Redux: Debug-Area...

[macsen rufus]

Hi again,

I finished my English campaign, fixed the portraits (yes, I had omitted deleting the old folder during install ) and have done a Russian campaign and am now giving the Saracens a whirl.

A couple of observations which may or may not be pertinent here:

• Armour & weapon upgrades +2 and +3 both have the same icon (silver), so it's hard to distinguish the troops at these levels
• Rebels in Tripoli seem to have Portuguese names

Would it be much of a job to re-instate boiling oil as per the VI original? I've never messed with this end of things, so I'm not sure what it would entail. I'm afraid I have the opposite preferences - I do like it, and find castles are way too easy to assault now (especially with souped-up longbow stats out-ranging the artillery).

[Axalon]

Hello again everyone...

Btw. I had that CTD on the right-click again with my new english campaign.
I had saved it during about 100 turns, but always went to "resume game" after I saved it.
I don't know if that counts as starting a saved game.
Just to let you know.

There are a few things that you need to get straight here...

First, it is the MTW-game/engine itself that generates anomalies - NOT the act of saving (or Redux for that matter). Saving only means that the anomaly/error is "imprinted" on the save and then is more or less made permanent - unlikely to disappear after that point. Essentially it is made permanent because of the save.

Second, if you want to avoid such anomalies you have too save often, preferably at the very beginning of each turn - before you do anything.

Third, playing plenty of turns without re-starting (the game) or re-loading (a healthy save) is virtually begging for anomalies/errors to happen - which are generated by the game itself. The more you play and do stuff on the map, the greater the chance of anomalies and errors happening basically. It is that way because CA did a poor job when they crafted the game-engine in the first place, and they didn't clean up their code, designs and did too little "Quality Assurance" - as a result we (who use that engine) constantly get various kinds of anomalies and weirdness - that should not be there in the first place. It is possible, that if MTW is modded that such anomalies get "extra visible" even though the mod itself is not generating any errors as such. It is possible, but I do no know that for sure. If true, it probably would include Redux as well.

I play the Supreme Campaign on standard. Some observations:
The other factions develop very slow. Maybe I should go the highest level.
Portugal had turned into rebel faction and was just producing ships. There was already a full stack in front of Portugal with 5 stars plus a new one with six ships when I started noticing. I took Portugal for a few turns and destroyed the shipyard to stop it, but I don't know how far they would go in building fleets otherwise. That's hard to beat: a full 5-star stack.

Again, there are some aspects that you should fully understand...

First, the slow development - while still fully possible - is actively forced thru/encouraged due to you playing on max (or possibly large) size-settings which do slow down the development of AI-factions - as troops are more expensive to get, AND take longer time to produce. As simple as that. A human player will always handle that circumstance better then any AI - no matter what. If you actually want better AI-development and tougher resistance you should go down to "default"-size settings, as that is what Redux is designed for. Ergo, that will always provide a better performing AI compared to max size. Battles will also be harder to fight and the overall challenge will increase (as a result).

Secondly, while the are little doubt that such a rebel-armada will cause lot of problems, it is there because the designs encourage the rebel-AI (in general) to be active on the seas as well as land. Which what that very stack is a result of, it would not be there otherwise. As for the five stars, such a ship can only show up if it has fought a lot of previous battles - and that before it ended up leading that stack (no rebel ship has ever started with 5 stars).

BTW, you did the exact right thing, captured Portugal and shut down that pirate-spawning port. I would have done the same thing myself...

Sadly I got CTD in the "taking moves phase" from my new supreme-veteran campaign in turn 793.
I had made saves in between but never quit the game.
Reloading in an earlier save resulted in the same outcome.

Again, see previous reply above.

I saved the "save".

I have examined that save and it seems to be an engine-freeze - due to some damn rebel-stacks in Venice. Rebels are often involved in screwing up the game somehow or generating freezes. Anyhow, I have (luckily) fixed it - using some secret magic - so that you can continue your game at turn 794. It should work know.

- A

[Axalon]

Hi Mac...

I finished my English campaign, fixed the portraits (yes, I had omitted deleting the old folder during install ) and have done a Russian campaign and am now giving the Saracens a whirl.

Maybe you should try the Norse next? Poland and Spain are typically the toughest factions to play in Redux...

