NPC-Tweak Mod

[dragon_lord]

Originally posted by LennonCook: As for more items... I'll definately consider it, especially if I'm given some input onto what those items should be. [img]smile.gif[/img]

I think Anomen should have a piece of equipment that doesnt clash too much with the way people like to play him (ie giving him FoA etc). So maybe an under powered area such as belts, boots, or gloves would be a good choice for items. Also maybe you could give him an item for passing his test from the Order. Anarg the Fallen Paladin has a cup that was given to him by the order so it isnt unreasonable.

[SixOfSpades]

Originally posted by LennonCook: I have never heard of any character changing kits in the course of the game without the player using Shadowkeeper... which makes me doubt the possibility of doing it. I'll ask around, though, and if it's possible, I might just make him go beserk at failing. As for more items... I'll definately consider it, especially if I'm given some input onto what those items should be. [img]smile.gif[/img]

Hmmm.....well, if the game can perform such tricks as "Lost Class: Paladin," "Loses all Bhaal powers," and the temporary suspension of your class-based Special Abilities when you Dual, then removing 'Fighter->Priest of Helm' and replacing it with 'Berserker->Cleric' sounds doable. If worst comes to worst, you could let his actual kit stay the same (meaning his Record page would still say the same thing), but just erase all of his True Sight and Seeking Sword abilities, and grant him 1 or 2 Berserker Rages (since his Fighter class will always be 7).

I like the Anomen's Cup idea, but that would mean Keldorn gets one too, and so would a Cleric or Paladin PC (but then, the Paladin stronghold needs all the help it can get). In any case, it should be able to be Drunk once per day (or create a potion), conferring some effect that Clerics and Paladins cannot cast, but still sounds reasonably Faith-based. Suggestions: Clairvoyance (fits well with a Priest of Helm), Protection from Petrification, Stone to Flesh, Protection from Magic Energy, or Mantle. There is also no reason that Anomen, Keldorn, PC Clerics and PC Paladins cannot receive different Cups.

As for another "Delryn Family Item" for him to lose (which should be stripped from Anomen via a script during the Disowning speech, and possibly returned after his father's potential death), I don't think it should be an item made of leather (boots, belt, gloves), since family heirlooms tend to be more durable. We can't use his Ring, as having 2 copies would create confusion....a Helmet might be nice. A Helmet that grants Infravision, sets the wearer's DEX to 15 (granting Anomen a -1 AC bonus), and casts either Flame Blade or Phantom Blade once per day, since Anomen does mention using a sword from time to time. Howzat?

[ 05-21-2003, 07:04 PM: Message edited by: SixOfSpades ]

[LennonCook]

Originally posted by SixOfSpades: Hmmm.....well, if the game can perform such tricks as "Lost Class: Paladin," "Loses all Bhaal powers," and the temporary suspension of your class-based Special Abilities when you Dual, then removing 'Fighter->Priest of Helm' and replacing it with 'Berserker->Cleric' sounds doable. If worst comes to worst, you could let his actual kit stay the same (meaning his Record page would still say the same thing), but just erase all of his True Sight and Seeking Sword abilities, and grant him 1 or 2 Berserker Rages (since his Fighter class will always be 7). I like the Anomen's Cup idea, but that would mean Keldorn gets one too, and so would a Cleric or Paladin PC (but then, the Paladin stronghold needs all the help it can get). In any case, it should be able to be Drunk once per day (or create a potion), conferring some effect that Clerics and Paladins cannot cast, but still sounds reasonably Faith-based. Suggestions: Clairvoyance (fits well with a Priest of Helm), Protection from Petrification, Stone to Flesh, Protection from Magic Energy, or Mantle. There is also no reason that Anomen, Keldorn, PC Clerics and PC Paladins cannot receive different Cups. As for another "Delryn Family Item" for him to lose (which should be stripped from Anomen via a script during the Disowning speech, and possibly returned after his father's potential death), I don't think it should be an item made of leather (boots, belt, gloves), since family heirlooms tend to be more durable. We can't use his Ring, as having 2 copies would create confusion....a Helmet might be nice. A Helmet that grants Infravision, sets the wearer's DEX to 15 (granting Anomen a -1 AC bonus), and casts either Flame Blade or Phantom Blade once per day, since Anomen does mention using a sword from time to time. Howzat?

