Random Spells

[nicethugbert]

We've all heard of spell crafting/research and DnD has rules for such. I'm not an expert on it but I imagine the most manageable form is just a matter of filling in all the blanks that make up a spell and assigning some effects with attendant conditions and costs.

Well, the research aspect can be done away with and replaced with scroll drops containing a new random spell. It would be great for wizards. Learning spells is their specialty.

But, what are the limitations? Spells need 2da entries and those are static requiring a server reload and possibly recompile.

What work around is possible? A replicable scroll item? How about wands, etc.?

[mammothtruk]

I think this is a little like buying new scrolls and scribing them into your book really. The research in PnP is just gp cost and research time. Buying scrolls from a vender such as the wizards tower and doing the quests to open up the higher level spells is something like that. Cost might need adjusting and the time aspect of research goes out the window but its basically the same deal.

[nicethugbert]

These are new spells, like new items. They need to be listed in the 2da files. But, they're randomly generated so having to mod the 2da files and/or recompile the mod every time someone beats orc horde for one is going to be upsetting. So, some other means will be necessary. But, then you can't scribe them as they're not in the 2da files.

[Loudent2]

I'm interested in why you brought this topic up.

It's clearly not something that NWN2 was designed to handle. Considering all the other options, why this would be something you'd like to see pursued?

[Kaedrin]

I saw a similar request on the Khalidine forums probably six months ago. The only way I saw personally to do this was:

Create a custom item (book) that pops a dialog when activated that asks what custom spell you wish to scribe that you know.

The scroll created would have a cast spell power (custom spell) that checks the local vars set by the spellbook to determine the spells effect. One for damage type, one for damage dice, one for spell shape (bolt, ranged AE, caster-centric AE, ray, etc) and on for each type of variable needed to define the spell (including special effects such as stun, paralyze). The description of the scroll would be set based on the vars.

It would probably take two to three dozen or more different custom spells to account for all of the ranges, target types, schools, and animations needed (one custom spell for hostile targetted, medium ranged evocation spells).

Using the spellbook would allow you to control the creation rate by using gold as a cost to create the scroll. This would also allow Sorcerers and other spontaneous casters to utilize custom spells.

Very non-trivial system to do.

[nicethugbert]

Apr 15, 2008 17:36:44 GMT -5 Loudent2 said:

I'm interested in why you brought this topic up.

It's clearly not something that NWN2 was designed to handle. Considering all the other options, why this would be something you'd like to see pursued?

The idea came to me today after someone suggested the next NWN2 expansion have a spell crafting system. It wouldn't be the first time someone made such a suggestion and it exists in DnD.

But, how is someone actually supposed to research spells in NWN2? It would have to be story/quest based like it is in DnD otherwise you're just shopping for more power.

But, if random spells were found then it would have the element of discovery and surprise, etc. like a spell research/craft system without having to write a quest/story to make the discovery and play the role of researcher. Plus, the spells would be unique. Which you probably will not see if players get to purchase effects from a pallette as, just like classes and feats, it's only a matter of time before the best effect combos are found and bought by everyone.