test content
Logo
What is the Arc Client?
Install Arc
The Average Player's Guide to Neverwinter
tyrtallow
Member, NW M9 Playtest Posts: 747 Arc User
Goal: This guide is intended to be the go-to resource of all things Neverwinter-related for the "average" player. The intent is for this thread to grow into something that the community as a whole can take advantage of, so the next time any of us meets a new/struggling/returning player we can simply refer him/her to this guide. This guide will be a constant work in progress - any LEGIT corrections and suggestions would be GREATLY appreciated.
For veteran/experienced players, the aim is to make this guide our "baseline" for such basic topics such as AD generation, character campaign progress, what powers/feats are most relevant to the current meta, etc.
For the purpose of this guide, we define the "average" player as someone who plays the game around 14 hours per week.
Note: You can use the Ctrl-F function to skip to specific sections of the guide.
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
I) The Basics, i.e., New player, welcome to Neverwinter!
a) Character Creation - the four core roles
b) The Classes: a rough outline
II) Character Development
a) Leveling from 1-60
b) Leveling from 61-70
c) Preparing for level 70 content
III) On Astral Diamond Generation
IV) Class-specific Tips
V) Credits
-Give us your suggestions and your name shows up here
VI) Guide Construction Version History
VII) Also see: (other useful guide links?)
And now, without further ado:
I) The Basics, i.e., New player, welcome to Neverwinter!
Hey there.
Welcome to Neverwinter, one of very best sword & sorcery, twitch-based MMORPGs out today. If you ever wondered what it would be like if someone combined a third person shooter with high fantasy RPG elements, then look no further. The game boasts impressive visuals and fast-paced gameplay.
Note that Neverwinter is a game that is constantly undergoing improvements as well as providing new content. As such, expect the occasional major hiccup.
a) Character Creation - the four core roles
As an action game a large part of Neverwinter is about combat, and combat boils down to four things: providing healing/buffs/debuffs, providing crowd control, dealing damage and attracting/dealing with aggro. These give rise to the four core roles: Leader, Controller, Striker and Defender.
In Neverwinter each class usually has one primary and one secondary role. Each class also provides a unique paragon path that either improves a class' secondary role or adds another.
The Leader is usually a jack-of-all-trades kind of character. Individually leaders are the weakest character types, but in a group leaders provide some sort of function (healing, buffs, debuffs) that significantly improves everyone's offensive/defensive capabilities.
The Controller character specializes in affecting enemy mobs in some way that either reduces their offensive capabilities (knockbacks, chill/slow, freeze, stun, daze) or makes them more vulnerable to attacks (lumping them together, knockdowns/prones, debuffs). Good controllers do both.
The Striker character is all about damage. While all characters are expected to deal damage, Striker characters have key abilities that allow them to dish out truly monstrous amounts of damage.
The Defender is the toughest character type. In Neverwinter defenders are expected to draw enemy attention and either kite/tank enemy attacks so that their allies can either use their abilities in relative safety or accomplish key objectives without hassle.
It is important to know about the four core roles because the game is balanced around how they work - in Neverwinter, a large part of class balance is based on how a particular class performs in tandem with other classes (which is the main the reason why it's all so complicated). It's usually when a character type starts excelling in multiple roles (with no corresponding weakness assigned) that it becomes overpowered. Ideally a strong group should include some combination of the four core roles.
An understanding about how the character roles work allows players to provide objective feedback about whether character types are underperforming or overperforming. For example, the Great Weapon Fighter Sentinel path is supposed to be a Striker/Defender hybrid, and yet fails miserably at both in PvE. Likewise several Oathbound Paladin types are extremely powerful defenders/leaders, and yet lack any notable weaknesses in both PvE and PvP.
The devs will need objective player feedback to properly fine tune these character types.
b) The Classes: a rough outline
The roles assigned in this outline are based on the class' actual in-game performance relative to each other (ie, this is how they actually work in-game). Use this section to help you decide whether a certain class is truly right for you.
