Character Builds
There are a variety of resources out there for build information and it is worthwhile, if you are so inclined, to spend some time considering your build in advance of implementing it. The purpose of this page to assist people looking for more sources of information to build out their characters. The balance between a viable build Mechanically and for Role Play purposes is often a struggle and it is easy to build a character that could be optimised better. There are a number of tools available to assist people with building characters and a number of build examples.
NOTE: As of 13 Sept 2020, changes to the way Gifts work have impacted most/all of the listed builds in the index. I have added a column to the index to indicate what the state of the build is in. Initially they will all be flagged unknown, but I hope as the builds are adjusted in the build channel they will gradually be vetted and returned to a good state.
Zanithar
Sources of Information
- Arelith - PGCC: A dedicated build server found in the list of Arelith Servers.
- Character builds and equipment builds can be tested here without most of the prerequisite effort required in obtaining experience, gold, equipment, skills, etc.
- Your character from the main servers can be copied here using the -transfer command
- Arelith Discord: Arelith specific discord containing build discussion channels and information. This is currently the best place to find build information and more importantly to vet build information.
- character-build-advice channel: A channel for discussing character builds. There is a role for the build helpers and they show up in Orange (Build Advisor)
- build-guides: A channel dedicated to vetted example builds, you can find an example of many builds in this channel
- Arelith Forums: Arelith specific forum containing a Builds & Mechanics sections
- Although builds can be discussed here, at the time of writing, the predominate source of build support is the Discord. There are some notable things on the forum however.
- Kalo's Arelith Build Calculator: An Arelith specific build tool based upon the NWN Character Build Calculator.
- The gift of Craftmanship: Trade Skill Distribution: A source of information for Craft Skill point distribution focusing on synergies between the crafting skills.
- All Things Ranged (Builds, Launchers, Templates): A build resource for Ranged builds.
Build Index
- Last Updated: 13 Sept 2020
- Below is an index of the builds currently found in the build-guides channel of the Official Discord. Class 1, Class 2, Class 3 are ordered by majority level, alphabetical when equivalent. So, for example, if you want to find a Majority Paladin build, sort Class 1 and find the Paladin section.
- These builds should be used as example and they may be out of date, the absolute best source of information at the time of writing this is the Discord channel.
- Arelith has many customizations, one of the more notable ones that will impact the below Build Index is to Weapon Focus Feats and it is worth reviewing specifically as some of the builds still refer to the old weapon specific feats. E.g. Weapon Focus: Scimitar would be replaced with Weapon Focus (one-handed edged) when found in the build guides below.
- A special dip representation has been added to the Index (Pal/BG) to represent a class interchangeable "Divine" dip. This is used on builds that have specifically been build to swamp Paladin and Blackguard with no other changes to the build.
| Build | Race | Class 1 | Class 2 | Class 3 | Author | Description | State |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fighter(20), Weapon Master(7), Rogue(3) | Human | Fighter | Weapon Master | Rogue | Jack Oat | Standard Weapon Master | Unknown |
| Fighter(11), Rogue(3), Blackguard(16) | Human | Blackguard | Fighter | Rogue | Jack Oat | Standard Blackguard summoner | Unknown |
