Probably a silly and easy question...

[Xaviarlol]

Is there a way to use Modbuddy to create your mod by using the default XML gameplay files, and simply editing those files rather than using <update> and <set> codes etc?

I want to bypass having to use <update> and <set> codes by simply editing the default XML game files, and using modbuddy to create the mod package so it can be loaded like normal mods (and not affect the default XML files).

Thanks!

Moderator Action: Moved to main C&C forum.

 

[PawelS]

You can do it if you delete the existing content first. But there are some things you need to know about deleting stuff, see this thread.

 

[Xaviarlol]

You can do it if you delete the existing content first. But there are some things you need to know about deleting stuff, see this thread.

Could you please elaborate a bit on this, perhaps I didn't explain what I am trying to achieve very well.

I want to create the .civ5mod file like a usual mod, except I want to just edit a few existing game XML files with the changes I want, rather than coding a new XML file with <update> tags.

 

[PawelS]

I understood what you meant. For example, if you want to include an edited version of the Handicaps XML file, you can do it, but first you need to delete the original Handicaps from the database. This is SQL code that I use for it (it can be also done in XML, but I don't remember how):

DELETE FROM HandicapInfos;
DELETE FROM HandicapInfo_AIFreeTechs;
DELETE FROM HandicapInfo_FreeTechs
DELETE FROM HandicapInfo_Goodies;

Then you can add to your mod an edited version of CIV5HandicapInfos.xml, but remove the table definitions at the beginning of the file.

The problem is that the IDs will be wrong after doing it, so you can use one of 2 solutions:

1. Add an <ID> tag for every difficulty level. So HANDICAP_SETTLER has <ID>0</ID>, HANDICAP_CHIEFTAIN has <ID>1</ID>, HANDICAP_WARLORD has <ID>2</ID>, and so on.

2. Re-sequence table IDs as explained in the thread I linked to earlier.

Also note that if you delete things like units or buildings, it will not only delete stuff from the main XML files, but also from DLCs.

 

[Xaviarlol]

I understood what you meant. For example, if you want to include an edited version of the Handicaps XML file, you can do it, but first you need to delete the original Handicaps from the database. This is SQL code that I use for it (it can be also done in XML, but I don't remember how):

DELETE FROM HandicapInfos;
DELETE FROM HandicapInfo_AIFreeTechs;
DELETE FROM HandicapInfo_FreeTechs
DELETE FROM HandicapInfo_Goodies;

Then you can add to your mod an edited version of CIV5HandicapInfos.xml, but remove the table definitions at the beginning of the file.

The problem is that the IDs will be wrong after doing it, so you can use one of 2 solutions:

1. Add an <ID> tag for every difficulty level. So HANDICAP_SETTLER has <ID>0</ID>, HANDICAP_CHIEFTAIN has <ID>1</ID>, HANDICAP_WARLORD has <ID>2</ID>, and so on.

2. Re-sequence table IDs as explained in the thread I linked to earlier.

Also note that if you delete things like units or buildings, it will not only delete stuff from the main XML files, but also from DLCs.

Oh ok, I see what you mean now - I thought you meant deleting the actual XML files in the application folder!

Seems a bit tricky and advanced for me... is there no other way to simply edit formulas without having to use <update> tags?

 

[Craig_Sutter]

Why are you avoiding update tags? I find them to be most convenient for modding little things.