It's not about the build.
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You know, for some reason it always seems like mechanical knowledge is often equated with 20 STR half-orc Barbarians. Well, time to confess:
No mechanically able player makes characters with an 18 in any stat, unless it's a really hardcore RP build.
Why? Because it cripples you too much in social areas which will kill you. 8 WIS? Enjoy dying all the time. 8 INT? Hope you love being tricked out of your gold at every turn? 8 CHA? 8 CHA isn't so bad even if you RP it, but it will really throw you a wrench if you are on any DM quest. You are the first guy the DM makes the Drow slavers pick to work on the mines forever.
The more experienced you get at mechanics, the more leniency you have with making sub-par builds. Most can thrive because success really mostly depends on these key points:
*** Position in battle (avoid AoO like the black plague)
- Order in which you kill enemies (dispel-casters > high-damage mobs > grunts)
- Buffs and consumables (knowing what they do and when to use what)**
You do well in these three areas and your 12 STR Fighter will kick so much ass that you will run out of bubblegum way before you run out of ass.
Next point I wanted to talk about:
Mechanical flaws. ("RP builds")
Here is how I think about it: You write a concept. You decide what feats and stats this would best reflect. Once you are done with that, you make the mechanically best build this allows you given the constraints.
There's no need to intentionally cripple your wizard with 8 CON - unless he is really sick or just extraordinarily frail. You keep in mind that these are adventurers, not peasants; that's why they are given so many points to distribute.
Last, here I give you a typical mechanical powerbuild for a frontliner, and you will see it doesn't have any of the min-maxing that always seems to be associated with it:
16 STR
10 DEX
12 CON
14 WIS
10 INT
14 CHAAnd Skill Focus(Taunt)
There you go. That's a "powerbuild". No 18 in any stat, no 8 anywhere. But optimized for mechanical prowess, yet able to excel in RP situations. This character would have likely a background as a leadership figure. Perhaps an older sergeant of the militia? The Charisma and Wisdom reflect experience and leadership. Incidentally, they increase the most important save for a frontliner, Will, and give him a bonus to Taunt, an excellent combat skill. Since he is getting older, he isn't as fast as he used to (making him weak against Tanglefoot bags).
What am I trying to say? Mechanically minded players don't go for min-maxed, horrible powerbuilds. We've all played NWN for a long time, and we love to take part in the stories, the plots and, just as importantly, the quests and mechanical challenges, and of course, the PVP.
All I am saying is this:
There is no need to play terrible, gimped builds to be a "good roleplayer". You can, of course, play however you want, and nobody can tell you otherwise but a DM, but if you want to have fun on the harder quests, you don't have to gimp yourselves just for "roleplay's" sake. No DM will hate you for taking feats that reflect your background and are mechanically useful, just as nobody will think less of you for making the best build you can that reflects your concept well without sacrificing utility in combat situations.
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I love it
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I'm so of the same mind as you on this Jasede. :D
"Here is how I think about it: You write a concept. You decide what feats and stats this would best reflect. Once you are done with that, you make the mechanically best build this allows you given the constraints. "
Same method I use to build a character. Often with feats,stats skills and class option I split the list into 3 sections.
Vital
Your concept requires, to lose it would be to compremise the character.
Possable
Within the limits of your conept but not vital to it.
Forbiden
You can't have this feature, its too off concept.
Then you just play with things till it works.
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This is all nonsense. You can easily do 18-20's without having any 8's. Its all about distribution.
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Not to mention, hell, Skill Focus Taunt!? Guess who's going to find an awesome belt buckle made from a talking goblin's head that screams insults at your foes about how they're not even worthy of being made into your cod piece after his owner chops you up.
I like to encourage unique builds, even if they're 'powerful' provided the flavor and concept are fun and fit.
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Ahh skill focus, plus postive relevent stat, plus cross rank skills The salavation of many a freaky build. Get a cool item boast on top and you make your character easyly good enough with that skill to use it well.
:D