chevalier
Wed, 22nd Aug '07, 1:07am
Here are today's Neverwinter Nights 2 forum highlights, collected by NWVault (http://nwvault.ign.com). Please take into account that these are only single parts of various threads and should not be taken out of context. Bear in mind also that the posts presented here are copied as-is, and that any bad spelling and grammar does not get corrected on our end.
<font size="3" face="Verdana, Arial" color="#cc6600">Rob McGinnis</font>
Why NWN 2 runs slower? (http://nwn2forums.bioware.com/forums/viewpost.html?topic=580469&post=5214350&forum=109&highlight=)
I have a response, but anything I say will pretty much take this off topic http://forums.bioware.com/_commonext/images/smiles/icon_lol.gif
Suffice to say, the game industry is still in its infancy. I once read that the state of the gaming industy, when compared to the movie industry, was stated as being the equivalent of just reaching the talking movie era.
As for NWN2 performance: with MoTB we have made quite a few advancements in both the graphics engine and in area designs to help improve performance. As we continue to work with, and become more familiar with the engine, I think you will see a lot of improvements.
2DA related crashing (http://nwn2forums.bioware.com/forums/viewpost.html?topic=580408&post=5214367&forum=115&highlight=)
<hr />I haven't seen anything referring to this, probably doesn't affect too many folk, but if any 2da field exceeds 255 characters it causes the client to crash when the file is accessed.
I do recall seeing something about the limit but for the life of me I can't find it again (its probably in neon flashing letters stickied right above this post).
I realise changing the limit is probably not practical, I'll probably just stuff the things I had in the 2da into a tlk, but it would be nice if it didn't crash.<hr />Long sections of text, like that, should go in the TLK file.
MotB Community Update #8 (http://nwn2forums.bioware.com/forums/viewpost.html?topic=580665&post=5214393&forum=121&highlight=)
Hey all, I'm sorta filling in for Shane with this one. Things are getting busy as we wrap up development on MoTB so this got missed.
Here you go: Classes & Races - Answers provided by Kevin Saunders, Producer.
1. Will we see PrC's for classes like Warlock and Druid that really have no options now?
The Stormlord PrC has full divine spell progression and works very well for druids. (Note that the War Priest is also a decent option for druids, though it doesn’t fit as well thematically). We aren't adding a PrC for Warlocks.
2. Are there going to be any new base classes introduced in this expansion? If so, could you tell us what class(es) might be added, or at least hint at it/them (if unable to reveal such details as of this time)?
We have implemented the favored soul and spirit shaman.
3. With the new setting placed in Rasemen, will the Monk finally get a prestige class that caters to it?
The sacred fist PrC is great for monks with any divine caster levels.
4. Will we finally see real Half-Drow with real Darkvision, not the Low-Light Vision counterfeits I've been forced to play up to now?
We improved how low light and dark vision are implemented - now dark vision (and low light vision) can be toggled on and off.
5. will wild elves be in??
Yes!
6. Re. the Warlock - the base class still needs some attention (there are some fixes for things on the vault), and I'd suggest implementing the epic-level warlock Click Here (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/ei/20061027a,) with feats such as Eldritch Sculptor & Shadowmaster effectively giving PrC-like options for high level warlocks.
We have indeed added some epic level feats specifically for warlocks. And, their Imbue Item ability functions with all of the NX1 item enchanting recipes. We've also added some feats like Weapon Focus (Ranged Touch) that are great for warlocks.
7. Is Stormlord truly a new PrC? And if so, can we hurl spears with them? Also, does Stormlord's prerequisites entail selecting Talos as a patron deity and(or) one or more of his domains?
Yes, though we generalized the class to have their abilities apply to any thrown weapons. (Though we didn't add in thrown spears yet.) Based on the community's feedback for how some of the classes were implemented with race and diety requirements, the stormlord PrC won't have any deity restrictions.
8. Will Expansion Set Players with the new races/classes be allowed to play with Non-Expansion set players like in NWN1?
Yes. Before Mask of the Betrayer launches, we will update NWN2 so that the two versions are compatible. You will need to have Mask of the Betrayer installed to play with the new content (creatures, terrains, etc.).
9. I want to ask if special abilities gived by Statues of Purification will be keeped playing Mask of Betrayer... and new PCs maded to play MoB (with new races and classes) will gain them on campaign starts?
No... by the end of NWN2, the PC no longer has these abilities. Since Mask of the Betrayer continues the story of the shard-bearer following the battle against the King of Shadows, the shard-bearer begins Mask without them.
10. Will the Ghostwise halfling be in MotB?
Nope, sorry.
