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TwinCrows

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About this mod

Adds rigorously-balanced Slow and Freeze Time spells to Alteration.

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Slow and Freeze Time Spells

No scripts, simply a fully-balanced and complete set of spells based on the vanilla 'Slow Time' shout.

I've designed the spells to be useful for a variety of classes; from the commander who simply needs more time for tactics and sending orders, to
the archer who needs to be more accurate with a bow, even when the player themselves is a potato.

This mod is the result of about twenty hours of balancing, charts, play testing, and editing. I'm quite proud of the end result, and the process itself was rewarding. I'm uploading it here, for the benefit of others like me, who have been searching for the same. There have been other Slow Time spell mods, but none have been balanced, nor added as a full range of Novice to Master level spells.

The spells provide a unique way to play Skyrim and open up many new possibilities! I had a blast making, testing, and recording this spell, and I hope you enjoy it in your game as much as I do mine. Be sure to check out the two-step installation guide at the bottom, and consider the recommended mods.

Cheers! - TwinCrows





STAY IN TOUCH


I post screenshots and mod teasers for the Skyrim community on my Twitter, and I sometimes stream the more exciting parts of modding on Twitch, including my level design work on various Ayleid dungeons, as well as Castle Bravil. I do want to do more of this work, and your support is greatly appreciated at my Patreon as well as just generally anywhere you do good deeds on our shared Earth. I also have some custom merch available on Teespring, to bring Skyrim modding into your home and everyday life.





BALANCE
I've rigorously tested each level of each spell to determine what feats are possible, and scaled the spells' cost and length. The spells also prevent magicka regeneration over their duration via a simple 'Magicka Rate Reduction' vanilla effect.

The Time spells are split into two distinct branches:

  • Slow Time, which reduces time less but for a long duration, leaving in the risk of being struck
  • Freeze Time, which reduces time immensely, but for a shorter duration

DROP RATE

Learn it from reading the spell tomes, which are mixed in with the rest of the spells found in-game. Buy the tomes from spell vendors, or find them in chests, on mages, and everywhere else that uses the 'LItemSpellTomes' lists!

This means you'll be able to find the first Novice level sold by "Everybody Loves" Farengar at Dragonsreach.

(The spells themselves won't be used by enemies of course.)


SPELL LEVELS
As might be expected, spells like these scale less like a simple curve and more like a rocky crag. Rest assured I've written notes on each level and its justification while I was developing and play-testing the mod.

Like all Alteration spells, their power is catalyzed by the power of your other skills and items.

NOVICE
The Novice level represents being able to perceive and react to your surroundings at a faster pace, at a cost to magicka (which represents mental strain). This level is meant to help players mentally process combat, by slightly reducing its speed without majorly affecting balance. This level and Apprentice can be used by a melee character without investing in magicka.


Novice Slow Time
[110% speed edge], 80% time (enemies), 90% time (player), 15 seconds duration, 60 magicka cost
Drops starting from level 0.


APPRENTICE
The Apprentice level is an upgraded version of the previous spell, which is meant to be usable by Warriors or Archers as well as devoted Alteration mages. Casters will need to invest in magicka if they wish to recast the spell for a longer duration.

Apprentice Slow Time
[140% speed edge], 55% time (enemies), 78% time (player), 8 seconds duration, 90 magicka cost
Drops starting from level 0.


ADEPT
The Adept level is where the spell becomes a powerful combat spell. At this level, you can slow time enough to dodge missiles from range so long as you keep moving, and even weave between slower enemies, dodging their melee attacks. Not only will you need to invest in increasing your magicka to cast this spell, but you will also likely need to invest specifically in Alteration if you wish to cast it often or alongside other spells.

We also split into the Freeze Time branch here. The Freeze Time spells have a much shorter duration but effectively stop time! Excellent for quickly maneuvering into a more advantageous position, or scoring some quick strikes.

Adept Slow Time
[200% speed edge], 35% time (enemies), 68% time (player), 12 seconds duration, 300 magicka cost
Drops starting from level 11.


Adept Freeze Time
5% time (enemies), 50% time (player), 3 seconds duration, 170 magicka cost
Drops starting from level 11.


