[MOD] Siege of Dragonspear 2 Baldur's Gate2:EE Item Upgrade - Update 4-25-2024
Daeros_Trollkiller
Member Posts: 327
After a long hiatus, I have been working on a new update for this mod, and it's going to be a pretty big one. I'll point out the highlights here to keep it brief, and keep in mind this thing is fluid, so nothing is written in stone:
- The mod will be undergoing a name change so that it is more accurate to what the mod actually offers. Tentatively, I am calling it: Daeros Trollkiller's Item-Spell-Kit pack for simplicity and accuracy.
- I am doing a complete and total re-write of the mod to offer greater modularity in terms of what you can choose to install and what not to. For example, if you just want to have more SoD items importable into BG2 and nothing else, you'll be able to. The only exceptions to this will be "upgrade-style" components that will have requirements for parent components to be installed first. Afterall, you can't upgrade something that doesn't exist in the game first.
- I am changing how the additional SoD items are going to be imported into BG2. Key word here is "import". I've changed it to use a system very similar to what BD uses for the existing SoD importables, for a more natural experience. This also has the added benefit of limiting the maximum amount of items imported to 33, one for each slot on the PC. This will help prevent over-itemization. An optional component to force the imports will be available as well, for folks who prefer a "just import everything" approach.
- Since the new import method allows for less items to be imported overall, I am going to be excluding a handful of items from this method and placing them manually. Things like the keyring, new ammunition types that are in SoD, and other consumable and semi-consumables. I may place a few of the fun/flavorful pieces of gear like the cleric's vestments and changeling vest as well.
- The item upgrades will be getting a complete overhaul. I plan for a lot of changes in this area, mainly because in hindsight on my part, quite a few ended up being overpowered, while others were kinda ridiculous and/or confusing in terms of how to upgrade them.
- The new spells I introduced will be getting re-think as well. Not quite sure what I will do here yet, but one spell for sure is going to be completely changed, and I am probably going to nix Faerie Fire, Darkness 10', and Dancing Lights since there are other mods that do these, and the way I implemented them was sub-optimal, anyhow.
- I am planning to bring in a few entirely new items of my own creation, got some neat ideas for these. Toying with a "Legacy of the Dale" sort of theme for these, I'll let you draw your own conclusions on that
- As the name change I mentioned above implies, I am going to be adding at least one new class kit to this mod (my Warden kit for Rangers), and maybe a few others, if I can get them working the way I want them to. Like everything else, they will be optional.
If you would like to keep up with this re-write as it progresses, and/or try out beta builds, please check out the forum for this mod over on G3, as I will be posting updates and such more frequently there:
https://gibberlings3.net/forums/forum/214-sod-to-bg2ee-item-upgrade/
Version 2.0.5is up!
What this mod does:
Imports more Siege of Dragonspear items into logical (to me at least) locations in BG2:EE during the Shadows of Amn campaign. They are attainable in a variety of ways – quest rewards, drops from enemies killed, shops, and containers.
Includes an optional component to force all import-able SoD items to be present in their normal locations. Since the Voidsword +3 and Voidhammer +3 are mutually exclusive, a choice is given for which to import. I included this component since many players (myself included) have had trouble with these items not importing into BG2:EE properly.
Adds upgrade options for the majority of the imported SoD items via Cromwell and Cespenar. All recipes are on both, so the player should not run into any issues upgrading items. Many of these new recipes require existing upgrade components within the game, keeping in the spirit of having to choose one upgrade over another for strategizing and replay-ability. In addition, I have also created a few entirely new upgrade components to fit with the theme for some of the upgraded items. I included an upgrade path for one importable item from BG1 as well, since I felt it deserved a future in BG2.
Adalon now drops silver scales, correcting what I felt was an oversight. (These scales are used in some of the new upgrades.)
Saladrex now drops red scales, correcting what I felt was an oversight.
Adds green and black scales to the Green and Black dragons in the game.
Adds a few new component items for use in the new upgrade recipes on Cromwell and Cespenar.