11. Will the Archmage PrC be in?
Nope, sorry. This prestige class would be extremely time consuming to implement in a completely satisfying way and it's hard to justify such a huge time investment for a single prestige class. It is unlikely that we will ever implement the archmage, unless we made major revisions to its abilities.
12. Will Rangers and Druids be getting more Animal Companions, and more ways to customize them and upgrade them? I'd really, really, really, like to have my panther back.
We added the panther as a new animal companion option. =) Through some epic feats, it is possible for the epic level druid to acquire a small dragon as his animal companion!
13. Will Rangers be getting some of those nifty spells they have in PnP that a lot of people like to talk about on these forums?
Most of the spells we added were for the primary caster classes - rangers and paladins are getting a few, but we concentrated on fleshing out some of the other spell lists.
14. Since this takes place in Rashemen will Rangers be able to get a witch to travel with them? ( Or perhaps there will be a witch companion that will have special dialog with a Ranger PC?)
There are some events that will turn out differently based on your class. We didn't concentrate on class-specific content in Mask of the Betrayer. Because there are now 14 base classes and many prestige classes, we felt we could provide a better overall game play experience if we didn't invest as much is trying to give each class its own carrots.
15. Will there be any PRC that are specifically made with Ranger in mind? I realize of course that quite a few of the PRC work wonderfully with Ranger builds, but none of them are Ranger specific.
None of the new prestige classes are really ranger-specific. With a few exceptions, we tend to concentrate on prestige classes that we think will work well with multiple types of characters so that more players can enjoy them. Because rangers already have many good options to choose from, we didn't add a ranger specific one.
16. Will the Improved Favored enemy feats work for all favored enemies, or will we still need to take the feat for each favored enemy?
We didn't change the implementation of Improved Favored Enemy. We did add the epic level Bane of Enemies feat, which does apply to all of your favored enemies.
More: (http://nwn2forums.bioware.com/forums/viewpost.html?topic=580665&post=5215628&forum=121&highlight=)<hr /><hr />8. Will Expansion Set Players with the new races/classes be allowed to play with Non-Expansion set players like in NWN1?
Yes. Before Mask of the Betrayer launches, we will update NWN2 so that the two versions are compatible. You will need to have Mask of the Betrayer installed to play with the new content (creatures, terrains, etc.).<hr />I didn't understand those... both question and answer.
For the question, for what I know, in NWN1 expansion set contents weren't avaible for non-espansion set players.
For the answer, I feel that Kevin answered "Yes, that's not so.", because I think you can't say that Mask and non-Mask versions will be compatible if you need NX1 installed to "use" new terrains and other stuffs...
May be you'll be able to play on "non-Mask multiplayer servers" with a Mask-expansion-set game, but you'll not be able to play "Mask mutiplayer servers" without Mask installed!<hr />Basically it will work the same way NWN1 did.
Rest in Peace, Sorcerer... Thou shall be missed..! (http://nwn2forums.bioware.com/forums/viewpost.html?topic=580571&post=5214611&forum=121&highlight=)
<hr />Favored Souls are awesome. Only downside is no domains or turning.
Love cleric spells.<hr />Also, no spontaneous conversion of spells for healing. There is also the deity's weapon dependency.
Neverwinter 2 Community Update (http://nwn2forums.bioware.com/forums/viewpost.html?topic=558935&post=5215017&forum=109&highlight=)
Updated August 17, 2007
3C
MoTB from a Player's Perspective
Community Content
Click Here (http://forums.obsidianent.com/index.php?automodule=blog&blogid=2&showentry=84)
More: (http://nwn2forums.bioware.com/forums/viewpost.html?topic=558935&post=5215171&forum=109&highlight=)<hr /><hr /><hr />the new “narrator” voice<hr />Mwahaha. Surely this got the most complaints of any single thing in the OC.<hr />The MotB narrator is different than the OC "narrator." http://forums.bioware.com/_commonext/images/smiles/icon_wink.gif<hr />'nuff said http://forums.bioware.com/_commonext/images/smiles/icon_wink.gif
Perifacation Ritual pls help (http://nwn2forums.bioware.com/forums/viewpost.html?topic=580706&post=5215021&forum=109&highlight=)
Sorry, please register your CD key and post this in the OC forum. No spoilers are allowed in the General forum.
Thanks!
