Name: Normalized Weapon Damage
Category: Gameplay Effects and Changes
Author(s): Documn
Download URL:

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HISTORY
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1.0, 03-09-10. Initial release.
0.0, 02-04-10. Relased as beta.


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SHORT DESCRIPTION
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This mod changes weapons so that all weapons of the same category do the same amount of damage: all daggers do the same damage, all maces do the same damage, etc.


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REQUIREMENTS
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This mod requires Oblivion Script Extender (OBSE). This mod was compiled with OBSE 18, and it absolutely WILL NOT WORK with an earlier version of OBSE. You can download OBSE here:
http://obse.silverlock.org/

You should also update Oblivion to the latest version. Download the patch here:
http://www.elderscrolls.com/downloads/updates_patches.htm


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LONGER DESCRIPTION
==================
This mod assigns all weapons into one of several generic categories: bow, arrow, dagger, shortsword, longsword, claymore, war axe, mace, battle axe, and warhammer. It then assigns all weapons of the same category to do the same amount of damage. This mod uses three criteria to determine a weapon's category:

1. Type: Bow, Blade, or blunt
2. Handedness: 1-hand or 2-hand
3. Speed or reach


This mod comes with two ESPs, depending on whether you want to define the weapons by SPEED or REACH. Use only one ESP; do not use both.

If you use Normalized Weapon Damage - Speed.esp, all weapons that have speeds similar to a dagger will do a dagger's amount of damage, all weapons that are as fast as a shortsword will do shortsword damage, etc.

If you use Normalized Weapon Damage - Reach.esp, all weapons that have reach similar to a dagger will do a dagger's amount of damage, all weapons that are as long as a shortsword will do shortsword damage, etc.


You can set the speed/reach thresholds and weapon damages with the included INI files. The speed ESP uses NWD-Speed.ini, and the reach ESP uses NWD-Reach.ini. There are also some example files in the \Example INIs\ folder that you can use. The settings in these files are designed to be compatible with either vanilla Oblivion or MOBS weapon settings.

* MOBS is a weapon and armor balance system (notably used in Oscuro's Oblivion Overhaul), so consider using MOBS settings if it is more appropriate for your game.


This mod seeks weapons in the following situations:
1. When the player is in the inventory screen.
2. Every 30 seconds, a script checks all weapon references in the in the player's vicinity.
3. Every 30 seconds, a script checks all nearby actors for weapons.
If it finds a weapon whose damage doesn't match the appropriate damage value in the ini, it will update that weapon's damage.


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INSPIRATION
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I made this mod a while ago, but I figured I would make it more user-friendly and distribute it. I made this mod for two reasons:
1. I think some of the most powerful weapons are ugly, and I didn't want to gimp myself by using weaker (and better-looking) weapons.
2. I wanted to emphasize skills and stats rather than weapon quality.
3. I think some mod-added weapons are way too powerful, and I wanted an easy, automatic way to balance them out.


===========================
OTHER STUFF YOU SHOULD KNOW
===========================
This mod changes weapon damage via script, and will absolutely conflict with other mods that change weapon damage.

The damage changes may not be immediately apparent when you open your inventory; you can refresh the values by equipping or unequipping some equipment.

This mod DOES NOT change weapons that it finds in non-actor containers. Therefore, you may find unmodified weapons in containers or for sale by merchants. I decided not to edit these weapons because they aren't going to be involved in any combat (unless you pick one up or buy one, in which case the weapon will be adjusted the next time you open your inventory screen).

In game, if you look at a weapon, the damage rating you see depends on your character's strength and skill, the weapon's health, and several other game settings. Because of this, the damage rating (probably) WILL NOT match the numbers you put in the INI. Also, weapons in the same category (probably) won't show the same damage if they don't have the same health.

This mod doesn't affect Hand-to-Hand damage.


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INSTALL
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Drop the contents of the archive into \Oblivion\Data. When installed correctly, the files will have the following structure:

Oblivion\Data\Normalized Weapon Damage - Reach.esp
Oblivion\Data\Normalized Weapon Damage - Speed.esp
Oblivion\Data\NormalizedWeaponDamage\NWD-Reach.ini
Oblivion\Data\NormalizedWeaponDamage\NWD-Speed.ini
Oblivion\Data\NormalizedWeaponDamage\Example INIs\NWD-Reach-MOBS.ini
Oblivion\Data\NormalizedWeaponDamage\Example INIs\NWD-Reach-Vanilla.ini
Oblivion\Data\NormalizedWeaponDamage\Example INIs\NWD-Reach-MOBS.ini
Oblivion\Data\NormalizedWeaponDamage\Example INIs\NWD-Reach-Vanilla.ini

2. Start Oblivion Launcher, click 'Data Files', and place a checkmark beside either Normalized Weapon Damage - Reach.esp or Normalized Weapon Damage - Speed.esp. DO NOT USE BOTH!
3. Edit the appropriate INI if desired. Or, copy one of the example INIs into the NormalizedWeaponDamage folder and rename it to overwrite the appropriate INI.


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UNINSTALL
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1. Start Oblivion Launcher, click Data Files, uncheck the ESP.
2. Delete the files above.


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CONTACT
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Email: documn at the gmail
Private message: documn on TESNexus, Bethesda Game Forums, or TES Alliance.
Doc's Mods forum thread: http://www.bethsoft.com/bgsforums/index.php?showtopic=1054244


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CREDITS
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Thanks to...
God for saving me.
Bethesda
OBSE team
TESNexus
the contributors at TESCS wiki and the TES CS forum
LHammonds
Blub2l
TESA and BTAG
Joben, nottlong, and Psykolabe


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TOOLS USED
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The Elder Scrolls Construction Set
OBSE
7-Zip - http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=15579
Readme Generator - http://lhammonds.game-host.org/obmm/tools_readme_generator1.asp


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LICENSING/LEGAL
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Use this mod at your own risk! You may modify this mod however you like as long as you give me credit. It would also be nice if you tell me about it.