Slim g-Series Readme

History: After5CST's Original ReadMe

INTRODUCTION:

This readme file should accompany a number of .bs and .baf files, with default script handlers for a number of class combinations. This default set is provided for some of the NPCs encountered in Baldur's Gate II.

I cannot take any of the credit for the gSeries snippets or compilations. These script files are merely optimized gSeries script files, as originally provided by Sarkyn. These scripts are 99% faithful to the original gSeries, with a few exceptions. The exceptions are clearly noted at the bottom of this README.

Many thanks to Sarkyn for the many hours he obviously spent putting together the original gSeries scripts, testing and compiling.

The remainder of this file will consist of a files listing ( so you know which scripts are included in which NPCPak), a section discussing how I created these script files, a section noting the oddities I have discovered through playtesting with the gSeries scripts (and with some of these variants as well), and a listing of differences between these scripts and the gSeries.

Thank you for your patience, as I tend to be long-winded!

FILE LISTING:

gNPCPak1 Files: ( mostly NPCs with good alignment matches )

	sgClrMag	This script is a "slimmed down" gMulti specifically for Cleric/Mages. It matches the following NPCs: Aerie
	sgThfMag	This script is a "slimmed down" gMulti specifically for Thief/Mages, either dual or multi-class. It matches the following NPs: Imoen, Jan, Nalia
	sgInquis	This script is a "slimmed down" gFighter specifically for Inquisitors. Since gSeries doesn't deal with Inquisitor-specific abilities ( Dispel Magic, etc.), and Inquisitors don't get spell-casting ability like other Paladins, this is also a good script for (true)Fighters (although it carries a little bit of extra stuff that Fighters don't have). It matches the following NPCs: Keldorn, Mazzy
	sgRanger	This script is a "slimmed down" gFighter specifically for the Ranger class. It matches the following NPCs: Minsc
	sgStalk	This script is a "slimmed down" gFighter specifically for Stalkers. It matches the following NPCs: Valygar

gNPCPak2 Files: ( mostly NPCs with neutral alignment matches )

	sgFtrClr	This script is a "slimmed down" gMulti specifically for Fighter/Clerics. It matches the following NPCs: Anomen
	sgSShift	This script is a "slimmed down" gPriest specifically for Shapeshifters. It matches the following NPCs: Cernd
	sgFtrDrd	This script is a "slimmed down" gMulti specifically for Fighter/Druids. It matches the following NPCs: Jaheira
	sgBHunt	This script is a "slimmed down" gThief specifically for Bounty Hunters. It matches the following NPCs: Yoshimo

gNPCPak3 Files: ( mostly NPCs with evil alignment matches )

	sgMage	This script is a "slimmed down" gMage specifically for mages. It matches the following NPCs: Edwin
	sgBersrk	This script is a "slimmed down" gFighter specifically for Berserkers. It matches the following NPCs: Korgan
	sgCleric	This script is a "slimmed down" gPriest specifically for Clerics. It matches the following NPCs: Viconia

GSERIES ODDITIES:

I have noticed a few strange things about the gSeries, and these scripts also have the same tendencies (since they are largely faithful to the original gSeries).

Characters will CURE_POISON on opponents under some circumstances. (Use Valygar's blade in combat, and you'll see it happen from time to time). The problem is in the gSeries script, since the scripts check the LastSeenBy(MySelf) object, which for melee fighters will be their opponents. Not a big deal, but a little surprising if you don't expect it.
Mages tend to be a little aggressive from time to time. Note that Dakkon's Zerth Blade (which gives extra spells if it's equipped) may cause your mage to be a bit aggressive, since he wants to attack with whatever weapon he has ( and if you have the Zerth blade, you don't want any ranged weapons equipped for fear of losing the spell ).
gSeries has a lot of interdependencies. Note that gSeries healers may *not* automatically heal members in your party that aren't using gSeries scripts. Note that these slimmed-down gSeries scripts ( sgSeries ) scripts should be 100% compatible with gSeries scripts.

There are probably other oddities I haven't found yet, but nothing too serious. Overall, the series has a lot of good things going for it. I do plan on customizing (and/or writing my own) to suit my tastes, but cheers! to Sarkyn for compiling a nice list of useful scriptlets.

CHANGES TO THE GSERIES:

	1.	The potion of Strength ( POTN44 ) is now allowed to be used by all classes. gSeries placed a restriction on the potions so that only warrior classes (FIGHTER_ALL, RANGER_ALL, PALADIN_ALL) would attempt to use the potion. I removed the restriction.
	2.	The order of potion usage in combat has changed slightly. gSeries used healing potions in combat as necessary in the following order:
		Elixir of Health ( 10 points, plus cures poison ) Potion of Extra Healing Potion of Healing
		I have a fondness for keeping Elixirs of Health around ( since they cure poison) and changed the order of checking for potion usage to be:
		Potion of Extra Healing Potion of Healing Elixir of Health
		If someone wants this set to the original order I can do so -- I was just too lazy to do so for this release.
	3.	I make a specific check to ensure a Monk does not ingest a Potion of Speed. Monks are not able to be Hasted ( at least by the rules ), so the Potion of Speed should do them no good whatsoever.
	4.	I changed the backstab class check to include Stalkers ( who get backstab ability, albeit at a lesser level ). The previous script only allowed for thieves to attempt a backstab.
	5.	I changed the minimum number of people required in the party to be 2 instead of 3 before a mage might cast Improved Haste. The spell only affects a single party member, and the mage specifically looks for a warrior to be the recepient, so I saw no reason for the 3-person minimum.

Comments can be sent to me at SlimBAF@Hotmail.COM, or posted to one of the discussion lists at Yahoo!. Many thanks to a lot of people, including Black Isle (for a fabulous game), Sarkyn, many other contributors to the discussion lists, and my family for sparing some time so I could write these little utilities.

After5CST.