Greetings all, getting back around to playing NWN2 once more...and I'm faced with the same problem as I'd had before:
Character creation.

I know the basics of what I'm going for: Dwarf, Lawful Good, Veteran background trait. I'm aiming for a Fighter/Dwarven Defender. I know that I want to specialize in Dwarven Waraxes, and that I will definitely need the Toughness and Dodge feats for the Dwarven Defender.

...Aside from that? I don't even know where to begin with any other feats, skills or even what levels I should put as DD or Fighter. Looking at the NWN2 Builder doesn't seem to help me much either, as I run across a build that I think looks like it could be interesting and in the comments it's getting torn apart, which makes me second-guess myself. I guess I'm just worried about creating a character, getting a decent ways into the campaign, and finding out I've completely screwed myself and need to restart.

Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

The most important thing for being a competent fighter in NWN2 is to have a high strength score. Everything else is really just a secondary consideration, just make sure you start with a 16 in strength. Unless you're playing Storm of Zehir (where you can get your companions to talk for you), the biggest problem you'll face with the fighter is his low number of skill points. Having 14 intelligence to counteract this is a good idea. This really eats into your stat allocation, but it's worth it for non-combat situations.

For feats, I'd recommend taking Luck of Heroes. This feat is only available at the 1st level, so make sure you grab it right away. Knockdown is nice, power attack works well if you're wielding your weapon two-handed, and improved critical is very nice if you're going to specialize in a specific weapon.

For other classes that might interest you, Weapon Master is the only one that stands out. Divine Champion is also viable, though your charisma probably stinks. If you want to do something a little weird taking one level in Bard to qualify for Red Dragon Disciple.

Those are solid choices, you almost cant screw up the character like that.

As mentioned, good STR is the basics. Main stat.

Good to have +1 DEX, because that's what's usable for AC when wearing plate armor.
Int is for skill points, which can be handy.

Feats, there's a bunch of good ones for a fighter.
Weapon focus, weapon specialization, improved criticals, dodge.
I'm not too fond of Power Attack, but it leads to Cleave which I do like.
The ones giving more running speed and better chance to avoid attacks of opportunity are also nice.
Feats giving better saving throws are also real good, the mentioned Luck of Heroes is real good, Iron Will as well.

One thing is to consider if you want to fight Axe and Shield style,
or maybe add up the damage by going dual weapons.
Two dwarven waraxes is not optimal, but completely doable and would be pretty epic.
(in that case, you need 15 Dex for two weapon fighting, 17 Dex for improved version)

some time ago I made this:
http://nwn2db.com/build/?178498

If you play the OC or another campaign where you want to talk then spread your paladin levels differently
to max out diplomacy instead of the skills I chose.

It is not the best fighter in the world, but it should be good enough if you do not have a very difficult setting or you try to beat other players.

Oh yeah, pops to mind.

In NWN2 you are always the party spokesman, so often times high persuasion,
intimidation, bluff are useful/required to solve the situation "the best way".
This requires a build with decent INT to get the necessary skill points and decent CHA to be listened.

But that's just FYI, if you're not a diplomatic talker type, there are always more violent ways to solve difficulties.
And when keeping in character, it's often times more enjoyable to hit people with axes than to suck up to them.

With fighters 2 and int +1, you can keep 3 skills topped. Or 1 topped and a bit of this and that, or whatever.
Not that much anyway. Might consider some points to bluff and/or intimidate as well, though I don't remember how useful they were in the campaign.

Tumble.. is ok, if you put 10 points in it to get +1 AC. Otherwise it's pretty redundant after you get Spring Attack.

@ Reldn:

You start with 12 levels of fighter and then you can take up to 10 levels of dwarven defender. There is no need to take more fighter levels, this means you have 8 levels left. Regarding all the feats you already have, weapon master is the best choice (all you need is whirlwind attac instead of another feat). Your stats are also great for this class (dex and int are 13 or higher)

You should note that non of your skills (except taunt) is a class skill for any of these classes. You will not get them very high, even with able learner. With 14 int, you get 4 points per level, but you don´t have good class skills as fighter (unless you like crafting and intimidate, which is required for weapon master. So your fighter could take craft weapon, craft armor, lore ( to know what items to craft) and intimidate, but he will never be a good diplomate.

When I finished OC/MotB for the first time, it was with a similar char (fighter, frenzy berserker, weapon master, dwarven defender). Even though I spend all the points I could into diplomacy, I could not beat most checks.

All the things here are just suggestions. Play whatever you want and have fun.

If extra prestige classes seem interesting, the one obvious choice for roleplay reasons would be Neverwinter Nine.

Weapon Master, as mentioned is excellent attack class.

Divine Champion is maybe my favorite choice, if it fits the character in roleplay way.
The other stuff is nothing special, but up to +5 saving throws (at 10th level) is exceptionally useful for melee fighter.

Thanks, that's helped me a lot!

I think that may be where I'm going wrong on approaching the game. I need to approach my Character from a deeper roleplaying aspect, aside from just a build for the game. For my skills I'll probably run with Lore, Craft Weapons (or Armour), and Intimidate.

For a secondary prestige class instead of Weapon Master, I'll perhaps go for Divine Champion (Treating my Character as being a Champion of Gorm Gulthyn) So, 12 Fighter/10 DD/8 DC That should free up Mobility and Spring Attack for Improved Critical, and whatever else.

I think I'm at a point now where I can really enjoy playing as my character and not worry about screwing myself up during the course of the campaigns.