Losing the Paladin class is nothing more than loosing the special abilities that the class grants you... you don't actually "change" class (well, your record says "Fallen Paladin", but that would probably be a script in the class rather than the dialogue or AI), and removing special abilities is quite possible... hence you can loose all of your Bhaal powers.
A cup for passing his test would lead to all sorts of inconsistancies, as mentioned, such as "Why doesn't Keldorn have one?","Why can't Player1 get one?"... and changing the Paladin stronghold would take it a bit out of the realms of an "NPC-Tweak Mod".
To solve both of these problems, I'll ask around about changing classes, and "invisible" classes (ie, classes which appear to exist ingame, that you can never actually choose yourself, only earn... Fallen Paladin, for example). If it is possible, I will make Anomen a pure Beserker if he fails, and a Knight if he passes... if this goes ahead, the Knight class will be thus:

Advantages
- THAC0 equivalent to a Fighter of the same level.
- Can cast Clerical Spells up to level 4.
Disadvantages
- Cannot use any ranged weapon.
- Cannot gain points in Dual Wield, Two-Handed Weapon Style, or Single Weapon Style; or in any two handed weapons.
- May not dual class (I am removing Anomen's dualclass aswell, incase that wasn't clear. [img]smile.gif[/img] )

I may also make it a choosable Fighter Kit, who gets their choose of the Fighter or the Cleric stronghold; and add the disadvantage of "must be Neutral Good alignment" (meaning also that Anomen's alignment will shift to Neutral Good rather than Lawful Good)... as always, suggestions welcome. I probably won't make it playable though, not this mod.
And that helmet, I love it. Now all I need is to figure out how to make the thing.

[SixOfSpades]

Originally posted by LennonCook: Losing the Paladin class is nothing more than loosing the special abilities that the class grants you...

Actually, what the game does is:
1) Adds the word "Fallen" to your class or kit
2) Removes all Special Abilities related to the class/kit you just lost
3) Removes all other benefits of the class you just lost (A Fallen Archer cannot put any extra stars into Bow weapons)

Whether or not the game actually changes the character's class or kit, though, is not for me to say.

If it is possible, I will make Anomen a pure Beserker if he fails, and a Knight if he passes... if this goes ahead, the Knight class will be thus:

Actually, that kit description sounds almost exactly like the Rebalanced Cavalier. Whatever happened to Anomen being a powerful Cleric? I would go for something simpler: When you meet Anomen, he's a Fighter->Cleric. If he passes, he becomes a Fighter->Priest of Helm. If he fails, he becomes a Berserker->Cleric.

And that helmet, I love it. Now all I need is to figure out how to make the thing.

I'll try to make it this weekend & send it to you. (The Phantom Blade part will be the tricky bit.) Rather pressed for time, though.

[LennonCook]

Originally posted by SixOfSpades:

Actually, what the game does is:
1) Adds the word "Fallen" to your class or kit
2) Removes all Special Abilities related to the class/kit you just lost
3) Removes all other benefits of the class you just lost (A Fallen Archer cannot put any extra stars into Bow weapons)

Whether or not the game actually changes the character's class or kit, though, is not for me to say.
Interesting... I'll have to look into it.

Actually, that kit description sounds almost exactly like the Rebalanced Cavalier. Whatever happened to Anomen being a powerful Cleric? I would go for something simpler: When you meet Anomen, he's a Fighter->Cleric. If he passes, he becomes a Fighter->Priest of Helm. If he fails, he becomes a Berserker->Cleric.
Rebalanced Cavalier? Got a link?
I'll do what you suggest if I can change his second class to a kit... I'll ask around. [img]smile.gif[/img]

I'll try to make it this weekend & send it to you. (The Phantom Blade part will be the tricky bit.) Rather pressed for time, though.
Thanks. [img]smile.gif[/img]

[ 05-23-2003, 12:59 AM: Message edited by: LennonCook ]

[Pirengle]

This game needs the Potion of Mirrored Eyes. Remember the basilisk-saver from BG1? It lasts about as long as a giant strength potion and reflects gaze attacks. I can count at least five posts on the front page alone that would have their problems solved if this potion were put back into the game (and used it wisely, but that's another post entirely). I've copied the item file from BG1 and I use it in my own games. (Bought Mind Focusing potions at Temples, threw them away, put in Mirrored Eyes through the CLUA console.) Now, I can only think of two afflictions that a potion can't cure, and that's Blindness and Level Drain.

Any way to tweak Mirrored Eyes back in?

