Novice Water Mage

This mod is runtime only, it does not mess with any save files and thus it is completely fine to add or remove it at any point in the game.

If you are interested in a generally better progression system I recommend:  Better Mage Progression.

All my mods are compatible!

Main features

Makes the ice bolt rune a novice tier rune, meaning you can use it after learning novice magic at the start of the game. Cronos now sells it starting from chapter 1. It also rebalances the rune, setting its circle scaling and base damage values to that of the fire bolt rune.

Configuration

You can customize the mod to your liking by editing NoviceWaterMage.ini:

; Master on/off switch.

Enabled=true

; Zero the m_RequiredStats cast gate on the Ice Arrow rune so it can be

; learned and cast at novice tier (no Magic Circle required).

FixCastability=true

; Also zero the displayed "Voraussetzung: Magischer Kreis" number in the

; tooltip so it matches (cosmetic only; the cast gate is FixCastability above).

FixTooltip=true

; Add the Ice Arrow rune to Cronos's trade stock so he sells it from chapter 1.

; Added when you open his trade menu. Because the trade screen

; builds its list at the moment it opens, the rune appears from your SECOND visit

; to his trade onward.

AddToCronos=true

; Raise Ice Arrow's damage to match Firebolt (see values below). Vanilla Ice

; Arrow has a very low base because it was tuned as a Circle-1 spell; this makes

; it competitive when cast at novice tier.

FixDamage=true

; ---- Ice Arrow damage values --------------------------------------------------

; The game updates spell damage at the 2nd / 4th / 6th magic circle, holding the

; value between breakpoints (a 3rd-circle mage uses the 2nd-circle value, etc.).

; Defaults below = Firebolt parity. Edit to taste.

;   Vanilla Ice Arrow was: base 20, c2 30, c4 40, c6 50

;   Vanilla Firebolt is:   base 35, c2 40, c4 50, c6 65

DamageBase=30

DamageCircle2=35

DamageCircle4=45

DamageCircle6=55

; PerformanceMode applies the CDO fixes (castability + damage) once at startup

; then stops. Set to false for a 30-second heartbeat that re-applies if the game

; ever reloads those definitions mid-session (very unlikely but possible).

PerformanceMode=true

Regarding this Mod

This mod is the first step to figure out how to essentially do a whole magic system overhaul, the native game systems how damage scaling and base damage works are now solved. Next step is to manipulate statuses, like freeze and burn and to find proper implementations to scale spell damage by external means (e.g. items like robes).

Installation instructions

Install like any other UE4SS mod.

Requirements

Make sure to get the EXPERIMENTAL UE4SS build. (best practice is to get it directly from GitHub)

Shoutouts to Rich Merchants More Ore - Arrows - Bolts - Configurable that solved the trader inventory system.

All my Gothic Remake Mods:

Frameworks

Better Armor Framework

Better Weapon Framework

Better Jewelry Framework

Better Magic Framework

Mage Mods

Better Mage Robes

Novice Water Mage

Better Mage Progression

Gameplay Mods

Better Lockpicking