WEAPON MASTER BUILD, Neverwinter Nights, NWN1


NWN Weapon Master Build


An armored Weapon Master holding a Scythe.

The Weapon Master Build is a NWN Build for BioWare's cRPG Definition of 2002, Neverwinter Nights 1.

For this Weapon Master build, note the crit-range and crit-multiplier for NWN Scythe in the above pic: 16-20 / x5. This is a damaging martial build that packs in all the feats as quickly as possible in order to lay waste to the HotU campaign. Feel free to mix-in Rogue whenever you like (but you don't need to in HotU).

We're looking at a 27-level build for HotU.

NWN Weapon Master Build Foundation


  • Stats: 18-13-12-Int 13-8-8 or 16-13-16-13-8-8 if you're worried about Con. We MUST have 13 Dex and 13 Int. If you're new to NWN, don't diverge from those stat-lines!
  • Human NWN, Male, Neutral Good

NWN Weapon Master Build Progression


01. Fighter (1): Weapon Proficiency: Exotic, Weapon Focus NWN: Scythe, Dodge

02. Fighter (2): Mobility

03. Fighter (3): Expertise NWN

04. Fighter (4): Spring Attack, Strength +1

05. Fighter (5): Intimidate: 4

06. Fighter (6): Whirlwind Attack, Weapon Specialization NWN: Scythe
AB +11/+6 (generic scythe)

07. Fighter (6) Weapon Master (1): Ki Damage, Weapon of Choice: Scythe

08: Fighter (6) Weapon Master (2): Strength +1

09: Fighter (6) Weapon Master (3): Improved Critical NWN: Scythe

10: Fighter (6) Weapon Master (4): --

11: Fighter (6) Weapon Master (5): Increased Multiplier, Superior Weapon Focus
AB +18/+15/+8

12: Fighter (6) Weapon Master (6): Power Attack NWN

13: Fighter (6) Weapon Master (7): Ki Critical

14: Fighter (7) Weapon Master (7): --

15: Fighter (8) Weapon Master (7): Cleave NWN, Great Cleave NWN

**Hordes of the Underdark begins** 

16: Fighter (8) Weapon Master (7) Rogue (1): Strength +1, Sneak Attack 1d6, (crank Tumble, UMD, Search, Persuade etc.)

17: Fighter (9) Weapon Master (7) Rogue (1): --
AB +24/+19/+14/+9

18: Fighter (10) Weapon Master (7) Rogue (1): Blind-Fight, Improved Power Attack (or Toughness)

19: Fighter (10) Weapon Master (7) Rogue (2): Evasion

20: Fighter (10) Weapon Master (7) Rogue (3): Uncanny Dodge 1, Sneak Attack 2d6, Strength +1

21: Fighter (11) Weapon Master (7) Rogue (3): EPIC CHARACTER, Epic Weapon Focus NWN: Scythe

22: Fighter (12) Weapon Master (7) Rogue (3): Epic Weapon Specialization NWN: Scythe
AB +30/+25/+20/+15

23: Fighter (13) Weapon Master (7) Rogue (3): --

24: Fighter (14) Weapon Master (7) Rogue (3): Great Strength I, Overwhelming Critical NWN: Scythe, Strength +1

25: Fighter (15) Weapon Master (7) Rogue (3): --

26: Fighter (16) Weapon Master (7) Rogue (3): Devastating Critical NWN: Scythe

27: Fighter (16) Weapon Master (7) Rogue (4): Great Strength II
AB +35/+30/+25/+20
2-8 +18, 17-20 x5 (generic scythe)


If playing the build from first level, you're going to want to take Cleave and Great Cleave within the first few levels (which will delay your weaponmastery).

On criticals, all damage sources are rolled five times (crit x5). Thus, Overwhelming Critical adds 4d6.

Will end up doing 350 dmg Great Cleave crits in Cania, making epic mobs seem like trash mobs.

A Weapon Master cleaves the Rogues and Thugs surrounding him.

Buffing Weapon Master Builds


In addition to quaffing potions, Weapon Master builds can be buffed with NWN companion spells. Improved Invisibility and Stoneskin greatly increase the survivability of WMs.

To make WMs better offensively, they can be buffed with Flame WeaponHaste and Bull's Strength. Key wards to cast on WMs include Clarity and Freedom of Movement.

Best Weapon for Weapon Master


The best weapons for Weapon Masters include the NWN scythe for big bursty crits (16-20 x5) or NWN scimitar for a steady stream of crits (10-20 x3). That crit threat range is possible by virtue of Improved Critical + Ki Critical + Keen. The +1 to multiplier by virtue of WM IM.

Being a 2-handed weapon (1.5x Str bonus), Scythe is better in HotU (with Greatswords and Greataxes being GREAT choices as well) but scimitar allows us to wield a shield off-hand, which is much safer. Otherwise, NWN rapiers and NWN katanas can also be solid choices.

Tebimar's Scythe


We need Persuade or Intimidate to get the Scythe from Tebimar [q2a_teb_scythe]:


Which we can upgrade through Rizolvir and by using the Black Pearl:


Best Armor for Weapon Masters


The best armor for Weapon Masters is Full Plate. Weapon Masters can increase their defense by off-handing a Tower Shield.

Neverwinter Nights Builds Weapon Master Build NWN Wizard Build NWN
Red Dragon Disciple Build NWN Fighter Build NWNSorcerer Build NWN
Cleric Build NWN Paladin Build NWN Bard Build NWN
Monk Unarmed Build NWN Barbarian Build NWN Gnome Illusionist Build NWN
Monk Kama Build NWN Dwarven Defender Build NWN Druid Build NWN
Rogue Build NWN Arcane Archer Build NWN Shifter Build NWN

1 comment:

  1. I did this build for Greatsword and it is amazing!

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