Tokugawa / Hattori Ninja Hero and Shinobi Hero v3.0.1 - Hotfix 19/06/2013

[Master Necromancer]

Very nice! Can't wait to try it out. I use unit variety mod so will see if they work together. +rep

[Tarsus999]

Woah these units look awesome, theres something very special about them compared to other custom units, keep up the good work

By the way, is there any way to turn of the "scaring" effect? I know the unit is not set to be frightening to horses and other men, but ingame it still scares them away.

EDIT: i think i have found out why the unit is scaring away enemies in combat. Before using the mod i fiddled with its unit stats, and here i saw "unit frightens men" was put to "true", so i put it to "false", after that ingame the unit scared away other units it fought, even before they made melee contact!

Afterwards i deleted the editet pack file and downloaded a new hattori ninja pack file and made sure that the "Unit frightens men" was put to "true" and now the unit does not frighten enemies.

[Tarsus999]

I hope its okay i make a double post because this post is about a different issue than the other one.



I wanted to be able to recruit this unit in the FotS campaign, so i made all the samurai
dojos(1,2,3 and 4) able to recruit the ninja unit but whenever i start the game it crashes, any idea why this is happening?





See attached pictures for more details.

[scope2007]

Hey all,

Small update here.

I have just purchased the new Saints and Heroes DLC - and I am a little annoyed by the cheapo decision to give the "Hanzo's shadows" ninja hero unit the old campaign ninja model.

As this is totally uncool, I am going to release a small mini-mod which replaces the low poly/low res model with the choice of my tokugawa or hattori ninja hero skin - it will work similar to the FOTS unit leader mini mod I have released already.

I will also be reviewing the unit's balance in relation to the Hanzo's shadow unit in the new DLC so they balance out even.

[Brutalsubtlety]

Great Idea scope2007, all Hattori mods are swiftly becoming obligatory.

[scope2007]

Always a pleasure to work on Hattori mods

I started the mini-mod last night it took me about 20 minutes to get working and in game...

Something strange and great happened though when I changed the unit leader - check out the below pic.



Spotted the change?

The Unit officer has THIGH SHIELDS?! I do not remember adding those on.... they look great. But its only happening when I attach the model to the Hanzo's shadows! The other downside is that they are not team colorable - meaning that if I put the red skin on the model its looks silly with gold thigh sheilds...

Unlike the standard modular part models used by most S2 models (individual heads, torsos, legs etc), the FOTS ninja model is a single mesh... I did NOT edit it.. so how has this happened?

I need to investigate a bit more and figure out what is causing this and either find out how to change them to another texture, or remove them from the red model (which i want to give as an alternative option to the gold).

[Brutalsubtlety]

See that guys thigh’s he doesn’t require shields with those rock hard colossal thighs of his, that guys been hitting the squats, and hitting them ninjaaaa.
Love your work.

[scope2007]

See that guys thigh’s he doesn’t require shields with those rock hard colossal thighs of his, that guys been hitting the squats, and hitting them ninjaaaa.
Love your work.

Thanks for the kind words

I did manage to figure out HOW I enabled the thigh shields, I also recolored the diffuse texture and fixed the color mask so that team colors couldn't overide it... but thats only part of the problem.

While it looks ok from the front, I have noticed that the thigh shields cause graphical artifacts on the legs of the model when viewed from the side/ or behind, as theres some pretty glaring clipping going on that wouldn't go unnoticed.

As the model is a single and complete mesh - it was never designed to allow modular unit parts to be attached so I am going to try and find a way around it - although right now I am stumped.

I have decided to release the skins for the 'Hanzo's Shadows' - without the thigh shields for the time being - at least until I can fiddle the alpha pass to only draw part of the model or something.

What a shame... would have been awesome

The retexture will come in two flavours depending on preference - Classic Red (Hattori) or Elite Gold (Tokugawa). You just drop the pack file into your data folder - and it will change the uniform according to your choice. This should also be usable online as its only a reskin - and doesnt touch the unit stats at all.
I will compile the files now, and open a new thread for them - as it is technically a new mod. Although I will update this thread to include links to all of the small optional addons like this one, which improve the ninja hero mod as a whole.

