[MOD IDEA] Boss Souls (not actually playing the Bosses, but having similiar movesets)

[BiancoAngelo]

After playing through the Cinders Mod and seeing how much we can change in the game in terms of Movesets, Buffs, Covenants and Items, I came up with this little idea.

Now do not get me wrong: I am not asking for someone to actually make this or demand it! But I wanted to get the idea out so that if someone is interested, they can feel free to try doing it =)

 

Mod: Boss Souls

 

You play the game with a Character based on a humanoid Boss and their moveset, with mostly fixed stats and Equipment.

 

Classes: Classes are based on humanoid Boss Characters. What you see is what you get, you won't be able to get any new Equipment outside of Rings and certain „Soul Vessel“ Items (more about that below).

For the first version of the mod I would Focus on the 4 Knights of Gwyn: Artorias, Ghough, Ciaran and Ornstein.

 

Gameplay: The Characters have their respective Weapons with altered Movesets that make them play more like their Boss Versions, but without having Broken attacks. They have fixed stats and equipment and they cannot be leveled up (The Level Up option is not avaiable throughout the game).

After beating the first Boss, Iudex Gundyr, you get the „Plate of Growth“, a covenant Item you can equip. It is the ONLY Covenant avaiable in this mod and mandatory for upgrading your Character.

Each Boss after Iudex Gundyr that you have to beat in order to finish the main game will reward you with a „Seed of Growth“ as a reward.

Every Optional Boss will reward you with an „Empty Soul Vessel“ instead.

 

Items:

Plate of Growth I (VIG): The Plate of Growth you get after defeating Iudex Gundyr will increase the Vigor Stat of your character by five Points if equipped. At Firelink Shrine there will be an NPC that will let you change your Covenant Item into another one, that has different Stat distributions. This is your main way to change your characters stats, but those are predetermined so you have to choose the one that fits your character/playstyle the most.

For Example:

Plate of Growth I (DEX): Increases your Dexterity by five points.
Plate of Growth I (STR): Increases your Strenght by five points.

Etc.

 

Seed of Growth: The Seed can be used at the same NPC where you can change your covenant Items Stat distribution. This will increase the Stats given by the Plate of Growth by deepening your Bond to the Covenant. For Example „Plate of Growth I“ turns into „Plate of Growth II“ and instead of five points it will increase one Stat by eight points.

For example:

Plate of Growth II (VIG): Increases Vigor by eight points.

Plate of Growth II (DEX): Increases Dexterity by eight points.

Etc.

 

Also, after Obtaining Plate of Growth III (A ten point boost in stats), new Options for Stat Distributions become avaiable.

For Example:

Plate of Growth III (END,DEX): Increases Endurance and Dexterity by five points each.

Plate of Growth III (VIG,STR): Increases Vigor and Strenght by five points each.

Etc.

 

Every third upgrade through a Seed of Growth give new Options for Stat Distributions (So at III, VI, IV etc.).

The Stat increases per Covenant Upgrade are as Follow (This is the total amount of Stat increases listed, so +10 would mean 10 Total points. Those points are equally split on Plates with Split Stats):

I: +5

II: +8

III: +10

IV: +14

V: +18

VI: +22

VII: +28

VIII: +35

IX: +42

X: +49

XI: +56

XII: +63

XIII: +70

So after Defeating the Soul of Cinder you will gain a Stat Boost Equal to seventy level ups.

If you play the DLC Bosses too, you can upgrade 4 more times (for each mandatory DLC Boss)

XIV: +75

XV: +80

XVI: +90

XVII: +100

 

Since your chosen Character always starts at Soul Level twenty, this means that by the end of the game you have Stats worth of a Soul Level Onehundredandtwenty Character.

