Mar. 26, 2012: Updating Bard Songs
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Mar. 26, 2012: Updating Bard Songs
I'm currently in the early re-coding stage, but all of the bard songs are going to be getting overhauled over the course of the next week. Once I'm done, there'll be a hak and tlk file update to make the changes happen in-game.
First, the durational effects are going to be based on a 2-round (12 second) cycle. Think of it like verses to a song. The songs will affect creatures within a colossal radius (the current area of effect), and will take effect once every 2 rounds, with the "continuous" effects lasting 2 rounds, getting reapplied if the affected creature is still within the range of the bard's voice (or comes back after leaving).
This 2-round cycle means that the songs can be interrupted by one of several means to cut them short:
a) a silence effect on the bard
b) the bard starting another bard song (which will start taking effect at the end of the current 2-round cycle/verse)
c) the bard using a new VC command (;;tool endsong) - aka, no more being stuck with an effect that repeats every round, non-stop, for 105 rounds with Lasting Inspiration + Lingering Song
I'm also bringing all of the bard songs (even the original Bard Song and Curse Song) into line with the 12 newer songs. The power of the effects will be picked based on the performer's number of levels in bard and a Perform skill check (made every 2 rounds, so no equipping Charisma and Perform boosting items, starting a song, then dropping them...but this also means that using the original Bard Song, the bard can actually make himself/herself better at performing for following skill checks).
The power level of the effects will use the same levels currently used by the Aenean bard songs:
Level 12: Bard Level 40 and Perform check 60
Level 11: Bard Level 35 and Perform check 50
Level 10: Bard Level 30 and Perform check 40
Level 9: Bard Level 25 and Perform check 30
Level 8: Bard Level 20 and Perform check 25
Level 7: Bard Level 18 and Perform check 21
Level 6: Bard Level 15 and Perform check 18
Level 5: Bard Level 12 and Perform check 15
Level 4: Bard Level 9 and Perform check 12
Level 3: Bard Level 6 and Perform check 9
Level 2: Bard Level 3 and Perform check 6
Level 1: Bard Level 1 and Perform check 1
I am also going to add in a required Concentration check for a bard that is trying to cast spells while singing/performing. Not sure yet of the DC of the check, but it'll scale upward with the power level of the bard's song (the most complex and difficult songs will make trying to fit in a spell's incantations/words more difficult).
I also plan on altering some of the existing Aenean bard songs to better balance them out and make them useful. Soothing Refrain, for instance, will be toned down so that a bard using it does not rival a fully invested cleric of Asis in the healing department. Dead Man's March will become a straight up summon (1 undead creature at a time), but will continually re-summon said creature in following 2-round cycles if that creature is killed before the song ends...I'll also be editing those undead's script sets so they behave like regular summons, following the bard around until the song is ended. Other songs will be getting tweaks and bug fixes as well as I work my way through all of the code.
So far I've only got the regular Bard Song recoded to this new format. The change isn't live yet, but the code is written and compiled.
I also plan on adding a few more random items with small Perform skill boosts for variety.
First, the durational effects are going to be based on a 2-round (12 second) cycle. Think of it like verses to a song. The songs will affect creatures within a colossal radius (the current area of effect), and will take effect once every 2 rounds, with the "continuous" effects lasting 2 rounds, getting reapplied if the affected creature is still within the range of the bard's voice (or comes back after leaving).
This 2-round cycle means that the songs can be interrupted by one of several means to cut them short:
a) a silence effect on the bard
b) the bard starting another bard song (which will start taking effect at the end of the current 2-round cycle/verse)
c) the bard using a new VC command (;;tool endsong) - aka, no more being stuck with an effect that repeats every round, non-stop, for 105 rounds with Lasting Inspiration + Lingering Song
I'm also bringing all of the bard songs (even the original Bard Song and Curse Song) into line with the 12 newer songs. The power of the effects will be picked based on the performer's number of levels in bard and a Perform skill check (made every 2 rounds, so no equipping Charisma and Perform boosting items, starting a song, then dropping them...but this also means that using the original Bard Song, the bard can actually make himself/herself better at performing for following skill checks).
The power level of the effects will use the same levels currently used by the Aenean bard songs:
Level 12: Bard Level 40 and Perform check 60
Level 11: Bard Level 35 and Perform check 50
Level 10: Bard Level 30 and Perform check 40
Level 9: Bard Level 25 and Perform check 30
Level 8: Bard Level 20 and Perform check 25
Level 7: Bard Level 18 and Perform check 21
Level 6: Bard Level 15 and Perform check 18
Level 5: Bard Level 12 and Perform check 15
Level 4: Bard Level 9 and Perform check 12
Level 3: Bard Level 6 and Perform check 9
Level 2: Bard Level 3 and Perform check 6
Level 1: Bard Level 1 and Perform check 1
I am also going to add in a required Concentration check for a bard that is trying to cast spells while singing/performing. Not sure yet of the DC of the check, but it'll scale upward with the power level of the bard's song (the most complex and difficult songs will make trying to fit in a spell's incantations/words more difficult).
