Mod. Review: Dark Side of the Sword Coast N.P.C.s!
WithinAmnesia
Member Posts: 961
*This is a light yet critical review the Dark Side of the Sword Coast Non-Player Characters.*
Evaluation Criteria:
Character Ability Balance: Compares Ability Scores to other 'role-similar' original Non-Player Characters.
Non-Player Character Analog: Evaluates Non-Player Character 'roll-ecosystem' within the Original Baldur's Gate.
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ROUND ONE: BARDO
Bardo:
Gender: Male
Race: Halfling
Alignment: Neutral Good
Class: Thief
Strength: 12
Dexterity: 19
Constitution: 13
Intellect: 11
Wisdom: 11
Charisma: 17
[Ability Roll: 83, High]
Character Ability Balance: Very Good. I see no 'Mary-Sue' characteristics within Bardo's Ability Scores. Although his starting equipment is dreadfully over powered and dare I say 'uninspired'.
Non-Player Character Analog: Alora, Coran, Imoen, Safana and Skie (Unlisted: Evil Thieves).
Alora (the Good Halfling Thief) is arguably the most similar Non-Player Character when compared to Bardo.
Alora:
Strength: 8 (-4)
Dexterity: 19 (+/-0)
Constitution: 12 (-1)
Intellect: 14
Wisdom: 7
Charisma: 10
[Ability Roll: 70, Very Low*]
*Although She has arguably the best thieving abilities 'in town' based on her Lucky Rabbit's Foot. She also gains +2 Luck as well as more survivablility (Lucky Rabbit's Foot Details: http://baldursgate.wikia.com/wiki/Alora )
So with her better arguably thieving abilities and survivablility with albeit slightly less combat effectiveness than Bardo; I would call it a 'fair balance'. Although Alora is available 'dead last' in the game and has 'wonkily' spent thieving abilities.
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Bardo Quality Verdict: Pass - He needs less over powered starting gear though.
What do you fair souls judge of my Non-Player Character(s) review, thus far? All constructive feedback is welcome.
Evaluation Criteria:
Character Ability Balance: Compares Ability Scores to other 'role-similar' original Non-Player Characters.
Non-Player Character Analog: Evaluates Non-Player Character 'roll-ecosystem' within the Original Baldur's Gate.
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ROUND ONE: BARDO
Bardo:
Gender: Male
Race: Halfling
Alignment: Neutral Good
Class: Thief
Strength: 12
Dexterity: 19
Constitution: 13
Intellect: 11
Wisdom: 11
Charisma: 17
[Ability Roll: 83, High]
Character Ability Balance: Very Good. I see no 'Mary-Sue' characteristics within Bardo's Ability Scores. Although his starting equipment is dreadfully over powered and dare I say 'uninspired'.
Non-Player Character Analog: Alora, Coran, Imoen, Safana and Skie (Unlisted: Evil Thieves).
Alora (the Good Halfling Thief) is arguably the most similar Non-Player Character when compared to Bardo.
Alora:
Strength: 8 (-4)
Dexterity: 19 (+/-0)
Constitution: 12 (-1)
Intellect: 14
Wisdom: 7
Charisma: 10
[Ability Roll: 70, Very Low*]
*Although She has arguably the best thieving abilities 'in town' based on her Lucky Rabbit's Foot. She also gains +2 Luck as well as more survivablility (Lucky Rabbit's Foot Details: http://baldursgate.wikia.com/wiki/Alora )
So with her better arguably thieving abilities and survivablility with albeit slightly less combat effectiveness than Bardo; I would call it a 'fair balance'. Although Alora is available 'dead last' in the game and has 'wonkily' spent thieving abilities.
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Bardo Quality Verdict: Pass - He needs less over powered starting gear though.
What do you fair souls judge of my Non-Player Character(s) review, thus far? All constructive feedback is welcome.
Post edited by WithinAmnesia on
6
Comments
I appreciate this thread, carry on, @WithinAmnesia !
