The Surrogate Challenge

by abot

The Surrogate Challenge testing playlist

I recently discovered the wonders of Apotheosis Deadfire editor by Noqn,
so this is me playing with it.

A tweaked Ultimate Challenge, maybe less frustrating, maybe not less difficult.


Disclaimer:
Still beta

Only English strings provided


Usage:
1. if present, remove previous version of this mod before installing
2. install as usual
3. start the game, options, mod manager, select and tick the Surrogate Challenge mod to load after any balancing mod
(if the game hangs, try temporarily renaming the override folder to something else to clear the loading list, then rename the folder back)
4. exit the game, restart the game (safety to be sure loaded mods state is refreshed)
5. start a new Ultimate (now Surrogate) Challenge. I higly suggested to untick the Wael challenge option


Summary:
- meant for a no cheats run (so no item swapping for infinite beneficial effects please,
swapping the few rechargeable items is fine IMO)
- more objectives to complete for the challenge, but with more time/power/subclasses available
- No more iron mode, too frustrating for most players to even try
- Wael challenge can/should be toggled off, it is a nuisance in any case when you are experienced enough
with the game and it ruins the experience when watching challenge videos.


Current settings:
Buffs:
- made hidden subclasses playable
- raised player level cap to 29, actors level cap to 39,
still hard (especially Auranic IMO), but you can experiment with classes more
- 160 days available for critical path
- more scrolls of Withdraw available
- increased power of player construct form in the Changeling battle
...But nerfs:
brilliant and other cheaty effects duration changers are combat only

In case you want some forced nerfs for Strand of Favor/Cabalist Gambeson
(and you are NOT already using another nerfing mod for them)
you can/should load the Surrogate Challenge Nerfs mod too.

Extra quests objectives added to default Ultimate Challenge so far:

Kill Ilari and the Gorecci Street Looters before leaving Maje island.
Kill Lord Admiral Imp, Lady Epero, Katrenn in Neketaka, and Torkar in Dunnage as requested by Dessiral.
Kill the ruthless head of the Crookspur Slavers.
Fight the pirate wearing the Boots of The Stone in the streets of Dunnage.
Help Flaune Elette at the Spire of the Soul-Seers in Neketaka survive the mercenaries attack.
Kill the massive Tentacled Beast that haunts the deep near Poko Kohara.
Kill Talfor and his crew in the streets of Neketaka.
Retrieve three grimoires of power for Nemnok in the Drowned Barrows.
End the unhappy life of the Frightened Child in the Hall of Reconfiguration.
Kill Lucia Rivan and her crew on the Floating Hangman galleon.
Find all artifacts and win all fights for the Survivor path in Kazuwari Arena.
Find all artifacts and win all fights for the Seeker path in Kazuwari Arena.
Find all artifacts and win all fights for the Slayer path in Kazuwari Arena.


The Surrogate Challenge mod should be compatible with other balancing/nerfing mods IF this mod is loaded after them
e.g. mods that could/should be compatible (note if install hangs follow the mods forum infos):
CommunityPatchBasic
CommunityPatchExtra
CommunityPatchKeywords
BalancePolishingModBuffs
BalancePolishingModNerfs
BalancePolishingSummonRebalance

Mods that overlap changes already present in the Surrogate Challenge mod (classes, level cap mods
e.g. Classes Unlocked, Hidden Classes Playable, Level Cap 26, levelcap33purist...)
could be incompatible and are not recommended.

Some notes about playing with BalancePolishingModNerfs:
I usually play as Troubadour/Psion, and personally I disable/delete these nerfs:
BalancePolishingModNerfs\design\gamedata\cl.chanter.each_kill_fed.gamedatabundle
BalancePolishingModNerfs\design\gamedata\cl.chanter.troubadour_nerf.gamedatabundle
BalancePolishingModNerfs\design\gamedata\cl.cipher.ascended_bonus_damages_only_to_weapons.gamedatabundle
BalancePolishingModNerfs\design\gamedata\cl.cipher.reaping_knives_just_melee.gamedatabundle
BalancePolishingModNerfs\design\gamedata\cl.cipher.soul_mind.gamedatabundle
BalancePolishingModNerfs\design\gamedata\cl.fighter.unbending_rework.gamedatabundle
BalancePolishingModNerfs\design\gamedata\gn.item_crit_chains.gamedatabundle
BalancePolishingModNerfs\design\gamedata\gn.scordeos_blade_cascade.gamedatabundle
BalancePolishingModNerfs\design\gamedata\gn.scordeos_double_strike.gamedatabundle
BalancePolishingModNerfs\design\gamedata\gn.sungrazer_return_orbit.gamedatabundle

I recommend you disable/delete at least these:
BalancePolishingModNerfs\design\gamedata\cl.chanter.each_kill_fed.gamedatabundle
because it removes the only reasons (being able to prolong stackable stats) to use this invocation instead of the energized one
BalancePolishingModNerfs\design\gamedata\cl.cipher.soul_mind.gamedatabundle
because it removes the only reasons to use the ability at high level (being able to target a low level ally/enemy nearby/self
not to interrupt the target but to have the blast make player disengage safely)