+6 Regen without Items (DD)
50% Magic/Cold Immune
5/- Magic Resistance without Items
10/- Fire, Cold, Electric, Sonic Resistance without Items
EDR II + DD DR 11/-
25/+7 Damage Reduction
25/- Pierce Resist
SR 22
Defensive Awareness III means no Flanking which means no Auto-Sneak Attacks from multiple opponents (can still be sneaked via HIPS).

Biggest downside here is that there's not large enough AC to be relatively safe AND you're not crit immune.  You can get a meager 50% Conceal from Displacement (Cloak) and run Imp Expertise constantly (as you have crappy AB anyways - 52, I think without Imp Exp) to get near 80 AC with 50% conceal and almost 90 Parry without items (80 AC due to lack of Imp Exp while parrying).  Not sure at all if this is worth making because other tanks would outdo it in almost every situation.  It would be nice for tanking non-AA archers (who needs to do that often?) I guess.

Biggest upside is the large amounts of Damage Reduction/Resistance before considering any items.  The ele resists come from feats which (AFAIK) stack with item resistances.  Also, with the Fury Plate (dwarf only), a +2 regen belt, ring, cloak, and maybe helm (?) you're looking at around +19 regen per round which certainly won't save you when mobbed but could be helpful for 1v1 or small group tanking when combined with your Parry and other defenses.  

Again, I have serious doubts that this is even worth making - which is why I'm asking for feedback.  Any improvements (I can post the full build later, at work right now) or suggestions are appreciated.

Two ideas:

Move the initial spawn location (on first login / after reset) to where players respawn to after death.  That way new players begin facing the door to Eru's. 

Or move the bank and other "extra" area in the pocket to Eru's?  This option is a bit more work and might not really be worth it - but it would accomplish the same thing as the first point, essentially. 

You need to either be in Defensive Casting Mode, or have Improved Combat Casting to negate AoOs when casting near an enemy. 

Ranger Aid spell does NOT display any bonus in the character sheet (even before level 21 when it should just add +1).  It does appear in the combat log, so it's not really a problem - just thought I'd post about it in case others notice it. 

I had 40 AB on the character sheet totally unbuffed (and 40 AB in the combat log as well).  After casting Aid (and nothing else) combat log showed 42 AB (I'm a 21 Ranger atm). 

Again, this doesn't require any action, just announcing in case others encounter this and wonder about it. 

Also, 40 AB displayed on character sheet, 40 in combat log (without Aid).  I had WF/EWF, 22 BAB, 10 STR Bonus, +5 Weapon, -2 for dual wielding with light offhand.  That SHOULD be 38, so I'd say your +2 is working now.  Cheers, Terror!

I was wearing Leather Armor, which allows the Ranger bonus feats to work.  I believe if you through on heavy/medium you should lose two-weapon AND ambi which would be a much larger penalty than -2/-2

I get what you're saying about the weapons being equipped - is the fix you're considering going to potentially help with double weapons (which obviously, as one equip, can't be equipped separately)?  All in all, it's not the end of the world - I'll play the toon either way (because I think the shield AC bonus was a very nice addition to encourage dual wielding), just wondering. 

Not sure either are working properly right now.  Just made a toon in the build test arena and I don't seem to be getting the proper bonuses.

With 42 STR, 30 BAB, and wf/ewf/prowess  Ranger Aid (at 37 Ranger) and a +5 Weapon I would expect:

30+16+3+1+5+7+2+2-2 = 64 AB.  My character sheet only shows 60.  And the combat log doesn't reflect any additional bonuses either.  I was using a two-bladed sword (which should count, but I'm noting it just in case the devs wanted the info). 

I'm happy to report that the Parry AC seems to be working just fine, though, so kudos there.  So yea, just asking about the proper Aid spell bonus for 37 Rangers (it's only appearing as +5 right now, instead of +7) and the +2 for dual wielding at high ranger levels.

Thanks!  I don't want this to be taken as whining (since it's my first post in a LONG time) just wanted to notify/verify since I'm planning a toon around these new bonuses.  Great job with the updates while I've been gone - can't wait to get back to playing!

Meh, it's a choice they can make.  Let them make it.  Rez-killing is still not an acceptable response, IMO.  However if they die to anything other than hostile NPCs (con-loss, unshifting, self-damage) then just let them respawn. 

10 Base
8+6 Armor
3+6 Shield
20 Dodge (1 Mage Armor, 4 Haste, 10 Divine Shield, 5 Epic Mage Armor)
7 Natural
6 Deflection
2 Armor Skin
8 Tumble
1 Dexterity
--------------------
77

From NLawson
"Currently blinding speed needs 25+ dex, and gets 2 uses per day and lasts for 100 rounds total."

Um no it doesn't, it only lasts 50 rounds!!!

50 rounds per use w/ 2 uses per day.

I have this kind of Dragon with Imp Expertise and it works wonders.  My favorite toon overall I think - very versatile. 

Dragon tank ended up not working because when you get flat-footed you get owned (curse you, time stop!).  My Dragon even has Uncanny Dodge (don't think Dragon Shape grants that) and still loses 20 AC when flatfooted.  Without Uncanny Dodge (assuming you hit the +20 Dodge Cap) if anything flat-foots you (most likely spell effects since you have TS and would be hard to KD with the actual feat) you're losing 39 AC, AFAIK. 

I use the Character Build Calculator and then use it's base information and modify it on another spreadsheet manually with GvM changes (AC, AB, Saves, Spells, etc)

I was too lazy to check my dragon, but they shape didn't get WF/EWF last time I checked.  The reason not to take it is because it doesn't WORK on Creature Weapons.  My concern with this build is this: what's the point? 

AB, as far as I can tell, is something like 25+25+6+1+3 (if you go divination)-2 (size) = 58 (Could get up to 69 with TS pot but only for like 3 rounds at a time). 
AC is something like 77

Epic Warding's duration is short, but it nets you the ability to penetrate DRs of X/+20 or less.  Problem being that anything with huge DR is going to probably require better AB to even hit.  Having a crit immune dragon is kind of nice, though, don't get me wrong. 

Not trying to be harsh - just pointing out the numbers I'm seeing so you know what you're getting in to before you hit 40.  Sucks to be disappointed after so much work.  If this seems worth it to you, though, go for it!