As regards the overpowered aspects, please keep in mind that it was written for the original game, the "balance" was substantially different. A different kind of overpower.
Probably the first mod I tried, long long ago.
ROUND TWO: BUB SNIKT
Bub Snikt:
Gender: Male
Race: Human
Alignment: Neutral Good
Class: Ranger/Stalker (I thought that all human stalkers were a bit perverted :-P *silly*).
Ability Scores:
Strength: 18/40
Dexterity: 16
Constitution: 17
Intellect: 10
Wisdom: 16
Charisma: 10
[Ability Roll: 87, Very High]
Character Ability Balance: I think that Bub Snikt's Ability Scores look like a Nerfed power gamer's ranger. I much prefer Bub's old 'Original' / 'Vanilla' Ability Scores of: (Solution)
[Spoiler] Strength: 17 (+2*)
Dexterity: 16 (+2*)
Constitution: 14 (+2*)
Intellect: 10
Wisdom: 11
Charisma: 13
[Ability Roll: 81, High]
Although I do feel that he would be under powered with this configuration.. *Although my version of Bub Snikt can Once per day Draw Upon Holy Might as a Special Innate Ability due to him gaining 'super natural strength' when defending his home from 'giants' and striking them dead- this is taken from his 'Original' Biography. *Draw Upon Holy Might would raise Bub Snikt's Strength, Dexterity and Constitution by 1 per every three levels of the Caster
( http://baldursgate.wikia.com/wiki/Draw_Upon_Holy_Might ), *although Bub starts at Level 6 and thus it would be an Ability Bonus of at least +2.
^The above 'Original' Ability Scores are from when Bub Snikt is an unaltered Pure Fighter within Baldur's Gate: Tales of the Sword Coast and not a Stalker Ranger Class Kit from within the newer released version: Baldur's Gate: Enhanced Edition - Dark Side of the Sword Coast . Although I like Bub as a Fighter or a pure ranger (in my opinion his chosen kit is a bit weird for him, I would rather have him with his own custom kit that included the use of heavy armours to reflect his 'fighter origins'. Or maybe he should become a kitted fighter instead of a pure fighter? Perhaps a Berserker Fighter Kit would be fitting for Bub Snikt -biography and all- although I would change his Ability Scores to be based on his Original Values and I would add a Once per day Draw Upon Holy Might Special Innate Ability (to make him viable and more importantly to reflect his character lore to make Bub's character more unique).
~Extra: Bub Snikt could still use Composite Long Bows even with failing their 18 Strength Requirement with 17 Strength for he could use his Once per day Draw Upon Holy Might Special Innate Ability (thus raising his strength to 19+, which exceeds the 18 Strength required for the use of a 'common' Composite Long Bow) and Equip a Composite Long Bow and then still be able to use the bow after his temporary Strength bonus wears off (I tested it, and it works).[/Spoiler] Moving On: Bub Snikt currently has a MASSIVELY Terrible case of Over Powered Starting Equipment; in his case it is with him having Completely Magical Starting Equipment. He has the following in his 'Enhanced Edition': Studded Leather Armour +1, Bastard Sword +1, Composite Longbow +1, Arrows +1, Arrows of Bitting. He also has some potions, healing potion(s) and Antidote(s).
Non-Player Character Analog:
-'Warrior' Recruitable Non-Player Characters: Ajantis, Coran, Khalid, Kivan, Minsc, Yeslick and Jaheira (Unlisted: Evil 'Warriors').
Bub-Snikt is mostly like Minsc (Neutral Good Human Male Ranger) and more arguably akin to Kivan (Chaotic Good Elf Male Ranger) in terms of analog Original Baldur's Gate Recruitable Non-Player Characters.
