Helm of Anti-Toxins

Seeing how a Co8 version 4 MOD package is being put together for future release, there is one thing that is definitely missing.

What is missing is a Helm of Anti-Toxins that can be worn by all classes to allow characters to be able to, at least be capable to, function and fight when confronting summoned herzou, instead of being kicked around and beaten like a next-door neighbors scalded dog with no reprisal.

 

There is nothing in the game that can counter the Herzou stench. Not even the necklace of adaptation. That is the problem. That is also why we can't make something that counters it. It was something Liv was working on for version 2.0 of her mod. I suppose since it looks like we will never have Liv's solution we should look into making one of our own.

 

well I just had a quick look at the spells code, which is...

Code:

from toee import *

	## Hezrou stink ability

def OnBeginSpellCast( spell ):
	print "Hezrou Stench OnBeginSpellCast"
	print "spell.target_list=", spell.target_list
	print "spell.caster=", spell.caster, " caster.level= ", spell.caster_level
	game.particles( "sp-conjuration-conjure", spell.caster )

def	OnSpellEffect( spell ):
	print "Hezrou Stench OnSpellEffect"

	spell.duration = 200
	spell.dc = 24

	npc = spell.caster		
	spell_obj = npc

	# put sp-Stinking Cloud condition on obj
#	spell_obj_partsys_id = game.particles( 'sp-Stinking Cloud', spell_obj )
	spell_obj.condition_add_with_args( 'sp-Stinking Cloud', spell.id, spell.duration, 0, 0)


def OnBeginRound( spell ):
	print "Hezrou Stench OnBeginRound"

def OnEndSpellCast( spell ):
	print "Hezrou Stench OnEndSpellCast"

def OnAreaOfEffectHit( spell ):
	print "Hezrou Stench OnAreaOfEffectHit"

def OnSpellStruck( spell ):
	print "Hezrou Stench OnSpellStruck"

Not sure how much could be changed...

 

Well, the DC could be reduced, and the duration shortened, but the problem still remains. There doesn't seem to be any way to make someone, even the Herzou itself, immune. The problem lies with the spell effect of Stinking Cloud. It doesn't work like it should. Or perhaps it is the things that should work against stinking cloud (gust of wind, necklace of adaptation, etc. . . ) don't work like they should.

 

Laugh. Maybe this is the solution. Can I suggest someone make a new spell like "Reduced Herzou Effect" and replace the herzou using Stinking Cloud with the new spell which can be easily countered with a new magic item?

 

I was thinking of something like that, not sure quite where to start, what are other area effect spells and their counter spells? (I don't use magic much)

 

Okay. Here's a 4th level wizard spell named "Crushing Despair".

I would suggest make a copy of it and name it "Herzou Poison" and change whatever else needs to be changed. My suggestion is MODders here need to agree upon changing the Herzou Spell effect to use the new spell Herzou Poison which is actually Crushing Despair.

Crushing Despair: (Enchantment (Compulsion)) [Mind-Affecting] Subjects take –2 on attack rolls, damage rolls, saves and checks. Crushing Despair counters and dispels Good Hope.

If someone says, "It's too weak to replace the Herzou Poison effect.", then use "Bestow Curse", instead of using "Crushing Despair" which is much worse and severe.

Bestow Curse: (Necromancy) –6 penalty to an ability score; –4 penalty on attack rolls, saves and checks; or 50% chance of losing each action. Bestow Curse counters Remove Curse.

 

But once again you are counting on Good Hope to counter and dispell the Crushing Despair, which, from my experience, it doesn't. Troika did an almost non-existant job of the whole spell/counter spell thing. Even Dispell Magic doesn't work on a lot of spells. I fear all this is hard coded as well.

And of course, there is the whole point that this is a F****ING GUARDIAN DEMON! It's not supposed to be easily countered. I feel that the Herzou battle is not overly difficult, even with the stench. Most of the time the Herzou fall victim to it's own stench, anyway (which is the only reason I think the stench is bugged). Imagine how tough this battle would be if the Herzou was immune to the stench. I say we just lower the DC and leave it at that.

 

name one spell that has a counter spell and I'll have a look and see what I can see.

 

Boy you fellas are on top of this quick tonight. Please check above, again, for "Bestow Curse".

 

Dadgummed...Blu, don't give up man.

 

As far as not easily countered goes, uhm, do I need to say it has 450 hit points?

 

wow is the whole spell counter spell situation that bad??

ive only played thru a couple times


and is it all hard coded??

if there is at least..one counter that works.. couldnt you fudge/work around the others.. thru it ??
??
maybe even using a series of internal renames.. to fool the hard code??

but i agree any herzou and my party become semi useless.. and gust of wind and adaptation are useless...

which just plain isnt right.

 

Bestow Curse isn't an area effect spell. It only targets an individual.

Spell/Counter Spell

Bless/Bane
Good Hope/Crushing Despair
Cause Fear/Remove Fear
Desecrate/Consecrate
Blindness/Deafness/Remove Blindness/Deafness
Bestow Curse/Remove Curse

That's just a few of them. Please read my edit above for how I feel about this problem and what we should do about it.

 

Yes, the Herzou has 450 hp and a debilitating stench. The Balor is still a much tougher fight. I've lost people in the Balor fight on more than one occasion. I've never lost a one in the Herzou fight. It's all about stratagy.