MTW Command Line Switches

The MTW command line switches allow you to alter how the game works or is controlled. You can create shortcuts on your desktop that use the switches. Copy the regular game shortcut, and append the switch to the executable target after "<$PATH>/Medieval_TW.exe".

-ian

This is a neat switch that allows you to change factions during the game. It also lets you autorun the game, letting the AI handle all factions. Good for modders to check out faction behavior and balance.

This lets you control the first/original 20 factions declared in the startpos file (including rebel).

• Ctrl 1 = Rebel
• Ctrl 2 = Almohads
• Ctrl 3 = Byzantine
• Ctrl 0 = Poland
• Shift 2 = Spain
• Shift 3 =Turkish
• Shift 0 = Sicilian
• etc.

The "A" key will start auto-run mode, allowing the game to run automatically through the factions and years.

The "I" key turns off/on artificial intelligence on campaign map. It stops AI from moving pieces, build improvements and train troops. It does not affect AI in the battle portion of the game however.

The "G" turns on/off god mode. It reveals entire map.

The "'" key lets the AI take over your faction.

Ctrl+I will toggle the inset map and screen panels.

The "F5" key will toggle the Scenic tour, allowing you to see improvements and army composition everywhere.

Shift # or Shift @ will toggle the ability to view all battles, not just your own.

-loyalty:#

This switch allows you to set the auto-tax's loyalty goal. Replace "#" with the target loyalty level desired.

-green_generals

Normally, when a (non-royal) general dies in MTW, he is replaced by another with the same stats and VnVs. The -green_generals switch will replace him with a weaker version. This is more realistic, and will off some of your uber-generals during the game, but the AI may run into even more difficulty since it doesn't care properly for it's generals. Only available with VI.

-old_age:A

This switch allows you to change the age at which it becomes possible for generals to die from old age. Replace A with the age in years, for kings, sons, royal generals, and heroes 10 years will be added. It defaults to 40. Only available in VI.

-death_msg:R

This switch lets you adjust which generals will generate non-critical messages when they die of old age. Replace R with the desired minimum rank level (command stars) that you want notifications for. The default rank level is 4. Only available in VI.

-critical_death_msg:R

This is similar to -death_msg, but it display a death message regardless of if the non-critical message check box is ticked or not. The default rank level is 11, so no message will ever be given if non-critical messages are turned off. Only available in VI.

-strictserver

This switch is on by default for Viking Invasion installations. It is used for multiplayer. This should pretty much be left alone.

-bbc

For multiplayer games, this allows the host to pause the battle.

-old_rebels

This switch will use a different method for generating rebellions.

D

This will start the game in Debug mode. The game will occupy a 800x600 rectangle on the desktop, allowing the rest of the desktop to be accessible. To keep this size, the resolution settings for both the campaign and battle map should be set to 800x600. While in Debug mode, the -ian keyboard controls will be available.

C

This will start the game in Self-run mode. Similar to -ian mode.

---

TBD - need more info on what the switches let you do, especially -ian. Which keys relate to what faction, autorun, etc.

Are the super-secret switches (old_age, death_msg) correct?