Larian Studios Forums Divine Divinity (English) Suggestions several suggestions for sequel / expandability

I hadnt the slightest idea that anyone would respond to my suggestens that fast <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

The pet thingy: It should grow mightier as the mainchar levels up, i somehow had :bd: in mind when i came up with this idea. And from this 'control two chars at the same time' gameplay the relationship idea grew as well...i ment it in a way that both chars would fight together, and meet during a quest or something...or that you just could hit on any female/male person in the game, something like that. You really should try BG once, the story and the characters are almost as good as in a Final Fantasy game, every NPC has his/her own story and background, and his/her own sidequests, some change sex, some endure kidnapping, and 4 are 'dateable'. It makes the game more...hm...well lets say it makes the game vivid (I hope thats the word <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/think.gif" alt="" />...tell me if its nonsense <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> )

I think if there is a totally free charakter development system it should be truely open...not even classes like <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mage.gif" alt="" /> and Fighter. And if there are different races <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/div.gif" alt="" /> i want the option to play a elf or dwarf.

Skills: Yeah i know D&D, but it was just the first possibility that came to my mind...in a open system i would pefer a Fallout/Loinheart/Arcanum like System.

The set with the experience reward is the dragon one right? I aint that far yet <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" />, i just crossed the bridge and started clearing out the abbey <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif" alt="" />. Havent seen much of the game yet didnt prevent me from critcising <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/evilgrin1.gif" alt="" />...maybe because i feel like that even though <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/div.gif" alt="" /> is a great game some parts seem unfinished, partly parts that i image not that difficult to implement, like the set boni and the unis (didnt play <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beyond.gif" alt="" />, thats why i suggested them <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> ) And what really annoyes me is that the stats of setitems are variable (that sounds fishy...variable aint fitting here righty?). i reloaded over and over again just to get the Mardac <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> amulett with a 20 mana/life bonus and +4 int...and this was the best i got <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/disagree.gif" alt="" />. I cant stand such crap like +2 dex, +1 int, +5 fire res. Its just ridiculous.

Think thats it for the moment, i'm durned tired ...hope my english isnt too difficult to understand <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/sleepey.gif" alt="" />

[color:"orange"]I hadnt the slightest idea that anyone would respond to my suggestens that fast <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />[/color]

Gotta love time-zones! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

[color:"orange"]I think if there is a totally free charakter development system it should be truely open...not even classes like <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mage.gif" alt="" /> and Fighter.[/color]

Beyond Divinity has addressed that. They offer class templates at character creation, but after that it's free-form. As well as each character's attributes, you select two skill trees to start with which are listed under a "class".

[color:"orange"]Skills: Yeah i know D&D, but it was just the first possibility that came to my mind...in a open system i would pefer a Fallout/Loinheart/Arcanum like System.[/color]

Again, haven't played them, though Arcanum and Fallout certainly have my attention. I think it could be an interesting balance option if you had 1 + 1 = 3, as long as it's in the same "class". Similar warrior skills boost your combat stats greatly (1 combat + 1 combat = 3). Similar magical skills boost your magical ability greatly (1 magic + 1 magic = 3). A little bit of each is just a little bit of each (1 combat + 1 magic = 2). Do you specialise or generalise?

[color:"orange"]The set with the experience reward is the dragon one right?[/color]

Yup.

[color:"orange"]And what really annoyes me is that the stats of setitems are variable (that sounds fishy...variable aint fitting here righty?).[/color]

"Variable" is he perfect word! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> And I don't like it either. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/disagree.gif" alt="" />

[color:"orange"]Think thats it for the moment, i'm durned tired ...hope my english isnt too difficult to understand <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/sleepey.gif" alt="" /> [/color]

Your English is fine. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> Sleep well and enjoy!

Morning <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I forgot about the conjourer yesterday <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/winkwink.gif" alt="" />, i imagined him being kinda specialized on enchanting earning money by enchanting items...a job for a sorc, like say weaponsmith for the warriors...

I think a pretty good Charcreatin System could look like this:

First of all you choose your Sex, name and race (mot that many differences up to this point huh? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/winkwink.gif" alt="" /> ), then ur background, say son of a peasant, or a merchant, or anything you like, maybe some extravagant backgrounds like being a findling that was found by a necromancer and chose to let you grow up as his adept, or being brought up by wolves...there could be hundreds of backgrounds, some based on which race you chose (special backgrounds for elves and dwarves...etc...)

Now, this background doues affect you starting skills and stats. You been a the son of a lumberjack? That means e.g. you have improved strength, maybe lowered intelligence or charisma, plus 2 points in a axe fighting skill. This is only a bad example, but i cant think of any better right now <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/silly.gif" alt="" />

And no Level ups. Improving by doing. You what to fight with a sword? In the beginning even a goblin can kill you if you never wielded a sword before, but you get better as u fight, maybe find a teacher who shows you how to do better, something like that.