Imports Helm of Opposition from BG1 - simply because it's fun, and if you know how to use it, it can be very useful.
Includes an optional component to change Cromwell's equipment to something more in-line with his skills as a forger of highly magical items.
Includes several new wizard and priest spells, placed in locations throughout the campaigns.
Includes alternate completion and upgrade path for the human flesh armor.
Includes upgrade paths for a two importable weapons from Baldur's Gate:EE
Optional Component allow for choice of items imported from BG1.
Optional Component for updating names/appearances of existing dragonscale items to be more consistent.
Optional Components for cosmetically enhancing existing items and on-hit effects.
Adds new options for armors, helms, and shields that can be created from all existing dragon scales.
Imports many items from Icewind Dale and places them in thoughtful locations throughout the game.
Imports new spells and Icewind Dale items into Baldur's Gate 1 Enhanced Edition.
Randomization of some item/spell drops to add replayability.
All of the upgrades were created with balance in mind, and most have unique effects to keep things fun and fresh.
You can download this mod here: https://gibberlings3.net/mods/items/sod-to-bg2ee-item-upgrade/
Version 2.0.5
-Fixed
- Corrected spellbook level entries for spells: Thunder Thrust, Infernal Bone Shield, Sundering Vitriol.
- Corrected usable races/classes for the Adventurer's Nimble Gloves of Guarding.
- Restored Arbane's Sword of Agility +2 to Suna Seni
Post edited by Daeros_Trollkiller on
32
Comments
I shouldn't ask, but would it possible to make an item using the Symbol of Amaunator from the Temple Ruins? I always thought that item should be used to upgrade a staff of some sort, or a Long Sword. Maybe with a ability of True Sight or Sunrray once a day ala the daystar?
Anyway, can't wait to try the mod!
I am fairly certain the symbol is used in Weimer's old Item Upgrade mod for a shield of some sort, going from memory. That's not to say I couldn't use it for one of mine, but there is a rather nice shield in my mod already you may like. In any case, I will be soliciting input and feedback from the community once I release V1.0
Evin's mod puts most of the SoD items on Ribald, mine doesn't. What will end up happening is you will get duplicates. Also, the tongue of acid +3 from Edvin's mod doesn't work correctly, it's missing the slow spell that is triggered on a hit. My version works correctly, and produces an acid splash visual effect occasionally on hits. Not even Beamdog's version does that
Congrats man!
One thing I have tried to do with this mod (and focusing moreso on in the next update) is to make the items have some unique abilities that aren't in vanilla BG2EE. Another thing I am thinking of doing is to have a few more items with branching paths, allowing players to upgrade a base item in different ways depending on the components used, ending up with different results for replay-ability. I am also testing out creating SOME custom upgrade components, but these will be very limited, as I don't want to stray too far from my original idea of using existing components.
That type of thing makes for some very complicated dialogues I have to make, but after working on the first item with branching paths, I have a pretty good grasp of it now, it's just very tedious and time-consuming.
I hope to have the next update done within the next month. In the meantime, please enjoy the mod as is, and if there are any problems you run into with the new items or recipes, or if there are some other items from SoD you would like to see imported, I would like to see the feedback.
For those who use it, I am also working with Alien to ensure my mod is compatible with Project Infinity.
I am very happy you like them, creating the dialogues for those was a flipping nightmare
I think Star-strewn boots should bump that MR to 10 to be inline with others, like Helm of Dumathoin.
For the crown, look more closely, its definitely improved ?
The next update will include the keyring, as it seems to be quite popular
You will be happy. Not only is it in the next update, it will be upgradeable
It looks very promising - I will look forward to using it.
Is it possible to get the same item changes displayed in this thread like you did with the dragon scale revamp mod?
I will do so once things are more finalized. I am still in process of adding new items, upgrades for them and tweaking already completed items.
My current plan for the next release is to get it out once the new items and recipes are completed so I can get feedback on them, and do small fixes and icon updates afterwards.
Thanks
Could you please add some magic spear or make some of them upgradable so it would be strong enough to be usable thorought the whole game? There are so few of them