getting started modding...

[the Fallen]

Hello,

I'm new to modding, and am interested in learning how. I'm not really looking to revamp the whole game, just start with a few [hopefully] minor changes. If anyone's interested in helping me out with some advice, I'd appreciate it. I play the Special Edition version.

So far, I've found how to open *.mpq files and make minor changes, such as changing the stats on and spells cast by artifacts and raising level caps for units.

The changes I'm looking to make for now are as follows:

1: enable total experience display in character info windows
2: enable earned experience display after combat
3: allow me to keep Balkoth when customizing - note: I know it's been said before that this can be done by just naming the necromancer lord "Balkoth", but, in the unmodded game, that is just not true.
4: enable research of spells that currently can't be researched
5: enable spellcasting ("would you like to cast any spells?") after combat; example: I modify an artifact to cast resurrection and want to use it when the fight ends.

[Boaster]

Oct 24, 2011 18:48:06 GMT -6 the Fallen said:

1: enable total experience display in character info windows

This is something a bit more advanced. You can edit 'gs\dlg\infopan.gs' to do this.

Oct 24, 2011 18:48:06 GMT -6 the Fallen said:

2: enable earned experience display after combat

This is also advanced. You can edit 'gs\dlg\cres_dlg.gs' and 'gs\comb_res.gs'

Oct 24, 2011 18:48:06 GMT -6 the Fallen said:

3: allow me to keep Balkoth when customizing - note: I know it's been said before that this can be done by just naming the necromancer lord "Balkoth", but, in the unmodded game, that is just not true.

You would have to edit a Custom Lord file to do this. Would require a hex editor. From inside the game, I don't think this can work with GS editing starting from unmodded.

Oct 24, 2011 18:48:06 GMT -6 the Fallen said:

4: enable research of spells that currently can't be researched

Requires adding all spells to spellbooks and adding spell descriptions.

Oct 24, 2011 18:48:06 GMT -6 the Fallen said:

5: enable spellcasting ("would you like to cast any spells?") after combat; example: I modify an artifact to cast resurrection and want to use it when the fight ends.

It's in 'gs\combat.gs'.

[the Fallen]

Wow. Alright, thanks a lot. I'll get on this after work.

[followthepyro]

so how exactly would one go about making the balkoth change in a hex editor

[orzie]

Dec 23, 2013 9:29:17 GMT -6 @followthepyro said:

so how exactly would one go about making the balkoth change in a hex editor

I'd recommend you to use more high-tech and reliable method with editing balkoth's file in GS.mpq/gs/units directory. Hex-editing units is a not so reliable method.