...So, I swear I posted a two-paragraph reply in one of these Drain threads, but it just... never got posted or subtly disappeared. I don't care to recreate the whole thing word-for-word, but I'll say this:
Please, Wererats aside, even the hordes of regular rats are just lame at The Drain entrance, because it adds a huge roadblock to (I would reckon) most any PC who doesn't have terrifically high AC and health. Those stealthy types who aren't high level are also screwed, because there are SO many rats that even a skilled stealther will be spotted and swarmed. Running through is almost a death sentence, especially since NWN's engine is heinously evil when it comes to movement and combat. The Drain is the only community area for an important caste of PCs, and the way spawns are set up at its entrance (at all hours), those PCs who need access to the community area the most (low-levels) are totally hosed. Mine thus pretty much lives and operates on the surface.
I'm totally cool with having an area in the sewers where there are TONS of rats, but not at the doorstep of The Drain.
And yes. Regular rats are that much of a threat, in such numbers, to lowbies. Given this, I'd automatically include in my feedback that Wererats just shouldn't even occur at The Drain's doorstep area.
It was said in one of these threads that PCs spend very little time in the 2-4 level range, but issues like The Drain's are the kinds of thing that agonizingly and disproportionately draw out the time spent in that range, as it's an irritating roadblock in getting a PC established (or just basically functioning).