Minsc's Ability Scores:
Strength: 18/93* (+53 'Bonus Strength')
Dexterity: 15 (-1)
Constitution: 15 (-2)
Intellect: 8 (-2)
Wisdom: 6 (-10 Although Minsc does not need a high Wisdom for he refer's to the All Mighty Boo's Wise Judgement)
Charisma: 9 (-1)
[Ability Roll: 71 (-16), Very Low**]
(**Although Efficiently Allocated With *A Very High Strength Roll)
-Yeah things are not looking so good for the 'Enhanced' Bub Snikt.. Perhaps he will fare better when compared to Kivan?
Kivan's Ability Scores:
Strength: 18/12 (-28 'Bonus Strength')
Dexterity: 17 (+1)
Constitution: 14 (-3)
Intellect: 10 (+/- 0)
Wisdom: 14 (-2)
Charisma: 8 (-2)
[Ability Roll: 81 (-6), High]
-I am afraid that it looks like poor old Bub Snikt Failed at his Critical Non-Player Character Quality Review.
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Bub Snikt Quality Verdict: FAIL! -He needs more comparative consideration given to his Ability Scores and MUCH Less Over Powered starting equipment. Also I would prefer if his class did not change and remained a Fighter (as he originally was) and became either a Berserker Fighter Kit or have his own Custom Fighter Kit made for him. I would personally like him to suit his ('original') biography and gain the Innate Ability to once per day Draw Upon Holy Might; although your opinion may differ..
Rare Ladies And Fine 'Gentle-Nerds', How Was The Second Round Of The Dark Side Of The Sword Coast Recruitable Non-Player Character Critical Review? Constructive Feedback Is Welcome.
Yes If Bub-Snikt was one of the only Recruitable Non-Player Character in Baldur's Gate it would not be over powered. Although he must be compared to the other official 'analog' Recruitable Non-Player Characters in respect of the player's deep companion options. I feel strongly that bringing new Recruitable Characters with Abilities Scores that are superior to the official Recruitable Non-Player Characters is just.. *pause* 'unclassy'.
I have no problems with Bub being a stalker per se, but I do have a problem with his (albeit slightly) Over Powered Ability Scores and starting equipment.
@bengoshi I am not being critical to put a thorn in my side nor the of community's side but rather to show the faults and weakness (if any arise) from player created content. I want the Dark Side of the Sword Coast to be a great modification where it fits perfectly with the original game and not 'good enough'; I want it to be more enjoyably for myself and more so for the community of Baldur's Gate fans. Although it is not my content and I cannot change it without the support of the creators. I am not trying to 'hack and slash' this great modification in question, no and this is not my intention. I have a tremendous drive inside myself to improve the things that I love and I love the Dark Side of the Sword Coast and what it brings to the Original Baldur's Gate in general. Although I also have a discerning eye that spots issues and things that need to be improved. My hope is that with these Critical Recruitable Non-Player Characters Reviews that some type of improvement can (hopefully) be spawned from them. Although thank you @bengoshi for your feed back I greatly appreciate your opinion and I hope the best of luck for you and your future, friend.
Oops I forgot my point about your liking of Kitted Characters :-P. I agree that the Original Baldur's Gate should have more of them but I can only really see this happening with the introduction of new characters and not changing the old ones (not that you said 'Kit the old characters'
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ROUND THREE: CONCHOBHAIR STRONGBLADE
Conchobhair Strongblade:
Gender: Male
Race: Human
Alignment: Lawful Good
Class: Cavalier
Strength: 18/35
Dexterity: 14
Constitution: 15
Intelligence: 10
Wisdom: 14
Charisma: 16 (+1*)
[Ability Roll: 87 (+1*), Very High]
*Charisma bonus granted by his helm of glory inspired helmet.
Character Ability Balance: Con-ch-o-bear(?) looks to have well rounded and well balanced Abilities Scores that make him competitive yet not more powerful than Ajantis Ilvarstarr (the original game's true-class Paladin and arguably the strongest analog to Conchobhair, anyway more on him below). Although Conchobhair's Personal Items need to have their power reevaluated for they are (in my humble opinion) grossly over powered for the Original Baldur's Gate.
