Big Problems Modding Traits

[Julius Augustus]

Hi guys. I got EB a while back, and am in a whole new world of video gaming. So much historical depth! I love it. It makes me want to slap myself and say "You insufferable idiotic fool! You thought Vanilla RTW was awesome." :wall:

So I played for a while, and was almost completely happy. I only had a problem with a couple things. I thought a few unit stats were weird. And, I didn't like some of the effects of the traits(-5 Security for Conquerer, anyone?).

Modding the unit stats, recruitment, and models/sprites was easy, if I don't coun't my "ahem" 3 lost campaigns due to not making backup files. :furious3: That is a mistake I have now rectified. Always, always, make a backup file.

Soon afterwards, I decide to modify the traits I think don't make sense. Easier said than done. I modify a couple of the traits, save, and load up my Sweboz campaign. Guess what happens. Gee, I wonder, maybe an evil, cruel, unjustified, fun ruining CTD! I try different combinations of stuff and modifying, but still, nothing will work. By now I am pretty pissed.:brood:

With the goal of finally being able to overcome the obstacle of an extremely infuriating character traits file, I come here today to ask for the help of EB forum members and the mighty EB Team with the following question: Is it possible to mod the export desc character traits file with notepad. I have heard that notepad saves it in the wrong format. If so, is it possible to save it in the right format?

Any help is greatly appreciated. And once again, this is undoubtedly the most historically accurate and enjoyable RTW mod out there, and my favorite game of all time. Kudos to you, EB team.

:2thumbsup:All hail the EB Team. All hail the EB Team.:2thumbsup:

[chenkai11]

use textpad

[Foot]

Also, any changes to the export_descr_character_traits is completely not save-game compatible. You will have to start a new campaign or you will see some really odd results.

Foot

[Julius Augustus]

@Chenkai11: Textpad is like 30 bucks. Don't know if i want to spend that much.
@Foot: What if i only do something like add an influence bonus to a trait? That wouldn't cause problems, would it.

[Xurr]

I use Crimson editor for modding all the RTW files(its free)

http://www.crimsoneditor.com/


as for it not being save game compatible I really couldn't say. I've made a few mods to the traits, similar to what you are trying to do and haven't had any difficulties. If you like I can send you my traits file with reduced penalties to personal security.

BTW I know what you mean about the personal security thing I've had 4-5 star generals run around with as few as 7 bodyguards. :dizzy2:

[Aemilius Paulus]

Also, any changes to the export_descr_character_traits is completely not save-game compatible.
Yeah, unless it is triggers AFAIK. But none of the trait effects are save-game compatible, which is what you planned to change.

[Julius Augustus]

BTW I know what you mean about the personal security thing I've had 4-5 star generals run around with as few as 7 bodyguards. :dizzy2:

Don't you just hate it? I have had faction leaders with like 10 influence and 5 command have bodyguards of like, um, 40 men on huge size due to traits like wealthy and conquerer. Then, in the city nearby, there will be a guy with like 3 influence and nothing else who has a 50 man bodyguard. Makes me just want to scream.

[Julius Augustus]

@Xurr: I just got Crimson Editor in response to your suggestion. I am going to try out some trait modding and see if works on my campaign. Then I'll post my results.

[Xurr]

@Xurr: I just got Crimson Editor in response to your suggestion. I am going to try out some trait modding and see if works on my campaign. Then I'll post my results.

Nice. Make sure to check out the macro features in Crimson Ed, they make the repetitive scripting in RTW much easier.:2thumbsup:

[Julius Augustus]

Well, I am really pissed right now because all of my wonderful work had no effect. I changed some of the traits, including increasing influence bonus for victor, vanquisher, etc. , opened up my old campaign, and voila, the guy who has the victor trait has his influence go down. Not up. Down. He had no other traits that would have been affected by my modding. I am juggling the options of shooting myself or throwing my computer off a 50 foot cliff.:juggle2: Maybe I'll just get the Cursos Honorum minimod. Or I'll try again. Who knows.