I (finally) present....RTW modding for dummies!

Contents:

• Intro
• Making all factions playable
• Editing money
• Editing starting armies
• Useful Links

Intro

Hello, this guide has been made for all you people who are new to RTW modding, and will give you simple instructions on how to mod simple things that most people seem to want to mod. I have made this, because from what i can tell, there aren't any simple guides for people who just want to edit simple things.

~~~REMEMBER, ALWAYS MAKE BACKUPS OF FILES THAT YOU ARE EDITING~~~

Making all factions playable

This is one of the most frequently asked questions when it comes to RTW. For some reason, CA decided to let you play only the three Roman factions first, and then once you beat the game, you can still only have 11 factions. To unlock all of the factions, you must first go into your RTW files. Go to Data, then to World, then Maps, then Campaign, then Imperial_Campaign and finally go into the descr_strat.txt file. At the top of all the writing, there will be a list that looks like this:

Code:

---

campaign                imperial_campaign
playable
        romans_julii
        romans_brutii
        romans_scipii
end
unlockable
        egypt
        seleucid
        carthage
        parthia
        gauls
        germans
        britons
        greek_cities
end
nonplayable
        romans_senate
        macedon
        pontus
        armenia
        dacia
        scythia
        spain
        thrace
        numidia
        slave
end

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First, cut and paste all the factions from Egypt to Greek_Cities under romans_scipii. Then, do the same for the end nonplayable civs, except for the slaves. Now, go in the game, and abra-cadabra, you have all the civilisations, ready to play.

Editing Money

Most of you probably already know that there is a money cheat, add_money, and that it only gives you 20000 Denari each time you put it in and can only be used once, but by editing the files, you can have your culture start with 99999999 which would mean never worrying about money again. First, go to the descr_strat.txt file. Decide which faction you want to play, and scroll down descr_strat until you find it. Let’s say you want to play the Germans:

Code:

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faction        germans, balanced mao
denari        5000

---

This is the first two lines for the Germans. The second line is what matters. Just change the amount of money, 5000, to 99999999. Now go to the game and you have 99999999 Denari. Simple! This is especially handy if you are playing a faction like the Germans, who’s economy goes down hill very quickly if you are inexperienced at handling a bad economy.

Editing Starting Armies

If you have managed to do the first two tutorials, then this one shouldn’t be any harder. As you know, whatever faction you decide to play starts with some starting armies of basic troops. But, with the Romans, they start with basic troops such as Hastati, Velites and Principes and most people who are new to the game want to play with the kind of troops most people imagine the Romans using, such as Legionnaires. An easy way to do this, is go to your descr_strat files again. Lets say we want to play as the Carthaginians. Go down to them, and find this part:

Code:

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character        Hanno, named character, leader, command 0, influence 0, management 0, subterfuge 0, age 65, , x 96, y 49
traits GoodCommander 2, GoodDefender 1, PublicFaith 1, GoodAdministrator 2, GoodTrader 1
ancillaries spymaster
army
unit                carthaginian general's cavalry early                                exp 1 armour 0 weapon_lvl 0
unit                carthaginian cavalry                                exp 0 armour 0 weapon_lvl 0
unit                carthaginian elephant forest                                exp 0 armour 0 weapon_lvl 0
unit                carthaginian infantry                                exp 0 armour 0 weapon_lvl 0
unit                carthaginian infantry                                exp 0 armour 0 weapon_lvl 0
unit                merc balearic slingers                                exp 2 armour 0 weapon_lvl 0
unit                merc numidian cavalry                                exp 1 armour 0 weapon_lvl 0

---

This is the Carthaginian faction leader, Hanno. Let’s say you don’t want him to start with these troops. Maybe you want him to start with Armoured Elephants and Sacred Band Infantry at full armour, weapons and Experience. Go to C:\Program Files\Activision\Rome - Total War\Data\export_descr_unit.txt, it should open automatically. Once in it, press Ctrl+F and search for whatever unit it is you want e.g. Sacred Band Infantry. It should go to carthaginian sacred band infantry. Copy+Paste sacred band infantry over carthaginian infantry in the Descr_strat files. Now, when you start the game, rather than having an Iberian Infantry in this army, there will be a Sacred Band Infantry unit in its place. Do the same for all the units in this infantry, replacing them with what you like, such as Heavy Onagers and Armoured Elephants. Now, if you want to change the quality of Armour, Weapons and their Experience points, go to this line: exp 0 armour 0 weapon_lvl 0 and change exp 0 to exp 9, armour 0 to armour 3 and weapon_lvl 0 to weapon_lvl 3. Now when you start the game, your units should be whichever one’s you picked with whatever levels you set. This is one I made earlier, for the Greeks:

Code:

---

character        Kleomenes of Sparta, named character, leader, command 0, influence 0, management 0, subterfuge 0, age 56, , x 138, y 46
traits GoodCommander 2, NaturalMilitarySkill 1, GoodDefender 1. Austere 2, Intelligent 1
ancillaries wrestler

army
unit                greek general's guard cavalry early                                exp 9 armour 3 weapon_lvl 3
unit                greek cavalry                                exp 9 armour 3 weapon_lvl 3
unit                greek cavalry                                exp 9 armour 3 weapon_lvl 3
unit                greek cavalry                                exp 9 armour 3 weapon_lvl 3
unit                greek hoplite spartan                                exp 9 armour 3 weapon_lvl 3
unit                greek hoplite spartan                                exp 9 armour 3 weapon_lvl 3
unit                greek hoplite spartan                                exp 9 armour 3 weapon_lvl 3
unit                greek hoplite spartan                                exp 9 armour 3 weapon_lvl 3
unit                greek hoplite elite                                exp 9 armour 3 weapon_lvl 3
unit                greek hoplite elite                                exp 9 armour 3 weapon_lvl 3
unit                greek hoplite elite                                exp 9 armour 3 weapon_lvl 3
unit                greek hoplite elite                                exp 9 armour 3 weapon_lvl 3
unit                greek hoplite elite                                exp 9 armour 3 weapon_lvl 3
unit                greek hoplite elite                                exp 9 armour 3 weapon_lvl 3
unit                greek hoplite elite                                exp 9 armour 3 weapon_lvl 3
unit                greek hoplite elite                                exp 9 armour 3 weapon_lvl 3
unit                greek archer                                exp 9 armour 3 weapon_lvl 3
unit                greek archer                                exp 9 armour 3 weapon_lvl 3
unit                greek heavy onager                                exp 9 armour 3 weapon_lvl 3
unit                greek heavy onager                                exp 9 armour 3 weapon_lvl 3

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But remember, when you are looking for the unit you want for your army, check at the bottom of the unit for this:
ownership carthage
If it doesn’t say your faction where Carthage is, or your faction type e.g. Barbarian, then don’t use that unit, or it could cause damage to the game.

Useful Links

https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/forumdisplay.php?f=77 contains more detailed guides for those who want to get to know more in-depth modding.
https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/forumdisplay.php?f=73 A good place to ask any questions you may have about modding.