[Spoiler]Unprofessional Response (I think that it is stronger of character to show one's errors rather than hide from the them):
I do not see a power gaming Ability Score mess (like some N.P.C.s). Although his 'Personal Gear' is a joke, a really bad joke and it is why I do these reviews.
-Crappy Platemail +3 clone with a crappy name (check)
-Uninspired Helm of Glory clone with a missing depiction (check)
-A Magical Two-Handed Sword +2 that has a very crap Statistic Section (check),
also and dare I say a lazy description stating that its history is 'cloaked by a shielding spell'.. I think it is more like this 'item was created by someone who had little inspiration and hacked an existing item and threw some powerful abilities on it and called it ready for launch'.. *Shakes Head*.. These are the types of things that give community mods a bad name in quality standards and spawn (hilarious) parody videos online.. Oh and he has a 'Y.O.L.O.' Composite Long Bow +1.. Pathetic is what I think of the gearing choices.. Also all of his 'new items' reuse old B.A.M.s.. Stupid, just Stupid. Although I love the character and quest concept; in my humble opinion a proper Dragon was 'needed' in the original Baldur's Gate!
Non-Player Character Analog:
-'Warrior' Recruitable Non-Player Characters: Ajantis, Coran, Khalid, Kivan, Minsc, Yeslick and Jaheira (Unlisted: Evil 'Warriors').
Conchobhair Strongblade is arguably most like the other recruitable Paladin in the Original Baldur's Gate: Ajantis Ilvarstarr.
Ajantis' Ability Scores
Gender: Male
Race: Human
Alignment: Lawful Good
Class: Paladin
Strength: 17 (-1) [-2 Damage Adjustment, -50 lbs. Carry Weight]
Dexterity: 13 (-1) [No Combat Difference]
Constitution: 16 (+1) [+1 Hit Points Per Level Bonus]
Intelligence: 12 (+2) [No Lore Difference]
Wisdom: 13 (-1) [Paladin's in Baldur's Gate get no Bonus Priest Spells, according to @AstroBryGuy ]
Charisma: 17 (+1) [10% Store Discount vs. 5% Store Discount with 16 Base Charisma]
[Ability Roll: 88 (+1) Very High]
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Conchobhair Strongblade Quality Verdict: Weak Pass -His Starting Equipment is in need of a complete power reevaluation. Although I like his Dragon Quest and I am a fan of his competitive yet immersive Ability Score balance. The only thing holding him back from becoming a great Recruitable Non-Player Character option is that his Personal Items are in need of an a near complete overhaul.
I Would Love Any Constructive Feedback Upon My Updated N.P.C. Review Of Conchobhair Strongblade.
"Bub" is what he calls people, and if you put "Snikt" into Google translate Onomatopoeia-->English it means "sounds made when Wolverine retracts his claws".
I think it would have been great to make him with 25 constitution to imitate his healing powers, and perhaps lower his strength a wee bit.
*Sigh*
I actually like this idea now..
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ROUND FOUR: CúChoinneach
CúChoinneach:
Gender: Male
Race: Elf
Alignment: Neutral Good
Class: Ranger (Ex-Ranger / Cleric).
Ability Scores:
Strength: 17
Dexterity: 19
Constitution: 16
Intellect: 11
Wisdom: 16
Charisma: 8
[Ability Roll: 87, Very High]
Character Ability Balance: Critical Note - He is two points* away from a power gamer's ranger. One point to Strength, one point to Constitution (Elf). Although I like his Statue with a Summonable Shadow Wolf! (Albeit it is a copy of the Moon Dog Figurine from Baldur's Gate II as * @AstroBryGuy points out below).[Spoiler]Unprofessional Gif Response:
Non-Player Character Analog:
-'Warrior' Recruitable Non-Player Characters: Ajantis, Coran, Khalid, Kivan, Minsc, Yeslick and Jaheira (Unlisted: Evil 'Warriors').