I have thousands of ideas running through my brain, but these are...well, the basics. I know that they have nothing in common with the <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/div.gif" alt="" />, but maybe one or two points could be realised to make the game more open.

Good ideas!

I do like character's having a background, even if it does have no effect on the game. What I'd suggest is giving the player attribute points and skill points to spend and then have a box where they can write their bio. With pre-determined backgrounds, all you're doing is restricting what your character was. Your background probably wouldn't have much of an effect on the game anyway as there'd be too many options to consider. If you wanted, you could also provide some Reputation points to spend on different factions if you wanted more depth in your background (eg. Get along with nobles better than villagers)

While it's great to focus on the Role Playing aspect of RPGs, don't forget the Game part either. No one wants to play a copy of their own life. They want an exciting one! Levels are good because they give players a visible goal, a reward. Sure there's more realism in gradual progress, but where's the excitement? "Ooo... I have 426 minutes of Sword experience. Beat that!" You'd still be a pretty even match for someone with only 380 minutes experience.

One other thing I'd like to see in an RPG is actually a restriction. You may join a guild, but only one. Guild membership entitles you to unique skills, quests and equipment. So, make your choice...

With the idea of learning by doing i didnt mean that the level system should be abolished, just altered. No more points spent in skills, but as you said time. Aint much of a difference i think, but in my opionion it could make the game better. I dont what to imply that <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/div.gif" alt="" /> is a bad game, and i think that it would make much of a differnce.
Say you have killed 172 zombies in Divinity to have a level up. And you spend this one point in sword techniques.
Wouldnt be much of a differebde in 'my' system. You kill them zombies and receive a level up in swordskills, which my affect your stats...say +2 stranght or something... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Don't worry. I realise these are just generic RPG ideas. I do that all the time! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

The only problem I see with that skill system is that you'll only ever do the same thing because that's all you're good at. Look at Dungeon Siege! Far too limited in my opinion.

A skill system should open up new posibilities. By studying math at primary school, you can attempt science subjects at secondary school. Those science subjects then allow you to learn engineering or biology or computer science at University.

Now if your skill system had a range of skills that had minimum requirements, this could be more interesting:

Lightning Strike: Call lightning from the heavens. Average mana cost. Requires level 3 Lightning Bolt and level 1 Cold Bolt. Additional levels in Lightning Strike require another level in both base skills.

Flaming Sword: Adds fire damage to Sword attacks. Small mana cost. Requires level 3 Sword Expertise and level 2 Fire Bolt. Additional levels in Flaming Sword require another level in both base skills.

Not only does this encourage using multiple skills, but, in the case of Flaming Sword skills of different "classes" as well.

I have 2 or 3 more wierd ideas,here goes.

1.Employment- i feel that some npcs such as inn keepers or farmers should be able to give you work.
e.g for say 500 gold you server 50 pints of beer to waiting customers.
Or working for a farmer you could pick berries or plough the field.

This would not only allow you to obtain gold but the npcs attitude changes in your favour if you continue to do work for him.
In addition you can sleep in hs guest bed,buy items at a lower price etc.

The reason i add Employment is becuase of the way gold is obtained in the game.

In the begining you see so many items but cant afford them. In the end or later stages of the game,gold isnt a problem becuase you can afford anything.

I suggest therefore that npcs should drop less gold or that prices of items should be more costly,so that at any time of adventuring you should have say no more than 20k gold.

So when you buy better stuff you will have to be able to manage your gold well.

The last idea i have is to have a spell which will change your hieght.

Now i may be wrong but i feel this may be of an advantage when fighting hostile npcs.
This is assuming what i say below is true of the game.

Say you fight an Orc and have good head gear but he has weak legggings or boots,it would be an advantage to be dwarf size so that you would be able to kill him faster.

Basically there would be 4 sizes,
1.Giant
2.Orc
3.Elf
4.Dwarf/imp.

@ Hand:

Yeah, your idea sounds nice. I thought of an similar system but didnt post it yet <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />. Its based on the similarity of some skills, say 2 or 3 levels in swordskill might result in an additional in axe or clubskills...or maybe you skill lightning, fireball and frostnova to a skillevel of 2 each and you gain a Level in elemantar strike or something <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />
Anything like that <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif" alt="" />

@ Tragic:

Yeah, employment is a nice idea, could be combined with my jobsystem, that you start working for a weaponsmith, get better and someday can start your on smith <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

The size idea is nice as well but...an elf aint much smaller than humans (about 10 cm, not more), as well as an ork aint much bigger (about 2 metres or maybe 2m 10). And like in <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/div.gif" alt="" /> the stats of the char have to change...a smaller char is weaker, a bigger stronger etc...
And do you suggest a morph spell (changing into dwarf or giant) or a size spell? Would make a difference i think...

