[MOD] Battle Magic

[Damar Stiehl]

Battle Magic
Version: 1.0
Author: Damar Stiehl


SUMMARY:

This mod seeks to improve the usefulness and power of spellcasters in Drakensang. It does so by significantly improving several spells that, in my opinion, severely underperform to the point of being nearly useless. In combat, spellcasters are limited by their supply of AE in addition to long casting times, which often leads to a scenario where by the time you cast anything worthwhile, the fight is already over.

The mod PROBABLY does not line up exactly with the PnP rules of The Dark Eye. I do not know because I have never played PnP TDE. However, according to players, pen and paper system has far more many uses for magic which aren't represented in Drakensang; also, it is a true turn-based system that isn't nearly as combat-intensive as Drakensang. Casters in Drakensang are nearly useless beyond some buffing and healing, and combat plays a far greater role.

The mod consists of two modules, either of which is optional. Main module improves spells, and the "Advantages" module increases AE pool of all caster classes (except Elf Warrior).


RECOMMENDED ADDITIONAL MODS:

I recommend using any mod that slows down regeneration of AE, health and Endurance. The game is much more balanced that way (not to mention that all the potions and healing spells become more useful).


COMPATIBILITY:

This mod is compatible with all graphical mods and Ergo's Fixpack.


MAIN MODULE DESCRIPTION:

The following spells have been altered. If a spell is not in this list, it hasn't been altered.

ALL "Attributo" Spells: Duration increased to 600 seconds.

Hawkeye Marksmanship: duration multiplier increased to SP*+1 times 30 seconds.

Eye of Eagle, Ear of Lynx: Duration increased to 600 seconds.

Guardianum Magicshield: Duration increased to 180 seconds.

Lightning Find You!: Duration increased to 30 seconds, casting time reduced to 1 action (half a combat round).

Fandango of Fireflies: Duration increased to 60 seconds.

Duplicatus Doublevision: Minimum duration increased to 20 seconds, casting time reduced to 2 actions (1 combat round).

Move as Lightning: Duration SP* multiplier increased to 10 (Duration is now 12+10*SP* seconds).

Aerofugo Vacuum: Casting time reduced to 3 actions (1.5 combat rounds).

Corpofrigo Cold Shock: Casting time reduced to 2 actions (1 combat round).

Culminatio Ball of Lightning: Casting time reduced to 2 actions (1 combat round), damage increased to 1D20+15.

Ignifaxius Burst of Flame: Casting time reduced to 2 actions (1 combat round).

Ignisphaero Fireball: Casting time reduced to 4 actions (2 combat rounds).

Paralysis Stiff as Stone: Casting time reduced to 2 actions (1 combat round).

Thunderbolt: Damage increased to 4D6+SP*, minimum cost reduced to 4 AE, casting time reduced to 1 action (half a combat round).

Sleep of a Thousand Sheep: Casting time reduced to 2 actions (1 combat round).

Meek You Be: Casting time reduced to 2 actions (1 combat round).

Balm of Healing: Casting time reduced to 2 actions (1 combat round).

Tlaluc's Pestilent Breath: casting time reduced to 2 actions (1 combat round).

Ice Cold Warrior: now targets the spell's caster as per the spell's description (it is meant to be "Elven bloodlust", not a party member buff).


SECONDARY MODULE DESCRIPTION:

This module gives caster classes additional AE in the form of Advantages.

Charlatans and Alchemists get 10 more AE.
Healing Mages, Battlemages, Metamages and Rangers get 20 more AE.
Spellweavers and Elementalists get 30 more AE.

If you are using this module, you need to either start a new game, or update your savegame. I tested the savegame update as much as possible, but there is always a chance of something going wrong. PLEASE BACK UP YOUR SAVEGAME BEFORE UPDATING IT!


INSTALLATION - MAIN MODULE (Spell Power and Duration):

IF YOU ARE INSTALLING/REINSTALLING ERGO'S FIXPACK, INSTALL IT FIRST AND THEN INSTALL THIS MOD
IF YOU ARE USING BOTH MODULES OF BATTLE MAGIC, INSTALL THIS MODULE FIRST.