*Link going up in the next hour*

On a side note, I will be reviewing the stats of the Ninja Hero's versus the new Hanzo's shadows and adjusting their stats accordingly. I am also combining the 2 seperate packfiles for Hattori and Tokugawa into one packfile for streamlining purposes.

[Brutalsubtlety]

scope2007 I’m actually kind of surprised in terms of there not being more mods like yours, I mean ninja’s, their freaking ninjas guys; there should be so many ninja mods, ninja archers, heavy nodatchi ninja, rocket-propelled arrow firing ninja (they were genuine) poison gas ninja grenade upgrades, green killing mist...

Wandering off track… The ninja's adaption of kites in espionage and warfare is another subject of legends. Accounts exist of ninja being lifted into the air by kites, where they flew over hostile terrain and descended into, or dropped bombs on enemy territory. Kites were indeed used in Japanese warfare, but mostly for the purpose of sending messages and relaying signals.
As a completely irrelevant side note here Kites would make the ancient battlefields seem so much more authentic, they’d add that fantasy meet reality surprise. They’d also look pretty amazing.
Not that I’m saying this is what you should do next, just saying.
Now if I was saying what you should do next, I’d be saying make more ninja’s, please. They’re awesome.

[scope2007]

Link for the "Hanzo's shadows" reskin is up *New Thread Here - Click to download*

[scope2007]

Quick update in regards to V3.0 of the Ninja Hero mod...

Changes made so far:

• Ninja Hero in game for FOTS campaigns. Available to all clans, but requires Level 4 traditional dojo (Legendary Samurai Dojo) - max unit recruitment of 1. Balance testing WIP - unit will have ranged capability with ammunition of 2 like standard kisho ninja.
• Packfiles from V2 merged together with FOTS Ninja Hero into one packfile for streamlining purposes.
• Fixed Ninja Hero Spotting ranges in Forest, Scrub and Long grass to 50 - so can get closer to enemies before being spotted.
• Ninja Hero units now immune to Attrition in campaign, and cold resistant on winter battlemaps.

Changes still to be made:

• Tweaking Hattori Visual upgrade (Ninja officers for Ashigaru units), to be removed from main mod and placed into its own packfile. This will be included with the Ninja hero mod as an optional packfile. Custom Skinned Ninja officers for Tokugawa & Hattori Kisho Ninja units will remain in main mod packfile.
• Rebalancing of Ninja Hero units to balance with Hanzo's Shadows Hero unit (official ninja hero in Saints and Heroes DLC). Hanzo's shadows have smaller numbers, but massive ranged ability. Tokugawa and Hattori Ninja Hero's will have slightly larger numbers, better attack and defence, will retain special abilities of Warcry (Hattori), Stand and Fight (Tokugawa), but no ranged ability (other than blinding grenades).
• Custom Encyclopedia Entry for FOTS Ninja Hero.

The hardest work to be done is rearranging the packfiles into a less convoluted structure - so users know what they are installing. Expect an update within the next few days.

[scope2007]

Quick update in regards to V3.0 of the Ninja Hero mod...

Changes made so far:

• Ninja Hero in game for FOTS campaigns. Available to all clans, but requires Level 4 traditional dojo (Legendary Samurai Dojo) - max unit recruitment of 1. Balance testing WIP - unit will have ranged capability with ammunition of 2 like standard kisho ninja.
• Packfiles from V2 merged together with FOTS Ninja Hero into one packfile for streamlining purposes.
• Fixed Ninja Hero Spotting ranges in Forest, Scrub and Long grass to 50 - so can get closer to enemies before being spotted.
• Ninja Hero units now immune to Attrition in campaign, and cold resistant on winter battlemaps.

