How do you edit mecha stats?

[Question]

As title. I tried modifying the files in the design folder but the best i managed to do was make the mecha dissapear from the game entirely o.O.

[Anticheese]

Do you ever do anything except post questions?

Anyway..

Mecha Customization is pretty easy once you get a handle on it..

Quoting: Strongarm.txt

Mod Head
   Size 1
   Armor 2
   Mass 3
   sub
      Sensor 2
   end

This is the code for a head module, It is SF:1 (small Mecha) becuase of the Size 1 tag (the tab key is used for achieving the margins), and it has a class 2 sensor installed in it.

If you changed the Sensor to a value such as 42, you would have a totally unfairly strong sensor (AFAIK there is no upper limit to how high a class on a component can go) so lets just change it to 5.

While we're at it, lets give it a bit more armour to help protect the sensor from headshots.

Quoting: Strongarm2.txt

Mod Head
   Size 1
   Armor 3
   Mass 3
   sub
      Sensor 5
   end

Almost all the attributes you see in the text files are the same as you will see in the game. It's just a matter of substituting numbers to make things better or worse.

I would write a longer guide, but most of it is pretty self explanitory.

[Question]

What about stuff like MV? What does the mass do? All the components in the Queztal file seem to have negative masses.

I also tried changing arc jets 4 to 9, but there was absolutely no change ingame for some reason.

[Anticheese]

Mass is automatically calculated. Adding a line like "mass 3" will make a SF:2 component 1.5 tonnes heavier whereas a mass -3 component is 1.5 tonnes lighter than its mass 0 counterpart.

Quoting: Question

I also tried changing arc jets 4 to 9, but there was absolutely no change ingame for some reason.

You need to start a new game for the change to take effect.

If you want to see if you succeded, use the option "Review design files" or something like that and select the modified mech. It will give you the stats it will have in the game.

[Question]

I still cant figure out how to change MV though. It just occured to me, each mech has default MV/TR/S values right? Thats why a 90 ton corsair has abysmal MV/TR/S, while a 90 ton argoseyer still has decent MV/TR/S. Any way to change those?

Edit : I tried changing masses to -10 but i saw no change in the "review design files" options, the Queztal still has 32 tons.

[palefire]

Quoting: Question

I tried changing masses to -10 but i saw no change in the "review design files" options, the Queztal still has 32 tons.

That's strange, I changed all the existing mass tags of Queztal to -10 and it now weights 16 ton, has mv -2 tr 0, and very high PV. Note that it's the mass of each component.

Anyway I don't recommend changing the stock design files. Copy them and make up a new name and you will have a new mech to experiment with.

Engine and Gyro also affect the tonnage the mech can sustain and MV/TR.

Check doc/man_umek for some references.

[Question]

But will that new mech show up in the shops?

Engine and gyro...well i know how to change gyro as its in the design files....but what about engine? Its not listed in the design files at all.

[Francisco Munoz]

You can add Targeting computers to upgrade TR.. but you can do it in game.
 To upgrade MV just remove mass (each componet is have a minimun weigth, usually 0) or upgraqde de gyroscope.
 Maximun MV & TR is 0.
 IIRC Engines can be only modded adding them the higth output tag (see Ovaknigth)

[Question]

So if i make a new mecha design file, name it A.Txt or whatever, will it show up in shops? If not, i dont see how i would be able to test out the mech.

[Epsilon]

Quoting: Question

So if i make a new mecha design file, name it A.Txt or whatever, will it show up in shops? If not, i dont see how i would be able to test out the mech.

Yes, it will.

[macksting]

Quoting: Question

If not, i dont see how i would be able to test out the mech.

Even were that an issues, the solution is simple enough. Just hack the first few plot files so that you get that mech instead of one of the other introductory ones. I recommend the one where you ask Megi for a job.

[Question]

Hmm then will the new mecha show up in missions and random encounters?

[Epsilon]

Quoting: Question

Hmm then will the new mecha show up in missions and random encounters?

Yes, they will, although they have to be of a relative strength/PV. Your Class 8 aerofighter with the DC10x30 BLAST 4 MASS -12 beam cannons won't show up next to a Strongarm.

[Francisco Munoz]

You can edit your save file in a similar way so only your mecha will be affected.

[Anticheese]

You can also edit your character and all manner of personal scale items as well.

Quoting: Epsilon

Quoting: Question
Hmm then will the new mecha show up in missions and random encounters?


Yes, they will, although they have to be of a relative strength/PV. Your Class 8 aerofighter with the DC10x30 BLAST 4 MASS -12 beam cannons won't show up next to a Strongarm.

Yeah, just remember to keep things balanced. It's no fun playing with a god machine..It's even less fun when through freak chance one of your superaerofighters are spawned instead of a horde of lesser Mecha.