Allen96Ayen: Hi TheP1zzaMan. Ok as far as I know it woun't self-correct because the Prestige Classes were introduce in the Shadows Of Undrentide. , and Dwarvan Defender was introduce in The Hordes of The Underdark. The OC doesn't know what to do with Prestige Class. When you went to CH 3 did you check Deaelan level? Sometimes you have to tell him to level up. He should be ONE (1) level below you.
If anything it tends to make the Prestige classes more OP than intended in the Original campaign, not the other way around.
TheP1zzaMan: I've been having fun with the first two parts of the OC (new player so I haven't gotten to the DLC yet) as a Fighter 8/Dwarven Defender 5, but it feels like I'm hitting a snag right out the gate with part 3. I notice I've been doing reduced damage against Elk tribe warriors, and it's even worse in the Old One ruins where I'm down to single-digits. I just concluded a fight with an OO Commander that lasted about 3-4 minutes, each of us taking swings and missing over and over again (admittedly I was also rolling like ass, but that's none too different from IRL D&D anyways). Both groups also had a frighteningly easy time killing Daelan, who was previously able to keep pace with me in terms of damage taken.
Anything you recommend I do to get stronger, or will this problem self-correct as I level up?
I almost always play some kind of Melee character, and I don't remember this happening.
You want to stay on top of gear, and character optimizing if you are having a difficulty spike.
Fighters should have both a Giant Strength belt and Gauntlets of Ogre power. Plus you have a Strength item from one of your companions. Modified Strength should be up near 28-30. So a nice High bonus to hit and damage.
You also have the smith in Ch 3 to build weapons, some of which are +4. So +4 weapons right out of the gate in Chap 3.
So good weapon, and high strength, should be good damage.