| Fighter(24), Paladin(4), Rogue(3) | Human | Fighter | Paladin | Rogue | Jack Oat | Standard divine Fighter | Unknown |
| Fighter(6), Rogue(24) | Human | Rogue | Fighter | Jack Oat | Standard deep Rogue | Unknown | |
| Rogue(19), Fighter(8), Monk(3) | Human | Rogue | Fighter | Monk | Jack Oat | Monk kama/quarterstaff | Unknown |
| Rogue(13), Fighter(10),Weapon Master(7) | Human | Rogue | Fighter | Weapon Master | Jack Oat | Dex based Weapon Master | Unknown |
| Blackguard(17), Knight(10), Rogue(3) | Human | Blackguard | Knight | Rogue | Jack Oat | Summons based melee | Unknown |
| Bard(16), Knight(10), Paladin(4) | Human | Bard | Knight | Paladin | Jack Oat | Bard Heavy Knight/Paladin | Unknown |
| Bard(16), Knight(10), Fighter(4) | Human | Bard | Knight | Fighter | Jack Oat | Bard Heavy Knight/Fighter | Unknown |
| Rogue(10), Monk(20) | Human | Monk | Rogue | Jack Oat | Standard Monk/Rogue (may be outdated) | Unknown | |
| Fighter(20), Paladin/Blackguard(3), Weapon Master(7) | Human | Fighter | Weapon Master | Pal/BG | Jack Oat | Divine Weapon Master | Unknown |
| Paladin(27), Rogue(3) | Human | Paladin | Rogue | Jack Oat | Standard deep Paladin | Unknown | |
| Wizard(27), Ranger(3) | Human | Wizard | Ranger | Jack Oat | Standard Wizard | Unknown | |
| Paladin(23), Fighter(4), Rogue(3) | Human | Paladin | Fighter | Rogue | Jack Oat | Paladin dip Fighter variant | Unknown |
| Fighter(8), Earthkin Defender(18), Rogue(4) | Dwarf - Shield | Earthkin Defender | Fighter | Rogue | Jencent b'Ack | Epic Damage Reduction Earthkin Defender | Unknown |
| Monk(20), Rogue(10) | Human | Monk | Rogue | baRKy | Standard Monk/Rogue (Updated) | Unknown | |
| True Flame(26), Paladin/Blackguard(4) | Human | True Flame | Pal/BG | Kenji | Auto-Quicken 3, Divine True Flame | Unknown | |
| True Flame(26), Paladin/Blackguard(4) | Human | True Flame | Pal/BG | Kenji | Auto-Still 3, Divine True Flame | Unknown | |
| True Flame(26), Fighter(4) | Human | True Flame | Fighter | Kenji | Epic Damage Reduction 3, Fighter dip True Flame | Unknown | |
| True Flame(25), Harper Mage(5) | Human | True Flame | Harper Mage | Kenji | Auto Quicken 3, Harper Mage dip True Flame | Unknown | |
| True Flame(21), Harper Mage(5), Paladin(4) | Human | True Flame | Harper Mage | Paladin | Kenji | Auto Quicken 3 and Auto Still 2, Harper Mage and Paladin dip True Flame | Unknown |
| Spellsword(21), Fighter(6), Monk(3) | Human | Spellsword | Fighter | Monk | Jack Oat | Spellmonk, high APR, high AC and Spellsword perks | Unknown |
| Fighter(25), Harper Paragon(5) | Human | Fighter | Harper Paragon | Jack Oat | Harper version of the divine Fighter | Unknown | |
| Barbarian(21), Fighter(6), Rogue(3) | Human | Barbarian | Fighter | Rogue | Dr. B | One-handed weapon Barbarian | Unknown |
| Cleric(27), Bard(3) | Human | Cleric | Bard | Dr. B | Strength based battle Cleric | Unknown | |
| Cleric(27), Bard(3) | Human | Cleric | Bard | Dr. B | Wisdom based caster Cleric | Unknown | |
| Healer(27), Bard(3) | Human | Healer | Bard | Dr. B | Wisdom based caster Healer Build shows Cleric but is interchangeable with Healer Path |
Unknown | |
| Warlock(30) | Human | Warlock | Dr. B | Abyssal/Infernal Pact Warlock | Unknown | ||
| Warlock(27), Blackguard(3) | Human | Warlock | Blackguard | Dr. B | Fey Pact Warlock, divine dip for saves and AC | Unknown | |
| Bard(25), Fighter(5) | Human | Bard | Fighter | Dr. B | Standard Battlebard | Unknown | |
| Ranger(21), Fighter(6), Bard(3) | Human | Ranger | Fighter | Bard | Dr. B | Strength based Ranger with bane of enemies and epic weapon specialization | Unknown |
| Bard(4), Shadowdancer(10), Pale Master(16) | Human | Pale Master | Shadowdancer | Bard | Jack Oat | NOTE: This is a MEME build, built for pure defence and has next to no offensive capabilities. | Unknown |
