Better Spellcasting and Talent Use

v1.2

By Orgolove



INTRODUCTION
Ever wondered just why the heck the sustained abilities have a cooldown/casting time? Ever wondered why the game requires such a long casting time for shapeshifting, rendering it nearly useless? Ever wanted multiple summons at the same time? Ever wished the spellcasting was made consistent in terms of having weapons drawn or not? (i.e. "Haste" cannot be cast with a weapon drawn, but Earthquake can be cast?!?!)


This mod fixes all these idosynchrasies for a much more enjoyable gaming experience!


This mod removes the cooldown and casting time on all sustained abilities and shapeshifting abilities. Also, it allows all spells to be cast with your weapon drawn. Optionally, the mod allows multiple summons and sets the casting time for them to instant.


Unfortunately, having certain abilities turn off after every combat is handled via scripts. And unless I edit the scripts and release them, I can't stop them from turning off. And, I can only release scripts if I bundle them up in a .dazip, which is a terrible, TERRIBLE way of distributing mods. Therefore, I just left them as is. It only takes a click now anyway.



List of Sustained abilities/spells affected

(0 cd, 0 casting time, no casting animation, a simple toggle now)

Dual Striking
Momentum
Aim
Defensive Fire
Rapid Shot
Suppressing Fire
Shield Defense
Shield Wall
Shield Cover
Indomitable
Powerful Swings
Threaten
Precise Striking
Rally
Berserk
Aura of Pain
Blood Frenzy
Stealth
Song of Valor
Song of Courage
Captivating Song
Dueling
Flaming Weapons
Rock Armor
Frost Weapons
Haste
Spell Wisp
Spell Shield
Death Syphon
Animate Dead
Telekinetic Weapons
Miasma
Death Magic
Arcane Shield
Combat Magic
Shimmering Shield
Blood Magic
Spider Shape
Bear Shape
Flying Swarm
Cleansing Aura



Summoning Skills affected:
(instant casting, multiple summons allowed, still has casting animation and cooldown)

Summon Wolf
Summon Bear
Summon SPider



Spells affected:
(can cast these spells even with a sword drawn - you don't need to sheathe the sword or other weapons to cast the spell)

Flame Blast
Fireball
Rejuvenation
Heroic Defense
Heroic Offense
Antimagic Burst
Death Hex
Paralyze
Horror
Waking Nightmare
Mass Paralysis
Affliction hex
Vulnerability Hex
Sleep
Stonefist
Walking Bomb
Mind Blast
Blizzard
Winter's Grasp
Cone of Cold
Shock
Lightning
Drain Life




INSTALLATION
Install in the following directory:
My Documents \ Bioware \ DragonAge \ packages\ core\ override

When you extract the file, you will see three folders. Choose the file inside the folder that you want in terms of compatibility.




NOTES
Because of compatibility issues, if you want to use another summonning mod with this mod, then install the one inside the "Compatible with other summons" folder.

For other mods, choose the appropriate folder.

Further, if any mod interferes with the spells listed above, those affected spells may not benefit from the changes in this mod.



CHANGELOG
12/22/09
Added More compatibility options:
Compatible with Better Archery (keeps the summon changes)
Compatible with Better Archery and Better Melee (keeps the summon changes)


12/21/09
Added a version that's compatible with the popular Better Archery mod and Better Melee mod.