Idea for Alchemists

[Xandor Tik'Roth]

This is another idea adopted specifically for the Alchemist class, again from SAngband. In this variant, there was an inventory slot that every character had, called the 'Magic Pouch,' or something to that effect. Basically what it did was hold magical escences of all kinds in one easy-to-use spot. This way, it takes up virtually no inventory space, and it's really easy to use.

[Robert1134]

I thought about something similar before, but wanted to work out details. I really like the idea. One thing is, is there argument against it for other items that could use a pouch. Potions, scrolls, runes, spellbooks (playing a sorcerer is tough with more than half my inventory being spellbooks and healing methods!).

What if each essence was divided in to categories such as the magic schools. When you pick up an essence it goes into a 'sub-inventory' of that particular realm of essence magic (Element, Death, Life, etc..). The inventory for Alchemist would expand/collapse just like skills screen.

EX:

k) 15 Potions of Healing
l) 14 Potions of *Healing*
m) - Element Essences
a) 10 Fire Essences
b) 7 Lightning Essences
n) + Death Essences
o) The Long Sword 'Ringil' (4d5) (+22,+25) (+10)
p) Morgoth, Lord of Darkness corpse

[zasvid]

The best solution would be, instead of expanding certain inventory slots for different classes, unlimited inventory system, just like the one that is in ADOM.

[Xandor Tik'Roth]

Nope, sorry. The whole idea behind ToME's limited inventory is that it forces you to choose what it is that you really need. This is not going to be changed any time soon, so I wouldn't hold my breath.

Robert: The idea in SAngband is actually much simpler than this. There is no need for a 'sub-inventory' list of the essences. BTW, the pouch would be located in your equipment listing, not the inventory. In SAngband, you cannot directly manipulate the essences that you collect. Instead, when you want to create something, you go to a new screen and it gives you a list of stuff that can be created, and the number and type of essences it requires. Maybe this would be a good system for ToME.

And concerning the idea of having another bag of sorts to hold potions/scrolls/whatever, I had an idea for artifact bags that came from Pathways Into Darkness (the Red Velvet Bag and the Cedar Box). It's an interesting proposal (I presented it), but it died. Not many people actually liked the idea for some reason. Look it up if you get the chance. But having a bag for spellbooks is a little unreasonable, unless they take up much more space than the potions/scrolls.

[Tachyon]

Better idea: totally modify alchemy, and get rid of essences.

[Atarlost]

Totally modify magic and get rid of books.

[Neil]

Modules, men, modules!

[Tachyon]

No, upgrade! ToME is a constantly updated freeware game - changing it from time to time makes sense.

Oh yeah - magic really doesn't need books. Newangband, despite its proliferation of bugs and (if I may borrow a D&D term) "Monty Haul" nature, does pretty well with a bookless spell system. I think ToME could do even better.

Books should still exist, though. After all, you have to learn spells from somewhere... How about learning enemies' spells by using "search mode" when fighting? Perhaps friendly mages will teach you spells? Maybe Fundin and Gandalf will tell you some secrets of magic - if you help them defeat some really tough enemies!

[Xandor Tik'Roth]

Oh yeah, you should be able to learn some seriously kick-butt fire spells from Gandalf, or an awesome protection spell or two.

Definitely a good idea.

[Vagabond]

I agree, even if this would give mages some advance - because they would have more space to hold items.

[Nerdanel]

Magic should be more like mindcraft - no annoying books. Thaumaturgy is already that way and that's good, but I hope the talked-about un-nerfing gets across to us players soon. The class really needs it.

[Vagabond]

So the only question would be: Can you learn the spell? This seems to be too simple to me.
What about a system like in Earthdawn (the table rpg)
You know a lot of spells, and - depending on your circle (character level) - you get some matrixes (matrices?) which you can store your spells in. You can say these are spell slots. You fill the slots, and can cast those spells safely that are in the slots. You have to spend some time to change the spell in the slot.
This way magic is a matter of strategy: Can you choose the spells you really need?

[boucman]

Can you choose the spells you really need?

Well....

Usually I don't use the whole range of spells available to my character.... You don't care about time when casting a utility spell, and if you don't put these in slots, there are only a couple of spells you use in fighting at any one clvl...

so slots (I think) wouldn't add much strategy.

rebutall anybody ?

[evilmrhenry]

Idea: all spells can be casted without books, but if a book is in the inventory, (Or perhaps an inventory slot?) the spell power is increased. Compensate by decreasing the bookless level of spells. The books might be something like this:
A spellbook of teleport (+5)

[Tachyon]

Good game dynaics idea, but (sorry to say) it's almost as unrealistic as D&D's loss of spells through practice.

What I'd say is, the spell system should be the same, just bookless. Of course, there should also be some learnable spells, which aren't learned automatically like the basic realm spells. These ones would generally require two or more real realms, and have more complicated effects.