Changes still to be made:

• Tweaking Hattori Visual upgrade (Ninja officers for Ashigaru units), to be removed from main mod and placed into its own packfile. This will be included with the Ninja hero mod as an optional packfile. Custom Skinned Ninja officers for Tokugawa & Hattori Kisho Ninja units will remain in main mod packfile.
• Rebalancing of Ninja Hero units to balance with Hanzo's Shadows Hero unit (official ninja hero in Saints and Heroes DLC). Hanzo's shadows have smaller numbers, but massive ranged ability. Tokugawa and Hattori Ninja Hero's will have slightly larger numbers, better attack and defence, will retain special abilities of Warcry (Hattori), Stand and Fight (Tokugawa), but no ranged ability (other than blinding grenades).
• Custom Encyclopedia Entry for FOTS Ninja Hero.

The hardest work to be done is rearranging the packfiles into a less convoluted structure - so users know what they are installing. Expect an update within the next few days.

Further changes made:

In summary the FOTS Ninja Hero (henceforth refered to as Boshin Ninja Hero), has been given Firebombs like other Boshin Kisho Ninja but have increased range of 75 (default is 50, 75 is the same range as Flashbombs), and is armed with 4 firebombs instead of 2. This allows for surprise attacks against ranged units without blowing stealth, before closing for the melee kill.

Main mod:

• FOTS/Boshin Ninja Hero - Statistics modified in line with FOTS expansion standards. (still not set in stone), but superior to all other Melee units.
• FOTS/Boshin Ninja Hero - Is armed with 4 firebombs, in opposed to the standard 2 of Kisho Ninja. Range drastically increased to 75 - the same range as Flashbombs, for surprise morale shocks and harsh attacks against ranged units.
• FOTS/Boshin Ninja Hero - Unit size increased to 100, to scale well against units of Shogitai (standard size of 200) which easily overrun a unit of 30 during balance testing.

Hattori clan visual upgrade (ninja unit leaders for ashigaru and samurai)

• Addition of new Samurai unit leaders. Hattori Samurai units now led by vanilla kisho ninja model (in armor to blend better with armored samurai), which better represents their Kisho Training (the units ability to deploy outside of deployment zone). Ashigaru are still led by the unarmored 'Monomi' style Ninja (mask with no mouth covering in ninjutsu gi). mod is a visual uniform mod only - no stats changes or ninja abilities added.

• Seperation from main mod to its own packfile.

[scope2007]

Another update I thought I would share as I found it quite amusing -

I decided to give the new FOTS Ninja Hero unit - The "Shinobi Hero" as I am currently calling it, a custom reskin rather than recycle one of the Hattori or Tokugawa skins.

I have been experementing with Team Colour masks - The idea behind this was to allow the unit to blend in better with its host army.

The results were not what I hoped for - but quite hilarious all the same.



Due to the FOTS armies preference to wear vibrant, glow in the dark colours we have an Electric Blue, and Neon Pink Ninja! When you think these guys are supposed to be trying to be stealthy - it quite a juxtaposition as you could spot these ninja's from the moon!

I think I will just stick to making the laces faction colourable eh?

On a more serious note, I have been rethinking the state of affairs with the Tokugawa and Hattori Ninja Heroes.

As two Ninja Heroes is a bit much for one faction, I have decided to make the Hanzo's shadows unit unrecruitable for Hattori and Tokugawa ONLY. (other factions will still be able to recruit Hanzos Shadows as normal)

The Ninja Heroes will be Hattori and Tokugawa's specialised Ninja Hero unit (like the Shimazu Katana Hero, but a lot more than just a few stats boosts).

I have enabled firebombs on the units - with a twist. The Hero units now use a custom firebomb projectile which have a range of 75 (same range as flashbombs - about a third futher than standard firebombs)...

The spotting distance on both units is now 50 meters - which makes them the stealthiest in the game. As the spotting distance is now shorter than the distance of the firebombs - the unit can now throw firebombs at units 75 meters away without breaking stealth!

Making for a pretty sweet surprise morale shock before closing for the kill...