Devoted Cleric
Primary Role: Leader (Virtuous, Faithful, Righteous), Secondary Role: Striker (Righteous)
Great Weapon Fighter
Primary Role: Striker (Instigator, Destroyer, Sentinel subpar atm), Secondary Role: Defender (Sentinel, subpar atm)
Guardian Fighter
Primary Role: Defender (Conqueror, Protector, Tactician), Secondary Role 1: Striker (especially Conqueror, subpar atm), Secondary Role 2: Leader (Conqueror, Protector, Tactician)
Hunter Ranger
Primary Role: Striker (Archery, Combat, Trapper), Secondary Role: Controller (Trapper)
Oathbound Paladin
Primary Role: Either Defender or Leader (Justice, Bulwark, Light), Secondary Role: Either Leader or Defender (Justice, Bulwark, Light)
Trickster Rogue
Primary Role: Striker (Saboteur, Scoundrel, Executioner), Secondary Role: Controller (Saboteur and Scoundrel, also depends on feat choice)
Scourge Warlock
Primary Role: Striker (Fury, Damnation, Temptation), Secondary Role: Leader (Temptation, subpar atm especially at low item level)
Control Wizard
Primary Role: Controller (Oppressor, Thaumaturge, Renegade), Secondary Role 1: Striker (especially Thaumaturge), Secondary Role 2: Leader (Renegade)
II) Character Development
Although the game offers new players plenty of ways to breeze through content and start working on potential end-game setups, the game itself volunteers very little of this information and most players are usually too busy doing something else to care about the plight of the new or the uninformed. I would suggest not holding it against them: time is an important resource in Neverwinter.
This section aims to list as many of these (LEGIT) options as possible.
JOINING CUSTOM CHAT CHANNELS
Joining a custom chat channel gives players the opportunity to socialize with other like-minded players and have serious discussions with more experienced players. You can ask about popular or obscure character builds, AD-related trends, changes to current meta or even basic stuff like the classic "Does this game have a character stash/bank?".
So why not just ask these questions in Zone/LFG/Trade chat, you ask? Well, the nature of Neverwinter makes it so that the game tends to attract the kind of playerbase you usually encounter in games like MOBAs. As a result, you won't find many level-headed players lurking in Zone/LFG/Trade chat.
Note that the nature of Neverwinter also makes it so that begging is EXTREMELY frowned upon.
To join a chat channel, type /channel_join "insert_name of_custom_channel_here"
Popular custom channels in the PC version include:
NW_legit_community (Main language: English, Timezone: All)
-this channel was created for players who wish to play the game without resorting to the use of bugs and exploits. Although a private channel (visit http://nwlegitcommunity.shivtr.com/ to apply) NW_legit_community boasts an eclectic membership and a newbie-friendly atmosphere, and does not discriminate between player types (newbie or veteran, casual or hardcore, roleplayer or powergamer). Emphasis is placed on player skill and a tactical approach to tackling content over gear and item level.
-suggest other PC version custom channels
Popular custom channels in the Xbox version include:
-suggest Xbox version custom channels
GENERAL LEVELING TIPS
-Doing quests gives you the fastest, simplest XP. Although setups for massive XP gain do exist, questing allows you to learn more about your character, game mechanics and game lore. Questing also allows you to visit exotic and visually impressive game locations.
-Familiarize yourself with your journal (default key: "J"). Visit Sergeant Knox often to check for new quest lines.
-The quest marker sign on NPCs (yellow "!") will disappear if your character's level goes beyond the quest's recommended level. Make sure to talk to all nearby interactable NPCs when possible.
-Doing foundry (player-made) quests presents players with an alternative to normal questing. To check out foundry quests, visit a job board/harper contact or you can go to the foundry tab on the game's content window (default key: "L"). Don't forget to tip authors for foundry quests you really enjoyed!
-The game has two basic currency types: Copper/Silver/Gold and Astral Diamonds (AD). Copper/Silver/Gold is mostly used for maintaining your character (consumables, swapping enchantments in/out, very basic equipment). AD is used for everything else.
-You gain a modest amount of AD from invoking and doing your first two dungeon/skirmishes per day. You can use this AD to buy your character cheap but very useful leveling gear. The bonus resets if your character gains access to new skirmishes/dungeons (AUTHOR'S NOTE: HAS THIS CHANGED? CONFIRMATION WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED) so always check the queues whenever you can (default key: "K").