EXPERT
The Expert level is where you delve further into both branches of the Time spells. Slow Time allows you to spot and avoid missiles from medium range. You can also see and hear attacks as they form, and step away. You can whirl your way through groups of enemies in open terrain, striking them as you pass. Also, at around this level it becomes feasible to snag arrows mid-air. Personally, I like this level of Slow Time best. The combat potential of this spell spikes, and so its cost is increased.

Freeze Time meanwhile comes into its own as an effective offensive spell, allowing you to maneuver and land about 6 strikes.

You will benefit from Alteration cost reduction enchantments, and potions are a necessity for continuous use.
The spells also benefit from the vanilla 'Stability' Expert Alteration perk, which increases the duration of spells by about 30%.


Expert Slow Time
[240% speed edge], 25% time (enemies), 60% time (player), 9 seconds duration, 550 magicka cost
Drops starting from level 23.


Expert Freeze Time
3% time (enemies), 50% time (player), 5 seconds duration, 400 magicka cost
Drops starting from level 23.


MASTER
The Master level merges the two branches of time spells back together for one ultimate Freeze Time spell. This spell blends the magnitude of Freeze Time with the duration of Slow Time. This is the ultimate Alteration level for these spells to aspire to.


Master Freeze Time
2% time (enemies), 50% time (player), 9 seconds duration, 800 magicka cost
Drops starting from level 35.


Balancing was made in the same spirit as vanilla Skyrim. The very best vanilla Alteration spell, Dragonhide, provides 80% physical damage reduction for 30 seconds at a cost to 837 magicka. Comparatively, the best spell here will freeze time for 9 seconds, which is 1/3rd as long, at a cost to 800 magicka. It's quite less powerful in comparison. This is fitting, given that the Dragonhide spell is granted by completing a level 90 Mage's Guild quest.


INSTALLATION
  • Install with your preferred method
  • Create a new Wrye Bash patch to merge any other modded loot lists that also add to 'LItemSpellTomes'

RECOMMENDED MODS

Smart Cast - I recommend setting a Spell Ring, and then binding the ring to a hotkey (Vanilla: Press 1-8 on the favorites menu).
Shout Visual Effects - Fixes the visual effects of the Vanilla shouts! Will not effect these spells' visuals.
Animations - Binds time-consuming animations to common actions, such as drinking potions, looting, and harvesting!


TWINCROWS MODS
NarrativeLoot - Forsworn Skull Helmets - Adds 4 new Forsworn skull helmets!
NarrativeLoot - Paintings and Frames - Adds 59 paintings to loot and buy in-game!
NarrativeLoot - Open Books - Adds 24 new skill books with glorious page art!



COMPATIBILITY
HDT Physics Extensions
- Performs OK with the Slow Time spells (see video, at the earlier levels I use HDT hair and capes). You will experience some unique behavior with Freeze Time. Anything on the player that is HDT will stretch through time, including your hair, capes, and uh... anything else you might have HDT-ized. The effect is quite strong on capes, but not so strong on hair.

To sample the spells, follow this guide below. I recommend trying both the Expert Slow Time and Expert Freeze Time spells. This will give you a good idea of the spells' high-level potential for a devoted Alteration mage. Use the following commands:
  • help time
  • player.addspell <id of Expert Freeze Time>
  • player.addspell <id of Expert Slow Time>
  • player.advskill Alteration 75000
  • player.setav magicka 250
  • help "master robes of alteration"
  • player.additem <id of Master Robes of Alteration>
  • (Quicksave)
  • coc WhiterunBelethorsGeneralGoods
  • (Kill Belethor, Go on rampage, Dodge arrows, Push the limits)

The spells will reduced by anything that increases spell "magnitude", which is not possible in the Vanilla game:
Because the 'Magnitude' trait for the vanilla 'Slow Time' effect is inverted (0.07 = 7% time), you will unexpectedly decrease the power of these spells by attempting to increase spell Magnitude! Spell Charging these spells will in effect make them less powerful. I recommend using the Spell Rings feature of Smart Cast in tandem with Spell Charging to prevent issues.