Baldur's Gate : The Sword Coast Chronicles : NWN2 Persistent World

When I picked up Shadow Conjuration a while ago, I noticed it was changed from the stock spell. There was a lot more options and it became one of my go-to utility spells. I was pretty excited for what the future could hold if I was to take Greater Shadow Conjuration and even Shades.

So, I finally got Greater Shadow Conjuration, and seeing as that was the stock spell, I was deflated. I went searching on the forums and found out that I was probably the only person that enjoyed using the new version of Shadow Conjuration, and due to the outcry, it was likely a project abandoned.

I know I am in the minority, but I would like to see at the very least Shadow Conjuration get the treatment Shadow Conjuration did.

Vanilla greater shadow conjuration doesn't touch as many key spells as vanilla shadow conjuration, key spells that were gone from the first rework of shadow conjuration, hence the outcry if i remember correctly. Greater shadow conjuration is different, pretty much only web is likely used so this is a far less touchy subject.However using a GUI pop up for this one instead of the vanilla radial spells set up might be a bad idea because you want to be able to cast web fast, feedback welcome from conjuration wizard users !

As a side and personal note please refrain from rhetorics like "I know I am in the minority" because this definitely made me want to ignore the topic

Valefort wrote: ↑Thu Jun 04, 2020 4:43 am However using a GUI pop up for this one instead of the vanilla radial spells set up might be a bad idea because you want to be able to cast web fast, feedback welcome from conjuration wizard users !

Perhaps a hybrid approach might be best? A menu for spells you probably wouldn't need to cast right this instant, and a more conventional selection for others?

… Alternatively, there is the clunkier option of adding a bunch of options to the vanilla system.

The vanilla radial system is limited to 5 choices, which is plenty in my opinion. I'm more inclined to merely revisit the spell selection of Greater shadow conjuration and remain on vanilla radial system than switching to GUI system, as the gameplay remains better this way, and if the 5 choices are valid that's already a great power up for the spell.

However if wizard players would prefer a GUI pop up for spell selection it can be done, going to wait for feedback there.

Valefort wrote: ↑Thu Jun 04, 2020 6:20 am The vanilla radial system is limited to 5 choices, which is plenty in my opinion. I'm more inclined to merely revisit the spell selection of Greater shadow conjuration and remain on vanilla radial system than switching to GUI system, as the gameplay remains better this way, and if the 5 choices are valid that's already a great power up for the spell.

However if wizard players would prefer a GUI pop up for spell selection it can be done, going to wait for feedback there.

What am I, chopped liver? I've only rolled around a half-dozen arcanists (and a bard) over the past year...

More seriously... I don't remember being too impressed by the spell choices available with Shadow Conjuration, as such, but since the character in question was a rogue/sorceress, I liked having access to a wide range of spells to play with. A nice bit of extra flexibility to work with.

On another note, about the outcry: I'm not sure why any spells would have to be removed to migrate to a GUI (or radial/GUI hybrid) scheme, either then or now.

I mean more feedback than just yours

Valefort wrote: ↑Thu Jun 04, 2020 4:43 amHowever using a GUI pop up for this one instead of the vanilla radial spells set up might be a bad idea because you want to be able to cast web fast, feedback welcome from conjuration wizard users !

How about combining the functionalitely of Anoint Weapon and Burning Strike?.

When you level up and add Greater Shadow Conjuration (GSC) to your spellbook, you are granted the spell as a feat too. By dragging the feat to your hotbar you now have fast and easy access to the GSC options. Casting a spell through GSC should then of course consume a usage (Sorcerer) or use a memorized slot (Wizard).

I don't think this would require all that much development to do, since all the different parts are already available, and can be copied over.


Of course the much better option would be to re-implement the Neverwinter Nights 1 radial menu system for spells, where out of the 5 or 6 options listed, one of them is "..." or "More". That system allowed to dig deep into spell and spell effect selection trees to drag them to the hotbar. That, however, I am sure is a rather monumental task.

I must be missing something because I don't see the point of making an intermediate feat, you'll still end up having to choose between the various options of the spell either through nwn2 radial system or the BG custom one after you activate said feat.

Making one feat per option of the spell is doable if that's what you meant, however that would set a precedent for all other radial spells and that's a very big and tedious undertaking for a very small QoL gain, not doing that.

There's also the fact that, AFAIK, all such 'feat spells' are memorized once and cast as many times as you like. Burning Strike probably works like Deflection and Sudden Aegis, and is not comparable to Greater Shadow Conjuration.

The GUI list isn't difficult to work after a little getting used to. The way the list changes depending on what you target is makes this possible as well. I've cast Shadow Conjuration in combat and had work.

If I had to list conjuration spells of 6 or lower I would want to see in GSC, two that come to mind are Summon Creature VI, the Black Tentacles, and Acid Fog. Though having the Orb spells would be nice too.

Ok noted, any other wizard player feedback about the ease of use of custom radial spell for combat situations ?

For me, with my caster, the easiest and most fun is when a spell/Feat can be placed on the Hotbar and when clicked, it gives X options which you then select and then Target self or foe or ground.

Right-clicking always causes a 1-2 second delay, then often a long list to shuffle through.

FWIW.

Sorry to think in the confines of my limited knowledge, the suggestions and things to do are too numerous to take the time to explore new things

Clearly that solution would be perfect with the ability to hotbar specific choices for the spell.