<font size="3" face="Verdana, Arial" color="#cc6600">Jeff Husges, Designer</font>
Plant Shape ability (http://nwn2forums.bioware.com/forums/viewpost.html?topic=580639&post=5215665&forum=121&highlight=)
<hr />Druids are supposed to get it for free, but wouldn't that cause problems for existing Druid characters already past level 12? <hr />It's been handled. http://forums.bioware.com/_commonext/images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif
<font size="3" face="Verdana, Arial" color="#cc6600">Rob McGinnis</font>
Why NWN 2 runs slower? (http://nwn2forums.bioware.com/forums/viewpost.html?topic=580469&post=5214350&forum=109&highlight=)
I have a response, but anything I say will pretty much take this off topic http://forums.bioware.com/_commonext/images/smiles/icon_lol.gif
Suffice to say, the game industry is still in its infancy. I once read that the state of the gaming industy, when compared to the movie industry, was stated as being the equivalent of just reaching the talking movie era.
As for NWN2 performance: with MoTB we have made quite a few advancements in both the graphics engine and in area designs to help improve performance. As we continue to work with, and become more familiar with the engine, I think you will see a lot of improvements.
2DA related crashing (http://nwn2forums.bioware.com/forums/viewpost.html?topic=580408&post=5214367&forum=115&highlight=)
<hr />I haven't seen anything referring to this, probably doesn't affect too many folk, but if any 2da field exceeds 255 characters it causes the client to crash when the file is accessed.
I do recall seeing something about the limit but for the life of me I can't find it again (its probably in neon flashing letters stickied right above this post).
I realise changing the limit is probably not practical, I'll probably just stuff the things I had in the 2da into a tlk, but it would be nice if it didn't crash.<hr />Long sections of text, like that, should go in the TLK file.
MotB Community Update #8 (http://nwn2forums.bioware.com/forums/viewpost.html?topic=580665&post=5214393&forum=121&highlight=)
Hey all, I'm sorta filling in for Shane with this one. Things are getting busy as we wrap up development on MoTB so this got missed.
Here you go: Classes & Races - Answers provided by Kevin Saunders, Producer.
1. Will we see PrC's for classes like Warlock and Druid that really have no options now?
The Stormlord PrC has full divine spell progression and works very well for druids. (Note that the War Priest is also a decent option for druids, though it doesn’t fit as well thematically). We aren't adding a PrC for Warlocks.
2. Are there going to be any new base classes introduced in this expansion? If so, could you tell us what class(es) might be added, or at least hint at it/them (if unable to reveal such details as of this time)?
We have implemented the favored soul and spirit shaman.
3. With the new setting placed in Rasemen, will the Monk finally get a prestige class that caters to it?
The sacred fist PrC is great for monks with any divine caster levels.
4. Will we finally see real Half-Drow with real Darkvision, not the Low-Light Vision counterfeits I've been forced to play up to now?
We improved how low light and dark vision are implemented - now dark vision (and low light vision) can be toggled on and off.
5. will wild elves be in??
Yes!
6. Re. the Warlock - the base class still needs some attention (there are some fixes for things on the vault), and I'd suggest implementing the epic-level warlock Click Here (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/ei/20061027a,) with feats such as Eldritch Sculptor & Shadowmaster effectively giving PrC-like options for high level warlocks.
We have indeed added some epic level feats specifically for warlocks. And, their Imbue Item ability functions with all of the NX1 item enchanting recipes. We've also added some feats like Weapon Focus (Ranged Touch) that are great for warlocks.
7. Is Stormlord truly a new PrC? And if so, can we hurl spears with them? Also, does Stormlord's prerequisites entail selecting Talos as a patron deity and(or) one or more of his domains?
Yes, though we generalized the class to have their abilities apply to any thrown weapons. (Though we didn't add in thrown spears yet.) Based on the community's feedback for how some of the classes were implemented with race and diety requirements, the stormlord PrC won't have any deity restrictions.
8. Will Expansion Set Players with the new races/classes be allowed to play with Non-Expansion set players like in NWN1?
Yes. Before Mask of the Betrayer launches, we will update NWN2 so that the two versions are compatible. You will need to have Mask of the Betrayer installed to play with the new content (creatures, terrains, etc.).
9. I want to ask if special abilities gived by Statues of Purification will be keeped playing Mask of Betrayer... and new PCs maded to play MoB (with new races and classes) will gain them on campaign starts?
No... by the end of NWN2, the PC no longer has these abilities. Since Mask of the Betrayer continues the story of the shard-bearer following the battle against the King of Shadows, the shard-bearer begins Mask without them.
10. Will the Ghostwise halfling be in MotB?
Nope, sorry.
11. Will the Archmage PrC be in?
Nope, sorry. This prestige class would be extremely time consuming to implement in a completely satisfying way and it's hard to justify such a huge time investment for a single prestige class. It is unlikely that we will ever implement the archmage, unless we made major revisions to its abilities.
