* 10) COMBAT *

Learn the Neverwinter combat system, including real-time decisions, the action queue, and how NPC reactions affect gameplay.

Neverwinter Nights is a real-time game built upon the turn-based Dungeons & Dragons 3rd Edition rules. Your decisions are executed as combat rounds progress. You issue orders to your character, which appear in the Action Queue (located in the upper-left corner of your screen). You can stack certain orders, referred to as tasks, such as picking up items, opening doors, or casting spells. Modal orders, like movement and combat, will clear any tasks remaining in the stack.

As you become familiar with the Neverwinter Nights combat system, you will find it beneficial to plan your tactical combat during fights. This might involve selecting your next three spells or entering a combat mode such as Knockdown or Parry. The Action Queue serves as a quick and easy visual reference for your character's current and future actions. A wise player will utilize this to their full advantage.

NPCs (non-player characters) can react to you in various ways, ranging from hostility to friendship, and your actions within the game can influence these reactions. A good friend might be lost if you attack innocents, while more nefarious allies could be gained by assisting an evil power group. Your character will have a different default action for each of these reaction types.