For veteran/experienced players, the aim is to make this guide our "baseline" for such basic topics such as AD generation, character campaign progress, what powers/feats are most relevant to the current meta, etc.
For the purpose of this guide, we define the "average" player as someone who plays the game around 14 hours per week.
Note: You can use the Ctrl-F function to skip to specific sections of the guide.
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
I) The Basics, i.e., New player, welcome to Neverwinter!
a) Character Creation - the four core roles
b) The Classes: a rough outline
II) Character Development
a) Leveling from 1-60
b) Leveling from 61-70
c) Preparing for level 70 content
III) On Astral Diamond Generation
IV) Class-specific Tips
V) Credits
-Give us your suggestions and your name shows up here
VI) Guide Construction Version History
VII) Also see: (other useful guide links?)
And now, without further ado:
I) The Basics, i.e., New player, welcome to Neverwinter!
Hey there.
Welcome to Neverwinter, one of very best sword & sorcery, twitch-based MMORPGs out today. If you ever wondered what it would be like if someone combined a third person shooter with high fantasy RPG elements, then look no further. The game boasts impressive visuals and fast-paced gameplay.
Note that Neverwinter is a game that is constantly undergoing improvements as well as providing new content. As such, expect the occasional major hiccup.
a) Character Creation - the four core roles
As an action game a large part of Neverwinter is about combat, and combat boils down to four things: providing healing/buffs/debuffs, providing crowd control, dealing damage and attracting/dealing with aggro. These give rise to the four core roles: Leader, Controller, Striker and Defender.
In Neverwinter each class usually has one primary and one secondary role. Each class also provides a unique paragon path that either improves a class' secondary role or adds another.
The Leader is usually a jack-of-all-trades kind of character. Individually leaders are the weakest character types, but in a group leaders provide some sort of function (healing, buffs, debuffs) that significantly improves everyone's offensive/defensive capabilities.
The Controller character specializes in affecting enemy mobs in some way that either reduces their offensive capabilities (knockbacks, chill/slow, freeze, stun, daze) or makes them more vulnerable to attacks (lumping them together, knockdowns/prones, debuffs). Good controllers do both.
The Striker character is all about damage. While all characters are expected to deal damage, Striker characters have key abilities that allow them to dish out truly monstrous amounts of damage.
The Defender is the toughest character type. In Neverwinter defenders are expected to draw enemy attention and either kite/tank enemy attacks so that their allies can either use their abilities in relative safety or accomplish key objectives without hassle.
It is important to know about the four core roles because the game is balanced around how they work - in Neverwinter, a large part of class balance is based on how a particular class performs in tandem with other classes (which is the main the reason why it's all so complicated). It's usually when a character type starts excelling in multiple roles (with no corresponding weakness assigned) that it becomes overpowered. Ideally a strong group should include some combination of the four core roles.
An understanding about how the character roles work allows players to provide objective feedback about whether character types are underperforming or overperforming. For example, the Great Weapon Fighter Sentinel path is supposed to be a Striker/Defender hybrid, and yet fails miserably at both in PvE. Likewise several Oathbound Paladin types are extremely powerful defenders/leaders, and yet lack any notable weaknesses in both PvE and PvP.
The devs will need objective player feedback to properly fine tune these character types.
b) The Classes: a rough outline
The roles assigned in this outline are based on the class' actual in-game performance relative to each other (ie, this is how they actually work in-game). Use this section to help you decide whether a certain class is truly right for you.