12. Will Rangers and Druids be getting more Animal Companions, and more ways to customize them and upgrade them? I'd really, really, really, like to have my panther back.
We added the panther as a new animal companion option. =) Through some epic feats, it is possible for the epic level druid to acquire a small dragon as his animal companion!
13. Will Rangers be getting some of those nifty spells they have in PnP that a lot of people like to talk about on these forums?
Most of the spells we added were for the primary caster classes - rangers and paladins are getting a few, but we concentrated on fleshing out some of the other spell lists.
14. Since this takes place in Rashemen will Rangers be able to get a witch to travel with them? ( Or perhaps there will be a witch companion that will have special dialog with a Ranger PC?)
There are some events that will turn out differently based on your class. We didn't concentrate on class-specific content in Mask of the Betrayer. Because there are now 14 base classes and many prestige classes, we felt we could provide a better overall game play experience if we didn't invest as much is trying to give each class its own carrots.
15. Will there be any PRC that are specifically made with Ranger in mind? I realize of course that quite a few of the PRC work wonderfully with Ranger builds, but none of them are Ranger specific.
None of the new prestige classes are really ranger-specific. With a few exceptions, we tend to concentrate on prestige classes that we think will work well with multiple types of characters so that more players can enjoy them. Because rangers already have many good options to choose from, we didn't add a ranger specific one.
16. Will the Improved Favored enemy feats work for all favored enemies, or will we still need to take the feat for each favored enemy?
We didn't change the implementation of Improved Favored Enemy. We did add the epic level Bane of Enemies feat, which does apply to all of your favored enemies.
More: (http://nwn2forums.bioware.com/forums/viewpost.html?topic=580665&post=5215628&forum=121&highlight=)<hr /><hr />8. Will Expansion Set Players with the new races/classes be allowed to play with Non-Expansion set players like in NWN1?
Yes. Before Mask of the Betrayer launches, we will update NWN2 so that the two versions are compatible. You will need to have Mask of the Betrayer installed to play with the new content (creatures, terrains, etc.).<hr />I didn't understand those... both question and answer.
For the question, for what I know, in NWN1 expansion set contents weren't avaible for non-espansion set players.
For the answer, I feel that Kevin answered "Yes, that's not so.", because I think you can't say that Mask and non-Mask versions will be compatible if you need NX1 installed to "use" new terrains and other stuffs...
May be you'll be able to play on "non-Mask multiplayer servers" with a Mask-expansion-set game, but you'll not be able to play "Mask mutiplayer servers" without Mask installed!<hr />Basically it will work the same way NWN1 did.
Rest in Peace, Sorcerer... Thou shall be missed..! (http://nwn2forums.bioware.com/forums/viewpost.html?topic=580571&post=5214611&forum=121&highlight=)
<hr />Favored Souls are awesome. Only downside is no domains or turning.
Love cleric spells.<hr />Also, no spontaneous conversion of spells for healing. There is also the deity's weapon dependency.
Neverwinter 2 Community Update (http://nwn2forums.bioware.com/forums/viewpost.html?topic=558935&post=5215017&forum=109&highlight=)
Updated August 17, 2007
3C
MoTB from a Player's Perspective
Community Content
Click Here (http://forums.obsidianent.com/index.php?automodule=blog&blogid=2&showentry=84)
More: (http://nwn2forums.bioware.com/forums/viewpost.html?topic=558935&post=5215171&forum=109&highlight=)<hr /><hr /><hr />the new “narrator” voice<hr />Mwahaha. Surely this got the most complaints of any single thing in the OC.<hr />The MotB narrator is different than the OC "narrator." http://forums.bioware.com/_commonext/images/smiles/icon_wink.gif<hr />'nuff said http://forums.bioware.com/_commonext/images/smiles/icon_wink.gif
Perifacation Ritual pls help (http://nwn2forums.bioware.com/forums/viewpost.html?topic=580706&post=5215021&forum=109&highlight=)
Sorry, please register your CD key and post this in the OC forum. No spoilers are allowed in the General forum.
Thanks!
<font size="3" face="Verdana, Arial" color="#cc6600">Jeff Husges, Designer</font>
Plant Shape ability (http://nwn2forums.bioware.com/forums/viewpost.html?topic=580639&post=5215665&forum=121&highlight=)
<hr />Druids are supposed to get it for free, but wouldn't that cause problems for existing Druid characters already past level 12? <hr />It's been handled. http://forums.bioware.com/_commonext/images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif