Companions and constant effect

[Emma]

The problems and solutions for using enchanted items on companions pop up regularly. Here are some posts from older threads:

(from thread about companions and constant effect)
As far as I have seen, fortify attributes seems to work reversed. I have probably not tested all attributes; after having problems with a few I have simply avoided this.
I also know that Feather is broken and works like burden.

There is one thing I have noticed, but not tested enough to have it confirmed: it seems as if enchantments start to work reversed on companions only when you START TO MOVE BETWEEN CELLS.
I.e. As long as you remain in the same cell, exterior or interior, the constant effect works as it should. But as you start to move around with your companion, this changes.

This would explain how King Helseth can use a constant effect ring without getting any effects drained.
But, as I said, I haven't tested this enough to really claim I am right.

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Posted by Cyrano:

I expect that you are correct that the effects work normally when an NPC doesn’t change cells. There are a number of constant effect items wielded by NPCs that work normally. The apparent reversal is some kind of engine bug.

This may be countered by using scripted constant effects on the item in question (but it likely means that it must be an item that is designed for use with a specific NPC–that would be good enough if people are wanting to apply this to player/companions mods they are creating). The script can check for a cell change (or perhaps the NPC’s starting cell–depending on how the engine processes this situation). If the NPC is not in his/her starting cell, the scripted effects are reversed. Further testing will be required to see if upon return to the starting cell the effects would work normally (being cell-dependant) or still be reversed (being cellchanged-dependant).

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Posted by CdCooley

Quote:

Gez said:

So, would constant effects work correctly with such a code?

Code:

if ( CellChanged == 1 )
RemoveSpell "SpecialEffects"
AddSpell "SpecialEffects"
endif




In theory, but that would have to be a script on the companion and know about specific items.

Normally the problem seems to be that the effect is added over and over again as you move between cells until the value goes out of range and becomes negative. But I've discovered that for certain effects like waterbreathing the game can also accidentally remove the effect too many times in some cases. So for my new companion script I've started using the "SetWaterBreathing" command instead of a spell. It's not a perfect solution because it gets
reset back to zero after 72 hours!

[Emma]

posted by CdCooley

But I've discovered that for certain effects like waterbreathing the game can also accidentally remove the effect too many times in some cases.

That's only for *spells* I take it?
The waterbreathing ability that most companions use seems to work absolutely flawless, at least from my experience.

Actually no. I discovered in the testing of my companions that even a water breathing ability could have problems. But it's much more rare that other effects. And if the companion has a high endurance they get significant lung power even without waterbreathing. As far as I can tell, the waterbreathing does get reapplied so it eventually rolls over just like the others. But it doesn't roll into the negative range just to zero. So there are many cell transisitions allowed before it stops working, then one cell where it doesn't, then many where it works again, etc. The chances of someone seeing a problem are pretty small unless you spend a significant amount of time underwater. At least that's what I remember. I actually discovered that during the time these forums were down. Now it's been long enough that I've forgotten the exact details. You can use the GetWaterBreathing function to see the current status of a companion if you want to experiment for yourself.[/quote]

[petra]

This is probably old news, but from what I've observed (and take into account I only just restarted playing Morrowind 6 months ago, and that was when I discovered Calvus can be a companion, and I only first installed my first non-Bethesda mod at that time)...

1) Only certain enchantments can be negative, others can only be 0-100

2) A lot of enchantments use the same value, so burden is simply a negative value of feather (same as weakness is a negative value of resist).

3) Whenever a new CE item comes into effect, some? most? all? CE values are recalculated

I run my companions "light" so they never need feather, the most burdened is Laura because she comes with her own armor and I don't want to change it because I think she looks good in it. I just simply don't use any CE that is needed simply needed for traveling (and they aren't needed since Emma's companions take care of water walking, levitation, etc)

Combat related CE enchantments can easily work correctly by making sure every weapon has some sort of CE on it (a 1pt CE shield is good so you can see the visual effect when they equip the weapon) so that any CE you have on armor, jewelry, and clothing will come into effect correctly during combat.

For example, I made 100% paralysis resist amulets for my companions (as far as I know paralysis resist is only 0-100, there is no negative value possible, and it is essentially considered after the willpower calculation.. so 100% might be excessive). When I first give them the amulet, they will show they are 100% paralysis resistant, but after some time, it will be 0. However, as soon as we are in combat, the enchantment will work properly because I have some sort of CE on their weapon (2 pts of Sanctuary on a Daedric Long Bow...again from looking at the math used, Sanctuary probably can't be negative).

So I've been using CE for combat related values only, with no ill effects; so giving Constance the Cuirass of the Savior's Hide is no problem at all. While wandering around she might be 255% weak to magicka, but as soon as she equips a weapon with CE, the enchantment works as expected.

The drawback to this is if you are ambushed and they get hit before you have had a chance to fight back, they could be very vulnerable, especially to magicka or elemental damage.

I generally try and give them 100% paralysis resist, 50-60% Sanctuary, 20% magicka resist (after I've fulfilled my sanctuary and anti-paralysis targets..except Constance obviously) and if they have various artifacts they might have some 5-20% various resistances, also modified of course on making them look good

When we're wandering around and I look at their various stats in the console, they're all over the place, but as soon as I start attacking something and quickly check the console, all seems as expected.

If I'm mistaken about this, please tell me...

[Sniffles]

I read a lot about the CE, to my confusion, and to the game. Reread your post, petra. Look at all the variables involved.It is assuming the game will always apply certain variables in a certain order at the correct variable moment. You are always going to get some fork ups. When will the game roll over to zero? Go to negative numbers? Include that calculation into the other calculations? Honestly, given the amount of potential screw ups always present it's amazing the game works as well as it does.
The rot comes in when mods are added of course. and the loading order of the mod fudges things up even further.

[petra]

The calculation of certain aspects of the game are derived by pretty simple math, such as defendbonus (ie sanctuary) simply gets added to your ability to avoid a normal weapon attack.  It's calculation doesn't get involved with the variable which represents your innate ability to avoid attack (luck, agility, encumbrance et al)  or your resistance to normal weapons, it just gets added at the tail end.

Other things are more complex since they read variables that were generated by a plethora of scripts. A good example would be fatigue, having a CE boost for fatigue is problematic because fatigue itself is derived from the result of other variables, some which are the result of ongoing events (scripts) and actions.

Somethings, like weakness/resistance are sort of in the middle.

My example of paralysis is like sanctuary. Your companion for some reason might have a drain willpower script running on them, which will continuously change it's innate resistance to paralysis, this is that is always in effect and might change from instant to instant.  With no further modification, this represents your effective resistance to paralysis.  When a resist paralysis spell comes into effect, it takes your innate resistance, adds the resistance from the spell, and gives a new value for effective resistance. When the spell ends, innate resistance once again equals your effective resistance.

That's not precisely how the code is structured, but that's pretty much how it works.