[21-Apr-2015] v2.2 - some graphics updates. [22-Jan-2013] v2.1.1 - just a minor internal change and updated to Executioner 1.2.1. [20-Aug-2012] v2.1 - added Troll-men & Dwarven Halberdmen plus some minor changes (see Change Log). [30-Jun-2012] v2.0 - now all generals can use it, not just starting generals!
This will let you change the bodyguard unit for characters, in game. e.g. Switch Legolas between mounted (Horse Archers) and dismounted (Sindar Archers).
v2.0 introduces a slightly different way of doing it which severely reduces the size of the script. As a result it can now do more characters without the script becoming ridiculously large. v2.0 takes advantage of this to let you switch any of TATW 3.2's 2030 character names whereas previous versions provided only 96. (The script is ~110,00 lines which is still very large but if "all characters" were done the old v1.x way then it would have been 1.5 million lines!)
i.e. It can now be used on any general, not just the ones who are in the game at campaign start. In v1.x it was only available to about 7 characters per faction: now it is available to all characters per faction.
To further keep the script size down the Kill Character feature has been removed. Instead, v2.0 now includes the Executioner v1.2 submod. It is a better solution overall and smaller than a 2030-names Kill Character.
Additionally, the switching script can now use rules based on ancillary ownership. Two such rules have been added to v2.0:
Gondor: Swan Knights and Dismounted Swan Knights are now available to whoever currently holds the "Prince of Dol Amroth" ancillary. In v1.x only Imrahil could get them.
Isengard: Dunlending Bodyguards are now available to whoever currently holds the "Chief of Dunland" ancillary. In v1.x only Yagthak could get them.
In v2.0 the switching process is started by pressing SHIFT+C. This "Change Bodyguard" action can be mapped to another key in the usual way: TATW main menu > Options > Keyboard Settings.
I'll keep the old versions and their information here for a while, for those still using TATW 3.1.
Last edited by Withwnar; April 21, 2015 at 05:46 AM.
Very good idea, but how are you planning to activate this script? If you select the character or whatever?
As a suggestion for the spawn point, maybe in the case of Eriador/Arnor, Bree and if you don't own Bree, it is Annuminas, if you don't own Annunminas, it's Fornost.
The character must be in a settlement when this happens (weird results otherwise) so character_selected is not an option unfortunately. At the moment it is being triggered by clicking the advice/help button on any Unit Details scroll.
So it's basically the same character that comes back? No loss of title such as Faction Leader/Heir etc? If this does work, I belive you will have made an invaluable addition to this mod.
The character must be in a settlement when this happens (weird results otherwise) so character_selected is not an option unfortunately. At the moment it is being triggered by clicking the advice/help button on any Unit Details scroll.
How could you then select the character you want to change the bodyguard from?
Will the upkeep change as well? If not, there is no disadvantage of putting everyone on horses. Also, it doesn't necessarily have to be a drawback to make a general spawn back at the capital, especially if he is surrounded or about to be surrounded by enemy stacks. I assume the rest of the garrison won't be affected? I think you should put a cost to this to balance it out. Maybe a required building in the settlement would balance it as well.
If not, there is no disadvantage of putting everyone on horses.
A lot of people seem to prefer mounted generals. Personally I really like the archer bodyguards of Aragorn and the Silvans. Having infantry bodyguard options could be fun too, though more dangerous for the general of course.
Also, it doesn't necessarily have to be a drawback to make a general spawn back at the capital, especially if he is surrounded or about to be surrounded by enemy stacks.
Not "the capital"; that can be changed by you at any time whereas this respawn location will be fixed (though possibly a choice of settlements will be offered).
True: a side effect of this is that you could use it to cheat a character out of certain death. It's up to the player whether they choose to do so.
I assume the rest of the garrison won't be affected?
That's correct: only this character will disappear from the settlement.
I think you should put a cost to this to balance it out. Maybe a required building in the settlement would balance it as well.
I'll give that some thought. I'd prefer not to have to make a new building card etc. nor tamper with the EDB. As it is now it will be very simple to drop this into TATW. The more files I change the harder it will be to merge into the mod, especially if other submods are present.