| Paladin(7), Weapon Master(7), 16 Divine Champion | Human | Divine Champion | Paladin | Weapon Master | Garrbear | Extreme burst damage, full set of divines, top tier save and decent AC | Unknown |
| Bard(16), BG(4), RDD(10) | Kobold | Bard | Red Dragon Disciple | Blackguard | Garrbear | Red Dragon Disciple requires a 20 RPR and finding a secret NPC in the Underdark. Not recommended for new players | Unknown |
| Bard(26), Blackguard(4) | Human | Bard | Blackguard | Garrbear | Extremely high skills, Good AB/AC, decent damage and can use via UMD the non-class polearm Elder Dream | Unknown | |
| Druid(30) | Firbolg | Druid | MajorArcana | Pure 30 caster with Evocation/Divination and Tier 3 Dweomercraft | Unknown | ||
| True Flame(26), Ranger(4) | Human | True Flame | Ranger | Kenji | Nets extra epic feat using Ranger dip, easier build to migrate to non-human race | Unknown | |
| Spellsword(21), Fighter(4), Weapon Master(5) | Human | Spellsword | Weapon Master | Fighter | Jack Oat | High Damage, high performance, lower saves and more easily dispelled Spellsword | Unknown |
| Shadowdancer(14), Monk(9), Weapon Master(7) | Human | Shadowdancer | Monk | Weapon Master | Jack Oat | Epic Shadow, Monk UBAB Weapon Master | Unknown |
| Barbarian(17), Fighter(6), Weapon Master(7) | Dwarf - Duergar | Barbarian | Weapon Master | Fighter | Hegemony | Attributes/Stats, Skill Points High AB, extremely high damage Scythe build, weak on defences except HP and Fortitude saves. NOT beginner friendly but does well with a friend to tank for you. |
Unknown |
| Fighter(6), Barbarian(17), Weapon Master(7) | Dwarf - Wild | Barbarian | Weapon Master | Fighter | Jack Oat | Full melee build using small race for Two-Hander bonuses using scimitar. High AB, extremely high damage build. Weak on defences except HP and Fortitude saves. Not beginner friendly but does well with a friend to tank for you. | Unknown |
| Monk(4), Blackguard(16), Fighter(10) | Orog | Blackguard | Fighter | Monk | Dr. B | Summoner Blackguard with Monk UBAB using Naginata. See notes for tweaking option, including racial tweak to Human. | Unknown |
| Fighter(20), Weapon Master(7), Rogue(3) | Human | Fighter | Weapon Master | Rogue | BaRKy | Higher saves Weapon Master variant. Can be used with sword and shield or two-hander. Can be used with other races with small tweaks Recommended for beginners. |
Unknown |
| Fighter(20), Weapon Master(7), Rogue(3) | Human | Fighter | Weapon Master | Specialist | BaRKy | Higher saves Weapon Master variant. Can be used with sword and shield or two-hander. Can be used with other races with small tweaks. Alternative to the Rogue dip is the Specialist dip, netting an additional Epic Skill Focus but costs Evasion. Evasion is more useful mechanically and this is not recommended but it is supported in the build. |
Unknown |
| Ranger(21), Monk(5), Fighter(4) | Human | Ranger | Monk | Fighter | Kenji | Must be Lawful Quarterstaff Ranger/Monk build, Good DPS and saves. |
Unknown |
| Ranger(21), Monk(3), Fighter(6) | Human | Ranger | Fighter | Monk | Kenji | Must be Lawful Quarterstaff Ranger/Monk build, Good DPS and saves. Higher AB, less saves and late Monk UBAB access compared to other, similar builds |
Unknown |
| Ranger(21), Monk(6), Specialist(3) | Human | Ranger | Monk | Specialist | Kenji | Must be Lawful Quarterstaff Ranger/Monk build, Good DPS and saves. |
Unknown |
| Ranger(27), Monk(3) | Human | Ranger | Monk | Kenji | Must be Lawful Quarterstaff Ranger/Monk build, Good DPS and saves. High CL, +5 Blade Thirst and lots of favored/studied enemies Recommended for Beginners. |
Unknown | |
| Fighter(6), Paladin/Blackguard(4), Divine Champion(20) | Human | Divine Champion | Fighter | Pal/BG | Dr. B | Divine Melee, not as high damage as Weapon Master variant but more durable and flush with feats. | Unknown |
