Unit depth + battlemap mouseover issue relooked at

[CBR]

You can change the depth of a group (not individual units) by using the formations in the GroupFormations.txt located in the FormationData folder.
IIRC you can use the first Template gf_SimpleLine and just change the number of ranks (NumRows) to whatever you want.


CBR

[Kaidonni]

What about actually in a battle itself, though? Like in RTW and M2TW? Like when dragging the units out? And does the AI in MTW ever change the depth of it's units, or do they remain the same?

[CBR]

The formations are to be used in battle using 1-9 keys. The AI does not use them though as they use another file I think.

I dont know how much the AI changes depth. I can see in the AiSpecialFormations.txt that there are different NumRow values so maybe it does. But Im no expert on the AI as I play MP only.

I use an edited groupformation file myself, although I dont have problems with mouseover etc. Its a quick way of getting my guns into 2 or 3 ranks whenever I want it.


CBR

[Kaidonni]

Just wondering how I'd go about editting that file exactly...

I mean, say I put two units of Feudal MAA into a group - would pressing any keys allow me to simply order those two units to go one rank deeper if the files were set up properly? Without sending the rest of the army into such a move? Would I be able to modify the text file so that, pressing 1 allowed my selected groups to go two ranks deep, 2 so that they go three ranks, and so on...? How would I go about implementing those changes in the file?

Just fought that Quick Battle implementing the standard formations and radar map, and it was difficult. I suppose that isn't really a bad thing, it does actually allow me to play the game. Just improvisation is all that is needed (it doesn't mean we shouldn't investigate into what is causing the mouse over problems exactly, though...LOL...). Also makes it more fair on the AI. Better than nothing, I guess.

[CBR]

You actually dont even have to make a group first. Just select the units you want and hit the key for the formation you want to use and they will be grouped automatically and start moving to go into whatever the formation is.

The simplest formation is the first one in the file called Template gf_SimpleLine. You can use that as a base for any changes as long as its just simple stuff like making a line with specific number of ranks. You simply copy the whole entry and paste it over one of the other entries.

If you look at the first template then you will see "NumRows -1" That means the selected units will use same number of ranks they already were in. That number is really the only one you need to change and its pretty straightforward. The number you enter will be the number of ranks the selected units will use.

Just make a backup of the file and experiment a bit.

Or buy a nvidia 7xxx card instead as that doesnt have problems in battles heh.


CBR

[Kaidonni]

It's my bro's computer, I can't change the graphics cards.

These Nvidia 8600 drivers are still much better than the 8800 ones...those, er, well...let's just say you didn't need to be using MTW for things to go wrong. By things, I mean interface lock-up... And by not needing to be using MTW, I mean using Maya, saving a picture off of Google, browsing directories when trying to save your own work...and so on.

I'll try experimenting a bit, then. Thanks. :)

I hope other people are picking up on this improvised solution. I've figured that I might not necessarily be able to simply change the ranks like I used to before the mouseover problems - but it's either improvise or not play MTW at all, and the improvisation doesn't exactly make the game unplayable. It makes it more challenging, actually...lol. That and now that I can see units through hills, etc, I can see my impending doom marching towards me...*eep*