Follower transformations

[NovaPolaris]

While working on my current project, I was reminded that setting up a follower with a transformation ability - such as a werewolf - isn't necessarily as easy as it looks.

 

I did a search for information that could help, but the best result I could find said to look at the creation kit files for actors who are known werewolves, such as the Companions' Circle members. I looked there, but couldn't find anything useful, such as powers or AI packages relating to the transformations. (Especially since they only use the forms during scripted events, so of course they wouldn't have that.)

 

What I'm trying to do is set up specific potential follower actors with beastblood, vampirism, etc. so that they can actively use their transformations (although the player can tell them not to). I can imagine setting up an actor who can transform into a dragon might be more complicated than setting up a werewolf.

 

My guess is that I should be looking in the scripting for events that use such transformations, but I'm not sure if I'm skilled enough yet to reverse-engineer the coding for the events so that it can be used for back-and-forth follower form powers. I also heard that some werewolf follower mods may be open source, but I'd rather make sure I have permission first if I take the route of sifting through how others' mods are rigged up.

Edited April 6, 2015 by SpacemanFive

[firepower02]

How about you use a setrace script, and also to play the transformation animation and make it an ability. Depends on when you want the follower to transform, you can add condition functions to the ability, like they transform during combat and return back after. I made a follower like this once and it's not at all difficult. I don't think there is a transformation animation from human to dragon though.

[NovaPolaris]

How about you use a setrace script, and also to play the transformation animation and make it an ability. Depends on when you want the follower to transform, you can add condition functions to the ability, like they transform during combat and return back after. I made a follower like this once and it's not at all difficult. I don't think there is a transformation animation from human to dragon though.

Thanks. I'll see how well that works. I was thinking that it would be something configurable in-game, by telling the follower to "hold back" or "go all out" (not with those words), letting them know to not use transformations, to use them as soon as they enter combat, or other options.

 

Yeah, that's one of the reasons I thought a dragon transform would be more complicated. Besides the script, it'd need whole new animations.