I want to modify the Arcane Archer prestige class to give it spellcasting progression (1/2 levels sounds appropriate to me). I would appreciate step-by-step instructions on how to do this. I've heard it's actually quite easy, but am unaware of the details.
For reference, here's me trying to get this the question answered on Kaedrin's Custom Content site: http://nwn2customcon...mprovement#1654. As you can see, I did get an answer, but it seems to have left out the initial steps.
I think Arcane Archer was supposed to be prestige class for bard or bard/warrior class, hence no spellcasting progression.
Thank you, Dann-J, but it still isn't telling me how to do it. It just says, "create a feat etc" as though I already know how to do that - where do I do that? How do I do that? What file would I find all this stuff in?
The 2DA that contains feats is called "feats.2DA". Take a look at the spell progression feats in there and use them as a guide to creating your own (such as those for the Pale Master). There is a 2DA editor built into the toolset.
There is also some more information here:
http://www.sundren.o...ead.php?t=18495
feat.2da ...
First find and copy the .2da's that you'll be editing to your <documents>/NwN2/Override/mySpellProgression folder. or a reasonable facsimile.
the originals will be found in <install>/NwN2/data/
2da.zip
2da_x1.zip
2da_x2.zip
favor those that are in 2da_x2 (SoZ files), then the _x1.zip, and lastly the OC originals.
Once that's all done I figure the other instructions should kick in ....
If you edit the 2DA in the toolset without taking a copy, it will automatically create a copy of it in the override folder. That's generally a lot easier than scouring all the 2DA zip files looking for the latest version, since the toolset automatically displays the latest one for you. That's assuming you don't already have a copy of it in the override folder (from a downloaded mod, for instance), since the override copy will take precedence over the 'official' game versions.
Keep in mind that modifying a prestige class (especially adding spell progression) isn't the sort of thing you'd usually tackle without having a bit of modding experience already under your belt. Hence why most tutorials on the subject assume you already have some basic modding knowledge.
I see. I'd heard this particular trick was easy. I'm not sure what does and doesn't count as modding experience, but I won't say I haven't been interested in learning a bit (for example, I'd love to see material from the 3.5 Tome of Magic converted into Neverwinter Nights 2 material, but talk about your pies in the sky, right?). I think I've done a few very minor tricks, but mostly going "behind the scenes" enough to do things like install hakpacks and rectify certain bugs. My main asset at this point is knowing my way around the boiler room well enough that I can tinker with things provided I know where they are and what to do with them.
I do have Kaedrin's PrC Pack installed - could that pose a problem to this endeavor?
So what is a 2DA and where do I find them?
Kaedrin's mod overrides feat.2da, so you'll find the 2DA there, since you're using it.
"2da" means 2-dimensional array, a formatted textfile
you'll find the stock ones in your <install>/Neverwinter Nights 2/data folder. You can either copy them to /Override out of the .zip files there, or like DJ says, open one in the toolset and when it's saved it will wind up in the root of /Override. If you're using the kPrC pack that *will* be a problem - or assume so, because it already has a bunch of class-related .2das in /Override. no duplicates allowed in /Override, so you've got a bit of bookkeeping and sorting to do before even starting this ...
It doesn't have any relating to the Arcane Archer - might that alleviate the problem?
yes. Keep yer eyes open tho
like Tchos said, the kPrC has its own Feat.2da. Here's the tactic I'd take : note what files need to be changed, i guess they'll be among stock resources, but before doing the actual edits Search Kaedrin's (eg. your entire /Override) for the file or files you're about to edit - and if found, back those up and do the edits there.
Thank you all very much.
I'm looking in my Documents library (the same place I put Kaedrin's stuff to make it work), in the "Neverwinter Nights 2/data" folder...and I see nothing. The folder is empty.
Do you know what I'm doing wrong? I have one idea, but I'd rather it not be the case since it would mean an annoying Windows 7 bug rather than just me not knowing where to look.
By the way: What are "warning points?"
there are 2 places the game installs to. Maybe that's what you're missing ....
When the game is installed, it creates a "Neverwinter Nights 2" directory, with subfolders, where you installed it.
When the game is first run, it creates another "Neverwinter Nights 2" directory, but this time in your /Documents folder. They both look the same but don't get them confused - evar.
You can copy stuff out of the first, the installation folders, but don't change anything that's in there. Rather, look for the /Documents folders - the so called player folder - that's where mods like Kaedrin's and your edits go. And yes /data should be empty there.
By the way: What are "warning points?"
... my pay scale isn't high enough to deal with "warning points".
So...where are these 2da files?
on my system they're at:
F:\Neverwinter Nights 2\Data\
- because that's where i installed to. I don't know where they are on yours, but the default directory is "c:\Program Files\Atari\Neverwinter Nights 2\data" - or similar
- the .2da's are zipped up in the files mentioned higher in this thread.
Ahh, found them. Thank you.
If you would be so kind: What now?
uhhh ,,. step back and reread those threads where it says what to do with them
Since you're modifying an existing PrC instead of creating a new one from scratch, things will be slightly easier.
You'll want to modify the following 2DAs:
You'll also have to create the following 2DA, which will define the bonus spells per level:
The AA class in Pathfinder includes spell progression, so you could model it off that.
If you want to create separate spell progression feats just for the Arcane Archer (for wizard, bard, and sorcerer) then you'll also have to edit FEAT.2DA. If you're only adding spell progression for your own benefit, then you can recycle the feats from another PrC (like Eldritch Knight). They'll work just the same, except their descriptions won't say 'Arcane Archer' in them. By recycling other PrC feats you also avoid having to modify the dialog.tlk file.
When in doubt, look at one of the other PrCs with spell progression (like the Eldritch Knight) and figure out how the 2DAs work. The first post in this thread should point you in the right direction.
If you're only adding spell progression for your own benefit, then you can recycle the feats from another PrC (like Eldritch Knight). They'll work just the same, except their descriptions won't say 'Arcane Archer' in them. By recycling other PrC feats you also avoid having to modify the dialog.tlk file.
So you're saying that I can rip off the feats used to grant spellcasting progression to other prestige classes that already get them and give it to the Arcane Archer? Okay - am I to understand that I'd just need to find one of those feats, put them in the Arcane Archer folder or whatever, and ta-da?
Do I need a special program to interface with the 2DA files? I suspect I do....
Many people swear by other 2DA editors, but I've never used anything other than the editor built into the toolset. It works fine if you just want to change one line at a time.
Feats only exist as lines in feat.2DA, which are reference by other 2DAs. You just have to add references to some of the existing feats to CLS_FEAT_ARCHER.2DA and CLS_FEATMAP_ARCHER.2DA so that the game knows what arcane spell casting class to use for the spell progression. You could in fact use any old feat at all, as the spell progression feats don't actually do anything. As long as the arcane archer 2DAs know which feat is associated with which spell casting class.
Okay, I've found the 2DA feats in the toolset, including CLS_FEAT_ARCHER.2DA - now how would I add the spell progression feats from another prestige class to it?
Understand that I'm deliberately underestimating my own know-how here in order to minimize the chance of screwing something up.
Back to top