Choo, Coo-Chion, CooChoyneach?.. I am not very good at pronouncing his name.. 'Dave' currently blows Minsc (A Fellow Ranger) out of the water like a battle ship firing at a dingy and obliterates poor Kivan (the original Chaotic Good Male Elf Ranger) in terms of character power; I find his current Ability Scores to be very immersion breaking
Kivan's Ability Scores:
Strength: 18/12 (+1)
Dexterity: 17 (-2)
Constitution: 14 (-2)
Intellect: 10 (-1)
Wisdom: 14 (-2)
Charisma: 8 (+/- 0)
[Ability Roll: 81 (-6), High]
-What a great potential opportunity to create a better Recruitable Non-Player Character by improving the Ability Scores of CúChoinneach in terms of immersion.
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CúChoinneach Quality Verdict:
I think that CúChoinneach needs more development with his character's power balance and more time put into finding a 'roll niche' and some more development passion to find a character power balance in consideration with preexisting Recruitable Non-Player Characters. CúChoinneach also 'needs' to find a solution to implement his interesting personal gear that is immersive and engaging.
[Spoiler]Unprofessional Response (I think that it is stronger of character to show one's errors rather than hide from the them): CúChoinneach Quality Verdict:
*Grabs Sledgehammer* "I am cutting that internet down." (No one got the reference I suppose..)[/Spoiler]
How is my updated N.P.C. review?
http://baldursgate.wikia.com/wiki/Moon_Dog_Figurine
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ROUND FIVE: FERTHGIL TROLLSLAYER
Ferthgil Trollslayer:
Gender: Male
Race: Dwarf
Alignment: Chaotic Good
Class: Berzerker
Strength: 18/72
Dexterity: 17
Constitution: 19 (+2*)
Intelligence: 7
Wisdom: 12
Charisma: 5
[Ability Roll: 78 (+2*), Above Average / High*]
*Over Powered Diablo I Field Plate..
Character Ability Balance: I am disappointed with the developers of Dark Side of the Sword Coast. This character has potential yet has taken a 'U turn' from the immersive direction of original Recruitable Non-Player Characters created by the Bioware developers.
Non-Player Character Analog:
-'Warrior' Recruitable Non-Player Characters: Ajantis, Coran, Khalid, Kivan, Minsc, Yeslick and Jaheira (Unlisted: Evil 'Warriors').
Ferthgil Trollslayer is in my opinion an 'under developed character'. Ferthgil has beyond perfect Fighter Ability Scores for his race (Dwarf), and I see this as immersion breaking (as @Tuth has mentions below) and should be fixed.
To further my point, here is Khalid.
Khalid's Ability Scores
Gender: Male
Race: Half-Elf
Alignment: Neutral Good
Class: Fighter
Strength: 15 (-3)
Dexterity: 16 (-1)
Constitution: 17 (-2, -4) (For arguably the best 'orthodox' good aligned tank this is in the realm of being a.. 'Mary Sue').
Intelligence: 12 (+5)
Wisdom: 10 (-2)
Charisma: 9 (+4)
[Ability Roll: 79 (+1), Above Average]
-This is.. Below the potential of the community developers.
For fun lets us look at the other 'unorthodox' good aligned tank, the mighty Arkanis!
Arkanis' Ability Scores:
Gender: Male
Race: Dwarf
Alignment: Lawful Good
Class: Fighter
Strength: 18/53 (-19 'Bonus Strength')
Dexterity: 12 (-5)
Constitution: 19 (+/- 0, -2*)
Intelligence: 15 (+8)
Wisdom: 11 (-1)
Charisma: 8 (+3)
[Ability Roll: 83 (+5), High]
*Critical Note: The hardiest 'unorthodox' good aligned tank's Constitution is still beaten by Ferthgil Trollslayer..
Ferthgil Trollslayer has much potential being a character with Dwarven smithed armour, Battle Axe and Hammer. Although I see his equipment as a weak point for it (for me anyway) looked out of place and a bit under developed in terms of quality control. I plan to write up a solutions thread or post or just add onto these reviews but for now I will just point out what should change and or be improved.
[Spoiler]Unprofessional Response (I think that it is stronger of character to show one's errors rather than hide from the them): WHO WAS SO STUPID AS TO THINK THAT FERTHGIL 'TROLOLO' HAD A GOOD CHARACTER DESIGN!?!).
-Weakness of mind is all I can say about the.. 'Untalented Person' whom farted out Ferthgil Troll.. *pause* Trollslayer.[/Spoiler]~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ferthgil Trollslayer Quality Verdict: Strong Fail.
He needs a lot more work. I would love to rework his equipment and improve his character design rather than just complain about them. Although for now I will get the rest of the new Dark Side of the Sword Coast Recruitable Non-player Characters reviewed.
[Spoiler]Unprofessional Response (I think that it is stronger of character to show one's errors rather than hide from the them):Ferthgil Trollslayer Quality Verdict: Super Fail!!! The very definition of over powered Recruitable Non-Player Character has Ferthgil Trollslayer as one example. His personal items are.. So bad that they are not worth my time.
I don't care what people think about Ferthgil Trololo, his voice acting sounds like sh*t and his character implementation smells to the high heavens of sh*t.. He is just a sh*t character in general and I think that he needs a complete remake. Although Isandir's portrait work is admirable.[/Spoiler]
Do You Approve Of The Updated Version Of The Non-Player Character Review Of Ferthgil Trollslayer?
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ROUND SIX: JENNA
Jenna:
Gender: Female
Race: Human
Alignment: Neutral Evil
Class: Shadowdancer
Strength: 12
Dexterity: 18
Constitution: 15
Intellect: 14
Wisdom: 11
Charisma: 10
[Ability Roll: 80, High]
Character Ability Balance: Like Bardo, Jenna's Character Power Balance Is Very Good
Non-Player Character Analog: Safana, Skie, Montaron and Tiax (Unlisted: Good Thieves).
Skie Silvershield is arguably the most similar Recruitable Non-Player Character when compared to Jenna. This is also magnified from Skie being coupled with Eldoth, this is similar to how Jenna is a partner to Morik.
Skie:
Strength: 11 (-1)
Dexterity: 18 (+/-0)
Constitution: 15* (+/-0)
Intellect: 15 (+1)
Wisdom: 8 (-3)
Charisma: 13* (+3)
[Ability Roll: 80 (+/- 0), High]
*I would like Jenna to lose one point in Constitution (out of competitive fairness to Skie) and have the 'nerfed Constitution point' be reallocated into her Charisma; for her portrait created by Isandir is rather charming and I think that 10 Charisma is a bit uncharacteristic for Jenna.
I am a fan of the idea of introducing high quality Recruitable Non-Player Characters that have Kits. I also like the fact that Jenna fills the 'gap' or 'niche' of becoming the Only Evil 'Pure-Thief' within the Original Baldur's Gate.
So as it stands I would call it an 'a slightly unfair balance'. Although with my suggestion of toning down her starting equipment and also reallocating one point of her Constitution into her Charisma, after that being done I would call it a 'fair balance'.
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Jenna Quality Verdict: Weak Pass - She Needs To Lose Her completely magical starting equipment and I would heavily prefer it that her Ability Scores be slightly altered (please see above) to make her have better immersion within the Original Baldur's Gate and its finely balanced 'power competitiveness' within its recruitable character cast.
How Do You Fair Souls Judge My Updated Non-Player Character Reviews, Thus Far? I Welcome All Constructive Feedback!
Ovepowered NPCs and items made me go back to the unmodded game. The ride with DSotSC was crazy, fun and I have some nice memories of it. Especially with Northern Tales of the Sword Coast, these made the game so long and tough. Though the original game is so much better in terms of being believable and balance.
@WithinAmnesia said:
What do you fair souls judge of my Non-Player Character(s) review, thus far? All constructive feedback is welcome.
As you asked for feedback, I will give you my impressions.