Ashen,

Actually i should have explained the size thing a bit better.

The idea behind the spell is to change the hieght of the character,but whlist keeping all his attributes.

Say you are the size of a dwarf and you are fighting an orc.

Now when you are hitting the orc you would be only be able to hit at his knees.
So only that specific armour would be protecting him.
In the same way the orc would be hitting your head(becasue he is taller and cant reach down) and so only your helmet has any armour use.

So the idea is if you head gear is pretty good and you see your opponent having weak boots or leggings than it is an advantage to use this spell.

Basically the spell changes your height but nothing else.

Yes i would have liked to see giants/ogres in the game as well,wielding big clubs and yes probably the sizes between the orc/human/elf are small but maybe that could be adressed?

To add on to the idea,i keep wondering how i can enter dwarves houses since my character is so tall. Doesnt fit with my logic.

So investing in this skill for me is an advantage becuase it may help with fighting and it would enable you to enter into smaller dwellings of different races.
(Perhaps to find something interesting.)

Ah, i see...

I did understand what you thought this skill to be good for, but not how you thought it should work <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Another idea on the height issue could be to have called shots. You can elect to attack a certain part of them. Your accuracy lowers, but you're more likely to hit their vulnerable spot.

Like in Fallout <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif" alt="" />

Yes good point about the vunerablility thing.

Another idea i thought of today is allies.

You know in any RPG game you fight alone,sure you can conjure some skeletons but you dont have one ally who fights with you,rather you have "passive allies"

I.e those who will attack a creature who is attacking you only if you draw the creature into where they are patrolling.

E.g

Say you are wandering in the sewers and find a warrior who is waiting outside what he knows to be a place of treasure.

You engage in conversation and he says that he wanted revenge for the killing of his freind,say.

Unfortunately his companion has died and so he asks you for help.

You agree and when all the creatures are dead you get to split the treasure.

Two more minor points again.

Now i like bows and im a rogue and i wonder that certain swords,axes have a frost,spiritual e.t.c damage and so far (im nearly at the end of the game) i havent found a bow which has these additional qualities,surely this should be implemented.

Also some swords,axes are 2 handed,but this isnt in the description,maybe all items should be presumed 1 handed unless specifically said so.

Unsure. I was a melee player myself so I didn't take much notice. Have you tried the bow dealer in the Elven Village?


I agree. I hate spending attribute points just so I can use a particular weapon only to find it's two-handed and won't work with my shield.

Yes i have.(Elven dealer)

However someone mentioned a quest he gives and the bow you recieve as a reward is one of the best in the games.

Unfortunately i somehow didnt get to do it but anyway,i am in the black ring maze so i doubt there will be such a weapon,i havent seen one before that so i am 95% sure it doesnt exist.



2-hanhded weapon, ahhhh i got the axe of crusaders(a formibable weapon) and i thought a shield would go well with it.

I can weild the shield but all the attributes on the shield do not add on to my stats.

Therefore the shield isnt in use,plus i dont see the shield when i am wielding it.

Ahh well since im playing a rogue,i have no use for shields,i like my bow <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I havent thought of any ideas today, i think i had better go and play Divinity again!!!

The elven merchant doesn't actually give you a quest. If you complete the Boratus quest and restore his daughter, he does give you a reward, however. The speech option is something about how the forest can be dangerous, then the topic turns to his daughter.

Ok a few more ideas.

1. Skills- Savagery(passive)- This skill has a chance of enabling you to do more damage then you would normally.

e.g 1 skill point- gives you a 5%(x) chance of doing say 5%(x) more damage.
This would subsequently become i.e (x) 10,15,20 and 25% for the next skill points.

2.Shadow illusion- This will create an illusion of yourself so that the enemy will attack your illusion rather than yourself. The enemy will think that you are the illusion and not the other way round. The illsuion will last for 5 time units. The illusion cannot be killed and will just fade away when its time finishes.

However if you start to attack an enemy then it will start to attack you back but the others will not.

3.unanamed skill- this will allow you to pick up and throw mundane objects at enemies,causing some damage.

Damage depends on the weight of the object and the higher skill points,the higher the damage.

4.I have noticed that in DD that there are no 1st stories in any buildings,there are lower level buildings but thats it.
So how about it?

5. I have also noticed that body armour only covers the body and not the shoulder down to the wrists. So any chance of this new type of armour?

Going on from that i have noticed that even if my character doesnt wear armour,he still looks quite smartly dressed(and might i add looks as if he has armour on already),how about he wears just trousers and a thin vest,thats it.

