Supposedly the Shadow Lord class was added to the game in the Collector's Edition. My first time through, I played a deathlord / paladin and didn't see it. This time through I'm playing a rogue / mage, and I'm hoping to see it.
Has anybody actually seen the class yet, and do you remember what the requirements were for it? It sounds like it should be a rogue class, probably third tier.
SWC
Shadow Lord
Shadow Lord
Sir Edmund: "Should you obey the lord who asks you to put a village of innocents to the torch? Is that chivalrous? Is it noble?"
Me: "It's a great way to get promoted, I know that much."
Me: "It's a great way to get promoted, I know that much."
[QUOTE=swcarter]Supposedly the Shadow Lord class was added to the game in the Collector's Edition. My first time through, I played a deathlord / paladin and didn't see it. This time through I'm playing a rogue / mage, and I'm hoping to see it.
Has anybody actually seen the class yet, and do you remember what the requirements were for it? It sounds like it should be a rogue class, probably third tier.
SWC[/QUOTE]
I'm just getting started on the collector's edition. However, after ready the bonuses attached to the class, I would guess that it's a third level rogue class too. One bit of evidence is that the class seems to get a sneak learning bonus. Maurader's also get this, but other skills, nether magic and magic weaponry seem to point towards a rogue type.
Messing this speculation up is the fact that sneak is a new skill provided by this class. Why would a thief-class character get a bonus skill that all rogue's get at start-up? That doesn't make any sense.
The skills seem to mirror Ninja Lord somewhat, but don't seem to be related to fighter classes. It could be a different direction for a fighter class though.
But, what third tier class would it replace? Or is Shadow Lord meant to be a thrid tier option along with another existing class?
But then, it's not even certain that it's not a second tier class...
I'll be interested to see what turns up here.
Has anybody actually seen the class yet, and do you remember what the requirements were for it? It sounds like it should be a rogue class, probably third tier.
SWC[/QUOTE]
I'm just getting started on the collector's edition. However, after ready the bonuses attached to the class, I would guess that it's a third level rogue class too. One bit of evidence is that the class seems to get a sneak learning bonus. Maurader's also get this, but other skills, nether magic and magic weaponry seem to point towards a rogue type.
Messing this speculation up is the fact that sneak is a new skill provided by this class. Why would a thief-class character get a bonus skill that all rogue's get at start-up? That doesn't make any sense.
The skills seem to mirror Ninja Lord somewhat, but don't seem to be related to fighter classes. It could be a different direction for a fighter class though.
But, what third tier class would it replace? Or is Shadow Lord meant to be a thrid tier option along with another existing class?
But then, it's not even certain that it's not a second tier class...
I'll be interested to see what turns up here.
Here's some further musings.
First, the class isn't replacing another class because all the old classes are listed in the new manual.
So, how about this. Valkyrie and Enchantress are both tied to War Witch. It's the only situation like that.
How about if Enchantress will now lead to Shadow Lord? One problem is that Lord is a male pronoun. Enchantresses do get a bunch of thief related skills. Nether magic would be a bit in line with War Witch and it is a requirement for ascending to Enchantress in the first place. I think I'm going to go back to a save game I have and follow that path tmo.
SWC--what progression are you taking beyond the first tier to search for Shadow Lord?
BTW I'm gonna check to see if there's space for a six class in the character screen classes panel. What if...
First, the class isn't replacing another class because all the old classes are listed in the new manual.
So, how about this. Valkyrie and Enchantress are both tied to War Witch. It's the only situation like that.
How about if Enchantress will now lead to Shadow Lord? One problem is that Lord is a male pronoun. Enchantresses do get a bunch of thief related skills. Nether magic would be a bit in line with War Witch and it is a requirement for ascending to Enchantress in the first place. I think I'm going to go back to a save game I have and follow that path tmo.
SWC--what progression are you taking beyond the first tier to search for Shadow Lord?
BTW I'm gonna check to see if there's space for a six class in the character screen classes panel. What if...
After you pointed out that Shadow Lord gets sneak, I noticed that it also gets magic weaponry. Since first tier rogues get sneak, and since first tier mages get magic weaponry, that implies that the Shadow Lord isn't a part of the rogue or mage trees. And since I checked the fighter and adept trees in my first game, that implies that the Shadow Lord doesn't have anything to do with the existing class heriarchy, unless it's related to the Sisterhood, which seems unlikely.
So my current speculation is that the Shadow Lord is a third tier class, and that you get it for doing... something. Maybe if you have your third tier class available when you defeat Nauselom?
I'm just running my character as a mage / rogue right now. I'm not going to choose any classes until I figure out what's going on with the Shadow Lord class, or until I get really bored being a mage / rogue.
SWC
So my current speculation is that the Shadow Lord is a third tier class, and that you get it for doing... something. Maybe if you have your third tier class available when you defeat Nauselom?
I'm just running my character as a mage / rogue right now. I'm not going to choose any classes until I figure out what's going on with the Shadow Lord class, or until I get really bored being a mage / rogue.
SWC
Sir Edmund: "Should you obey the lord who asks you to put a village of innocents to the torch? Is that chivalrous? Is it noble?"
Me: "It's a great way to get promoted, I know that much."
Me: "It's a great way to get promoted, I know that much."
Just a note. Shadow lord gets magic weapon bonus and magic weapon as a new skill. This implies that there are multiple classes you can take to get there. Since sneak is only listed as a new skill it would imply that shadow lord isn't available to rogue as you said. But what’s really weird is that Alchemy is only listed as a new skill which would exclude Sorcerer and Shugenja leaving only Battlemage in the mage tree.
What this really makes me think is A. you can't draw conclusions from the shadow lord description or B. the shadow lord descriptions is full of typos and/ or omissions.
My guess is shadow lord is available to all class trees and sneak and alchemy should have been listed as both a bonus and a new skill as magic weapons is because otherwise it would only be available to Adepts, fighters except marauder or battlemage and that doesn’t make since. D
What this really makes me think is A. you can't draw conclusions from the shadow lord description or B. the shadow lord descriptions is full of typos and/ or omissions.
My guess is shadow lord is available to all class trees and sneak and alchemy should have been listed as both a bonus and a new skill as magic weapons is because otherwise it would only be available to Adepts, fighters except marauder or battlemage and that doesn’t make since. D
I've been doing a lot of digging into this subject and there's good news and bad news.
The good news is that I have the requirements (40 in all attrs except honour with seems to be unnecessary) and eight in the following skills (light weapon, parry, arcane magic, nether magic, and athletics.) On gaining the class, you gain the magic weapons, alchemy, and sneak skills with one level of bonus and the shadow lord diabolic skill. It's a third tier class and requires that you have both second tier classes active.
The bad news is that you are supposed to get the class offer from Staroxia along with the assorted advancement quests after you kill the Shadow Lord during the normal course of gathering the artifacts. Unfortunately, she seems to be bugged and never gets beyond her normal description of that quest and doesn't recognise the fact that you're completed it and are already carrying the amulet of the shadow lord.
I'm investigating a few possible solutions for this but it's requiring me to get a lot deeper into the internals of the game than I had intended to dig.
The good news is that I have the requirements (40 in all attrs except honour with seems to be unnecessary) and eight in the following skills (light weapon, parry, arcane magic, nether magic, and athletics.) On gaining the class, you gain the magic weapons, alchemy, and sneak skills with one level of bonus and the shadow lord diabolic skill. It's a third tier class and requires that you have both second tier classes active.
The bad news is that you are supposed to get the class offer from Staroxia along with the assorted advancement quests after you kill the Shadow Lord during the normal course of gathering the artifacts. Unfortunately, she seems to be bugged and never gets beyond her normal description of that quest and doesn't recognise the fact that you're completed it and are already carrying the amulet of the shadow lord.
I'm investigating a few possible solutions for this but it's requiring me to get a lot deeper into the internals of the game than I had intended to dig.
That makes sense. I didn't talk to Staroxia after completing the Shadow Ruins, and even if I had, I had already completed the class quests by that time anyway.
But I'm curious. Have you actually talked to Staroxia to get the class offer from her, or have you only seen the dialogue options for it in the game data?
