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« Last post by Deep Driller on November 27, 2024, 10:18:31 am »
Everyone knows Myles and the search for suitable quality frames. But the only thing he can and is willing to improve is firearms, with new additions of GL, LMG, and miniguns.
What if there would be a few new semi-quests, to find and please some other NPCs, so they would improve a few selected unique weapons?
Now, some of you might think "those are pretty powerful on their own, they don't need any further improvement". On that I have to say — most of refurbishings either significantly improve the damage output of a weapon (double-barrel, W&S), or give it a couple more attachments (laser sight, extended magazine, et cetera). Not to mention those weapons have really nice niche feats. Take pistols: Rapid Fire, Gunslinger, even Gun-Fu — now that is "no small a boon", as they say. Now what was that for energy weapons? High-Technicalities? Alright, 8-10% in exchange for a costly investment in your INT. Cooked Shot? AoE attack, that's a good start and a good feat. But only a start nonetheless. Add to it the scarcity of chemical ammo and the need to craft Fire and Cold chemical pistols as well.
What about melee weapons? Those have some nice feats and overall feel pretty balanced, if one includes combat enchancements — CACS, poisons, and a few others. Some of those are limited and all have limited number of uses but that I've addressed in my other topic.
Now, the thing is: what if one could change the blade of your Glaive or Kukri or forge a new head for a Balor's Hammer? I'll expand on that below; the point is: there should be a possibility to permanenty change/improve other unique weapons (not all of them, though), and, along with that, add some more life for some named NPC which aren't that memorable or useful.
First things first — the two of four unique ranged weapons that must have an option to be slightly better, if a player wishes to do so. Phase Gun and XAL-001. Why have I excluded Sonocaster and The Stunner? The latter two are immensely good on their own — lore-wise too. Sonocaster is the apex of Lemiruan engineering, which can't be improved further AND there are no sonic experts in South Underrail. The Stunner is a technological wonder, that is hard to hack (in case you looted it) and should have some protection against tampering with its insides.
1. Now, for Phase Gun: that one is an energy weapon. Who would and could improve it? Some of you may have already guessed "Phreak". And you'd be wrong, because Phreak is rarely willing to cooperate, let alone dig into a technology he doesn't really want to explore. I say, there's less "could" but more "would" character and his name is — Constantine.
Don't give me that look, there's a nice explanation for that. You see, Constantine is always bothered with creatures, crawling around the Oculus. Now, as for crawlers — those are everywhere and listening to those buggers frying is Constantine's favorite pastime. But, what if someone were to clear out that Lunatic camp below the Oculus? Now that would be something that would make Constantine happy, especially if that someone would bring Synesthetic Refocus as a proof of killing the Synesthete.
In short — non-markable quest: Constantine asks you to clear out the camp of Lunatics below Oculus and bring Synesthetic Refocus as proof of the job done.
Requirements: completing Azif's quest (and everything preceding that quest), not triggering hostiles with Oculus, talking about Lunatics with Constantine, level 16+.
Outcomes:
1. The player can simply kill every Lunatic in Lunatic Camp zone and bring the Synesthetic Refocus. Reward — 800 charons, a couple of regular consumables or ammo to choose, 1000/2XP, Phase gun improvement with Synesthetic Refocus if asked.
2. The player can get Synesthetic Refocus without killing the Synesthete and bring it to Constantine. Reward — 800 charons, a couple of regular consumables or ammo to choose, 500/1XP, Phase gun improvement with Synesthetic Refocus if asked, but only until player leaves the Oculus. After that, Constantine will mention that Lunatics are still there and refuses to improve Phase Gun.
3. The player can kill Synesthete and bring Synesthetic Refocus, but leave Lunatics (at least one) alive. Reward — 800 charons, 1000/2XP, Phase gun improvement with Synesthetic Refocus if asked, different conversation with Constantine (he will be partly glad, because the hero explains about Transfinity and that Synesthete was the one who "helped" others with this ritual).