~~~REMEMBER, ALWAYS MAKE BACKUPS OF FILES THAT YOU ARE EDITING~~~

Thanks Mikeus!

How do you make back-up copies of files.

I basically want to give all the factions that get knocked out early a chance. How much would you recommend that I give T.S.E, Carthage, Macedon, Greeks. Maybe even Gaul too.

Nice work! :bow:

I was wondering how to get elite troops as starter units, so now you`ve saved me from some work. ~:)

The only thing you missed was the buildings, but I`ve found out them myself.

Quote:

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How do you make back-up copies of files.

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Right click on the file you want to back-up, and it should let you copy and paste. Make a folder for the back-up files and paste it in there.

Quote:

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The only thing you missed was the buildings

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Once i've taught myself how to edit building things and stuff, i will make a sequel to 'RTW modding for dummies'. That will prolly be in a month, as i am a slow learner.

it is nice to see MC doing sumthing elso for/to members than try to slaughter them. not that i need it, but it is a good idea

I'm being nice, because the nicer i am, the sooner this 1 minute gap in between posts is removed and my warning points removed, and then i can revert to ebing myself, ruling you with an iron rod of fear, terror and pure horror!!! *notices his warning points* Or maybe not...

mhuwahahhahahahahahahahahaha, should i be afraid of the humble MC, Martinus and rule the Universe, nobody can stop our combined force. definitly not one that has a 1 minute gap between his posts and has 3 warnings, and that is being mean to Clayton Ballantine :whip:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Mikeus Caesar

Once i've taught myself how to edit building things and stuff, i will make a sequel to 'RTW modding for dummies'. That will prolly be in a month, as i am a slow learner.

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Here`s something:

An individual building should look like this:
{
type barracks muster_field
}

If you want to upgrade the building to the 5. level, then look at the backside of the map that followed RTW.

In this case is it: type barracks urban_barracks.

This work with most buildings. ~:)

also you only do the descr_strat.txt what about the descr_battle and the export_descr_buildings and export_descr_unit and export_unit

I only did descr_strat.txt because most people only want to do a simple bit of modding, as was listed above.

hmm i didn't read you're whole post. but export_descr_unit is very easy they even have made a kind of readme with instructions

Quote:

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hmm i didn't read you're whole post. but export_descr_unit is very easy they even have made a kind of readme with instructions

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I know it's easy, but there are still people out there who are so dumb they say "i'm a man, i don't need instructions!!"

hoo i see a warning comming ~D. that's true, maybe i couldn't do it either if i wasn't already hardened in modding with MTW. it was quite a revelation after that mess in MTW

This guide was useful to me. ~D

i didn't said it was useless. it is very helpful for noobs

I'm going to bathe in my own glory, and watch the compliments literally flood in. Rather like Google Images, this guide may help 7, maybe even 8 people! Doesn't it make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside to think how many people are being helped by this guide?

oh shut up...

anyone agree on stickying this in the mod forum?

Sure. ~D ~D

ok..

give this guy a medal

w00t! If i have done good (which i assume i have) this would mean that this is my ticket to having my post limit removed, and possibly getting my edit button back.

And i'll get a medal!

hhahahahahaha they took your edit button. you poor poor Mikeus

It's incredibly annoying. I was so used to being able to edit out any spelling mistakes, and now they are stuck there for the world to see.

i hope this made you see, that being evil as horrible consequences like the kidnap of your edit button

Yes, you should take a leaf out of my (or any other well-behaved member's) book.

Just one question, who keeps a leaf in a book?

Will you be doing/updating your modding guide to tell n00b's how to alter the units that a faction can build?

hmm

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Craterus

Just one question, who keeps a leaf in a book?

Will you be doing/updating your modding guide to tell n00b's how to alter the units that a faction can build?

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Well, he can't really update the guide without edit button. ~D

nope, but is he's really nice, and look to the mods with puppy-dog eyes they might forgive him and the noobs will be thankful for all eternity

That's a good point.

[puppy dog eyes] To any mods who see this, how am i meant to show you what a good little boy i am if i can't have my edit button? Hmm? [/puppy dog eyes]