DAMAGE MODIFIED

Learn how your Ability Modifier, critical hits, and various feats affect your damage output in Neverwinter Nights 2. Understand what damage gets multiplied and what doesn't!

Hey there! So, you're wondering about how damage gets tweaked in Neverwinter Nights 2, right? It's a bit of a puzzle at first, but once you get the hang of it, you'll be hitting way harder. Let's break down how your damage gets modified. When you swing your weapon, there are three main parts to an attack: first, if it even hits (that's the Attack Roll), then if it's a critical hit (Critical Hit confirmation), and finally, how much damage it actually does. That last part is what we're focusing on. Your basic damage is usually a mix of: * Your Ability Modifier (like Strength) affecting damage * The base damage of your weapon * Any Enhancement bonus your weapon has * Other special damage modifiers If you land a critical hit, things get a bit more complicated. The formula looks something like this: (Ability modifier affecting damage + base weapon damage + Enhancement bonus + damage modifiers that *are* multiplied on a critical hit) x Critical Hit Multiplier + damage modifiers that *are not* multiplied on a critical hit + Massive Criticals/Overwhelming Critical damage. It's important to know that there are different types of damage in NWN2. While most of the time it's the same type as your weapon, things like Damage Immunity and Damage Resistance can reduce the damage you deal. Keep an eye out for those! ### Ability Modifier Affecting Damage Usually, this is your Strength modifier. However, if you have the Combat Insight feat and your Intelligence modifier is higher than your Strength modifier, your Intelligence will be used instead. How much of this modifier you actually add to your damage depends on how you're wielding your weapon: * Two-handed melee weapons: If the weapon is your size or bigger, and you're not using an off-hand item, you get 1.5x your ability modifier (rounded down). * Light weapons or off-hand weapons: You add your full ability modifier. * Wielding in your off-hand: You add half your ability modifier (rounded down). For ranged weapons: * Mighty property: If your ranged weapon has the 'mighty' property, you can add your ability modifier up to that property's value. * Thrown weapons and slings: You get your full ability modifier added to damage. * Shurikens: These are a bit of an exception – they don't get any ability modifier damage added. ### Damage that is Multiplied on Critical Hits Generally, fixed bonuses and your core damage get multiplied when you crit. This includes: * Ability modifier damage * Base weapon damage (the dice are rolled again, not just multiplied) * Enhancement bonus damage * Weapon Specialization (including Epic and Greater versions) * Favored Enemy bonus * Flourish * Bane of Enemies * Power Attack (various versions like Improved, Supreme, etc.) * Divine Might (including Epic) * Insightful Strike * Arcane Archer Enhance Arrows damage * Stormlord Enhancement Bonus * Smite (Good, Evil, Infidel) * Divine Favor * Prayer * War Cry * Inspire Courage * Expert Tactician ### Damage that is NOT Multiplied on Critical Hits Some damage types are a bit more stubborn and don't get multiplied on a critical hit. These are: * Precise Strike * Stormlord elemental damage bonuses * Weapon bonus damage (both constant and random types) * Storm Avatar * Flame Weapon * Blades of Fire * Sneak Attack * Bleeding Wound * Blazing Aura ### Extra Damage that may work against enemies immune to Critical Hits This is a tricky one! Normally, enemies immune to critical hits will ignore extra damage from certain sources. BUT, if you also have the Epic Precision feat, some of these *will* still apply: * Bleeding Wound: Delivers full damage with Epic Precision. * Sneak Attack: Delivers half damage with Epic Precision. * Death Attack: Delivers full damage with Epic Precision. * Insightful Strike: (The source text cuts off here, but it's likely similar to the others). Understanding these modifiers can really help you optimize your character's damage output. Keep experimenting, and you'll be a damage-dealing pro in no time!