Devoted Cleric
Primary Role: Leader (Virtuous, Faithful, Righteous), Secondary Role: Striker (Righteous)
Great Weapon Fighter
Primary Role: Striker (Instigator, Destroyer, Sentinel subpar atm), Secondary Role: Defender (Sentinel, subpar atm)
Guardian Fighter
Primary Role: Defender (Conqueror, Protector, Tactician), Secondary Role 1: Striker (especially Conqueror, subpar atm), Secondary Role 2: Leader (Conqueror, Protector, Tactician)
Hunter Ranger
Primary Role: Striker (Archery, Combat, Trapper), Secondary Role: Controller (Trapper)
Oathbound Paladin
Primary Role: Either Defender or Leader (Justice, Bulwark, Light), Secondary Role: Either Leader or Defender (Justice, Bulwark, Light)
Trickster Rogue
Primary Role: Striker (Saboteur, Scoundrel, Executioner), Secondary Role: Controller (Saboteur and Scoundrel, also depends on feat choice)
Scourge Warlock
Primary Role: Striker (Fury, Damnation, Temptation), Secondary Role: Leader (Temptation, subpar atm especially at low item level)
Control Wizard
Primary Role: Controller (Oppressor, Thaumaturge, Renegade), Secondary Role 1: Striker (especially Thaumaturge), Secondary Role 2: Leader (Renegade)
II) Character Development
Although the game offers new players plenty of ways to breeze through content and start working on potential end-game setups, the game itself volunteers very little of this information and most players are usually too busy doing something else to care about the plight of the new or the uninformed. I would suggest not holding it against them: time is an important resource in Neverwinter.
This section aims to list as many of these (LEGIT) options as possible.
JOINING CUSTOM CHAT CHANNELS
Joining a custom chat channel gives players the opportunity to socialize with other like-minded players and have serious discussions with more experienced players. You can ask about popular or obscure character builds, AD-related trends, changes to current meta or even basic stuff like the classic "Does this game have a character stash/bank?".
So why not just ask these questions in Zone/LFG/Trade chat, you ask? Well, the nature of Neverwinter makes it so that the game tends to attract the kind of playerbase you usually encounter in games like MOBAs. As a result, you won't find many level-headed players lurking in Zone/LFG/Trade chat.
Note that the nature of Neverwinter also makes it so that begging is EXTREMELY frowned upon.
To join a chat channel, type /channel_join "insert_name of_custom_channel_here"
Popular custom channels in the PC version include:
NW_legit_community (Main language: English, Timezone: All)
-this channel was created for players who wish to play the game without resorting to the use of bugs and exploits. Although a private channel (visit http://nwlegitcommunity.shivtr.com/ to apply) NW_legit_community boasts an eclectic membership and a newbie-friendly atmosphere, and does not discriminate between player types (newbie or veteran, casual or hardcore, roleplayer or powergamer). Emphasis is placed on player skill and a tactical approach to tackling content over gear and item level.
-suggest other PC version custom channels
Popular custom channels in the Xbox version include:
-suggest Xbox version custom channels
GENERAL LEVELING TIPS
-Doing quests gives you the fastest, simplest XP. Although setups for massive XP gain do exist, questing allows you to learn more about your character, game mechanics and game lore. Questing also allows you to visit exotic and visually impressive game locations.
-Familiarize yourself with your journal (default key: "J"). Visit Sergeant Knox often to check for new quest lines.
-The quest marker sign on NPCs (yellow "!") will disappear if your character's level goes beyond the quest's recommended level. Make sure to talk to all nearby interactable NPCs when possible.
-Doing foundry (player-made) quests presents players with an alternative to normal questing. To check out foundry quests, visit a job board/harper contact or you can go to the foundry tab on the game's content window (default key: "L"). Don't forget to tip authors for foundry quests you really enjoyed!
-The game has two basic currency types: Copper/Silver/Gold and Astral Diamonds (AD). Copper/Silver/Gold is mostly used for maintaining your character (consumables, swapping enchantments in/out, very basic equipment). AD is used for everything else.
-You gain a modest amount of AD from invoking and doing your first two dungeon/skirmishes per day. You can use this AD to buy your character cheap but very useful leveling gear. The bonus resets if your character gains access to new skirmishes/dungeons (AUTHOR'S NOTE: HAS THIS CHANGED? CONFIRMATION WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED) so always check the queues whenever you can (default key: "K").
You there. New to the game? Feeling overwhelmed? Maybe you think getting to end-game is impossible for a casual player like yourself, or maybe you just need to be around a community that helps each other stay sane and competitive with the latest news, current trends, random chitchat and most of all LEGIT (that is, we try to keep things fair) gameplay. If you don't mind being around quirky people and the rare occasional drama (one of our prominent TR members is apparently a mafia godfather) join nw_legit_community at http://www.nwlegitcommunity.shivtr.com/forum_threads/2330542.