1. Make a backup of static.db4 and locale.db4 files in your Drakensang\export\db folder.

2. Copy into your Drakensang\export\db folder:
- sqlite3.exe
- battlemagic_staticdb4.sql
- battlemagic_localdb4.sql
- install_battlemagic_main.bat


3. Execute install_battlemagic_main.bat.

4. You can now delete install_battlemagic_main.bat, battlemagic_staticdb4.sql and battlemagic_localdb4.sql.

INSTALLATION - SECONDARY MODULE (extra AE for casters):

IF YOU ARE USING BOTH MODULES OF BATTLE MAGIC, INSTALL THIS MODULE SECOND.

1. Make a backup of static.db4, locale.db4 and game.db4 in your Drakensang\export\db folder.

2. Copy into your Drakensang\export\db folder:
- battlemagic_advantages_gamedb4.sql
- battlemagic_advantages_localdb4.sql
- battlemagic_advantages_staticdb4.sql
- install_battlemagic_advantages.bat

3. Execute install_battlemagic_advantages.bat.

4. You can now delete battlemagic_advantages_gamedb4.sql, battlemagic_advantages_localdb4.sql, battlemagic_advantages_staticdb4.sql and install_battlemagic_advantages.bat.

INSTALLATION - UPDATING YOUR SAVE GAME

IF YOU WANT TO START A NEW GAME AFTER INSTALLING BATTLE MAGIC SECONDARY MODULE, OR YOU ARE NOT USING SECONDARY MODULE AT ALL, SKIP THIS STEP

If you want to enjoy larger AE pools for your casters in a game in progress, you must update your save game.

To do so:

1. Locate your saved games. Your saved games are normally located under My Documents\Drakensang\profile\save folder.

2. Find the folder that contains your saved game (you should probably update your latest saved game).

3. Make a backup of savegame.dsa in that folder.

4. Copy INTO THE FOLDER OF THE SAVEGAME (where SAVEGAME.DSA is):
- sqlite3.exe
- battlemagic_advantages_savegame.sql
- install_battlemagic_savegame.bat

5. Execute install_battlemagic_savegame.bat.

6. You can now delete sqlite3.exe, battlemagic_advantages_savegame.sql and install_battlemagic_savegame.bat from the saved game folder.

UNINSTALLATION:

Overwrite static.db4 and local.db4 with the backups you made before installing the mod.
If you updated a savegame, overwrite it with the backup you made before installing the mod.

Q&A:

Q: Isn't Thunderbolt overpowered now?
A: No. While it can produce quite an impact, it will also empty your AE supply. Thunderbolt costs as many AE as it does damage (and conversely, it only does as much damage as you have AE - so if you only have 4 AE left, it will only hit for 4 HP!). Thunderbolt is meant to be used when something scary is running at you and you need it dead (or hurt) RIGHT NOW. It is terribly inefficient in terms of AE you spend to fire it.

Q: Why didn't you do anything about <insert spell name here>?
A: Some spells in Drakensang are easy to change, others are coded very strangely and can't be changed easily, if at all (Ignifaxius is one example). These spells' parameters are buried deep in the game files, or perhaps are hardcoded, and I just couldn't figure out a way to change them.

Q: Why didn't you give Astral Power advantage to Elf Warrior?
A: Because Elf Warriors are the only dedicated melee class that also has an ability to cast spells. They aren't meant to have a lot of AE.

Q: I installed the mod, and then installed or reinstalled Ergo's Fixpack. Now some (or all) features of Battle Magic are gone from the game!
A: If you install (or reinstall) Ergo's Fixpack AFTER installing Battle Magic, you have to reinstall Battle Magic.

Q: Why didn't you make a full-fledged installer, like Ergo?
A: Because honestly I cannot be bothered. If you can't bring yourself to open Windows Explorer, copy a few files and execute a batch file, then perhaps you should be playing with your Wii instead.

DISCLAIMER:

This mod is shipped "as is", with no warranties whatsoever.
This is an unofficial modification to Drakensang, and is not supported by Radon Labs, DTP Entertainment, or TDE system.
I am not responsible for any damage that you, your game, or your computer may sustain as a result of using this mod.
If you find a bug or a mistake on my part, report it and I will do my best to fix it.
But, if you forget to make a backup, or make a mistake following my instructions, don't bother - I am not responsible for your actions.

Download Battle Magic 1.0