Tool Request: DFN reader with Damage Calculator

[stranf]

If anyone is super bored, I just thought up of a utility that I would find extremely useful. The combat engine in UO is fairly complicated, and as such, makes it very difficult balance enemy NPCs and Monsters. NPCs are easier to balance since they are "bound" by the same equipment and skills as the PC; however, monsters are a little more difficult.

My ideal tool would "read" the .dfn values for a monster, skills, stats, the whole thing, and place it in a window. Another window would have a user-specified NPC with certain skills.

Then a combat calulator would calculate an average damage range and "to hit" for both the NPC and the monter.

Right now, what I do, is edit a value, log in as a journeyman warrior, fight the monster, see if I like it; log in as a GM warrior, attack the monster, and see if I like it. Tweak and repeat. It is very time consuming.

I'm not sure this makes much sense, but here is a semi-graphical representation of what the window would look like:

[current dfn: c:\uox3\dragons.dfn]
ENEMY PC
Dragon

Str 500 81
Dex 700 85
Int 125 65

MaxHP 2500 81
MaxMP 2500 65
Def 18 18

Tactics 1000 850
Wrestling 1000 250
Swords 0 850
Mace 0 250
Archery 0 450
Parrying 450 600

Spell Circle 8
SpAttack 30
magery 795

hi Damage 16 18
lo Damage 10 23
Speed 32 28

PC weapon skill (pulldown box) Swordsmanship


****Results*******
Dragon has a 45% chance to hit every 6 seconds doing
18-35 damage

Damage per minute 100% hit rate: 180-350

PC has a 35% chance to hit every 8 seconds
doing 8-12 damage.

Damage per minute @ 100% hit rate: 60-90


Dragon will cast a random spell from circles 1-8 every
12 seconds

*buttons to allow editing of .dfn within utility*

[Next Dfn Entry] [prev DFn entry] [save changes] [open new .dfn] [exit]

This will be able to give me an idea of how difficult a creature would be vs. a PC with a certain skill and a certain DEF value for his armour.

If anyone else would find this useful, have ideas, or be willing to code, feel free to post!

[stranf]

While I don't have a DFN reader, I DO have a spreadsheet that calculates damage range, swing speed, and percent chance to hit, in Excel.

If anyone is interested, shoot me a PM and I will either post a link here from savefile, or I will email it to them. It's a handy tool for balancing combat.