Can anyone recommend any good guides for character building?

Also, is it possible to make effective pure fighter characters that are either dex-based or that specialize in ranged weapons?

I'm guessing you know it already but this https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/pc/256221-icewind-dale/faqs/37021 is a quite good guide that also includes an "archer" that is probably what you're looking for

Thanks!

One other thing, if I'm making a pure fighter, what skills should I give them? I'm assuming Intimidate is only useful for the character who's going to do the talking.

Are you playing Icewind Dale 2 ? In this case you need a different guide since the rules are different.

Essential are:
- pure class cleric with maxed wisdom
- pure class sorcerer with maxed cha or pure class wizard or diviner with maxed int

The rest is optional, be aware that you cripple casters by multiclassing.


Skills aren't important for fighters. Strength is very important for everyone who wants to do noteworthy physical damage, all weapon types except bows and crossbows get a strength damage so slings or throwing axes are superior. An effective ranged fighter has maxed strength.

In case of IWD2, rogues (AKA thieves) are useless; it's better to choose a race with favourite class rogue OR wizard, start as rogue with maxed out intelligence and multiclass into wizard after a level or two.
Specialists wizards are bad, amount of skill points (due to high intelligence) and feats, as well, as low number of scrolls suggest that general is better. If you really need a specialist, make one from sorcerer.