Adding new units.

[Copperhead]

Hi, i was wondering if anybody would be able to post a walkthrough on how to add units to VI. And information on any programs that could be useful. Is it possible to create new units at all, or can you only change existing ones?

Thanks in advance for the help.

[Kekvit Irae]

Taken from the .Com forums since it's no longer a sticky (or cant be found) here...


To create new units follow these steps:
1. Open up your unit_prod11.txt file in Notepad and search for a unit that is a close match to what you want to create. To create a new heavy spear chucker, simply find the Bonnachts (found in the Viking's unit_prod11.txt file).
2. Highlight it all, right down to the beginning of the next unit under it.
3. Select Copy.
4. Scroll down to the point where the unit list ends and emptiness begins. If you have word wrap off, it wont be too far down.
5. On the line under the last unit, hit Paste. You now have an exact copy of the Bonnacht unit in the file. Save the file.
6. Download and install Gnome's editor from the Org's download tools.
7. Open up the unit_prod11.txt file with Gnome editor and edit the stats of the new unit (all the way down at the bottom of the list) however you please.
8. Rename the unit to something other than Bonnacht. Just dont put any spaces in the name. In this example, we'll choose the name SpearChuckers. Save the file.
9. Open up Windows Explorer and go to your MTW directory. Go to the Battle\UnitIcons\ directory and copy the file Bonnachts.LBM and paste it in a temporary directory.
10. Rename the file to SpearChuckers.LBM (remember, the file names must match that of the unit name) and move it back into the UnitIcons directory.
11. Go to the campmap\ directory and do exactly the same thing with Bonnachts.bif files in the Info_Pics\Units\ directory and the Review_Panel\Units\ directory, copying/renaming/moving.
12. In the Textures\Men\ directory, search every directory in there for references to Bonnachts*.txt and repeat the above. In this example, you should have a SpearChuckers.txt in the ActionsPage\ directory, and a SpearChuckers_W.txt and SpearChuckers_S.txt file in the NewPeasants\ directory.
13. Because the weapons are hidden from view until they fire, Bonnachts dont require files in the Items\ directory. However, If you choose to create a unit that has their weapons and shields visable at all times in battle, repeat the above by copying and renaming the directories of the unit you are imitating to the unit you are creating. Example: In the ArabInfantry_S.txt file, you will see the number 2. Look in Items\Shields2 (note the 2), and you'll see ArabInfantry directory. Copy and paste it into a temp directory, rename it to your new unit, and move it back. Do exactly the same thing with ArabInfantry_W.txt (which has a 5 in it, so you should look in Items\Weapons5\.
14. Go back to the root MTW directory and look in the Loc\Eng directory. Open up Names.txt in Notepad. Scroll down (or run a search) until you find this:
["Bonnachts_Singular"] {"Bonnacht"}
["Bonnachts_Plural"] {"Bonnachts"}
15. Copy it and paste it at the end of the unit list, just a few more lines down. Rename Bonnanchts_Singular to SpearChuckers_Singular. In fact, rename all four Bonnachts references to SpearChuckers. Again, watch the spelling and capitalization. Save the file.
16. Open up Descriptions.txt in the same directory with Notepad and run a search for ["Bonnachts_desc"]. Copy the whole line and paste it at the end of the unit list just a few lines down, exactly the same way you did with the Names.txt file.
17. Rename Bonnachts_desc to SpearChuckers_desc, and then edit the description however you please. Just remember that since the unit description box in the game has to sliding bar, you have to limit the description of the unit. Otherwise the game will cut off the excess part, leaving you with an incomplete description when you view the unit. Save the file.
18. Open up the DEADPAGE COORDS.txt file with Notepad in the Textures\Men directory.
19. Run a search for Bonnachts, and highlight and copy that line and the numbers under it, and paste it at the bottom of the list. Rename the now-pasted Bonnachts to SpearChuckers. Save the file.

Now, with any luck, you will have a new unit, the Spear Chuckers, at your beck and call. Just remember to assign it to a faction by tinkering with the Gnome editor and the unit_prod11.txt file.


To transfer a building from the VI campaign over to the original campaign (or vice versa), repeat steps 1-7. Open up the VIKINGS_build_prod13.txt, copy the lines relevant to the building you want, open up CRUSADERS_build_prod13.txt and paste the lines in. Then just tinker with the Crusader build_prod13.txt file until you get the right requirements set.

[Duke John]

There is a stickied topic (http://www.totalwar.org/cgi-bin/forum/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST;f=5;t=7563) in this forum. If you have more questions then you are helped quickest by looking through the stickied posts first.

Cheers, Duke John

[Copperhead]

Thanks a lot guys http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/gc-2thumbsup.gif

[Copperhead]

Okay, can anyone tell me what this error means?

"Unknown build requirement encountered: column 17, row 195

{SPEARMAKER2}"

I get this error when i try to start up Total War. I used Gnomes editor to change the stats and followed the guide, i was wondering if anyone could tell me what i am supposed to put instead of {SPEARMAKER2}

Thanks.

[Kekvit Irae]

Get rid of the quotes in there unless you have two or more building requirements

[Myrddraal]

I think the " is simply the end of him quoting the message?