Combined with special abilities like Warcry for Hattori, and Stand Firm for Tokugawa (and the added bonus of custom skins) - the Ninja Hero v3.0 will offer a viable alternative to the Hanzo's Shadows unit in the Vanilla Shogun 2 Campaign.

If your preference is a more modern battlefield - A Fall of the Samurai Ninja Hero unit called the "Shinobi Hero", will be available to all clans in campaign by building a level 4 - Legendary Samurai Dojo".

[ScarletFrog]

Ninja Hero units now immune to Attrition in campaign, and cold resistant on winter battlemaps.

How do you add the Immune to Attrition trait to Ninja Hero units?

Units that have "Immune to Attrition" set to True in PFM are all Naginata class units. Clearly not the ones that are immune to attrition in-game.

The units that are attrition immune in-game, Generals and Heroes, don't really seem to have any True-set Booleans in common.

And the column which is labeled "Cold Resistant" should actually be "Good Stamina", can't find the real "Cold Resistant"

[Dirac]

Thanks for the units, but I Have a small request, it looks like only general of this unit wears that sweet looking mask on the face, can you make every man of this unit wear that mask?
Thank you.

[scope2007]

This mod is not dead

Just a quick update -

I had to step back from Shogun 2 modding for a few months, due to lack of time in my schedule - and the stress caused by trying to rush this to completion. The time away has given me time to think about what I want to do with this mod - and I have decided that I want Version 3 to be the most complete and final version I can possibly make. This way I can stop worrying about modding - and enjoy playing for a change!

The launch of the assembly kit is a godsend - certain thing's I couldn't do before without a heavy investment of time have now been made possible - and I am confident of a release before christmas.

This version will be the most polished yet - Thigh Armor on campaign models is now easilly doable with the Unit Editor - so a small visual upgrade and more randomness amongst the unit's ninja's should be expected.

This isn't just for those who don't have the Saint's and Heroes DLC Ninja Hero - it works perfectly well alongside it! Hattori and Tokugawa wont be able to recruit Hanzo's Shadows in campaign and custom battles - The Ninja Hero is still exclusive to these two factions in its own flavour - and have more advanced skills and firebomb throwing range - making use of a custom firebomb projectile table.

The majority of my work is going into the FOTS Campaign Shinobi Hero - a ninja hero balanced for the FOTS campaign recruitable by any faction who has built a level 4 legendary samurai dojo. While the unit is working perfect in game - my attention is on making it look more unique to the boshin war era.

More news as it comes available

[scope2007]

I am making good progress with version 3, the Shinobi Hero is as good as done and I am devoting my current spare time to cleaning up some of the issues bugging me with previous versions.

I am currently implementing more unit variation within the ninja's of the Hattori and Tokugawa ninja hero units. For those who are unaware, these ninja models do not use the standard format variantmodel file, whereby a model is usually made up of seperate heads, torso's, arms and legs etc. It uses the campaign map ninja model, which is one mesh with one texture.

The problem with this is that we have "Ninja Clone" armies with identical soldiers which stand out like a sore thumb. I have made a few extra skin's of various colours and shades to break this up a little, but the most interesting thing I have found is that within the editor exists unused parts for the Hanzo's shadows units - namely the boshin mempo mask, shoulders and the leather armor worn by the unit leader.

Applying them to the unit gives the following result -



As cool as it may look, I understand why it is unused. There are some clipping issues with the curaiss and I am in two mind's if it is looks to a high enough standard to make it into V3...


What do you think? Looking for opinions guys yay or nay?

Your opinion counts please leave feedback, Cheers.

[weirdoascensor]

More Unique to the Boshin Era...Why not combine your Tanegashima Hero with Ninja...FoTS Shinobi Sogekitai Snipers.
...Something like a Hero version of Jozai's Yugekitai: Kisho Deployment, Hidden Sniping Ability, Light Infantry Behaviour, Mass Fire, Paths Seldom Trod, Policing Bonus, Long CampaignMap Range. Very Lethal Indeed...