| Healer(30) | Human | Healer | Jennymint | Very flexible and strong healer path summoner/support cleric build. Exceedingly difficult to be killed. Beginner friendly. | Unknown | ||
| Shaman(23), Ranger(4), Barbarian(3) | Dwarf - Wild | Shaman | Ranger | Barbarian | Kenji | Zen archery axe throwing build. | Unknown |
| Ranger(7), Arcane Archer(18), Shadowdancer(5) | Elf - Drow | Arcane Archer | Ranger | Shadowdancer | FortyFive | Ranged Stealth build using Hide in Plain Sight. | Unknown |
| Ranger(8), Arcane Archer(18), Monk(4) | Elf - Wild | Arcane Archer | Ranger | Monk | Jack Oat | Generic Ranger/Arcane Archer/Monk build | Unknown |
| Warlock(23), Fighter(4), Blackguard(3) | Human | Warlock | Fighter | Blackguard | Jack Oat | Feylock Pact, divine melee build. | Unknown |
| Spellsword(23), Blackguard(3), Fighter(4) | Human | Spellsword | Fighter | Pal/BG | Jack Oat | Divine Spellsword | Unknown |
| Monk(30) | Human | Monk | BaRKy | Dex Monk, ki striker build. Warning: Low Strength and pure monk which can be challenging. |
Unknown | ||
| Monk(20), Fighter(10) | Human | Monk | Fighter | BaRKy | Dex Monk, ki striker build. Low Strength, it has a rough early start but once geared it will be smooth sailing | Unknown | |
| Monk(20), Fighter(6), Divine Champion(4) | Human | Monk | Fighter | Divine Champion | Kenji | Dex Monk, ki striker build. Low Strength, it has a rough early start but once geared it will be smooth sailing Build shows Fighter(10), check notes for Divine Champion variant. |
Unknown |
| Monk(20), Divine Champion(6), Fighter(4) | Human | Monk | Divine Champion | Fighter | Kenji | Dex Monk, ki striker. Deeper Divine Champion gains better saves and low level divine wrath. This is an exceedingly difficult/expensive build to gear well, the Fighter(6) variant of this build is recommended. | Unknown |
| Monk(20), Divine Champion(4), Fighter(6) | Human | Monk | Fighter | Divine Champion | Kenji | Dex Monk, ki striker. Fighter variant of the deeper Divine Champion(6) build. Easier to gear properly. | Unknown |
| Shaman(27), Tribal Barbarian(3) | Human | Shaman | Tribal Barbarian | Kenji | Caster and summoner build with decent tribals. High summon counts with tribals and elemental swarm. Focuses on Conjuration, Transmutation and Divination | Unknown | |
| Shaman(27), Monk(3) | Human | Shaman | Monk | Kenji | Caster and/or summoner with higher AC. Focuses on Conjuration, Evocation and Abjuration for damage as well as breaching/dispelling. | Unknown | |
| Shaman(27), Ranger(3) | Human | Shaman | Ranger | Kenji | Caster and/or summoner, one extra Epic Spell Focus via Ranger dip. Solid all-rounder Shaman build. Focuses on Conjuration, Evocation, Abjuration and Divination | Unknown | |
| Hexblade(27), Blackguard(3) | Human | Hexblade | Blackguard | Jack Oat | Divine Hexblade. Nets on-hit healing, multiple damage curses and the Hex of Neglect for AC decrease. | Unknown | |
| Hexblade(26), Monk(4) | Human | Hexblade | Monk | Jack Oat | Dex Hexblade using Quarterstaff for Monk UBAB. | Unknown | |
| Hexblade(11), Monk(4), Pale Master(15) | Human | Pale Master | Hexblade | Monk | Jack Oat | Lowish AB, decent damage, high AC/survivability. | Unknown |
| Ranger(4), Knight(10), Shadowdancer(16) | Halfling | Shadowdancer | Knight | Ranger | Meriam Fuzzypaws | High AC, survivability, low damage (when not sneak attacking with shadow). Epic Shadow guards character and Knight wards another character for maximum bodyguard power. | Unknown |
| Rogue(4), Knight(10), Shadowdancer(16) | Halfling | Shadowdancer | Knight | Rogue | Meriam Fuzzypaws | High AC, survivability, low damage (when not sneak attacking with shadow). Epic Shadow guards character and Knight wards another character for maximum bodyguard power. Rogue varient to Ranger dip. Trades 1 AB for +1 AB on Rogue proficiency weapons which nets +5 Dalesword for that Damage Resistance penetration as well as more skill points and access to the other Roguish level 20 bonuses. This is a solid upgrade over the Ranger variant. |