SWC
But I'm curious. Have you actually talked to Staroxia to get the class offer from her, or have you only seen the dialogue options for it in the game data?
SWC
Sir Edmund: "Should you obey the lord who asks you to put a village of innocents to the torch? Is that chivalrous? Is it noble?"
Me: "It's a great way to get promoted, I know that much."
Me: "It's a great way to get promoted, I know that much."
I've tracked the problem down to two quest entries that are improperly formed (they're missing the leading @ in TEXTPAK.000) which is likely why they never get set correctly after completion. Once you set these flags to complete (finish shadow ruins and visit Grymlock and say the magic words,) she offers the class if you meet the requirements, the completion quest, and finally the class status itself.
The completion quest is pretty fun (an ice spewing undead dragon <g>) but that's about where it ends. I dumped around three million advancement points into the Shadow Lord skill to get it to level 10. At that level, it lasts around 30 seconds with a very long recharge time (at least several minutes--I got bored waiting and decided to post this instead.) While you do seem invulnerable to melee attacks and at least a few spells, it's hardly a major benefit. Heavy armour, decent parry, and protective spells will give the same benefits for all intents and purposes. The lauded ghost form is little more than the levitate spell with a minor glow and becoming somewhat translucent.
I suppose at this point my quest is complete. Playing a shadow lord seems to be rather pedestrian compared to some classes third tier benefits--spell fire, critical strike, and iron will all offer powerful constant benefits. I'll probably finish the game with this character (all that are left are the two quests in the Vale of Ruins, the Maze, and the end game) but I think I'll start over for now with a more interesting challenge--perhaps a Rune specialist since I've always ignored that path in the past.
If there's sufficient interest, I may make available a little program to set these values so that folks don't need to resort to manually hex editing the game save files. I could also do one for giving the wretched demon key--it's such a pain in the butt to keep re-loading to try and get something that everyone wants and it's down to plain luck whether you get it or not. I'm not keen on giving out the general save editor--it's helpful for exploring the game but it really takes any challenge out of the game if you abuse it.
The completion quest is pretty fun (an ice spewing undead dragon <g>) but that's about where it ends. I dumped around three million advancement points into the Shadow Lord skill to get it to level 10. At that level, it lasts around 30 seconds with a very long recharge time (at least several minutes--I got bored waiting and decided to post this instead.) While you do seem invulnerable to melee attacks and at least a few spells, it's hardly a major benefit. Heavy armour, decent parry, and protective spells will give the same benefits for all intents and purposes. The lauded ghost form is little more than the levitate spell with a minor glow and becoming somewhat translucent.
I suppose at this point my quest is complete. Playing a shadow lord seems to be rather pedestrian compared to some classes third tier benefits--spell fire, critical strike, and iron will all offer powerful constant benefits. I'll probably finish the game with this character (all that are left are the two quests in the Vale of Ruins, the Maze, and the end game) but I think I'll start over for now with a more interesting challenge--perhaps a Rune specialist since I've always ignored that path in the past.
If there's sufficient interest, I may make available a little program to set these values so that folks don't need to resort to manually hex editing the game save files. I could also do one for giving the wretched demon key--it's such a pain in the butt to keep re-loading to try and get something that everyone wants and it's down to plain luck whether you get it or not. I'm not keen on giving out the general save editor--it's helpful for exploring the game but it really takes any challenge out of the game if you abuse it.
-
Damn Snakes!
- Posts: 192
- Joined: Tue Aug 23, 2005 2:48 pm
- Contact:
[QUOTE=ferncliff]Getting the demon key is easy with the 1.4 patch and even easier with the CE. The thief no longer leaves the prison area and in the CE he just forks over the key as soon as you talk to him. D[/QUOTE]
Sadly, that's not been my experience. The chatty thief rabbits on me as soon as I open his cell. It's easy enough to catch him since he runs around the platforms by way of the levers so I can get his dialog but after a dozen reloads I gave up on the SOB--and that's with two different games. I've tried talking to him in his cell and with every permutation of order in releasing the thieves. No joy.