Appearance-Wise, maybe try BullGod's Trick of Double Helmet/Mask: Ninja Mask under Farmer's Bamboo Jingasa or Green-textured Shaguma Wig; with Monk Jinbaori/Modern Officer Jacket, textured to resemble Ghillie suits via clever alpha-channel use, giving tattered/straw/leaf camo look.

FoTS also lack any kind of Samurai Hero on Foot. You can fill the role. Well, talking about Boshin War Heroes, since you're in Hero-making business, Joshigun(Onna Bushi) Heroes may interest you...Akaie made some units, not Heroes though...I Hope your Texturing expertise can make some alternative Head textures to make cuter Faces for the girls...

Surely, you have to Update your Portuguese Hero Appearance after The Otomo Update...

And Upload them to Steamworkshop...

[scope2007]

More Unique to the Boshin Era...Why not combine your Tanegashima Hero with Ninja...FoTS Shinobi Sogekitai Snipers.
...Something like a Hero version of Jozai's Yugekitai: Kisho Deployment, Hidden Sniping Ability, Light Infantry Behaviour, Mass Fire, Paths Seldom Trod, Policing Bonus, Long CampaignMap Range. Very Lethal Indeed...
Appearance-Wise, maybe try BullGod's Trick of Double Helmet/Mask: Ninja Mask under Farmer's Bamboo Jingasa or Green-textured Shaguma Wig; with Monk Jinbaori/Modern Officer Jacket, textured to resemble Ghillie suits via clever alpha-channel use, giving tattered/straw/leaf camo look.
FoTS also lack any kind of Samurai Hero on Foot. You can fill the role. Well, talking about Boshin War Heroes, since you're in Hero-making business, Joshigun(Onna Bushi) Heroes may interest you...Akaie made some units, not Heroes though...I Hope your Texturing expertise can make some alternative Head textures to make cuter Faces for the girls...
Surely, you have to Update your Portuguese Hero Appearance after The Otomo Update...
And Upload them to Steamworkshop...

Thanks for the feedback, some great suggestions about other heroes and the alpha channel use.
I spoke to BullGod about the method he used with alpha channels, and I could possibly use this to hide some of the clipping model on the chest of the ninjas.


On the subject of the Tanegashima Hero, I have wanted to update it for a while. With all the western heads made available with FOTS, and Sabre style swords it was a no brainer - but lack of time on my own part has forced me to concentrate on one project at a time.


After I am done with V3 of the Ninja Hero, I will definitely go back for a revamp of the Tanegashima Hero.


I also loved your suggestion about the ghillie suits - I am unsure if it is entirely authentic for the era but it sure sounds fun! With all the tales of camouflage and disguise use by ninja over the ages I am sure covering oneself with foliage would have been used as a valid tactic by bandits and brigands - so I may go ahead and make a Bandit unit in the future using your very idea

[scope2007]

A final news update here before V3 release, I have been hard at work during the past months to get version 3 of the mod as complete as I can. All of the art assets, encyclopedia entries and the packfile are ready to go - But I want to balance this mod as perfectly as possible so that I won't need to release any hotfixes to iron out problems.

The truth is that I want to take a step back from working on Shogun 2 mods, so that I can enjoy playing for once!

Modding is a laborious, and while the fruit of ones labor is always rewarding it is not always easy to enjoy it when your constantly thinking of ways to improve it with the next release!

Most of my time is currently spent balancing the Shinobi Hero (FOTS Campaign ninja hero), as it is currently imba when compared to it's Sengoku era counter-parts. It is able to decimate and rout a Tokugawa or Hattori Ninja Hero with a single barrage of firebombs due to its superior numbers. On the other hand though, the unit needs to be large enough that it isn't overwhelmed by a single unit of Katana Kachi or Shogitai in melee combat. I am currently experimenting with a halved unit size, and 2 hit points per man instead.

In the meantime here is a teaser of the New Ninja Hero unit unit randomisation - notice the faction coloured lacing on the Hattori and Tokugawa Ninja Soldier models.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Next thread update will be the release - due anywhere within the next few days to a week at most.