374 replies to this topic

[Scar]

OK, what about this idea: have one innate ability called "True Dweomer". It can be picked as HLA up to 4 times according to tables 44 resp. 47. It does pretty much the same as a Wildmage's Reckless Dweomer but without the danger of Wild Surges: it presents a list with all avaliable TDs to pick from.

Now, that alone would be far to powerful, so I came up with a hook: the source book states that for each TD at least one material component is needed. So the generic TD checks the casters inventory for valid components and presents a list accordingly. If you've got a dragon's tooth, you can summon Kreb?s Flaming Dragon, but if you're out of bones, well, tough luck, no Kolin?s Undead Legion for you. Of course, when you cast the dweomer, the corresponding component is used up. That means you could implement some insanely powerful TDs, but limit their use by putting only one or two of the needed components in game . It would make a TD what it's supposed to be, a high power spell that's somewhat difficult to use and scarce in numbers.

I don't know if that's feasible, having a spell interact with inventory in such a complex way. But it'd sure be cool, and IMHO as close to PnP as we can get without being too much of a pain.

Now, one thing's still missing: spell descriptions. I'd simply put them on the components, in the identified description, with a pretty high lore value (and preferably a level requirement for successful identification, but I think that's not possible).

So, what do you think?

Armin

[Galactygon]

Sounds intriguing.

However the implementation itself (if it is possible) is a totally different story.

-Galactygon

[jester]

.... insanely powerful TDs, but limit their use by putting only one or two of the needed components in game .

UU would cast a simy and use the item there

[Jinnai]

Another thing, if its possible, would be to make some of the spells more than one round in casting time. While this isn't a dedtriment when cadting buffing spells, it is when casting mass destroy stuf, and there are spells, atleast in 2nd edition that require such.

[T.G.Maestro]

Sounds intriguing. 

However the implementation itself (if it is possible) is a totally different story.

Indeed. These ideas sound really interesting, but they are not always worth putting into an action-based RPG like BG2.

Another thing, if its possible, would be to make some of the spells more than one round in casting time

Yes, this one is good too, and implementable. You might have noticed thta many of the new and more powerful HLAs in Refinements use casting times like 8 or 9, but we can easily increase these numbers - and it would be a nice way to balance too overwhelming power of the TDs (just compare them with other classes HLAs - they are way over them both in power and level - the only HLA from another class that can be in line with them is Energy Storm of sorcerers, yet that ability is VERY hard to use).

[T.G.Maestro]

- other TD level spells and HLAs: Volcano from the druid table, and Divine Intervention from clerics. Both are extremely powerful abilities/spells, yet both have their possible drawbacks.

[Scar]

UU would cast a simy and use the item there

Hmm, my idea would work with the backpack, not the equipped inventory (quickslots etc.). Does a simy get a complete copy of the backpack, too? If not, it would be completely prohibited from TDs (which wouldn't be to bad, IMHO).

Indeed. These ideas sound really interesting, but they are not always worth putting into an action-based RPG like BG2.

Well, that depends on your personal style of play. Me, e.g., I don't see BG as that much action-based (that's what I've got DungeonSiege for). I rather play it in a semi-turn-based way, hitting the space bar before giving orders, so the described technique wouldn't interfere (for the player, it's not much different to a Reckless Dweomer in execution).

Another thing, if its possible, would be to make some of the spells more than one round in casting time

I second that. There are PnP-TDs that have casting times as long as multiple turn or even hours (though that would be a bit over the top...).

Armin

[T.G.Maestro]

Something else:
It always bothere me why the two Whirlwind HLAs have blue icons while it is more than obvious that they are offensive (red) HLAs. Not to mention that their Special Effect icons are red too.
So I decided to change their colors to red, I think it looks much better now. They were sent to all of the testers, I'm waiting the comments on them !

[Jinnai]

After thinking about this, i came up with an ability a good monk could use for the opposing of the evil monk's poison ability (and a neutral monk taking either).

Body Like the Water

Description:

Water can be calm at one moment and a pounding torrent the next. It shapes itself around the world. allowing others to control it, untl it unleashes its fury. Thus does a truely masterful monk allow himself to become like water and learn from its ways.

Disadvantage:
-2 attack turn

Advantage:
+1 wis
+3 AC bonus
-3 Thac0
+5 damage
+1 to all saving throws
Critical failures are treated as normal failures and opponents critical attacks are treated as normal attacks.

[T.G.Maestro]

Thanks Jinnai, I will consider it.

[T.G.Maestro]

I'd like to warn everyone that the descriptions listed on the first page aren't 100% up to date. They will be updated after we close the beta-testing period.

[Andyr]

I had another idea for Enlightenment.

My original quibble a few pages back was that adding 2 Level 7 slots was silly, as they're the most powerful and you get loads anyway, especially with holy symbols and stuff.

So why not make it give +1 WIS and +1 CHR, symbolising a better understanding of the deity, and increased personability?

I don't think it'd be too unbalancing.

[GreyViper]

Another suggestion a spell for Wild Mage called "Rift". It can?t be scribed to book and only appears with wild surge.

[Littiz]

TGM is away for about 10 days.
I'm "present" but I can't do much more than browsing the forums...

All the new_content_related_work for Version 1 is closed now, when we're done with the testing we will release.

For future versions, I personally can be convinced to replace deathblows with modified stances. Don't know TGM's opinion. It's a possibility for version 2.
There's always the problem that we've already reached the limit for new portrait icons, though.

[Jinnai]

This may not be the best idea for a HLA, atleast for BG2, but what about giving druids the power to control the weather?

[Baltrek]

As in call lightning?

Or as in, gee, I wish it would rain?