6. Ahhh this one is going to be unpopular but i will say it-closing time for shops. Yes thats right at night all the shopkeepers go to bed and in order to wake them up you have to knock on their door.
Also if your attitude is low in respect to one of them you will have to pay him to open up. If not then he will just open up without a charge.
i quote for the manual
" being nice pays!!"

Some of the ideas are a bit raw but still lets see what you guys think.

[color:"orange"]1. Skills- Savagery(passive)- This skill has a chance of enabling you to do more damage then you would normally.

e.g 1 skill point- gives you a 5%(x) chance of doing say 5%(x) more damage.
This would subsequently become i.e (x) 10,15,20 and 25% for the next skill points.[/color]

A bit like Fire Damage, etc. only it adds to Physical Damage. Sounds good!

[color:"orange"]2.Shadow illusion- This will create an illusion of yourself so that the enemy will attack your illusion rather than yourself. The enemy will think that you are the illusion and not the other way round. The illsuion will last for 5 time units. The illusion cannot be killed and will just fade away when its time finishes.

However if you start to attack an enemy then it will start to attack you back but the others will not.[/color]

The only change I'd suggest to that is that the illusion and yourself are attacked equally, just like any other summoning. The fact that your summoning cannot die will keep the enemies away from you.

[color:"orange"]3.unanamed skill- this will allow you to pick up and throw mundane objects at enemies,causing some damage.

Damage depends on the weight of the object and the higher skill points,the higher the damage.[/color]

There have been many requests for this! Realise, though, that by picking up an object, you're no longer unarmed. There could have been a lot more for throwing object, especially boulders. Poison barrels always made good grenades.

[color:"orange"]4.I have noticed that in DD that there are no 1st stories in any buildings,there are lower level buildings but thats it.
So how about it?[/color]

The people of Rivertown don't have the technology for multilevel buildings! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/winkwink.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" /> The engine's capable of it. They'd just work the same way as basements.

[color:"orange"]5. I have also noticed that body armour only covers the body and not the shoulder down to the wrists. So any chance of this new type of armour?

Going on from that i have noticed that even if my character doesnt wear armour,he still looks quite smartly dressed(and might i add looks as if he has armour on already),how about he wears just trousers and a thin vest,thats it.[/color]

With the arms, do you think they should have bracers for your arms, or make them part of the body armour? Body armour that covers your arms could add another 5% chance to block.

[color:"orange"]6. Ahhh this one is going to be unpopular but i will say it-closing time for shops. Yes thats right at night all the shopkeepers go to bed and in order to wake them up you have to knock on their door.
Also if your attitude is low in respect to one of them you will have to pay him to open up. If not then he will just open up without a charge.
i quote for the manual
" being nice pays!!"[/color]

I think that's a good idea! Quest for Glory did that alright. Some of the shops stayed open as well due to their nature. Tingalf would be a good example of a night-time shop.

Keep the ideas rolling! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Well good to get some feedback.

I will only briefly comment on a few things.

No.3 yep,not my best idea,i just thought it up becuase i thought to myself,"god why all the boulders, rocks e.t.c

No.4 Lol,i was hoping of something out of a James Bond movie.
Say you climb on the first floor and climb on the balcony.

Now you have to save this damsel but cant go through the normal doors as the monster guarding her cannot be killed.Say the monster loves her completely.

I am sure you have seen in films that there is a thin block on concrete where one can walk around with your back against the wall,slowly egding sideways?
On the outside of the building.

Well you would use your mouse to navigate this and pass on a message/poision to the damsel who happens to be near a window.
If you fail to so sucessfully,you fall and lose hps.

She in turn poisions the monster and you get exp points.

Or say you see a 1st story room full of monsters and there are slits in the walls for archers,you could use them to your advantage,providing you are good at archery.

5. I would like to see bracers(im glad you found the right word,my vocabulary is terrible) actually.

Also i would like to see some armour having spikes on them,which would give an attack bonus or some armour which would would do some damage in relation to fire,poison,lightning or spirit when an enemy comes into contact with it.

In short agressive armour.

Also resistance on some weapons in realtion to fire etc.

6. Oh yeah i like this one,i felt pretty proud about this idea actually <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif" alt="" /> but yes Tingalf would be open all night.

I can see it now.

*knocks on Geoffs door*

Geoff:"What on earth do you want,bothering me at this hour!!!"

You:"I just wanted to buy some stuff!"

Geoff:" Oh god you have woken me from my sleep,fine come in but you will have to pay me 100 gold"

You:ok

I would also add that if you bother him many times in a Divinity night his attitude suffers even if you pay him gold,or if in the above example you refuse to pay him.

I dont think this will be a problem becuase it is easy to gain a good reputation in a shopkeeprs eyes becuase you trade so often with them.