Of course, at this point I understand the inventory records pretty well so why frustrate myself with pointless reloads? That's actually what started me on the path of writing my little save hacker--I'd take three times longer getting into Fargrove than necessary due to constant reloads trying to get a complete set of basic armour and weapons. Now it's a matter of a single command and presto--our wandering hero no longer looks like a townie who got stoned and wandered into a rather dangerous forest after a party looking for his destiny.
Sadly, that's not been my experience. The chatty thief rabbits on me as soon as I open his cell. It's easy enough to catch him since he runs around the platforms by way of the levers so I can get his dialog but after a dozen reloads I gave up on the SOB--and that's with two different games. I've tried talking to him in his cell and with every permutation of order in releasing the thieves. No joy.
Of course, at this point I understand the inventory records pretty well so why frustrate myself with pointless reloads? That's actually what started me on the path of writing my little save hacker--I'd take three times longer getting into Fargrove than necessary due to constant reloads trying to get a complete set of basic armour and weapons. Now it's a matter of a single command and presto--our wandering hero no longer looks like a townie who got stoned and wandered into a rather dangerous forest after a party looking for his destiny.
[QUOTE=ferncliff]Getting the demon key is easy with the 1.4 patch and even easier with the CE. The thief no longer leaves the prison area and in the CE he just forks over the key as soon as you talk to him. D[/QUOTE]
That's weird. For me it worked exactly like before.
SWC
That's weird. For me it worked exactly like before.
SWC
Sir Edmund: "Should you obey the lord who asks you to put a village of innocents to the torch? Is that chivalrous? Is it noble?"
Me: "It's a great way to get promoted, I know that much."
Me: "It's a great way to get promoted, I know that much."
[QUOTE=swcarter]That's weird. For me it worked exactly like before.
SWC[/QUOTE]
For me he runs around under the little walkway in a circle and as far as I could tell he never was going to move toward the door (both CE and 1.4). With the CE (I just did this today) the first time I talked to him I had the key and the only thing else he would say was 'don't say I didn't warn you". Maybe I shift keyed him twice without realizing it.
So for you guys he moved to the door and disappeared? With both the CE and 1.4 I never had to talk to him at the door. D
SWC[/QUOTE]
For me he runs around under the little walkway in a circle and as far as I could tell he never was going to move toward the door (both CE and 1.4). With the CE (I just did this today) the first time I talked to him I had the key and the only thing else he would say was 'don't say I didn't warn you". Maybe I shift keyed him twice without realizing it.
So for you guys he moved to the door and disappeared? With both the CE and 1.4 I never had to talk to him at the door. D
[QUOTE=ferncliff]For me he runs around under the little walkway in a circle and as far as I could tell he never was going to move toward the door (both CE and 1.4). With the CE (I just did this today) the first time I talked to him I had the key and the only thing else he would say was 'don't say I didn't warn you". Maybe I shift keyed him twice without realizing it.
So for you guys he moved to the door and disappeared? With both the CE and 1.4 I never had to talk to him at the door. D[/QUOTE]
For me, using 1.5, once I release the thief I get the first dialogue, then he sticks around to fight a few Naga guards, then he runs a short way and vanishes. Period. I didn't have any opportunity to follow him and the dialogue tree just before he disappeared was the same as when I freed him. Thank goodness for the hex editor. It was the only time I used it for this character.
My final solution was just to kill him out of sheer vindicativeness
So for you guys he moved to the door and disappeared? With both the CE and 1.4 I never had to talk to him at the door. D[/QUOTE]
For me, using 1.5, once I release the thief I get the first dialogue, then he sticks around to fight a few Naga guards, then he runs a short way and vanishes. Period. I didn't have any opportunity to follow him and the dialogue tree just before he disappeared was the same as when I freed him. Thank goodness for the hex editor. It was the only time I used it for this character.
My final solution was just to kill him out of sheer vindicativeness
Looking through the npcdata.pak file, this is some of what I read:
You will need it to open the gateway into the ~Shadow Ruins~ where dwells the ~Lord of Shadows~ and the Relic of Power you seek...
The stars tell me you have obtained a ~Shadow Amulet~ from the Lord of Shadows... Perhaps you wish to know more about the ~Shadow Amulet~... I remind you of your quest to become a Shadow Lord. Return to the Isle of the Damned with the Amulet of the Shadow Lord and wait at the Altar. A champion of the Shadow Realm will appear to challenge you. Defeat this champion, then return here to fulfill your quest and become a Shadow Lord
I have seen your battle with the Dracolich, and your great victory over the champion of the Shadow Realm. You are now a Shadow Lord, and have acquired the unique abilities of this class. Your new power will enable you to assume Shadow form for a limited time. However, use this power only when you need it most, until you have developed enough skill to invoke it whenever you wish...
Who is this person the character is speaking with?
OH, by the way, the shadow lord amulet hex code is AB03
You will need it to open the gateway into the ~Shadow Ruins~ where dwells the ~Lord of Shadows~ and the Relic of Power you seek...
The stars tell me you have obtained a ~Shadow Amulet~ from the Lord of Shadows... Perhaps you wish to know more about the ~Shadow Amulet~... I remind you of your quest to become a Shadow Lord. Return to the Isle of the Damned with the Amulet of the Shadow Lord and wait at the Altar. A champion of the Shadow Realm will appear to challenge you. Defeat this champion, then return here to fulfill your quest and become a Shadow Lord
I have seen your battle with the Dracolich, and your great victory over the champion of the Shadow Realm. You are now a Shadow Lord, and have acquired the unique abilities of this class. Your new power will enable you to assume Shadow form for a limited time. However, use this power only when you need it most, until you have developed enough skill to invoke it whenever you wish...
Who is this person the character is speaking with?
OH, by the way, the shadow lord amulet hex code is AB03
[QUOTE=George_K]Who is this person the character is speaking with?[/QUOTE]
Staroxia. Unfortunately, her quest code seems bugged and she doesn't seem to ever get over telling you about how to get the artifact from the Shadow Lord. If you dig through TEXTPAK.000, you'll find only two quests without leading @ signs--both for Staroxia and both pre-requisites to getting the class prompts.
Simply hacking that file to correct the problem doesn't do any good--evidentally the triggers to set the quest completion steps don't occur properly. The only solution I've found so far is to edit these values manually until (unless?) HP releases a fix.
Staroxia. Unfortunately, her quest code seems bugged and she doesn't seem to ever get over telling you about how to get the artifact from the Shadow Lord. If you dig through TEXTPAK.000, you'll find only two quests without leading @ signs--both for Staroxia and both pre-requisites to getting the class prompts.
Simply hacking that file to correct the problem doesn't do any good--evidentally the triggers to set the quest completion steps don't occur properly. The only solution I've found so far is to edit these values manually until (unless?) HP releases a fix.
After defeating the nausoleum, be certain to pick up his jewelery and id it so you know it's the shadow amulet. then you can ask staroxia about it.
In my textpak.000, all the @'s are there and I had no trouble with getting the quest. Staroxia's requirements from you are strength, intelligence, dexterity, agility, and vitality at least 40.
And light weapons, parry, archane, nether, and atletics at least 8.
In my textpak.000, all the @'s are there and I had no trouble with getting the quest. Staroxia's requirements from you are strength, intelligence, dexterity, agility, and vitality at least 40.
And light weapons, parry, archane, nether, and atletics at least 8.
-
Damn Snakes!
- Posts: 192
- Joined: Tue Aug 23, 2005 2:48 pm
- Contact:
Well, that was weird. When I went to visit Staroxia, she just told me about the shadow ruins again, as if I hadn't been there yet. So I thought her dialogue was broken like Briar said. But then I pressed L to show my quest log, and after that she started offering a dialogue option about the amulet.
That seems strange. Maybe the game doesn't update your quest status unless you look at the quest log? But if you're having a problem with Staroxia, that's something to try.
SWC
That seems strange. Maybe the game doesn't update your quest status unless you look at the quest log? But if you're having a problem with Staroxia, that's something to try.
SWC
Sir Edmund: "Should you obey the lord who asks you to put a village of innocents to the torch? Is that chivalrous? Is it noble?"
Me: "It's a great way to get promoted, I know that much."
Me: "It's a great way to get promoted, I know that much."