 

Empty Soul Vessels: Empty Soul Vessels are Vessels that you can fill up with the image of a Soul from other Characters. Each Class you can choose in the beginning will have a Soul Image avaiable. You can go to Ludleth to fill the empty Vessel with a Soul Image to get a „____ Soul Vessel“, that is representing one of the classes, like „Lords Blade Soul Vessel“ for Ciaran, or „Dragonslayer Soul Vessel“ for Ornstein. The filled Soul Vessel will become an equippable weapon, however it has no real use and works mostly like a broken Sword, with no range and pretty much no damage. However, it is the weapon Art that makes this special! By using the Weapon Art you won't use up any FP, however you will BREAK the Soul Vessel and spectral weapons based on the characters Soul inside appear. For 90 seconds you can use the moveset of another Class, However switching the weapon would deactivate it since it will count as a weapon buff. The scaling for the weapon is based on the scaling the actual weapons of the classes have. Since the Vessel actually breaks upon the first activation that means that you cannot use it more than once and you have to rest at a Bonfire and repair the Vessel first to use it again. This is to prevent overuse, since the main objective of this mod is to play through the full game with the chosen class.

 

Avaiable Classes/Characters (All Start at Soul Level 20):

Every Character has a base stat of 90 (like deprived), +20 points for each Level spread across their stats fitting to their role.

Artorias:

Vigor: 10

Attunement: 15

Endurance: 25

Vitality: 10

Strenght: 20

Dexterity: 15

Intelligence: 5

Faith: 5

Luck: 5

 

Starting Equipment:

Armor: Artorias Set (Restored if possible). Artorias Armor but instead of it being broken, it is in it's original Glory.

Right Hand: Artorias Greatsword and Greatshield (Combination Weapon)

Left Hand: -

Rings: Wolf Ring

 

Weapon Description: Artorias is fighting with his Greatsword and Greatshield! While one handing the weapon, he will use both hands to swing his Sword (Only an animation trick, it will still count as swinging it one handed), one Swing from right to left, then from left to right and then one overhead swing, and then repeating the animation. The one handed Strong attack is his Spin Attack, from right to left, which can then be followed by another spin from left to right! When two handing the weapon he will actually go into a Sword and shield stance. With L1/LB he will raise his Shield to block incoming attacks. His sword Light attacks are similiar to his one handed attacks, but this time he also uses only one hand to swing them. If he holds his shield high, he will do poking attacks from behind his shield similiar to Spears Moveset. His Heavy attack changes into a forward lunge with a wide swing that can be followed by an overhead attack. If you hold the shield button, it will turn into a shield Bash with a high stagger value and can be followed by a Thrust attack.

His Weapon Arts is him going into a stance. His Stance + Light Attack will be his Somersault attack, that can be repeated up to three times. His Stance + Heavy Attack has him swing his sword horizontally while jumping backwards to get some distance. This deals not much damage but is a great way to get some distance. You can immediately follow this up by pressing heavy attack while the animation still plays, to jump back forward and stabbing the Blade into the ground, creating a small AOE Attack with high Stagger value and good damage on a clean hit.

 

Scaling: STR: A, DEX: C

 

Unique Ability of the weapon: Character always does Medium Roll regardless of Equipment Load.

 

Fighting Style: Artorias is kind of a Glass cannon. He deals great damage and has a very versatile moveset for any situation and a lot of Stamina to make the most use out if it, however he has low HP and Defense Stats to compensate for that. The right use of his dodges and his Shield is key to victory.

 

Ciaran:

Vigor: 10

Attunement: 10

Endurance: 10

Vitality: 10

Strenght: 10

Dexterity: 20

Intelligence: 10

Faith: 10

Luck: 20

 

Starting Equipment:

Armor: Lords Blade Set

Right Hand: Gold Tracer and Silver Tracer

Left Hand: Silver Tracer

Rings: Hornet Ring

Items: Poison Throwing Knife 30x

 

Weapon Description: TWO Weapons? A dual Weapon and a regular Weapon? Yes! Your main Weapon will be the „Gold Tracer and Silver Tracer“ in your right hand, that will use the unused Weapon in the games Data files but with an additional amount of Bleed and Poison build up. You also will have the Silver Tracer as a standalone offhand weapon to use Ciarans deadly Parrys. There is not much more to say about her, Similiar to Artorias she is also kind of a Glass cannon, though she is more build around causing Bleed and do critical attacks. She plays most like a normal player character would, making her ideal to use for people that want something more akin to regular Playstyles.

 

Scaling: DEX: S

 

Unique Ability: Always do Fast Roll and Ninja Backflip.

 

Fighting Style: Ciaran trys to inflict a lot of Bleed and Poison Build Up with her quick Attack strings and Weapon Art, while also dealing lots of damage through Backstabs and Ripostes. She always trys to stay in motion so that the enemy won't get a chance to hit her.

