Need Help Editing XML

[Midnightman]

None of the changes I make to the XML files seem to work.

All I want to do is edit the existing XML files and not create a whole mod just for a few changes.

One example

In CIV5Handicapsinfos.xml

<AIStartingDefenseUnits>1</AIStartingDefenseUnits>

to

<AIStartingDefenseUnits>0</AIStartingDefenseUnits>

Confirmed no change in game.

Am I able to simply edit these files or do I have to create a mod to do this?

I just want the easiest fastest way to make some minor changes/tweaks.

Any help would be really appreciated!

 

[Nutty]

If I had one guess, I'd assume the problem was you were editing the vanilla file in \Assets\Gameplay\XML\GameInfo\ instead of the BNW one in \Assets\DLC\Expansion2\Gameplay\XML\GameInfo\

 

[Rob (R8XFT)]

Welcome to Civfanatics, Midnightman!

I was thinking the same as Nutty when I read your post. I would create what you're trying to do as a mod though for two reasons:
01. Sometimes the game is updated and may update one of the files you've amended, losing your work.
02. If something goes wrong and the game crashes in way you are unable to fix, the only way of being able to play Civ 5 at all would be to reinstall it.

 

[Midnightman]

Thanks for the very quick replies.

I would prefer just editing the vanilla files as my preferred way (I already do this on other single player steam games blocking updates and playing in offline mode).

But if that can't be supported that's ok.

I'm just impatient but I guess I'll use modbuddy instead.

cheers

If there is a way of just editing vanilla XML files and have them take effect please tell me.

The process of using modbuddy just to change a few small things is so tedious and slow.

I need to make quick changes and test them before I make a full blown mod....

Moderator Action: Posts merged; please use the edit function if it's a short time between posts and no-one has posted inbetween.
Please read the forum rules: http://forums.civfanatics.com/showthread.php?t=422889

 

[Rob (R8XFT)]

Do you have BNW/G&K? If you do, then disable them in-game by clicking on DLC and unchecking them. That way, I think the changes you make in the Vanilla files should work. One other thing you could do (initially using modbuddy) is to copy across all the files you plan to change into modbuddy and creating a mod that doesn't change a thing, then apply your changes manually to the XML files that are created by modbuddy. That way, you only have to use it once and it doesn't corrupt your original files.

 

[Midnightman]

I do have have BNW/G&K, but wouldn't disabling them remove the features?

One other thing you could do (initially using modbuddy) is to copy across all the files you plan to change into modbuddy and creating a mod that doesn't change a thing, then apply your changes manually to the XML files that are created by modbuddy. That way, you only have to use it once and it doesn't corrupt your original files.

This!! ^

And how?

 

[Midnightman]

Success!

Thanks for the help.

I finally used another mod to figure it out
I used this

<GameData>
<HandicapInfos>
<Update>
<Where Type="HANDICAP_AI_KING" />
<Set>
<HappinessDefault>9</HappinessDefault>
All the other elements etc
etc
and closing bracket things.