Personally I think that the inconvenience of having this guy sent back to 'base' is cost enough. But something along the lines of "cavalry options only possible if the 'base' has stables" could be an idea.
Originally Posted by deguerra
Just curious Withwnar, how do you manage to keep traits etc all the same?
send_character_off_map. When you bring him back with spawn_army he keeps everything he had, but you can specify a new bodyguard in the process.
Last edited by Withwnar; October 23, 2011 at 05:47 AM.
send_character_off_map. When you bring him back with spawn_army he keeps everything he had, but you can specify a new bodyguard in the process.
Now that's awesome.
I always thought of 'killing/removing' and 'respwan'.
This is just like the 'crusades' that the vanilla characters went on....
And thats cool.
That's right: it works just like the crusades thing but in this case the general is not absent for any amount of time. He is sent off map and immediately brought back.
I must say that I'm not entirely happy with the "disappear from this settlement and reappear back at Bree" thing. It would be good - for 'reality' - if it forced you send the character there in the first place. That is doable but would require a lot of monitors to track all of the characters' whereabouts and I'm hesitant to add monitors 'needlessly'.
It would be awesome if you could have Faramir switch his BG from rangers to cavalry, just as he could in BFME
Perhaps boromir could switch from infantry to cavalry too?
Expanding on this idea, maybe all faction leaders and heirs could have the option to switch between cavalry and foot?
As in, Eriador/Arnor could switch from rangers to mounted dunedain, or mounted/dismounted knights of Annuminas, Orcs could switch between infantry and warg bg, Rohan could have mounted/dismounted royal guards, Gondor could switch between cav bg and citadel guard (and rangers for faramir), Dwarves and Elves I think are fine as they are, and Harad/Rhun could also switch between mounted and dismounted BGs
EDIT (sorry I hadn't read all previous posts, so others may have already put some of these ideas forward...)
One suggestion: If the character (for example Aragorn) is under siege, you shouldn't be able to change his bodyguard and get him save to Bree.
Thanks. Ideally yes. But again this would require a lot more script purely for the sake of preventing the player from abusing the system.
It makes sense that if his settlement is under siege then he wouldn't be able to escape to Bree. But in reality he can't just teleport to Bree either. Some player's discretion will be needed with this; how it's used is entirely up to them, cheating or otherwise.
@Ozzmosis
Thanks for that. I had my eye on Faramir and Boromir. And in general all starting faction leaders, heirs and other heroes, with a mounted/dismounted option at least.
Interesting that you say Elves don't need it. I was considering a dismounted missile option for Glorfindel, Elladan and Elrohir.
Silvans are a peculiar case. Mounting them would mean Horse Archers which are a fair bit weaker than Sindar Archers. Would anyone even bother?
BTW, I added some screen shots to the OP.
Last edited by Withwnar; October 23, 2011 at 12:15 PM.
Well I guess I was thinking more about Silvans in that they don't need it, since having a horsearcher BG doesn't really work, especially with the Sindar archers.
I guess it would work well for Elladan, Elrohir, Glorfindel and Elrond if they could switch from Horse to archer/swords.
I think the character should need 1 turn to respwan instead:
The bodyguards are not robots awaiting use, y'know?
And thus a little bit less 'abusing' and have you take consideration of danger(spwaning in enemy control zone)
Plus the 'reality' of moving back at full speed.
Last edited by KnightsTemplar; October 24, 2011 at 04:30 AM.
Just a suggestion, I believe it would me more fair if you can swithch BG unit if the character is in the capital city only. Meaning he is equpting for a campaign, and he will use the same unit until the campaign is over.
And somebody could use the trick to switch everyvody with the cheaper BG unless they need any good one.
Bodyguard Switcher (change bodyguards in-game) v2.2 [3.2 compatible]
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Originally Posted by Withwnar
I'll give that some thought. I'd prefer not to have to make a new building card etc. nor tamper with the EDB. As it is now it will be very simple to drop this into TATW. The more files I change the harder it will be to merge into the mod, especially if other submods are present.
