This is an alternative version of mod Phalar Aluve - Legendary. It introduces two music boxes, that can be used to ugrade Phalar Aluve into VeryRare and Legendary versions.

Both mods use the same UUID's for objects, so it should be possible to safely swap mods at any moment.

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Instead of adding more damage, I've tried to implement a unique "sword-dancing" playstyle. It rewards moving around battlefield, being nimble, hitting multiple enemies per turn, provoking Attacks of Opportunity and counter-attacking on enemy misses.


Full list of changes

Phalar Aluve V1
This is the original version of Phalar Aluve which is obtained by pulling the sword from stone in Underdark.

• New ability Sword Dance: When you hit a creature in melee, you have a chance to Distract it and gain 1 stack of Momentum. Chance increases with your Performance skill.
• Shriek and Sing auras are now activated with Bonus Actions.
  

Phalar Aluve V2
This is a VeryRare version which is obtained by combining Phalar Aluve V1 with purple music box.

• Added +1d4 radiant damage and glow effect.
• Weapon Enchantment improves to +2.
• New ability Nimble Riposte: Opportunity Attacks against you have Disadvantage. When an opponent misses you with a melee attack, you may spend a Reaction and lose 2 stacks of Momentum to retaliate.
• Range of Shriek and Sing auras was increased from 6m to 7m. Range of corresponding VFX was increased accordingly.
  

Phalar Aluve V3
This is a Legendary version which is obtained by combining Phalar Aluve V2 with golden music box.

• Weapon Enchantment improves to +3.
• New ability Mesmerizing Grace: You gain an additional Reaction and 1 stack of Momentum each turn.
• Performance skill bonus improves from +1 to +2.
  

Other "quality of life" changes
These changes are included for your convenience.

• Shriek and Sing auras can be activated "Once Per Combat" instead of "Once Per Short Rest".
• Sing aura now affects caster as well. Original aura only affects allies.
• Description text of Shriek and Sing auras was fixed. Both auras affect ALL saving throws and attack rolls, not only INT, WIS and CHA. It is the case in the original game too, the description text was incorrect.
• Additional Purple music box was added to Creche Yllek, so you can upgrade to VeryRare version a bit earlier.
• Both music boxes were added to "Tutorial Chest".
• Music box item combination bug was fixed. You can safely combine weapon in your hand with a music box at any time.
  

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Performance check details

Formula for Performance check DC: 15 + (Target WIS or Target CHA, whichever is higher)

You normally obtain Phalar Aluve around level 5. Your Performance roll modifier at that time is approximately: 3 (Proficiency bonus) + 3 (Charisma modifier) + 1 (Performance bonus from sword) = 7 , which leads to 50-65% chance of success.

When you get expertise in Performance and CHA to 18, roll modifier improves to 3 (Proficiency bonus) + 3 (Expertise bonus) + 4 (Charisma modifier) + 1 (Performance bonus from sword) = 11, which leads to 70-85% chance of success.

When you reach higher levels, get Legendary version of the sword and CHA to 20, roll modifier improves further to 4 (Proficiency bonus) + 4 (Expertise bonus) + 5 (Charisma modifier) + 2 (Performance bonus from sword) = 15, which leads to 80-100% chance of success.

Good Performance skill is essential. It starts as "somewhat unreliable", but becomes very consistent as your character gets better at performing.

Performance checks do not trigger saving throw effects or legenday resistance on bosses.

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Sword Dance details

• I use unmodified Momentum condition from the base game. All items granting stack of Momentum synergize with this mod.
• I use custom version of Distracted condition.
  

Modified "Distracted" condition allows your allies to get Advantage on attack rolls against affected creature. This version lasts for 2 rounds instead of 1 round. This version does not go away when you attack the same target for the second time. This condition goes away only when your ally attacks the affected creature, or after 2 rounds.

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Nimble Riposte details

• You must have at least 1 reaction and 2 stack of Momentum to retaliate with "Nimble Riposte".
• If you miss with the riposte, 2 stacks of Momentum will be lost anyway.
• If you hit, 1 stack of Momentum might be generated due to Sword Dance.
• You can trigger counter-attacks on your turn by baiting "Attacks of Opportunity".
• Range of counter-attack was increased from 2m to 3m compared to standard Riposte. This should help to address range issues when going "too far" while triggering "Attacks of Opportunity".
  

Please note that Momentum naturally decays by 1 stack at the end of your turn. In order to utilize Numble Riposte properly, you are encouraged to hit at least 3 to 4 enemies per turn. Blade Flourish, Haste, Extra Attack, Action Surge are highly recommended!

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Mesmerizing Grace details

• Adding 1 more Reaction is very strong and makes your character much more versatile. You may spend this reaction on additional counter-attack, on Counter-Spell, on Defensive Duelist feat, etc.
• It is highly recommended to use mod ReactionPointsOnUI to keep track on your reactions.
• Additional stack of Momentum at the beginning of your turn helps you to counter-attack more reliably.
  

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How does it work together?

You raise your AC. You activate one of auras and go to the frontline.

You hit as many enemies per turn as possible. If each successful hit and roll Performance check you gain Momentum and set up your allies for attacks with Advantage. You may also spend Momentum to provoke Attacks of Opportunity and retaliate, if enemy misses their attack.

In my view, this playstyle resembles "dancining" while not breaking the balance of the game too much.

You are still vulnerable to control spells, like Fear or Charm. You are still vulnerable to AoE damage effects. Even with Disadvantage on enemy attacks, you are still vulnerable to Attacks of Opportunity. If you are not careful, you can still be destroyed easily.

I highly recommend to install mods increasing game difficulty, like Combat Extender, and consider using summons to take full Advantage of "Distracted" status effect each turn.

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Locations of Music Boxes

Please see attached screenshots of music box locations.

• First Purple Music Box is located in Creche Yllek in act 1, in the same chest as Necklace of Elemental Augmentation.
• Second Purple Music Box is located in Interrogation Table Hidden chest in act 2, as per original mod.
• Golden Music Box is located in the same chest as Nyrulna, as in act 3, as per original mod.
  

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Changelog

v1.1: Removed glow effect from upgraded Phalar Aluve V2 and V3. It does not affect stats, only visual effect.

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Enjoy!