Armour & weapon upgrades +2 and +3 both have the same icon (silver), so it's hard to distinguish the troops at these levels

No they don't... Its just that you are not accustomed to it...

Look closer... Its dark iron (level 1), grey silver (level 2) and bright/white silver (level 3). Anyhow, yes it is "harder" (but not impossible) to determine "excellent" from "extra excellent" essentially - especially if we look from afar. The RX-designs certainly reflects that somewhat, unlike the candy-like stuff in raw MTW. Besides, you always have the option to revert to that, or you could use the "blue silver" of level4, for level 3 or something... You are a modder, you know how to make it happen. The GFX is already done, you just need to shuffle it around some.

Rebels in Tripoli seem to have Portuguese names

Its an (old & known) V.1.1-engine problem that (via the files) carried over to the V.2.01 as well. The names attached to Portugal (as a faction) and Tripolitania (old Malta) are screwed up. I suspect that it is actually possible to fix in that in the V.2.01 version - although I have never examined or explored that any closer. The VI/V.2.01 never was my primary engine, but it is yours. I am open for any suggestions you might have or better still you fix it - as you are better on that engine then I am - that would be my honest guess anyways.

Would it be much of a job to re-instate boiling oil as per the VI original? I've never messed with this end of things, so I'm not sure what it would entail. I'm afraid I have the opposite preferences - I do like it, ...

Nah, its quite possible to do... I just don't remember the details... I'll give you a hint and you can probably take it from there - check inside "models"-folder. Once inside that, look for "Islamic" and "Western European". In both cases look for "gate"-folder. You need to change or add some line in there. That is all I remember at this point. (By all means post again, if you have problems on this stuff somehow).

... and find castles are way too easy to assault now (especially with souped-up longbow stats out-ranging the artillery).

Obviously it all depends on the troops and circumstances for that assault. With enough serious and capable troops, and enough fortunate circumstances during to the given assault in question - any castle will fall. This, regardless of any lowbowmen or not.

Personally, I always felt that the fate of a province is already determined in battle prior to any withdrawal to any keep/castle/citadel. Besides, longbowmen are only available to the English anyways, so that unit is hardly a problem (for you) if you play any other faction, right?

- A

[macsen rufus]

Hi Axalon,

Thanks for the reply and Happy New Year, of course.

Hi Mac...



Maybe you should try the Norse next? Poland and Spain are typically the toughest factions to play in Redux...

I was planning on the Norse next - I like to try all the different ciltures for my first few - done catholic, orthodox and muslim so far, so it has to be a pagan faction next

No they don't... Its just that you are not accustomed to it...

Look closer... Its dark iron (level 1), grey silver (level 2) and bright/white silver (level 3). Anyhow, yes it is "harder" (but not impossible) to determine "excellent" from "extra excellent" essentially - especially if we look from afar. The RX-designs certainly reflects that somewhat, unlike the candy-like stuff in raw MTW. Besides, you always have the option to revert to that, or you could use the "blue silver" of level4, for level 3 or something... You are a modder, you know how to make it happen. The GFX is already done, you just need to shuffle it around some.

Yeah, I have reverted to the original - I can see the difference in ReadBIF, but in-game it's just too subtle for my eyes these days.

Its an (old & known) V.1.1-engine problem that (via the files) carried over to the V.2.01 as well. The names attached to Portugal (as a faction) and Tripolitania (old Malta) are screwed up. I suspect that it is actually possible to fix in that in the V.2.01 version - although I have never examined or explored that any closer. The VI/V.2.01 never was my primary engine, but it is yours. I am open for any suggestions you might have or better still you fix it - as you are better on that engine then I am - that would be my honest guess anyways.

Yeah, it's easily fixed in VI 2.01, there is an entry for every province to define rebel names. I'd be happy to run through it and let you have something to insert for that version

Nah, its quite possible to do... I just don't remember the details... I'll give you a hint and you can probably take it from there - check inside "models"-folder. Once inside that, look for "Islamic" and "Western European". In both cases look for "gate"-folder. You need to change or add some line in there. That is all I remember at this point. (By all means post again, if you have problems on this stuff somehow).

OK, I'll take a look there, I'm sure I'll figure it out.

One other observation: every time I invade Sicily by sea I get the default battle map. I haven't checked the startpos but this usually happens because the declared border type does not correspond to an existing battle map.

