New Base Classes for NWN2-ALFA (Favored Soul, Spirit Shaman)

[Mulu]

I don't think you're quite following, Mulu. A FS only has to boost WIS for better DCs--spell selection is completely CHA dependent.

Ah, that does make a difference.

I still think cleric at least wins by a nose.

[Veilan]

Yes, they get weapon specialization, but at level 12, and they cannot choose which weapon to take the benefit in (as it must be their deity's favored weapon).

Oh, my opposition to weapon specialization is not power-based - it's simply philosophical. Weapon specialization was about the only reason anyone ever considered taking fighter, and since at everything else the fighter could do there was a class that could do it better / more efficient, I'm not in favour of giving this only special ability of the fighter to other classes.

Despite the lack of choice in which weapon it applies, I think it would be better to either scrap it for the FS, or replace it with improved critical: favoured weapon.

As I stated before, I don't think the FS is more powerful than a cleric.

I would of course be thoroughly disappointed if the amount of FSes going for heavy shield / tower shield and full plate would be as high as with ALFA 1 clerics, style-wise it doesn't seem to fit for my vision - this is not professional organized super-trained soldateska of the church, this is a person trying to come to terms with being thrust into the spotlight of their deity's favour.

Then again, ALFA's grim reality rewards surviving more than roleplay themes.

Not really. Have you tried playing any of the classes you have such concerns about in game or an NWN2 PW? Eldritch blast only works once a round, and it is far from automatic.

Yes, I have played a warlock in the OC (a drow one at that, har), and what irks me is that not only does the blast get rather powerful, but also that there is very little you can do to ward against it. That coupled with "permanent" magical boosts and a non-depletable ressource to pull nifty stunts - which in a PW are a lot more helpful, where the jacked-up bonus spell slot über charisma sorcerer still runs out of spells half-way through the crawl and thus relegates himself to buffing - have me convinced the class is really powerful. Whether more or less so than established ones is hard to say, a cleric probably still beats it as well, however the warlock does not come with the roleplay restrictions or other codices governing their behaviour that theoretically keep clerics in check. The class defo imho asks for more careful deliberation than the favoured soul, which seems to have some nifty things but nothing over the top.

[Mulu]

You know, NWN2 has a *lot* more weapon combat feats for fighters to take advantage of, far more than any other class could take. It isn't just focus and spec anymore. I tried a dual-wield build katana and shortsword, and even with a straight-classed fighter couldn't feat out in both weapons at 12th level and take other important feats like cleave. Don't count those fighters out just yet!