Animus: Sentient Weapon mod [RELEASED]
Tome
Member Posts: 466
The Animus weapon mod has been completed, full credit to @Alkalurops !
If the download goes down, just post here and I'll replace it.
Mod Description:
Animus is a sentient weapon capable of conversing telepathically with you and you alone. Unlike Lilarcor, Animus is reasonably intelligent and capable of holding an actual conversation-although since it's a telepathic weapon he's incapable of speaking in-battle like Lilarcor. It's normally a +1 weapon with no special benefits, but once you discover a little more about your heritage, it can be upgraded to a +2 longsword with a couple of extra benefits at the cost of it's ability to converse.
Animus can be found in the Nashkel general store for a reasonable fee.
Download
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B6Y0ez-SKHL1czE4d3lFYWw4NXc/edit?usp=sharing&pli=1
Hope you enjoy it!
If the download goes down, just post here and I'll replace it.
Mod Description:
Animus is a sentient weapon capable of conversing telepathically with you and you alone. Unlike Lilarcor, Animus is reasonably intelligent and capable of holding an actual conversation-although since it's a telepathic weapon he's incapable of speaking in-battle like Lilarcor. It's normally a +1 weapon with no special benefits, but once you discover a little more about your heritage, it can be upgraded to a +2 longsword with a couple of extra benefits at the cost of it's ability to converse.
Animus can be found in the Nashkel general store for a reasonable fee.
Download
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B6Y0ez-SKHL1czE4d3lFYWw4NXc/edit?usp=sharing&pli=1
Hope you enjoy it!
Post edited by Tome on
5
Comments
Animus "Oh, you used that unrefined piece of trash again, master? Why bother, when you could wield the likes of me?"
Lilarcor: "You thinking of using that prissy longsword? You know, two-handed swords can give you twice the killing power"
Guess I'll just have to roll a Fighter/Mage or something.
CLUAConsole:CreateItem("E)ANIMU0")That's a zero at the end- Increased Price to 2000 from 500
- Changed THAC0 bonus to +1 (untransformed)
- Changed damage bonus to +1 (untransformed)
- Changed item name to "E)ANIMU1"
- Added transformation effect
- Transformation dialog now available in the first catacombs area (AR2613 - library)
- Updated WeiDU to 236
Also, I'm starting to write dialogue for Animus BG2, but I won't have enough time to finish it for a while. That said, if anyone has any requests for content feel free to offer me some ideas!
Longsword - for everyone who can use longswords
two handed sword - for stronger warriors
short sword - for rogues
dagger - for wizards
I've been also thinking, that sword would gain a special abilities in BG2 depending what alignment protagonist have. Like good, neutral and evil.
I do like alignment-based changes though. Or at least changes based on the events that happen to charname, like - I don't know - losing your soul. Maybe hell would be an appropriate time to see a serious upgrade.
I don't know how fast I'll be able to do the job, but as long as there's no rush, I'm ok with implementing it. Well, I have an exported bard waiting for this weapon anyway, so...
Right now, my (spoiler-free) plan for updates is thus:
The blade will begin as a +2 weapon with the same stats as it had in BG1, but several opportunities throughout the game will cause it to be upgraded. The nature of these upgrades depends on either alignment or explicit player choices.
After Spellhold, the events that occurred will jog Animus' memory and unlock a little more power in a conversation that renders it a +3 weapon. The enchantment strength will increase slightly but no other changes will occur-it's just intended to ensure that the weapon remains competitive with the vast array of other items on offer. If possible, the weapon should be impossible to wield by anyone who is not CHARNAME.
After the Hell Trials, it will return to it's full strength and turn into a +4 weapon. If you chose evil, it will gain the level drain of Blackrazor (but not the regeneration). If you chose good, it will grant regeneration (2 HP per 5 seconds). If you are neutral, you may choose. Regardless of form, the weapon now also offers Negative Plane Protection and 10% magic resistance.
Before the final trials in ToB, the weapon will finally reach full power as a +5 weapon or +6 artifact, depending on your intentions. The +5 weapon will have all previous abilities, with 30% magic resistance rather than 10% and also gaining the ability from the Hell Trials that you didn't choose before. The +6 artifact will be pretty overpowered, adding even more abilities. (I'm thinking the same as the +5 version, with added immunity to death spells and the ability to cast Dimension door at will) The last one is really intended for people playing Ascension with difficulty mods-I don't see it ruining balance much in that case, especially as it should only be available at the endgame!
Regardless, I think it's a bit too powerful. Consider this:
- BG2 has no +4 long swords. Even the ludicrously overpowered Blackrazer is "only" +3.
- TOB has +4 long swords, like Angurvadal in Watcher's Keep, but its only abilities are +1 fire damage (meh) and 22 Strength for 60 seconds once per day. In comparison, Animus gives you bonus spells, negative plane protection, 10% magic resistance, and a level drain of 4 (or great regeneration). This would make Animus more powerful than even the upgraded Angurvadal, which is only available after Sendai.