(Sicily keeps changing hands in my Saracen campaign - my empire has too many borders and not enough ships I had to pick a war with the Moors, and that was the signal for the Byz to lay into me from the other end. It's been a bit difficult to afford ships, and the AI seems able to sink four of my galleys with a single tradegalley of its own.... Anyway, I have taken Constantinople, so the cash is flowing much better and I can afford to throw plenty of wood into the sea now.)

[macsen rufus]

OK, I've had a look at the rebel name list in DEFAULT_HEROES.TXT, and although I found a few that needed swapping around because you've re-assigned provinces on the new map, I couldn't find any reason for an apparently Portuguese name to crop up in Tripoli (and I do mean Tripoli, not Tripolitania). Wish I had a save game that turn now....

Anyway, I've done a new SET REBELS section, with the following changes:

• Frisia - Frisian/Dutch
• Suzdal - Russian
• Tripolitania - Egyptian
• Edessa - Turkish
• Sivas - Turkish
• Cilica - Turkish
• West Africa - Almohad
• Cordoba - Almohad
• Flanders - Dutch/Dutch

Here's the new section:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

SET_REBELS::	ID_SCOTLAND		14	13
SET_REBELS::	ID_NORTH_UMBRIA		1	1
SET_REBELS::	ID_MERCIA		1	1
SET_REBELS::	ID_WALES		15	14
SET_REBELS::	ID_WESSEX		1	1
SET_REBELS::	ID_IRELAND		14	13
SET_REBELS::	ID_NORWAY		2	2
SET_REBELS::	ID_SWEDEN		2	2
SET_REBELS:: 	ID_DENMARK		2	2 
SET_REBELS::	ID_FINLAND		2	2
SET_REBELS::	ID_NOVGOROD		12	11
SET_REBELS::	ID_MUSCOVY		12	11
SET_REBELS::	ID_LIVONIA		12	11
SET_REBELS::	ID_SMOLENSK		12	11
SET_REBELS::	ID_RYAZAN		12	11
SET_REBELS::	ID_CHERNIGOV		12	11
SET_REBELS::	ID_LITHUANIA		12	11
SET_REBELS::	ID_PEREYASLAVL		18	16
SET_REBELS::	ID_VOLGA_BULGARIA	18	16
SET_REBELS::	ID_KHAZAR		18	16
SET_REBELS::	ID_KIEV			18	16
SET_REBELS::	ID_CRIMEA		18	16
SET_REBELS::	ID_VOLHYNIA		11	10
SET_REBELS::	ID_PRUSSIA		16	12
SET_REBELS::	ID_MOLDAVIA		17	15
SET_REBELS::	ID_CARPATHIA		17	15
SET_REBELS::	ID_WALLACHIA		17	15
SET_REBELS::	ID_BULGARIA		18	16
SET_REBELS::	ID_HUNGARY		17	15
SET_REBELS::	ID_POLAND		11	10
SET_REBELS::	ID_POMERANIA		16	12
SET_REBELS::	ID_BRANDENBURG		16	12
SET_REBELS::	ID_SILESIA		16	12
SET_REBELS::	ID_BOHEMIA		11	10
SET_REBELS::	ID_SAXONY		16	12
SET_REBELS::	ID_FREISLAND		20	17
SET_REBELS::	ID_FLANDERS		20	17
SET_REBELS::	ID_NORMANDY		5	4
SET_REBELS::	ID_BRITTANY		5	4
SET_REBELS::	ID_FRANCONIA		16	12
SET_REBELS::	ID_LORRAINE		5	4
SET_REBELS::	ID_CHAMPAGNE		5	4
SET_REBELS::	ID_ILE_DE_FRANCE	5	4
SET_REBELS::	ID_ANJOU		5	4
SET_REBELS::	ID_AQUITAINE		5	4
SET_REBELS::	ID_TOULOUSE		5	4
SET_REBELS::	ID_PROVENCE		5	4
SET_REBELS::	ID_BURGUNDY		5	4
SET_REBELS::	ID_SWABIA		16	12
SET_REBELS::	ID_BAVARIA		16	12
SET_REBELS::	ID_SWITZERLAND		19	17
SET_REBELS::	ID_TYROLIA		16	12
SET_REBELS::	ID_AUSTRIA		16	12
SET_REBELS::	ID_CROATIA		6	5
SET_REBELS::	ID_SERBIA		6	5
SET_REBELS::	ID_GREECE		6	5
SET_REBELS::	ID_CONSTANTINOPLE	6	5
SET_REBELS::	ID_CRETE		6	5
SET_REBELS::	ID_RHODES		10	9
SET_REBELS::	ID_GEORGIA		18	16
SET_REBELS::	ID_ARMENIA		18	16
SET_REBELS::	ID_RUM			10	9
SET_REBELS::	ID_LESSER_ARMENIA	10	9
SET_REBELS::	ID_EDESSA		8	7
SET_REBELS::	ID_TREBIZOND		6	5
SET_REBELS::	ID_NICAEA		6	5
SET_REBELS::	ID_ANATOLIA		6	5
SET_REBELS::	ID_CYPRUS		6	5
SET_REBELS::	ID_ANTIOCH		10	9
SET_REBELS::	ID_SYRIA		10	9
SET_REBELS::	ID_TRIPOLI		10	9
SET_REBELS::	ID_JERUSALEM		9	8
SET_REBELS::	ID_ARABIA		9	8
SET_REBELS::	ID_SINAI		9	8
SET_REBELS::	ID_EGYPT		9	8
SET_REBELS::	ID_LIBYA		8	7
SET_REBELS::	ID_AFRICA		9	8
SET_REBELS::	ID_TUNISIA		8	7
SET_REBELS::	ID_ALGERIA		8	7
SET_REBELS::	ID_MOROCCO		8	7
SET_REBELS::	ID_GRANADA		8	7
SET_REBELS::	ID_CORDOBA		8	7
SET_REBELS::	ID_PORTUGAL		7	6
SET_REBELS::	ID_LEON			7	6
SET_REBELS::	ID_CASTILE		7	6
SET_REBELS::	ID_VALENCIA		7	6
SET_REBELS::	ID_NAVARRE		7	6
SET_REBELS::	ID_ARAGON		7	6
SET_REBELS::	ID_CORSICA		3	3
SET_REBELS::	ID_SARDINIA		3	3
SET_REBELS::	ID_GENOA		3	3
SET_REBELS::	ID_MILAN		3	3
SET_REBELS::	ID_VENICE		3	3
SET_REBELS::	ID_TUSCANY		3	3
SET_REBELS::	ID_PAPAL_STATES		3	3
SET_REBELS::	ID_ROME			3	3
SET_REBELS::	ID_NAPLES		3	3
SET_REBELS::	ID_MALTA		9	8
SET_REBELS::	ID_SICILY		3	3

