I'm honestly about to give up - this has probably been addressed, but i can't find it. I'm at the very start of the game and my companions don't stay with me, they just take off on their own willy nilly getting themselves killed. There is probably a behaviour I need to change but I've looked and can't figure this out.

Also, is there a way to get the camera to just simply follow me? When I turn, I want the camera to swing around to follow me.

Thanks!!

Which game are you playing?

If they are getting themselves killed, then presumably they are charging into combat. See if you can find a companion command that directs them to stay with you, rather than the 'engage the enemy' command.

Also, I expect there is a camera setting to do what you want. Have you dug around in the video options?

You're welcome! Sadly, I haven't actually gotten around to playing this game yet, so I don't really have any specific advice for managing your party or for character specific builds.

As far as specific builds, you could simply ask here. There are some people around that know their stuff. Alternatively, you could take a look at GameFaqs and see if anything strikes your fancy. I'm pretty sure there have been a few other threads in this sub forum dealing with possible builds for NWN2, so look for some other threads here too.

Someone else can recommend spell casters. I prefer to cut down monsters with a sword.

Here is my often used, skilled durable Undead resistant fighter:

Fighter for getting lots of Combat feats.
Paladin for Undead protection, as there are always lots of annoying undead around.
Rogue for skills.

Fighter(20), Rogue(4), Paladin(3), Human

STR: 17 (22)
DEX: 13
CON: 14
WIS: 8
INT: 14
CHA: 8

01: Rogue(1): Power Attack, Cleave ( Cleave is a great skill to have early when you only have one attack)
02: Paladin(1)
03: Paladin(2): Weapon Proficiency Exotic (Now Immune to Disease and Fear, Exotic, so you can wield all weapons)
04: Fighter(1): STR+1, Weapon Focus, (STR=18)
05: Fighter(2): Blind Fight (good for fighting concealed enemies)
06: Fighter(3): Dodge (boost to AC)
07: Fighter(4): Weapon Specialization (more damage with chosen weapon)
08: Rogue(2): STR+1, {Evasion}, (STR=19) (Rogue levels arrive at the right to max UMD and Tumble)
09: Paladin(3): Knockdown
10: Fighter(5)
11: Fighter(6): Great Cleave
12: Fighter(7): STR+1, Toughness, (STR=20)
13: Rogue(3): {Uncanny Dodge I}
14: Fighter(8): Improved Critical
15: Fighter(9): Iron Will
16: Fighter(10): STR+1, Improved Knockdown, (STR=21)
17: Fighter(11)
18: Rogue(4): Resist Energy: Fire
19: Fighter(12): Point Blank Shot
20: Fighter(13): STR+1, (STR=22)
21: Fighter(14): Great Strength I, Epic Weapon Focus, (STR=23)
22: Fighter(15)
23: Fighter(16): Epic Weapon Specialization
24: Fighter(17): STR+1, Great Strength II, (STR=25)
25: Fighter(18): Overwhelming Critical
26: Fighter(19)
27: Fighter(20): Great Strength III, Devastating Critical, (STR=26)

Core Skills:

Tumble 21, - Keep this maxed, Every 5 points gives +1 bonus to AC
UMD 21, - Keep this maxed, lets you use gear you normally can't
Disable Trap 21, - Max it all the time if you prefer disarm traps over setting them off
Open Lock 21, - Opening locks is often faster than breaking things, but you can usually get by with less points if needed elsewhere
Search 21, - Find secret doors and traps - I like it maxed to find these things easily


Extras:

Appraise 19, - Optional but will get you better deals in many shops. You will have more money
Pick Pocket 1, - Not worth a major investment, but 1 point with gear lets you try in a pinch.
Persuade 21, - Increase options in many dialogues

Weapon Focus/Specialization: Build gets Exotic and Martial early, so you can choose anything.

First Level, Buy a Morningstar. D8 Damaage and Two damage types.

After that start using swords. Best options IMO.

Longsword: Hard to go wrong. Generally the most common sword, so your first magic sword will probably be a Longsword. Holy Avengers are usually in Longsword Form.
Greatsword: This two handed beast has quite an impact early on, often killing low level enemies in one blow. Though you don't have a shield for additional defence. This is a personal favorite of mine.
Katana: Nice Exotic Option. Does a bit more damage than longsword, but the real difference is the nice Katanas that you find in standard drops.
Bastard Sword: Technical identical to Katana with different look, but I prefer the Katana drops slightly.
Scimitar: Smaller damage, but better critical range. I don't find the drops as good as the above.
Rapier: Pierciing version of Scimitar. I prefer the Scimitar drops if you want a higher crit weapon.

Backup Weapons: Usually with different damage type. Especially if you have a Two Handed weapon. Quickslot a Shield and Blunt Weapons. Morninstar is nice backup for slashing, since it does blunt/piercing and you have them all covered.

Thanks so much PeterScott, that is exactly what I need. I prefer a sword swinger too.

And I'll take a look at GameFaqs as well, so thanks again Bookwyrm.

BTW, this your recommendation is for NWN2, correct? I was creating a new character and was confused when trying to spend intial points as you suggested.
thanks.

Sorry that was a NNW1 recommendation, which I play a lot more of.

Here is an NWN2 Character Build search engine:
http://nwn2db.com/builds/search

In NWN2 I play some form of Ranger every time. Rangers are MUCH better in NWN2 than in NWN1.

I play Ranger one of Two ways.

Either go for dual wield and Max out Ranger Levels, as Rangers eventually get Perfect Two Weapon Fighting, or go fewer Ranger Levels, and big Two Handed Weapon with Frenzied Bezerker. I always go strength based either way.

FB type character:
http://nwn2db.com/build/?193799

My build used Two-Handed Sword and Ranger was the main class. Frenzied Bezerker is ideally suited to big Two Handed weapons. Wood Elf, because Ranger is Favored Class, and they get boost to Strength and Dex.

Dual Wield Ranger with Perfect Two Weapon Fighting:
http://nwn2db.com/build/?75240

I went Neverwinter Nine instead of Fighter, and dual Wielded Kukries.

When I was near the end of the Original Campaings I was Level 1 Rogue, Level 1 Shadow Dancer, and everythign else Ranger.

Hah! I thought something was off! I play NWN1 too so still helpful!