Neverwinter Nights: Enhanced Edition gives you eleven base classes and twelve prestige classes, all built on D&D 3rd edition rules. On Auldwyn every base class is open. Seven of the prestige classes are too.
The mechanics are the ones you know from the game. The world is not. Auldwyn is an original setting with its own pantheon of thirty gods, six peoples and ten regions. A cleric here prays to Riya or Aylena, not to a Forgotten Realms god. A ranger might follow Fyrd into the autumn hunt, or track the great elk Oralon through places no map records.
This page covers every class in brief.
Quick answer
What is the best class in NWN1?
There isn't one, but some forgive mistakes more than others. For a first character on Auldwyn, a cleric is the safest pick. Heavy armour, healing and strong buffs let you survive alone and stay useful in a group. If you'd rather keep things simple, play a fighter. If you want to cast spells without planning them a day ahead, play a sorcerer.
Base classes
The eleven base classes
Every base class is open from level 1. Next to each one you’ll find a few ideas for where it fits in Auldwyn: a people, a place or a god to start from. Take them, change them or ignore them. A dwarven bard or a halfling barbarian is just as welcome.
Barbarian
How it plays
Melee with the most hit points in the game. Rage trades defence for damage.
Bard
How it plays
Songs that buff the whole party, plus arcane spells and more skill points than anyone but the rogue.
Ideas for Auldwyn
The Reedborn of the Blackwater keep their history in song. Davinea and Moddoc both welcome bards.
Cleric
How it plays
Divine caster in heavy armour. Heals, buffs and fights well up close.
Ideas for Auldwyn
Chooses a patron from Auldwyn's thirty gods. Healing sits with Riya. Death and the dead belong to Aylena.
Druid
How it plays
Nature caster with an animal companion and wild shape.
Ideas for Auldwyn
The Soul-sworn elves of the Verdant Weald are the druids of the world. Iduné is their goddess.
Fighter
How it plays
More bonus feats than any other class. Masters one weapon or many.
Ideas for Auldwyn
Torin is god of soldiers and honourable battle. Kharad’s Gate lives by "Steel Reveals Truth."
Monk
How it plays
Unarmed and unarmoured. Fast, hard to pin down, with strong saves.
Paladin
How it plays
Holy warrior with smite, auras and immunities. Must stay lawful good.
Ideas for Auldwyn
The Argent Order of Argent Hollow, led by the LeCree family. Riya and Torin both call paladins.
Ranger
How it plays
Dual-wielder or archer with a favoured enemy and an animal companion.
Rogue
How it plays
Sneak attack, traps, locks and the widest skill list.
Ideas for Auldwyn
Vexane, goddess of trickery, shadows and lies, keeps an eye on her own.
Sorcerer
How it plays
Arcane caster who knows fewer spells but casts them without preparing. Runs on Charisma.
Ideas for Auldwyn
Born of Eyralae's instinctual, elemental magic.
Wizard
How it plays
Arcane caster with the largest spell list. Prepares spells from a book. Runs on Intelligence.
Ideas for Auldwyn
Learned magic is the gift of Ennache, god of knowledge.
Prestige classes
Prestige classes
Prestige classes are specialisations you take on top of a base class once you meet their requirements. Most are open on Auldwyn. Five are switched off for now. A set of custom prestige classes built around Auldwyn’s own lore is planned.
Arcane Archer
Usual route in
Elf or half-elf fighter or ranger with a touch of arcane magic
Assassin
Usual route in
Evil rogue with Hide and Move Silently
Blackguard
Usual route in
Evil fighter or fallen paladin
Harper Scout
Usual route in
Bard or rogue with a talent for lore and persuasion
Pale Master
Usual route in
Non-good wizard or sorcerer drawn to necromancy
Shifter
Usual route in
Druid who wants more from wild shape
Weapon Master
Usual route in
Fighter with a long feat chain and one favourite weapon
Dwarven Defender
Instead
Play a dwarven fighter or paladin with a tower shield
Purple Dragon Knight
Instead
Play a fighter or paladin who leads from the front
Red Dragon Disciple
Instead
Play a sorcerer or bard. Eyralae's elemental magic covers the same fantasy
Choosing
How to choose your class
Start with the character, not the spreadsheet. Auldwyn’s FAQ puts it plainly: a character needs "a reason to exist in this setting and room to grow." A half-orc druid from the Oaken Collective has a story before you’ve picked a single feat.
Then think about how the server plays.
- Progression is slow and story-driven. You'll spend real time at every level, so pick a class that's fun early, not only at level 30.
- The cap is level 40. Plan past level 20. Epic levels are part of the road here.
- Death is cheap. No death limit, and dying costs only a little XP and gold. Trying a risky build won't ruin your week.
- Roleplay is welcome but not required. A class that talks well (bard, paladin, sorcerer) gets more out of social scenes. A class that fights well gets more out of dungeons. Most players want some of both.
Builds
NWN1 builds for Auldwyn
Plan your own with IronWaffle’s Auldwyn character builder, made for this server.
Good first characters:
If you want to
Solo safely
Play
Cleric
Why
Heals itself, wears heavy armour, buffs past most early threats
If you want to
Keep it simple
Play
Fighter
Why
Few decisions in combat, strong at every level
If you want to
Fight from range
Play
Ranger
Why
Archery or dual-wield, with a companion to hold the line
If you want to
Cast without homework
Play
Sorcerer
Why
No spell preparation, and Charisma helps in conversation
If you want to
Talk your way through
Play
Bard
Why
Skills, songs and spells. Useful in any group
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
How many classes are in Neverwinter Nights 1?
Neverwinter Nights: Enhanced Edition has 11 base classes and 12 prestige classes. On Auldwyn all 11 base classes and 7 prestige classes are open.
What is the best class in NWN1?
No class is best at everything. For new players the cleric is the strongest all-rounder, because it can heal, fight and survive alone.
Which prestige classes are disabled on Auldwyn?
Champion of Torm, Dwarven Defender, Purple Dragon Knight, Red Dragon Disciple and Shadowdancer. Custom prestige classes based on Auldwyn's lore are planned.
What is the level cap on Auldwyn?
The planned cap is level 40. Progression is slow and story-driven rather than grind-focused.
Can I multiclass on Auldwyn?
Yes. A character can take up to three classes, the standard Neverwinter Nights 1 limit. Prestige classes count toward the three.
Does Neverwinter Nights 1 use D&D 3.5 rules?
NWN1 is built on D&D 3rd edition, with some rules borrowed from 3.5. Classes, feats and skills will feel familiar to anyone who has played 3.5 at the table.
Do clerics and paladins use Forgotten Realms gods on Auldwyn?
No. Auldwyn has its own pantheon of thirty deities, and most people in the world honour more than one.
Do cleric domains depend on the god I choose?
No. Any domain works with any god on Auldwyn. Pairs that fit a god's portfolio work well, like Healing for Riya or Death for Aylena.
Can I play an evil class like the blackguard or assassin?
Yes. Evil characters are welcome if they're played responsibly and don't grief other players.