Want to Run a Modified EQEmu server. Have Some Questions.

[Draugr]

Hi,
I am interested in running my own custom server and wanted to see if it was possible to make a few customizeable features. I was hoping someone here might be abel to answer some questions for me or to even talk with me on MSN IM or AOL IM?

Ok, here is my thoughts. I want to run a small server for maybe 20 or so players. The max depends on how many players my server and internet access can handle. Anyhow, as we know the Real EQ is made for 1000s of players and some of the higher level mobs are for groups of 20 or more to take down. In a small server with maybe 10 or less players online at one time, these upper level beasts are not going to be killable even by 2-3 Lv 50 players. What I want to do is make some basic modifications to my server. I'll list them below. What I'd like to know is if these are possible.

1. Custom Items, Monster Stats and spells. I've seen editors for these so I assume I can make custom items, mob stats and spells through those. Let me know if I'm mistaken.

2. Change the experience needed for each class to level. So for instance if I want to make my classes level similar to the Experience levels of D&D is that possible?

3. Change the amount of expereince a mob gives? Is it possible to alter the ammount of experience each mob gives when slain? Ex: I'd love to edit the Gnolls and have them mirror the D&D stats for hit points, Str, and Exp awarded. Can this be done?

4. Change the amount of Hit Points given to a player when the player advances a level? I'd like to make it similar to D&D. So a Human Fighter would get 1d8 Hps per level of exp, etc... Can this be modified in the server so that the Server Op can set the amount of HPs a race gets per level?

Well, I guess thats it. What I'm trying to do is make the server enjoyable to solo or small groups of players. I feel if I can make some basic changes to certain stats or rules in EQ I can make the server more fun for small parties or solos. I'm leaning to a D&D stat like game. In D&D a player of level 1 or 2 has a chance solo'ing a gnoll, but in EQ its damn near impossible.

I feel that if I can use the D&D like stats for the following areas it might make the server perform as I am wishing.

1. Use D&D similar Experience Levels
2. Use D&D stats as possible with items. Ex: Longswords that do 1D8 worht of dammage and might cost a few gold pieces to buy.
3. Use D&D like Exp Awards, Str, Dex, Int, HPs, etc... for mobs.
4. Use spells that are adjusted to do damage or give bonuses comparible to D&D type stats.
5. Allow players to gain HPs not in the 30s or 40s per level but in the 1d4, 1d6, 1d8, etc... as found in D&D.

I know I'll have to adjust treasure or loot tables for mobs and such, but thats ok. Does anyone have any points either pro or con about my ideas above? I'd love to run a small player server and use a modified rulebase that would allow solo'ing and small party raids possible when fighting some of those larger beasts. Hell, a party of 6 can take out a dragon in D&D, but in EQ forget it! Lady Vox would wipe the ground with 6 people who dare attack her.

If you don't mind talking about this with me please email me at johndraugr@soznet.net.

Thanks and sorry for the long post.
John

[Wiz]

1. Custom Items, Monster Stats and spells. I've seen editors for these so I assume I can make custom items, mob stats and spells through those. Let me know if I'm mistaken.


Easily doable through database via the NPCs and Items tabs in EQadmin, or ItemEditor. Spells via Kayiodo's Spell Editor. Note that for it to work correctly you will need to distro your modified spells_en.txt to everyone who plays the server.


2. Change the experience needed for each class to level. So for instance if I want to make my classes level similar to the Experience levels of D&D is that possible?


Find GetEXPForLevel() in client.cpp and change it around. If you want to change the amount of exp given by a mob as it dies, find the ->AddEXP() in attack.cpp under NPC::Death. This requires a little coding knowledge, mostly ability to compile the source.


3. Change the amount of expereince a mob gives? Is it possible to alter the ammount of experience each mob gives when slain? Ex: I'd love to edit the Gnolls and have them mirror the D&D stats for hit points, Str, and Exp awarded. Can this be done?


See above.


4. Change the amount of Hit Points given to a player when the player advances a level? I'd like to make it similar to D&D. So a Human Fighter would get 1d8 Hps per level of exp, etc... Can this be modified in the server so that the Server Op can set the amount of HPs a race gets per level?


It's possible, but only serverside, which would create a rather weird mismatch (You'd have like 200 hp but the client thinks you have 1500) so I would not recommend it.