 

Gough:

Vigor: 25

Attunement: 5

Endurance: 20

Vitality: 10

Strenght: 20

Dexterity: 15

Intelligence: 5

Faith: 5

Luck: 5

 

Starting Equipment:

Armor: Gough Set

Right Hand: Ghoughs Greatbow

Left Hand: -

Rings: Hawk Ring, Ring of Steel Protection

Ammunition: 250x Dragonslayer Greatarrows

 

Weapon Description: Goughs Greatbow is a unique weapon in that it is not simply a bow, but also a makeshift Sword! If one handed Gough actually uses a Dragonslayer Greatarrow as a makeshift Straight Sword with a regular Straightsword moveset. If two handed the Bow actually will be used as... well, the Bow! However, do to Goughs immense strenght he will use the Greatbow like a Regular bow for normal firing, while the Weapon Art is a Puncturing arrow, which breaks through Shields and also penetrates through several opponents, hitting everything in a line thus making full use of the Greatbow.

 

Scaling: STR: B, DEX: B

 

Unique Ability: Always do Fat Roll regardless of Equipment Load, but without Stamina Regen Penalty. Additionally, increases Defense during Roll and while aiming, as well as giving Hyper Armor, higher Poise and Defense while aiming.

 

Fighting Style: Gough is the hardest to use of all the avaiable characters, but he is absolutely Powerful. His Arrows pack a big punch and while his makeshift Sword Attacks deals only light damage, it is still quite good to defend yourself in close combat. Has high HP And Defense, as well as a lot of Poise, especially while aiming with the Bow, making up for his bad roll and lacking close combat damage!

 

Ornstein:

Vigor: 15

Attunement: 10

Endurance: 10

Vitality: 15

Strenght: 10

Dexterity: 20

Intelligence: 5

Faith: 20

Luck: 5

 

Starting Equipment:

Armor: Dragonslayer Set

Right Hand: Dragonslayer Spear

Left Hand: Dragonslayer Faith (Unique)

Rings: Leo Ring

Miracle: Lightning Spear, Great Lightning Spear

Weapon Description: Ornsteins Moveset with the Dragonslayer Spear has him doing a attack combo of two thrust attacks, followed by a wide Swing from his left to his right. His strong attack has him lunge forward with a piercing attack, dealing damage even through a shield, but it can't be followed up. His two handed light attack consists of him doing a wide swing from right to left, then left to right, followed by a thrust attack. His strong attack has him lunge forward again, and if he hits the opponent will be blown away by a small Lightning Explosion. Instead of blocking, using his L1/LB will enchant and buff his Spear with a Lightning Weapon Buff. His Weapon Art will get him go into a stance. Pressing light attack will cause him to hold his weapon towards the sky, summoning a Lightning Bolt where his opponent stands. Using his Strong attack will make him slam his Spear into the ground, creating a Lightning AOE Attack around him. He also has an invisible Talisman in his left Hand, Dragon Slayer Faith, which will let him use the Lightning Spear Miracle, and, after obtaining a sufficient Stat Buff from the covernant Plate, Great Lightning Spear.

 

Scaling: DEX: B (for Physical Damage), FTH: A (For Lightning Damage)

 

Unique Ability: Always perform the Bloodborne Dodge instead of a roll, regardless of Equipment Load.

 

Fighting Style: Ornstein is about quickly closing the gaps between himself and his opponent with his lunge moves and dealing damage even through the guard. If he is too far away he can also rely on Lightning Spears and his Weapon Arts to deal range damage. AOE is great to get rid of crowds and give him some time to breath. His dodges are unique and make him able to quickly change into an attack after an dodge. A well balanced Character overall!

 

This is so far what I came up with. Of course the Roster would get expanded down the line, characters like Sir Alonne, Fume Knight Raime etc. could be added among many others. But I decided to focus on the 4 Knights for this example since those are some of the most iconic and beloved characters.

 

Also I am not great in balancing stuff, so things might sound more overpowered or underpowered than I intended, but I guess the modder would know better on how to balance things =)

Again, this is just an idea, I am not asking someone to actually do it.

 

What are your thoughts on this?