Reinforcement CTD Fix (Please Test)

[Kull]

We are pretty sure that the Reinforcement CTD has been solved. The "final fix" has yet to be achieved, but we are 99% certain that it's related to the awarding of Post-battle traits. The attached file contains a revised export_descr_character_traits files. After unzipping, please drop it into the Data/ subdirectory of your v.74 EB game folder.

1) The good news is that you can use this file immediately, even in the middle of an ongoing campaign. In fact, if you had a prior campaign that could not be completed due the Reinforcement CTD, you can now resurrect it.

2) The bad news is we took a "brute force" approach and have deactivated all post-battle traits. Ultimately we'd like to narrow the problem down and reinstate as many of these as possible, but given your frustration with this bug, it was felt that you'd accept the current fix as the lesser of two evils.

What we would like from you: Confirmation. If you have save games that always result in a Reinforcement CTD, please try them again after installing the new traits file - and report back here with the results.

Thank you for your patience and support.

ftp://europabarbarorum.org/ReinforcementCtdTraits.rar

NOTE: The zip contains a second file called "BACKUP". As you might suspect, it's the original export_descr_character_traits file, which can be used to restore the v.74 installation should you so desire. Please extend your thanks to therother who created the new Traits file and who (along with MANY others) has assisted in tracking down this most difficult of bugs.

[Teleklos Archelaou]

You are the man Kull. And we'd be lost right now if therother wasn't still as active as he is helping us with all manner of things.

[Simmons]

I would be more than happy to test this but my copy of RTW is the gold edition with the 1.2 patch unzipped over it do you want all results you can get or just actual 1.2 games?

[Batahr]

I only have had a (persistent) reinforcement CTD once (probably because I've only played half a campaign yet) and had that one saved. I'm happy to report that with the fix it works like a charm; no more CTD!

[Kull]

I would be more than happy to test this but my copy of RTW is the gold edition with the 1.2 patch unzipped over it do you want all results you can get or just actual 1.2 games?

It shouldn't matter. If you can play EB v.74, and are experiencing this CTD, then your experience qualifies.

I only have had a (persistent) reinforcement CTD once (probably because I've only played half a campaign yet) and had that one saved. I'm happy to report that with the fix it works like a charm; no more CTD!

Good to hear. I tried it in a 5-army, 3 general battle that had CTD'd before the fix....and it worked there. We just want to gather as much conclusive evidence as possible.

[Slartibardfast]

Fix works great.

Good luck in narrowing down the 400 character traits and locating the culprits.

[iberus_generalis]

it's strange but i never had a CTD with 0.74...maybe its not related to that, cuz i fight battles all the time, but never a CTD, not even do to the hardware...are you sure it is the traits? if they it is, then why don't get CTD's?

[therother]

We are not sure, no. But the evidence is stacking up, with games that would previously CTD now resolving ok when the PostBattle trait triggers are removed.

As for your specific issue, I'm glad you aren't affect by this issue. It would be useful if we could understand why though. Perhaps you fight battles in a different way from everyone else? For example, what result do you often get from your battles (e.g. clear or crushing), do you fight with your general's unit, etc.?

[Wardo]

I've been having an extremely bad luck with my current Ptolemaioi campaign. I think in these 30 or 40 years I've played so far I've had more Reinforcement Bug CTD's than in my entire Epeiros campaign all the way to ~150 something BC, I don't really remember.

I'll try this and play today for some hours and let you know of the results. If it works, I must say I agree that this is definitely the lesser of two evils BY FAR! REAL FAR! You don't know how annoying, dissapointing AND FRUSTRATING!!! OH FRUSTRATING! it is to fight a loooooooong 1/2 hour battle ending with a CTD...I just reload and auto-resolve the damned thing even it it gives me a defeat I wouldn't get had fought it myself. Crossing my fingers now.


EDIT: Well, I guess it works. I've been even splitting my armies in two to force reinforcement battles and made sure to fight everytime it would put me up against two enemy armies. Not one CTD. And this in a campaign that was filled with them! Off to work, EB Team. The task may be challenging, but the greater the difficulty the greater will be your honor once you accomplish your mission.

[Dooz]

What an excellent release Kull, I'm sure you've made a lot of EB players day. I'm curious though, does this have anything to do with the upcoming 0.8 release? As in, is this the fix being used for it as well or does it not have the same bug to begin with?

[therother]

For the sake of clarity, it should be emphasised that the point of releasing this file is to confirm that the PostBattle triggers are what's causing these crashes. NB the file above has no traits awarded after a battle. Therefore, those wishing to use this as a workaround in current games would be advised to replace the proper traits file with the one above, fight the troublesome battle without the PostBattle triggers, then save, quit and reload after restoring the proper traits file. A pain, yes, but the best we can do until the exact cause is pinpointed. Which will hopefully be soon.

[Darkarbiter]

So i guess Baktria will never get kats with this thing on?

[therother]

Correct.

[Obelics]

2) The bad news is we took a "brute force" approach and have deactivated all post-battle traits. Ultimately we'd like to narrow the problem down and reinstate as many of these as possible, but given your frustration with this bug, it was felt that you'd accept the current fix as the lesser of two evils.

hi Kull im going to install the fix cause I had this CTD reinforcement, and i cant proceed in my actual campaign, now im not expert of "traits and triggers" so im thinking about what does it means that sentence above, is this somethink that will change the way you are going to play? can you explain it a bit, thanks a lot and sorry for the ignorance...

EDIT: can i reinstall the old files (after I have played the CTD battle) and restore the thinks as they were?

[Bonny]

That means, that all post battle triggers are deactivated, so you can't get a trait or ancillari after winning/loosing a battle.

So the best thing you can do is: use the hotfix to the play CTD Battle, save, replace the hotfix with the original file and go on playing, until you get to another CTD Battle, then use the hotfix........

It's not very userfriendly, bu it works until the bug has been resolved....

[Obelics]

thanks bonny, that is all i wanted to hear! So i have not to have that "hotfix" permanently installed...

thanks a lot!

[Teleklos Archelaou]

You can keep it installed Obelics, if you want, but it just would mean that no traits or ancillaries would be awarded after the battles were over.

[Obelics]

You can keep it installed Obelics, if you want, but it just would mean that no traits or ancillaries would be awarded after the battles were over.

ok, i prefer to use it just for the battle i was playing, it is not much pain to change it after the battle (it is the first CTD with pahlava), tomorrow i will replay the battle and post the results (i have a save-game "very near" that battle)

thanks Teleklos

EDIT: I tryed the fix just now with a battle between pahlava and 2 bactrian armies (around 225BC) 24/08/2006 and it went well, no CTD after the battle... praises to the guy(s) who worked on it.