Phase gun improvement (finally) — requires Synesthetic Refocus's gem. Pentagon gem — gives Phase gun the ability to burn 15 psi per hit. Hexagon gem — gives Phase gun the ability to reduce target's Perception by 2, for 1 turn. Using the Synesthetic Refocus for that will leave you with a Synesthetic's Headband (misc) that can be mended, if you have any gem. So you can improve the Phase Gun however you like and get to keep the Refocus, if you plan on using it.
2. The second pistol is a whole other thing. XAL-001 is barely a contraption, not a unique technology. With it, a handful of skilled mechanics could fix that, one would say? Yes, and no, since that does require the extensive knowledge of chemistry. Olivia and
Georgis himself would be those people, but then again, the former may be dead/in prison by that time, and Georgis wouldn't agree to that. So, with that, one can resort to... Black Sea Muties/hero themselves. Yes, I'm going to explain:
For muties variant, one would have to be on good terms with them and speak with Doctor M. He would agree to experiment with the acid collector and dispenser, along with a couple other skillful muties, providing you provided them with medicine stuff from Aegus camp.
In order to fix the pistol themselves, the hero would have to have 120+ skills — both Mechanics and Chemistry.
There won't be any quest for that gun, since it is already a quest item, but there would be different outcomes:
1. The player gives XAL-001 to Doctor M. (requirements — not triggering hostilities with them, not intimidating any of them, give them the medicine from Aegis). The resulting improvement would allow XAL-001 to become an omni-chemical gun, allowing the player to use all possible chemical vials with that gun. That way, it still sprays acid on the user and it would have less durability (and look as if it's been covered with goo or something).
2. The player fixes XAL-001 themselves after they pick it up from Georgis (requirements — 120+ both Mech and Chem, three Chemical Pistol frames and one Acid Collector quality 120 or higher). That way the weapon gets +2% chance of entangling the enemy, +10% of critical damage bonus, and stopped spraying acid on its user. Fixing the gun themselves would be the only way if the player has not purchased Expedition DLC.
3. The player fixes XAL-001 on the spot, without leaving the conversation (corresponding option would appear in the dialogue; requirements would be the same). That would close the quest with Georgis, rendering the XAL-001 inaccessible, unless the player later chooses to be the part of Department of Chemistry, while talking with Episkopos Lydia. In that case, along with Chemoinvestigative Belt, the player would get the fixed XAL-001 back.
Note: Georgis would accept the pistol back in any case, even if the player never tampered with it. If the Black Sea muties "fixed" it, Georgis will be angry with the hero for ruining the pistol but high Persuasion (100+) would allow the hero to convince Georgis — about the necessity of the experiments. Still, Georgis would give less charons and XP for that. If the player returns the XAL-001 after fixing it themselves or fixes in via the dialogue, that would result in higher charon award.
Now, the last two of four ranged unique weapons — crossbows. And no, Fusion Cannon is both OP and can be disassembled for following assembling and improvement, so it won't be included.
1. Now, the Jawbome comes first. This weapon does have the highest maximum damage of them all. Therefore it would require surgical precision for its improvement. Completely unexpectedly, I'd say it would be improved, but not in terms of damage. Defence — that would be the result!
After obtaining it, the player can seek help within Camp Hathor. By showing it to Fredd (not Fred and Freddy) and eloquently telling about the battle with the Rathound King, the hero then would tell how insufferable the opponent was and how they hate those "mangy ratmutts". Doing so would open an option for Fredd to help the player to improve The Jawbone, either mockingly decorating it with rathound skin, or any other skin, for better protection.
In other case, the player should seek the help of some certain tribe that has its way with bones, yadda, yadda, go to Yngwar. Yngwar would help with the crossbow, but only for exchange of Rathound Regalia (if you already presented it to him, he won't ask for another). Of course, without Expedition DLC, camp Hathor is the only option.
As for outcomes — both NPC give equal improvement. The difference would depend only on using different leather:
1. Regular leather (+less than 15% armour penalty) of quality 125+ would give the weapon its corresponsive resistance bonus (not threshold); either rathound leather would result in -10 persuasion as well. Weapon's weight is increased by 5.
