Companion Ideas

[aswfreak12]

So Ive gotten two ideas that I beleive are plausible without too much effort. I just lack the knowledge of Construction Set scripting and etc. buuuuuttt.....

 

Idea #1) Making new branch colleges - Tbh there just isnt enough spells in the game to make me satisfied to be a mage, once you get that master destruction, just make an upgraded flare spell that does the most damage for the least mana. Which is completley and utterly pointless. But what I am suggesting is that we create seperate schools of magic under the guise of the destruction branch. For example, after reaching 50 in destruction I go to a certain npc, who lets me choose which branch i would like to go to next, once i choose though i cant learn the spells of the other branches. Im thinking a fire, frost, and schock set of branches for destruction. Of course im suggesting this for every college of magic, so mysticism would have its own, so would illusion, alteration, etc. But once you go into these different branches, you dont just make the same spells with better magnitude, there needs to be more types of spells.

 

Once you go into these new branches, there needs to be a greater utility to these spells. So I dont get an upgrade to my fireball, i get a fire wall. See what Im saying? Ill leave it open for discussion. But I hope i get some mod guru to get behind me on this.

 

Idea #2) Expanding TalkieToasters mod of companion share and recruit. - I love this guys mod, but ive gotta make my own adjustments to make it work. the first thing that needs to be done is either make more npc's that are recruitable, so when they die I can grab another unlucky soul to be my oblivion gate fodder (I play with adrenaline oblivion and OOO with the difficulty bar a bit up), or make the npc I recruit to be essential (may seem overpowering to some, b.c you can just lead the companion into a room and they will just get knocked out until they kill the creature or room of creatures while you sit back and laugh), or have the npc that I recruit be of a respawnable type ( I tend to like this one, but with the current issues of Toasters mod, cant even recruit gaurds/ mages).

 

Idea #2) b) The next thing I would do is instead of changing the behaviour of a recruited npc, to change from a melee to ranged person. Have the person be of a specific class. If I recruit a mage, he will fight with nukes and destruction spells. If i recruit a conjurer he will summon his maximum creature limit and sit back while they tank. If I recruit a preist/medic they will sit back and heal me and my other companions. Im hopping that instead of changing their behaviour, you can just tell them what class they should act like.

 

Idea #2) c) For mages with the function of Idea 2B, instead of having them be taught with the current system of spell scrolls. Give them a levelled spell list so that they match their spells strength and function with the PC's level. If Im level one I shouldnt have my conjurer summoning an atronach but small grouping of scamps or skeles, also vice versa, If im level 20 I shouldnt see my mage firing flare, but firing some sort of higher damage fireball.

 

Im leaving this completely open for discussion, and am willing to keep in contact with anyone who has insight on how these ideas can come into fruition.

[Abramul]

One approach to the essential/nonessential question would be an essential NPC who uses a script-implemented Intervention or Recall spell after being knocked out a given number of times within a set time span.

[bben46]

Idea #1: That is what Midas spells are. Midas was kicked out of the guild and has set himself up as an alternative source of magic skills. Some are destruction and some are not some are just for fun. How about a meteor strike, or turning that just defeated necromancer into a pile of gold coins? How about a magic carpet? And 'Summon Cheese Atronach'

 

Here: http://tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=9562

 

#2(all): Why just use the share and recruit mod. There are other companion mods that can run alongside of it that give you much of what you are asking for - look at Jumonji's 'Rhianna Goddess Companion' She prefers to use ranged spells and weapons, but can get in close when needed. She is essential already. She is not overpowered, she has her own spells that level up with you. Plus she can heal you and unlike many other mods she has her own voice and dialog and her own horse. As befitting a goddess her horse is a unicorn.

- its great when right after a hard fought battle while scavenging the battlefield, Rhianna pipes up and says, "I could just kill for a sweet roll right now."

 

Look here: http://tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=8964

[aswfreak12]

I do use midas spells, but the additional spells are not what I am looking for, its organization. What I'm suggesting is to seperate Midas's spells into different *new* collleges, so that I can re-roll a mage and play as a different college of destruction magic, instead of just getting the ingredients for EVERY of midas's spells. It's pointless because its soooo generic having every spell. And other spells from other mods are welcome as well.

 

Im guessing it Rohanna uses CM partners? I know it works with Toaster's but tbh, Toaster's system for recruiting, attacking, and the support system is just amazing. CM is eh, and it differs between EVERY companion that you have to add in seperate mods even. Leading to complexity and CTD's often.

 

Just to point this out, but Im not using just one companion, but three or two, and Toasters support mode and order system is a dream compared to CM's partner system that cant work in groups as seamless as Toasters can.

[bben46]

No, Rhianna is a separate mod. She has been around for quite a while and has been continuously upgraded. The latest update came out March 9th. Version 3.03. It added some more functionalaty. The version I have works fine for what I want her to do so I haven't upgraded yet.

 

I think one of the others, either CM or Toaster uses part of her code. She has her own backstory and will use any equipment and wear any armor or clothing given. she wears regular clothing when relaxing and changes to armor when adventuring.

 

I have used both toaster and CM - they both run fine together with Rhianna. However, I rarely take companions along when adventuring because most of the time they get in the way. Especially if you use any area effect magic. Rhianna will stay back out of the way as long as she has a ranged weapon.

 

Another companion problem is attacking you when they are accidentally hit. She will usually say something, but not attack unless you keep hitting her at least 5 times.

 

She can be summoned from anywhere and sent back home ( you tell her where home is) she can heal you, give you repair hammers and recharge your magic items. She can carry a torch, stand guard for you and when you run she keeps up instead of falling behind.

[aswfreak12]

I may do some looking into that mod then....

 

I usually dont use companions either. Just with adrenaline and OOO, youll find taking on an oblivion gate is like playing Diablo II on hell. So Ill bring 2-3 companions along to distract the baddies while I pick em off from a distance with bows or spells. They usually die in the process and I have no clue if I just killed an npc I need for a quest and such, whom dosent come back. I often have to use the ressurect spell mod in conjunction with Toasters.

[bben46]

If you use unnamed NPCs as your cannon fodder it will not cause any in game problems. They will respawn in a few days. Just grab some of the generic guards that are hanging around and draft them as your companions. If they are not killed they will vanish in a few days when their home cell resets. Give your meat shields some decent armor and they will last longer.

 

Most needed NPCs are marked as essential - a crown icon instead or the round one, and can't be killed. However, some are not flagged as essential. It is not a good idea to take essential NPCs into oblivion gates as they can be left behind when you take the Sigil Stone. If you do have an essential NPC or a companion such as Rihanna, be sure to send them home before the Sigil Stone. Give them time to get out of your sight and out of the immediate cells. If you cannot see them with your detect life and they are out of your current cell, they are probably safe. Several independent companions are set as essential, including Rihanna and Neeshka. They can not be killed and will continue to get up and fight until all enemies are dead.