[LennonCook]

Ok, I've asked around a bit, and it seems that giving a character a kit as a second class is impossible, and therefore Anomen the Fighter->Helmite is impossible. Making him a Beserker->Cleric for failing should work, though... I think I'll give him some special abilities for passing, or maybe some new items to replace those he lost. Suggestions ??

[SixOfSpades]

The Delryn Family Helmet is done--what's your Email? The Phantom Blade was actually easier than I'd expected, and now I know how to do any Wizard spell. It's only the Priest spells that can be tricky. The only flaw is that the Blade can be Dispelled out of Anomen's hand, but that's not my fault--blame the spell, not me. [img]smile.gif[/img]

There is no "Rebalanced Cavalier" MOD, or at least not yet--as far as I know. But since the Cavalier stomps on the other two Paladin classes (not to mention the straight Paladin), it could use a little dumbing down....and the Undead Hunter could use some tweaks as well. Since, in PnP, Cavaliers absolutely *MUST* fight with a Shield at all times, it would make sense to forbid Cavaliers to put points in Dual-wielding, 2-Handed Weapon Style, Single Weapon Style, or any 2-Handed weapon. (They can still use Carsomyr, they just can't put points into it.) They also lose their Turn Undead ability (or have it reduced), to simulate honing their skills against Demons and Dragons. In exchange, they can reach Mastery (***) in any weapon they're allowed to use, and get a -5 bonus to their Save vs. Breath Weapon.

I believe Potions of Mirrored Eyes are still in Shadowkeeper, and therefore can be easily put back into the game. Whether or not they'll reflect Gaze attacks that were not in BG1/ToSC, though (such as the Paralytic Gaze so favored by BG2 Demons), is another question altogether. 'Diseased' is also uncurable though Potions.

No Dualing to kits, even through scripts? That bites!

[LennonCook]

Originally posted by SixOfSpades:

The Delryn Family Helmet is done--what's your Email? The Phantom Blade was actually easier than I'd expected, and now I know how to do any Wizard spell. It's only the Priest spells that can be tricky. The only flaw is that the Blade can be Dispelled out of Anomen's hand, but that's not my fault--blame the spell, not me. [img]smile.gif[/img]
My MSN is in my Profile - mail it to there. [img]smile.gif[/img]
There is no "Rebalanced Cavalier" MOD, or at least not yet--as far as I know. But since the Cavalier stomps on the other two Paladin classes (not to mention the straight Paladin), it could use a little dumbing down....and the Undead Hunter could use some tweaks as well. Since, in PnP, Cavaliers absolutely *MUST* fight with a Shield at all times, it would make sense to forbid Cavaliers to put points in Dual-wielding, 2-Handed Weapon Style, Single Weapon Style, or any 2-Handed weapon. (They can still use Carsomyr, they just can't put points into it.) They also lose their Turn Undead ability (or have it reduced), to simulate honing their skills against Demons and Dragons. In exchange, they can reach Mastery (***) in any weapon they're allowed to use, and get a -5 bonus to their Save vs. Breath Weapon.
Ah, gotcha. [img]smile.gif[/img]

No Dualing to kits, even through scripts? That bites!
Yes, yes it does.


Ok, I'm thinking for Anomen passing his test: True Sight (3/day, may give extras on levelups - ), and something which makes him immune to blindness. Suggestions?

[LennonCook]

Status Report
What I've done since last status report: made a few decisions. And ofcourse gotten that one item made...

Current list of NPCs to be tweaked:

- Anomen Delryn: will gain abilities for knighthood, possibly level dependant. Loose family items (including the new Delryn Family Helmet) if Cor disowns him. Will go beserk if he feels his god has betrayed him (ie, if he fails).
Abilities for passing at this stage: True Sight (as per the Mage spell): 3/day; Immunity to Blindness... probably 3 turns worth through a once/day special ability.

- Valygar Corthala: will be a Kensai, the Corthala Family blade will improve with levels. His armour will probably just vanish.
NEEDED: Suggestions for Katana improvements. Most probably, it will improve at levels 15, 24, and 33.

- Nalia De'Arnase: thieving skills will be tweaked so they are slightly more useful. I have decided against doing anything else to her at the risk of clashing with the in-progress Nalia romance mod.

I will probably also make Cernd another kit than Shapeshifer: he is almost useless before the Rebalanced Shapeshifter mod, and could finish the game to the end of TOB solo without taking more than about 5 points of damage and resting maybe once after it. Ofcourse, this would also involve changing one cutscene, but that wouldn't be too hard.

[ 05-25-2003, 05:17 AM: Message edited by: LennonCook ]