Skyrim Shape-Shifting Mod

[jackalhead]

Once I get my paws on the creation kit, I plan on doing one of the most detailed shape shifting mods to date. I'll have transformation spells for EVERY SINGLE LIVING THING IN THE GAME! From the legendary white stag to bunny rabbits, to drauger overlords, to every single variation of restless draugr as far as weapons and appearance goes, to every dragon, including Alduin himself. You'll even be able to transform into various hostile NPCs like Forsworn and Necromancers. Each transformation is more than just a cosmetic change, however. Not only will you take on the physical appearance of each creature and possess their skills, but you'll also align yourself with the faction of the corresponding creature. This will allow you to sneak into their domains undetected and take out individuals silently or just one at a time.

 

How do I plan to do this? Simple. I will look up the Spell Effects for Beast Form and copy it into a new spell effect. I'll disable the blood lust and make each transformation last up to 30 minutes. I'll change the model the spell effect transforms the player into as well as which weapons, spells and power are equipped for the transformation.

 

The only problem I see is the transformation animation will probably still make it look like the character is turning into a werewolf.

Edited November 22, 2011 by jackalhead

[jeffrobot]

This could be pretty cool. I think the coolest thing by far would be transforming into a dragon and terrorizing towns. Not sure how much fun turning into a draugr or spider or whatever would be though.

 

Being an animal would be cool too. You could just wander around, looking for grass, trying not to get killed by something. Speaking of which, what about turning some of the transformations into their own little game types? Like when you turn into an animal, you could increase the spawn rate of hunters and wolves or something.

[jackalhead]

This could be pretty cool. I think the coolest thing by far would be transforming into a dragon and terrorizing towns. Not sure how much fun turning into a draugr or spider or whatever would be though.

 

Being an animal would be cool too. You could just wander around, looking for grass, trying not to get killed by something. Speaking of which, what about turning some of the transformations into their own little game types? Like when you turn into an animal, you could increase the spawn rate of hunters and wolves or something.

 

That's a good idea. I'm not sure I am THAT good at scripting, but when I release the mod, I'll let people add whatever they want to it.

[kuro1n]

Perhaps you could find some particle effect or make one that is quite big and cover your whole character, i dont know how you would solve it with the bigger creatures though. : P

[jackalhead]

That's a great idea. :] We need to the Creation Kit to hurry up and be released so we can all see what it's capable of.

[Darksun45230]

One might think it'd be less of a burden to focus on four or five animals. You may even want to give them traditional Shape-Shifting perks. Here are some examples.

 

Bear: Physical Tank

 

Fortify Health

Damage Resist

Health Regeneration

Fortify Unarmed

 

Explanation: None needed.

 

Large Frostbite Spider: Sweeper/Distraction

 

Frostbite Venom Bite (Deals Poison Damage)

Immunity to Poison

Summon: Lesser Frostbite Spider (would need coding)

Weakness to Shock (For balance)

 

Explanation: Designed to distract prey as player delivers poison. "Lesser" is just a placeholder for smaller Frostbite Spiders.

 

Horse: Transportation

Item Burden

Fortify (speed?)

 

Explanation: Designed for quick getaways and loot carrying.

[jackalhead]

Yeah, perhaps, but knowing me I'll eventually want to try playing as just about everything anyways. Different creatures have different abilities that make them feel fresh and fun to play around with. For example, giant frostbite spiders can spit poison and have a leap attack, while Dragon Priests can summon storm attronachs and levitate.

 

I figure it will be a nice, time-consuming hobby to go throw and make every last thing playable. If other people want to play it, then great, I'll share it, but I'm mostly designing this mod after my personal tastes. ;]

[Bearget]

While waiting, you could always just do player.setrace mudcrab. It's not like they have much in the way of special abilities anyways, so you're not missing out.

[Mansh00ter]

I hope you can also script in the ability to walk/fly when the player transforms into a dragon.

[Breeze582000]

I wish you the best of luck.

 

In my Seducer shape shifting mod for Oblivion, the most complicating issues were related to faction management. The shape a player takes (if you're planning on implementing changing into other player races as well) requires some interesting hurdles to be overcome when it comes to how a faction responds to the player, since this will depend on the current shape the player has. Added to this, there is normally a "limit" on the number of things that can increase the player's standing with a given faction, so you have to be careful how you allow the player to interact with the factions. And if the player is in beast form, all "crimes" committed while in that form must be "forgotten" when the player changes back to their normal shape... unless someone witnesses them changing... fun indeed : )

 

Hopefully someone will get "flying" implemented in Skyrim relatively quickly, since this was possible in Oblivion, although collision detection while flying was the most annoying part. This will probably require that the Skyrim Script Extender is well underway though before this will be possible.