I also plan on altering some of the existing Aenean bard songs to better balance them out and make them useful. Soothing Refrain, for instance, will be toned down so that a bard using it does not rival a fully invested cleric of Asis in the healing department. Dead Man's March will become a straight up summon (1 undead creature at a time), but will continually re-summon said creature in following 2-round cycles if that creature is killed before the song ends...I'll also be editing those undead's script sets so they behave like regular summons, following the bard around until the song is ended. Other songs will be getting tweaks and bug fixes as well as I work my way through all of the code.
So far I've only got the regular Bard Song recoded to this new format. The change isn't live yet, but the code is written and compiled.
I also plan on adding a few more random items with small Perform skill boosts for variety.
Last edited by The Amethyst Dragon on Mon Mar 26, 2012 2:02 am; edited 1 time in total (Reason for editing : putting a date in the title)
Re: Mar. 26, 2012: Updating Bard Songs
I am pretty sure you are already including as much as feasible, but I just want to remind you in case you forgot or havent looked back (it does seem like you covered the major issues discussed) about this thread of awesome suggestions for bard songs.
daveyeisley- Ludicrous Level
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Re: Mar. 26, 2012: Updating Bard Songs
I finished recoding all of the bard songs. I'm currently updating the spells.2da file for the server-side hak, and have rewritten the descriptions for the aenea.tlk file (which will be uploaded with the next hak update).
For anyone wanting a preview, the new descriptions are now available on the just-revamped feats page, and the mechanics have been added to the bard class page.
The actual changes will be live after I do a manual shutdown and restart of the server (the next time I notice nobody logged in).
For anyone wanting a preview, the new descriptions are now available on the just-revamped feats page, and the mechanics have been added to the bard class page.
The actual changes will be live after I do a manual shutdown and restart of the server (the next time I notice nobody logged in).
Re: Mar. 26, 2012: Updating Bard Songs
The Amethyst Dragon wrote:
The actual changes will be live after I do a manual shutdown and restart of the server (the next time I notice nobody logged in).
Quick everybody log out .... ...
RustyDios- High Epic Level
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Re: Mar. 26, 2012: Updating Bard Songs
Just found a script error in the new bard songs script (yes, it's all just one script now instead of 14 different ones). Normal bard song should work fine, but none of the others.
I just dropped an update module file on the server with a fix, so after the next reset the other songs should work properly...or at least allow me to test them.
I just dropped an update module file on the server with a fix, so after the next reset the other songs should work properly...or at least allow me to test them.
Re: Mar. 26, 2012: Updating Bard Songs
Hmmm...looks like I mistyped a script name in a 2da file.
I'll have to shut down the server for a few minutes later today to transfer over the updated hak that has it in there.
Unlike putting an updated module on the server, putting an updated hak on the server (even just for a little 2da change) causes many scripts to not fire properly (or at all) until the server is restarted. Kind of annoying, really, considering how much of a module relies on scripts running.
I'll have to shut down the server for a few minutes later today to transfer over the updated hak that has it in there.
Unlike putting an updated module on the server, putting an updated hak on the server (even just for a little 2da change) causes many scripts to not fire properly (or at all) until the server is restarted. Kind of annoying, really, considering how much of a module relies on scripts running.
Re: Mar. 26, 2012: Updating Bard Songs
I don't know if you have gotten around to fix the above, but thought I would mention this in any case.
Is the bard supposed to take damage from their own song when using/singing Quaking Chorus now? It does just that now. Lucky I got Sonic Damage Resistance to absorb the damage, else my fragile bard would've died by her own song. Edit: Not sure why but it seems like the Quaking Chorus is stuck in an endless loop now--dealing sonic damage to everyone within the radius (including the bard singing). :V
Re-logging fixes it, though.
Re-logging fixes it, though.
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Re: Mar. 26, 2012: Updating Bard Songs
As far as I can tell though lots of testing...
All of the bard songs are now fully functional and finished, running properly with the new code work.
All of the bard songs are now fully functional and finished, running properly with the new code work.
Re: Mar. 26, 2012: Updating Bard Songs
I've been playing around with the new songs.... I love them. Several songs that were previously meh or broken, are no longer meh, nor broken
Then ability to switch songs easily, and end them.... just perfect!
Then ability to switch songs easily, and end them.... just perfect!
MannyJabrielle- Ludicrous Level
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