Post edited by tyrtallow on
0
Comments
THE GATEWAY
The gateway is a useful tool that gives players limited access to some features of the game using a normal web browser. From the gateway you can update your character's profession tasks, sell/buy basic consumables and check up on Auction House sales/bids. You can also play the Sword Coast Adventures mini-game from the gateway, for potentially rare (and expensive) companions and companion gear.
MULTIPLE CHARACTERS: GENERAL BENEFITS
Having multiple characters in Neverwinter gives you tremendous short term and long term benefits. The most basic benefits, though, include:
-An indirect increase to your total storage space (you can send account bound or Bind on Equip gear to your others characters using the shared bank storage or the mail).
-Potential better rewards during events, since having multiple characters allows you to finish event daily quests multiple times.
THE ZEN-ASTRAL DIAMOND EXCHANGE (ZAX)
The ZAX is every long time player's best friend. Among other things, the ZAX:
-allows you to convert AD into Zen and vice versa
-allows you to pool AD from multiple characters into your main, which essentially is what gives the average player access to end-game items
-gives you a rough idea about how the game economy is doing
Any player who wishes to reach end-game through one method or another would do well to check the ZAX occasionally.
a) Leveling from 1-60
Leveling from 1-60 should be pretty straightforward. You can check here (WIKI site) for your progress and where you should be going.
QUESTS YOU SHOULD NOT MISS
-"Close the Crown" for the Blacklake district quest chain (bag reward)
-The entire Neverdeath Graveyard quest chain (bag reward)
-"A Doomguide's Duty"(profession pack reward)
GENERAL 1-60 LEVELING TIPS
-Geared companions are extremely powerful allies at levels 1-60. After getting your first thousand AD from invoking/skirmishes and dungeons be sure to buy yourself a companion and companion-only gear from the AH. Depending on whether there's an event on green companions can even be go for as low as1k-5k AD on the AH. You can then equip these companions with companion-only purple gear (in the AH, click "Equipment" and type "loyal" in the advanced search tab, the cheapest ones are worth only several hundred AD).
-I would suggest getting at least one Defender and one Leader (healer) companion.
-The game has several weapons/off-hands that scale with your level. I would suggest buying them if you can get them for less than 5k or so AD. The relevant keywords are: "dragon bone" (scales from 1-60) and "mulhorand" ("ancient mulhorand" scales from 1-60, "ensorcelled mulhorand" scales from 1-70). The Ardent coin main hands (you get Ardent and Celestial coins from invoking) also scale from 1-70, but are generally more expensive. Still, if you've been playing the game for a while you basically get these items for free.
MULTIPLE CHARACTERS: Level 1-60 benefits
-More Ardent/Celestial Coin rewards
-More professions workers
b) Leveling from 61-70
-utility slots x5 and azures for easier leveling
-other XP gear
-the power of lifesteal
-artifact gear feeding basics
-drowned shore quests are just easier
c) Preparing for level 70 content
-the importance of ArP (may need to move this to an earlier section)
-excellent first investments (rank 1 VIP, lesser soulforged, artifact gear, discounted services)
-preparing for and running skirmishes for t1s and seals
-a closer look at t1 and t2 gear - why being undergeared=lazy and "bad gear" is a bad excuse
-juggling campaigns for the average player
-strongholds
III) On Astral Diamond Generation
-on zen and AD
-the zen exchange
-on AH items and the power of patience
-having multiple characters is crucial for long term progress (sigils, raise rough AD limit, multiple daily rewards, multiple professions, salvaging)
-events events events
-more on x2 events
-leveling artifacts the smart way
-on artifact gear: the heralds (WoD) and leadership
-on juggling dailies/quests and learning to manage your time
IV) Class-specific Tips
-powers you should get for solo PvE
-powers you should get for group content
-PvP?
V) Credits
-Give us your suggestions and your name shows up here
-needs more player input
VI) Guide Construction Version History
v1.0
-Note: guide needs better format
-guide topic started
-guide outline completed
-completed section I ""The Basics...", started working on section II ,"Character Development".
v2.0
-character limit reached, need resolution
-still working on character development section
v2.1
-finishing character development section
VII) Also see: (other useful guide links?)