2. Heavy leather (+15 or more armour penalty) of quality 120+ would give the weapon its corresponsive resistance bonus (not threshold) and increase its base STR requirement to 7 (not the second requirement); rathound penalty to persuasion still applies. Weapon's weight is increased by 7.
3. Any infused leather of quality 110+ would give the weapon its correspondive resistance and +2 mechanical threshold on top of that. But both STR requirements for Jawbone are set to 8. Any infused rathound leather gives -8 persuasion penalty. Weapon's weight is increased by 10.
All leathers also increase the durability of the weapon and allow it to be fixed by both mechanical and tailoring repair kits.
2. Needler. For that one I couldn't think of better solution than to use two NPC. Again. First one is Mykola Young, which would agree to improve Needler if you either pay him enough money or use his help to fix Tunneller and take out Black Crawlers (he should stay alive after that, that is). Second one is Travis of Rail Crossing, which would agree to improve Needler but for a favour — that would help if Mykola dies during the fight.
The quest is the tricky part. Travis would want you to bring him a couple of dishes and drinks. Only after he's sated you can persuade him to experiment with the crossbow.
Non-markable quest: Travis wants you to bring him unusual food and drinks. Be careful not to spoil his appetite!
Requirements: not triggering hostilities with Rail Crossing, level 16+.
The player must bring the following:
1. Food — Bacon and Cheese Sandwich x3, Hardcore Chips x2; Drink — Root Soda x5; Unusual — Pickled Mushrooms x1. That would result in Travis getting very pleased and yield player additional reward in charons(50) and XP(500).
2. Food — Rathound Barbecue/Pentapus Barbecue/Cave Hopper Steak x4; Drink — any alcohol drink (except Mushroom Brew and Absence) x2; Unusual — Psi Beetle Brain Soup x1. That would result in Travis getting mildly pleased and gives no additional reward.
3. Food — Buttery Steamed Clams x3, Crab Sandwich x1; Drink — any Kzozel x2; Unusual — Coffee x2. That would result in Travis getting very pleased and yield player additional reward in charons(50) and XP(500). Additionally, Travis would mention the peculiarity of the food and mentions "that was an unforgettable luncheon for me", as a reference to The Simpsons meme. That option is available only if the player has Expedition DLC installed.
4. If the player brings and talks Travil into eating any "bad" food (Junkyard Surprise or Mutie Stew), this will get Travis mad at you and refusing to help you with Needler.
Note: Jon's Special x2 can substitute for any Food requirement. Absence and Mushroom Brew Travis will refuse, explaining that "I wouldn't want to become like that dude. Well, Dude. From the bar." Cigar and Mystery Candy he won't take, claiming "I prefer to keep a clear mind. I also don't smoke. Bad for my health." For bringing him Lake Mushrooms or any uncooked meat (Cave Hopper Meat, Intestine, Gland, etc) he'll berate the hero, questioning their ability to discern food and living creatures.
Needler's Improvement (finally number two).
Mykola — will require 500 (1000 if left out of the Gorsky team) charons, a pneumatic reloader, and a laser scope, resulting in +5% precision bonus and -5 AP cost.
Travis — after getting his food and 30 minutes of time, will require any Crossbow frame with quality 120+, a Crossbow Super String and another 30 minutes of time. Instead of any regular bonuses, his experiment will give the Needler a new ability: Double Bolt, along with increasing its weight by 5 and giving it STR requirement of 5.
Double Bolt: allows to use two regular bolts in one shot for -20% (multiplicative) precision penalty. This is an unconditional special attack. Each bolt has it's own 35% of immobilizing the enemy. AP cost — regular. Can be used only once each turn.
Visually, the crossbow will have another string and a second flight groove above the first one. Also, the Myles will comment on that, being all pouted about you asking Travis's help instead of his.
Now that I'm done with ranged weapons, the melee will come... later.
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