Changing Unit/Character Attributes and Triggers

[Spiritus]

Hi all,

Long time lurker, first time poster. :)

Sorry if this has been asked and answered, but I can't seem to find the answer to this on the forums.

Would anyone be kind enough to post with a step by step guide of how to change the attributes of the units and characters? eg. altering a units charge bonus, changing the 'value' of a vice/virtue, changing/adding triggers for various events etc.

Thanks!

[vonsch]

See the mod forum. There are some good guides there.

How to mod (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/forumdisplay.php?f=173)

[CamelGunner]

https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=78447&highlight=add+traits

There ya go, hope that's what you need.

[HoreTore]

Well, I tweak my VnV file extensively, so I can offer some help here.

Open up the export_descr_character_traits.txt file. Never mind the warning at the top, I'm guessing that's a message to the devs, and they have some spreadsheet thingy to plot in traits to make their life easier. Let's have a look at the first trait here, GoodCommander:


;------------------------------------------
Trait GoodCommander <-trait name (1)
Characters family <-who this trait applies to (2)
AntiTraits BadCommander <-the antitrait (3)

Level Promising_Commander <-name of first level(4)
Description Promising_Commander_desc <-(5)
EffectsDescription Promising_Commander_effects_desc <-(6)
GainMessage Promising_Commander_gain_desc <-message if present(7)
Threshold 1 <-treshold to get level(8)

Effect Command 1 <-the effect of the trait(9)

Level Aspiring_Commander
Description Aspiring_Commander_desc
EffectsDescription Aspiring_Commander_effects_desc
GainMessage Aspiring_Commander_gain_desc
Threshold 2

Effect Command 2

Level Proven_Commander
Description Proven_Commander_desc
EffectsDescription Proven_Commander_effects_desc
GainMessage Proven_Commander_gain_desc
Threshold 4

Effect Command 3

Level Great_Commander
Description Great_Commander_desc
EffectsDescription Great_Commander_effects_desc
GainMessage Great_Commander_gain_desc
Threshold 8

Effect Command 4

Level Legendary_Commander
Description Legendary_Commander_desc
EffectsDescription Legendary_Commander_effects_desc
GainMessage Legendary_Commander_gain_desc
Epithet Legendary_Commander_epithet_desc <-nickname(10)
Threshold 16

Effect Command 5

1. This is the trait name. You don't see it in the game, but that is the name of the trait in the code.
2. This is who the trait can be given to. The ones I know of, are family(named generals), general(your captains), admiral(ship captain), princess, priest(all faiths), diplomat, spy, heretic, inquisitor, witch and one more I just can't think of right now.
3. The antitrait of this trait, is badcommander. This means that if you get a point in badcommander, you will not get the point, but instead lose one point in goodcommander(warning: may be bugged)
4. This is the name of a level of the trait. You will not see this one in the game either.
5 and 6. THESE are the things you will see in the game. It links to another file, which I don't have right here, so I can't tell you much... But from what I remember, that file is easy to understand.
7. If this line is present, you will get a nice popup when you earn a new level in the trait. The message is written in another file.
8. Each trait has a treshold. The triggers give a certain amount of points for a trait. When you have enough points to reach a higher level, you get it. For example, the third level of this trait has a treshold of 4. For example, if you win a battle, the trigger for winning a battle earns you 1 point. Thus, you will have to win 4 battles to get the third level here.
9. This is the juicy stuff. Here, you determine the effect of the trait. Command, influence, trade bonus etc. The number determines the value.
10. This determines if you get a nickname for reaching a level. When your character becomes a legendary commander, he will have "The Mighty" added to his name. The nickname is determined in another file.

One last thing, some traits have a line saying "hidden". That means the trait will not show up in the game. You have it, but you wont see it. Examples of this, is the trait making a character a princess, and the pope gets the trait IamPope to mark him as pope.

It's a bit late now, so I'll probably wander off to bed. I'll leave the triggers for tomorrow...

[FactionHeir]

Actually I might just have a question about the units.
I remember in RTW Arcani having the fast moving trait while being infantry. Any idea what the attribute was called (doubt its fast pony though)? Want to try it in M2TW :)

[Spiritus]

Thanks for all the help.

@HoreTore:

Thanks for the detailed breakdown of the .txt file.