Unknown |
| Rogue(19), Fighter(6), Shadowdancer(5) | Human | Rogue | Fighter | Shadowdancer | Kenji | Standard Roguish build with Shadowdancer dip for Hide in Plain sight. | Unknown |
| Rogue(19), Fighter(6), Shadowdancer(5) | Elf - Moon | Rogue | Fighter | Shadowdancer | Kenji | Standard Roguish build with Shadowdancer dip for Hide in Plain sight. Elf varient | Unknown |
| Hexblade(4), Pale Master(10), Blackguard(16) | Orog | Blackguard | Pale Master | Hexblade | Meriam Fuzzypaws | Melee/Blackguard summoner, immune critical Blackguard build with both divine might/shield and Blackguard saves. | Unknown |
| Hexblade(4), Pale Master(16), Blackguard(10) | Orog | Palemaster | Blackguard | Hexblade | Meriam Fuzzypaws | Melee/Palemaster summoner, immune critical and gains Epic Spell: Mage Armor, both divine might/shield and Blackguard saves. | Unknown |
| Swashbuckler(8), Divine Champion(15), Weapon Master(7) | Human | Divine Champion | Swashbuckler | Weapon Master | Garrbear | Strength Swashbuckler, Divine Champion Weapon Master variant | Unknown |
| Swashbuckler(13), Knight(10), Weapon Master(7) | Human | Swashbuckler | Knight | Weapon Master | Garrbear | Strength Swashbuckler: Knight, Weapon Master variant | Unknown |
| Swashbuckler(11), Fighter(12), Weapon Master(7) | Human | Fighter | Swashbuckler | Weapon Master | Garrbear | Strength Swashbuckler: deeper Fighter, Weapon Master variant | Unknown |
| Swashbuckler(21), Fighter(4), Weapon Master(5) | Human | Swashbuckler | Weapon Master | Fighter | Garrbear | Strength Swashbuckler: dip Fighter, Weapon Master variant | Unknown |
| Sorcerer(26), Blackguard(4) | Human | Sorcerer | Blackguard | Garrbear | Autostill, solid AC divine Sorcerer | Unknown | |
| Bard(20), Fighter(5), Weapon Master(5) | Human | Bard | Fighter | Weapon Master | Garrbear | Melee Bard with partial Weapon Master dip | Unknown |
| Archer(7), Shadowdancer(10), Arcane Archer(13) | Half-Elf | Arcane Archer | Shadowdancer | Ranger | Kenji | Epic Dodge, HiPS, DR piercing, same AB as base Ranger Archer build but with less damage and slightly lower AC Half-Elf variant |
Unknown |
| Archer(7), Shadowdancer(10), Arcane Archer(13) | Elf-Wild | Arcane Archer | Shadowdancer | Ranger | Kenji | Epic Dodge, HiPS, DR piercing, same AB as base Ranger Archer build but with less damage and slightly lower AC Wild Elf variant |
Unknown |
| Swashbuckler(8), Fighter(6), Assassin(16) | Human | Assassin | Swashbuckler | Fighter | Garrbear | Dex Swashbuckler, decent damage, epic dodge and can fit blind speed. Also has Tier 3 Dweomercraft | Unknown |
| Bard(23), Fighter(4), Paladin/Blackguard(3) | Human | Bard | Fighter | Pal/BG | Jack Oat | Updated divine Bard, more dispel resistant while still meeting divine might/shield requirements | Unknown |
| Monk(30) | Human | Monk | BaRKy | Dex Monk with epic dodge and high spell resistance. AB and AC are a little low | Unknown | ||
| Fighter(6), Paladin/Blackguard(4), Divine Champion(20) | Halfling | Divine Champion | Fighter | Pal/BG | Kenji | Halfling hybrid shortsword/sling and shield build. Divine Champion variant, nets deep divine wrath and solid saves. | Unknown |
| Fighter(24), Blackguard(3), Rogue(3) | Halfling | Fighter | Blackguard | Rogue | Kenji | Halfling hybrid shortsword/sling and shield build. Deep fighter variant, nets more AC and DR piercing on +4 weapons (dale sword, crossbow). Better quality of life through Rogue. | Unknown |
| Healer(23), Ranger(4), Monk(3) | Human | Healer | Dr. B | Dex battle Healer, domains and foci can be swapped as needed but death domain is recommended for empowered harms. Very dispellable on a build very dependant on buffs. | Unknown |
