Simple unit stat editing question?

[Gallicflair]

Hi,

Sorry if this is asked a million times already but, after using the unpacker should one be able to edit the export_unit_descri_file and see the changes in game like you usued to be able to in RTW or does one also need to change something else to apply said changes?

I tried to alter the upkeep and defence values of a couple of units to test but found no changes in the game (either current campaign nor in a new one). What am I doing wrong (or simply not doing).

I am using the export_unit_descri file located : C:\Program Files\SEGA\Medieval II Total War\data

Thanks in advance.

[Stig]

Nah, you will need to set up a mod folder.

Download this little tool:
https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=76099
And run it

It'll make a new folder with the name you gave in the main MTW2 folder. Copy your edited file to it and run the bat file that has also been created to start the game. Pretty easy once you got the hang of it.

[FactionHeir]

Well you don't have to use a mod folder (IMO mod folder is only useful for testing multiple configs at once or if you have several large conflicting mods)

Firstly, to fix unit upkeep and costs, you need to edit the export_descr_unit.txt file, not the description file.
After you do that, just run your game using a shortcut or change your config.

To make a shortcut:
-Create a shortcut to your medieval2.exe
-Open its properties
-Find the Target section, where it points to medieval2.exe
-Change the ending to:
medieval2.exe --io.file_first
Apply changes and run the game. Now your changes should show up.

The config method (not needed if you can get shortcut to work!):
-Open medieval2.preference.cfg
-Add to the top of the file:
[io]
file_first = 1

-Save changes and mark read-only.
-Run your game

[Gallicflair]

Of course I did mean the export_descr_unit.txt file, which I was altering.

Thanks for the solutions guys, problem solved. Now my highland nobles may actually be worth recruiting

[Gallicflair]

Back again for another question

How do I get this to work for americas campaign?

I used factionheir's shortcut route last time (quoted below)

To make a shortcut:
-Create a shortcut to your medieval2.exe
-Open its properties
-Find the Target section, where it points to medieval2.exe
-Change the ending to:
medieval2.exe --io.file_first
Apply changes and run the game. Now your changes should show up.

Of course this does not work for Americas so which route should I take?

Already tried the preferences.confg but couldnt open that at all. No idea what a batch file is let alone make one

Thanks in advance. Again.

[FactionHeir]

You open the medieval2.preference.cfg using notepad.

If that way doesn't work for Kingdoms, you'd want to add the --io.file_first after what's in the shortcut for the americas campaign. Not sure whether it works since I don't have kingdoms.

[Gallicflair]

You open the medieval2.preference.cfg using notepad.

If that way doesn't work for Kingdoms, you'd want to add the --io.file_first after what's in the shortcut for the americas campaign. Not sure whether it works since I don't have kingdoms.

Thanks for the reply FactionHeir,

I am unable to open the medieval2.preference.cfg file using notepad. When I right click it there is no Open with option,. Only Open and that results in an : Window is unable to open this file, needs to know which programme created it blah blah blah, then when I follow the look up it can't find it.

As to using the Short Cut That sdoesnt seem to work either it's just results in a CTD whilst loading.

This is the current path btw: "C:\Program Files\SEGA\Medieval II Total War\kingdoms.exe" --features.mod=mods/americas

Ps- Unless you've quit playing, Kingdoms is quite enjoyable just needs some tweeks.

[Lord of the Isles]

Thanks for the reply FactionHeir,

I am unable to open the medieval2.preference.cfg file using notepad. When I right click it there is no Open with option,. Only Open and that results in an : Window is unable to open this file, needs to know which programme created it blah blah blah, then when I follow the look up it can't find it.

As to using the Short Cut That sdoesnt seem to work either it's just results in a CTD whilst loading.

This is the current path btw: "C:\Program Files\SEGA\Medieval II Total War\kingdoms.exe" --features.mod=mods/americas

Ps- Unless you've quit playing, Kingdoms is quite enjoyable just needs some tweeks.

I'm having very similar problems.

I've unpacked the Britannia campaign in Kingdoms (by running the provided script in Tools folder), edited export_descr_unit.txt (after turning off read-only first) then added --io.file_first to a new shortcut I created by copying the standard Britannia one. When I start a new game, the UI is corrupted - lower left map box is mostly empty, town names/info boxes on map appear many times normal size and in weird colours.

I seem to remember reading CA saying M2:TW then Kingdoms were going to be even more modder-friendly. Sigh.

[FactionHeir]

Thanks for the reply FactionHeir,

I am unable to open the medieval2.preference.cfg file using notepad. When I right click it there is no Open with option,. Only Open and that results in an : Window is unable to open this file, needs to know which programme created it blah blah blah, then when I follow the look up it can't find it.

Don't let it look for it, select iot from the list instead. If notepad is not listed (which it should be), its somewhere in your windows folder.

As to using the Short Cut That sdoesnt seem to work either it's just results in a CTD whilst loading.

This is the current path btw: "C:\Program Files\SEGA\Medieval II Total War\kingdoms.exe" --features.mod=mods/americas

Hmmm maybe they revised the system somewhere. Check out the topic in this same forum on how to mod kingdoms. I heard they also ran into similar problems regarding UI or CTD on load.

Ps- Unless you've quit playing, Kingdoms is quite enjoyable just needs some tweeks.

Its no better than any player made mod and doesn't fix any vanilla bugs. There is no point in buying it really - just make your own mod or play vanilla with tweaks you can make yourself or get from others.

[Gallicflair]

FactionHeir, thanks once again for taking the time to reply.

I will try to get this whole modding thing figured out eventually.

Just need to buy a new graph card first since mine went kaput over the weekend.

On the plus side it does mean I get to upgrade my dusty old 6800 Gt and trade up

[Lord of the Isles]

I'm having very similar problems.

I've unpacked the Britannia campaign in Kingdoms (by running the provided script in Tools folder), edited export_descr_unit.txt (after turning off read-only first) then added --io.file_first to a new shortcut I created by copying the standard Britannia one. When I start a new game, the UI is corrupted - lower left map box is mostly empty, town names/info boxes on map appear many times normal size and in weird colours.

I seem to remember reading CA saying M2:TW then Kingdoms were going to be even more modder-friendly. Sigh.

I think I've found an answer in this thread in the post from FactionHeir. He was advising another beginner that he shouldn't unpack everything (I remember another thread where someone mentioned this causes problems). So I made my own copy of the tools\unpacker\unpack_britannia batch file and added the following before the --verbosity=1 bit:

--filter=export_descr_unit.txt

Then I ran it to produce just a single unpacked export_descr_unit.txt file in the mods\british_isles\data folder. Edited that to increase the missile attack of Welsh Saethwyr then used the shortcut I'd done earlier - the one with Target: changed with the --io addition:

"C:\Program Files\SEGA\Medieval II Total War\kingdoms.exe" --features.mod=mods/british_isles --io.file_first

That seems to have worked in that no weirdness or CTDs have occurred after 20 turns and the Saethwyn are showing up with the new missile attack value in their info screen. Hope this might help someone. I now return you to the main bit of this thread - sorry for the mini thread-hijack.