@WithinAmnesia said:
My hope is that with these Critical Recruitable Non-Player Characters Reviews that some type of improvement can (hopefully) be spawned from them.
As a novice modder, community impressions do interest me.
@WithinAmnesia said:
I feel strongly that bringing new Recruitable Characters with Abilities Scores that are superior to the official Recruitable Non-Player Characters is just.. *pause* 'unclassy'.
Character Ability Balance: *Long Pause*.. I am so disappointed with the developers of Dark Side of the Sword Coast.. This character is a spit in the face to the original Bioware developers.
The hardiest 'unorthodox' good aligned tank is still beaten by this joke of a character..
WHO WAS SO STUPID AS TO THINK THAT FERTHGIL 'TROLOLO' HAD A GOOD CHARACTER DESIGN!?!).
Weakness of mind is all I can say about the.. 'Untalented Person' whom farted out Ferthgil Troll.. *pause* Trollslayer.
You have certainly convinced me that you personally find much of this mod irritating. I had hoped that by reading your review I might gain some insight into NPC balance, something that I am woefully lacking a good understanding of. Unfortunately, your tendency to devolve into personal attacks makes it impossible for me to take you seriously.
@WithinAmnesia said:
Although I also have a discerning eye that spots issues and things that need to be improved.
We all have a discerning eye when it comes to spotting things that we personally like and don’t like.
I feel that constructive criticism never contains personal attacks. It also always keeps in mind that other people may have a different opinion of what is “good” or “not good”. Something else that I like to keep in mind is that when you criticize a mod you are also criticizing the tastes of the players who do like the mod content. A light hand is always a good idea.
Of course I am just one modder. Other modders might find your reviews helpful.
I think the reviews would be greatly improved by adding more substance to them and editing out the raging. It's okay to state an opinion, but statements like this just come across as petulant.
I am not a mod author (just a little attempt to refresh an old thing) and I do not really pay attention to personal attacks on a game forum. What may "hurt" is that people do not realize how long it takes to work on such mods.
Even if this is not my work, I find it a bit discouraging.
When attempting to offer constructive criticism, it is key to offer some alternatives, and explain why the alternative makes sense to you. Non-critical theory based criticism is by nature an excercise in exploring personal preferences, likes and dislikes, etc. Offer some specific ideas to provide food for thought, and be cautious with humour; this is more in 'commedic roast' territory than truely constructive criticism.
I Have Made My Reviews More Professional Due To 'Overwhelming Demand'. What Else Could Be Improved?
I did not expect that this thread would be so.. Well ironically 'reviewed' I suppose. I started this thread out as a personal project to keep my opinions in one place but I wanted to make them into a thread to give 'the two, maybe three people who would read them' something interesting rather than to keep it on my computer in some file. Well nail some boards to my *ss and paint them red call me a barn! I finished cleaning my house and I logged onto the forums here to find around ~5 or ~7 messages saying how sh*tty my reviews were. Well I guess you guys want better reviews eh? Well now that I understand that some of the community gives a: http://orig07.deviantart.net/5a6e/f/2015/162/7/0/the_flying______by_withinamnesia-d8wye6b.gif I will try my best.
Evaluation Criteria:
Character Ability Balance: Compares Ability Scores to other 'role-similar' original Non-Player Characters.
Non-Player Character Analog: Evaluates Non-Player Character 'roll-ecosystem' within the Original Baldur's Gate.
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ROUND SEVEN: JET'LAYA
Jet'Laya:
Gender: Female
Race: Half-Elf
Alignment: Chaotic Good
Class: Cleric
Ability Scores:
Strength: 14
Dexterity: 16
Constitution: 16
Intellect: 12
Wisdom: 18
Charisma: 11
[Ability Roll: 87, Very High]
Character Ability Balance: She needs some work with reevaluating her Ability Scores. I see that Jet'laya has overpowered starting gear, but I like the ideas and concepts behind her gear. Although I see them as being too powerful and too quick for the Original Baldur's Gate; I feel that they break immersion.