I'd say, at least drop the magic resistance. Again, I think it's too much. At this point let's compare a few "end-game" weapons:
Angurvadal + 5 (after Sendai)
- 2 to 5 fire damage
- 22 strength (always active on the upgraded version)
- Immune to level drain
Purifier + 5 (after Sendai)- +5 damage vs chaotic evil
- +30% Magic Resistance
- Dispel Magic twice per day
- Mass Cure once per day
Animus + 5- +1 spell per level
- 15% chance to drain 4 levels
- 2HP regeneration per 5 seconds
- Immune to level drain
- +30% Magic Resistance
That's as powerful as both weapons combined PLUS black razor PLUS ring of regeneration PLUS bonus spells that make the ring of wizardry look like something you bought at a wallmart for half a dollar.Personally, I'd drop the second ability (either level drain or regeneration, not both) and maybe reduce the magic resistance to 10%.
On an unrelated note: is Cespenar going to upgrade Animus? After all, he is Satan's little helper. Well, Bhaal's.
BG2
Weapon begins as +2. After Spellhold it becomes unequippable and must be repaired by Cromwell using a few materials scattered around the game. Once repaired it becomes a +3 weapon but gains no additional abilities.
After the Hell trials it gains Blackrazor's level drain and immunity to level drain. If you chose predominantly good options throughout the trial it also grants 10% magic resistance. If you chose mainly evil options, it grants immunity to fear. It does not gain an enchantment level and thus ends BG2 as:
Animus +3 (can only be wielded by you)
1 spell per level
15% chance to drain 4 levels from enemy and heal, haste, and raise strength of wielder
Immune to level drain
+10% Magic Resistance OR immunity to fear
Compared to other endgame one handed weapons:
Blackrazor +3
+1 HP every 5 seconds,
Immunity to charm
Immunity to fear
15% chance to drain 4 levels from enemy and heal, haste, and raise strength of wielder
Celestial Fury +3
Faster by 1
Uses d10 rather than d8
Chance to stun opponent
Chance to deal +20 damage
You may cast Lightning Strike and Blindness once per day
I think it's pretty similar to Blackrazor-it's probably more useful than Blackrazor if you're a multiclass or bard, but otherwise I'd much rather have that regeneration. Celestial Fury humiliates both of them, but that's katanas for you I guess. xD
Throne of Bhaal
Cespenar can upgrade the blade to +4 using a relic and 10k. It receives no other buffs however.
Animus +4
1 spell per level
15% chance to drain 4 levels from enemy and heal, haste, and raise strength of wielder
Immune to level drain
+10% Magic Resistance OR immunity to fear
Reaches full power at the end of the game as:
Animus +5
1 spell per level
15% chance to drain 4 levels from enemy and heal, haste, and raise strength of wielder
Immune to level drain
+20% Magic Resistance OR immunity to fear and domination
Compared to other endgame one handed weapons:
Angurvadal +5
2 to 5 fire damage
22 strength (always active on the upgraded version)
Immune to level drain
Purifier +5
+5 damage vs chaotic evil (this triggers on the final boss, which is the only battle you can use Animus +5 anyway)
+30% Magic Resistance
Dispel Magic twice per day
Mass Cure once per day
Hindo's Doom +4
Hits as +4 weapon rather than +5, but that shouldn't be an issue outside of Ascension.
You may cast Greater Restoration once/day
Immune to death spells
10% magic resistance
Flail of Ages +5
Slower than the other weapons here by 2 points
+10 damage of varying elements.
33% chance target is slowed per hit.
Free action
5% magic resistance
Again, Animus is clearly the best choice for mages but the Purifier has more magic resistance, more damage and a few useful spells. Angurvadal outdamages Animus as well. It's also worth remembering that the final boss is immune to level draining.
Finally, if discussions throughout BG2 and ToB have left Animus fully loyal to you, you've beaten the final boss of Watcher's Keep and you have sufficiently high charisma and wisdom, you may unlock Ascension-mode Animus. This is meant to be a full-fledged artifact and I will not deny that it's overpowered.
Animus +6
1 spell per level
25% chance to drain 4 levels from enemy and heal, haste, and raise strength of wielder
Immune to level drain, fear and domination
Ability to cast Dimension Door at will
30% Magic Resistance
Free Action
Thanks for calling the imbalances to my attention. Better?
I know you can restrict items to named NPC's, but I don't think you can restrict items to CHARNAME. Maybe someone more knowledgeable like @Dee knows if it's possible? If I knew CHARNAME's death variable it would be trivial.
I want to play a run through of the entire trilogy of games and I'm doing it with mods (First time playing the games ever, actually). One of the run throughs I absolutely want to play with Animus... But if Animus could continue into BG2:EE that would be even more amazing. So here's hoping you did work on it, or might be willing to again, I suppose!