Whilst we're in DEFAULT_HEROES.TXT, there's something that I would strongly recommend you change, as in 'I can't believe it hasn't already caused major problems':

FAMOUS_HEROES::	FN_ALMOHAD 5																		
//hero: Name, Surname	...................
"Hero",	"Blank",	1370,	9,	9,	9,	9,	9,	no_v,	 GENERAL,	ID_LIMBO,	-1	//Blank hero slot:.......

The problem being: FAMOUS_HEROES:: FN_ALMOHAD 5 when you only have one hero listed - that '5' should be a '1' to match the number of hero slots listed. Obviously this applies to all the other factions with spare hero slots. This sort of thing would normally cause the dreaded 'no names' error (though that's more often seen when it's the famous kings who have been misnumbered). As I said, I can't see why it hasn't caused the usual problem, but it might be the birth date after the game's end date, but that's just speculation at this stage.

Obviously, everything here applies to the VI 2.01 version, I can't comment on the 1.1 version

[Axalon]

Mac, I will certainly try to put your work and efforts here to good use. This in future releases of Redux. I will also expand your (already promised) credits beyond the basic level of "bughunter" in future credits. You have earned it. The work done here is much appreciated, and you should have zero doubt about that.

I also want to apologize for not having responded to your posts earlier here. It has nothing to do with you in any way and ALL to do with me not being active at da Org, for multiple months (since January or some such). This for various unrelated reasons.

- A

[Axalon]

Folks, I have created a new hotfix for RXB1007 - this one deals with two problems I found.

1. It improves camp-map AI-performance in general.
2. It corrects various errors on costs for several buildings/tech.

Both previous hotfixes 1 and 2, are also included for good measure and player-convenience. I have
attached the hotfix3 to this very post. Download and apply it for a better game-experience today!

- A