Non-Player Character Analog: Yeslick, Branwen, Jaheira, Faldorn, and Quayle (Unlisted: Evil Priests).
Branwen (the True Neutral Cleric) is arguably the most similar Non-Player Character when compared to Jet'Laya.
Branwen:
Gender: Female
Race: Human
Alignment: True Neutral
Class: Cleric
Ability Scores:
Strength: 13 (-1)
Dexterity: 16 (+/-0)
Constitution: 15 (-1)
Intellect: 9 (-3)
Wisdom: 16 (-2)
Charisma: 13 (+2)
[Ability Roll: 82 (-5), High]
There is little to no good reason for a 'neutral' or a 'good' party to recruit Branwen if (the current build of) Jet'Laya is introduced into the Original Baldur's Gate. Branwen is much weaker than Jet'Laya to the point where all that poor Branwen has left is her special Spiritual Hammer innate ability (a second level Priest Spell). Which is a moot point for arguably the War Hammer +2, Ashideena is superior to the spell and makes it obsolete (although that is if you give Branwen the War Hammer in the first place ',:/).
Okay there is one more Original albeit 'unorthodox' Cleric for an analog to Jet'laya. Behold!:
Canderous:
Gender: Male
Race: Human
Alignment: Lawful Good
Class: Cleric
Ability Scores:
Strength: 16 (+2)
Dexterity: 13 (-3)
Constitution: 13 (-3)
Intellect: 12 (+3)
Wisdom: 18 (+/- 0)
Charisma: 14 (+1)
[Ability Roll: 86 (-1), Very High]
-Special Innate Ability: Lay on Hands
Well it seems that even with Canderous and his 18 Wisdom, (the 'current build' of) Jet'Laya renders Canderous under powered even considering his Lay on Hands and his +2 Strength Bonus. This is because losing 6 points to 'Combat Ability Scores' is sensibly not worth gaining two points into Strength and a Lay on Hands when considering who is more competitive. I think that she needs her Ability Scores, well to be blunt -nerfed- to improve her immersion factor along side her Original Baldur's Gate colleagues. Perhaps do this with her Ability Scores(?):
Strength: 14 (Fine)
Dexterity: 15 (-1) ('Nerfed' for Competitiveness - 'Rivals' Branwen's 16 Dexterity and 15 Constitution)
Constitution: 16 (Fine)
Intellect: 12 (Fine)
Wisdom: 17 (-1) ('Nerfed' So that Branwen regains a niche: Less H.P. and Casting, more A.C. and hitting, more hammer time!)
Charisma: 14 (+2) (Better reflects her Charming Voice Acting)
[Ability Roll: 87, Very High]
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Jet'Laya Quality Verdict: Medium Fail. This is quite an unfortunate thing for I really like her character design and the concept work behind her. I love her related side quest; I think that it fits perfectly within the Original Baldur's Gate
What do you fair souls judge of my Non-Player Character(s) reviews, thus far? All constructive feedback is welcome.
*Because I wish that I could give you multi-'Agrees' with your post. *Bows*
(Also Thank You for the Promote Bengoshi, ( http://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/39616/tell-your-forum-story/p5 )
-I was honestly bewildered at first at how fast the initial 6 likes were given to my post and then I looked to see who gave them and I was like: Wait... 1,2,3,4,5,6.. wait what? 7 *squints eyes* "promote", I metaphorically cr*pped myself *I took a screenshot and saved it into my Special Baldur's File* Thank You Dearly Bengoshi, you have 'officially' made this my favourite forum experience, to date.
It's a gaelic version of Connor. ku-KYUN-nuhk
Choinneach is a gaelic version of Kenneth. CuChoinneach would be "Hound of Kenneth".
ROUND EIGHT: JUODA INIRSIS
Juoda Inirsis:
Gender: Female
Race: Half-Orc
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Juoda Inirsis Quality Verdict: She is not Implemented into the 'Enhanced Edition' of Dark Side of the Sword Coast..