Guide to combining other mods with UAI?

[prase]

As mods become more and more complicated, the pressure grows on modders to join their efforts rather than individually develop comprehensive, mutually incompatible, modifications. This pressure is likely to lead to the development of several comprehensive mods over the next half-year or so. At the time being, however, players have a bewildering array of mods at their disposal with no clear indication how to combine their favourite ones.

In UAI, for instance, v1.2 (and some earlier versions) introduced changes that do not necessarily change the AI. These are high quality changes that all strive to make the game more challenging, but they overlap with similar changes that other mods may have done in the past.

For example, Lusted's Lands to Conquer introduces changes in building times, and so does the UAI. This was not a problem in the past because we could use just a portion of the UAI and thus keep using the LtC building times. Now, however, the UAI incorporates the Real Armour mod (which I find VERY interesting), but which Lusted himself said is completely incompatible with LtC.

The result is complete confusion. At the time being, I have to use the old version of LtC, which does not have updated UAI nor the newest DarthMod changes, but has the building time adaptations that I find the most to my liking. I cannot make any changes to the LtC myself because I do not know what to change...

May I therefore kindly ask for an overview of the changes in UAI files? Which files in the data folder modify what? Are there contingencies between files?

Thank you very much for your help!

[Froggie5]

Basically, the AI Diplomacy modifications are found in the following three files:

descr_campaign_ai_db.xml - custom AI profiles
descr_diplomacy.xml - settings for the human player interacting with the AI in the diplomacy screen
descr_faction_standing.txt - trigger / event definitions that define the effects of a factions diplomatic actions

These are compatible with every mod that does not include a diplomacy mod component (for example, the full DarthMod is therefore not compatible)

The following three files have been modified by GrandViz to improve the performance of the AI but they are not included in every mod that uses his AI (or they use a modified version, such as the descr_character in LTC):

descr_campaign_db.xml - some general campaign settings
descr_character.txt - used to define some general settings for units on the campaign map, i use it to redefine the movement rates
descr_sm_factions.txt - used to enable naval landings


All other files are related to Grandviz's custom imperial campaign and are therefore not strictly necessary for enjoying the benefits of his AI enhancements. These files are the ones most likely to interfere with other mods and it would probably be best not to try to mix and match them.

Please note the installation instructions here: http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showthread.php?t=76566

If you are not using Grandviz's desc_strat file (and you should not if you are using other large mods such as LTC), then you need to make the manual changes listed.

[Arksa]

IMO Grandviz should just stay in the path of diplomacy and A.I behaviour.
As it is now, the mod has started to get more and more features that doesn't include AI improvements, thus being quite hard for some to use this mod with other mods.

[GrandViZ]

IMO Grandviz should just stay in the path of diplomacy and A.I behaviour.
As it is now, the mod has started to get more and more features that doesn't include AI improvements, thus being quite hard for some to use this mod with other mods.

Well, as this is my mod I decide what aspects I would like to change or not. AI behavior heavily relies on settlement mechanics, on recruitment modifiers in the building tree. Furthermore to initialize the mod properly you should copy the changes to the descr_strat.txt as well. These initialize AI relations and determine the further development in the campaign.

Regards
GrandViZ

[Arksa]

ok I'll do that. Like i said it's just my opinion do what you want to do with your mod I'll still use the A.I part of it.

[Queen Annes Revenge]

i agree with arksa. i think the vanilla version is fine except for the poor performance of the AI, which is really all i want out of this mod. i request that you make a 'lite' version of UAI, removing the changes to settlement mechanics, building trees, objectives, and battle mechanics. i think this game is way too long as it is and i can't stand all the mods that make the game 1ypt and the slower combat.

so, my question is, if i only install these files:
descr_campaign_ai_db.xml - custom AI profiles
descr_campaign_db.xml - some general campaign settings
descr_diplomacy.xml - settings for the human player interacting with the AI in the diplomacy screen
descr_faction_standing.txt - trigger / event definitions that define the effects of a factions diplomatic actions
descr_sm_factions.txt - used to enable naval landings

...Is the AI still going to throw armies full of crap units at me?
And for the love of god is there any way to make the AI lead its stacks with generals? this is the most annoying thing about the AI imo.

[Lusted]

...Is the AI still going to throw armies full of crap units at me?

Yes because changes in other files make the ai field better armies.

And for those using LTC i recommend only using these files from UAI as other files GrandViz includes in his mod would interfere with changes i've made.

descr_campaign_ai_db.xml
descr_diplomacy.xml
descr_faction_standing.txt

[prase]

And for those using LTC i recommend only using these files from LTC

I believe this sentence should rather read "and for those using LTC i recomment only using these files from UAI"?

Thank you for everyone's assistance here. It was not my intention to criticize GrandViz, whose work I admire and, perhaps more importantly, greatly enjoy on a daily basis .

It is just my opinion that perhaps it may be a wise move (in terms of amount of work) for the mods to start cooperating in harmonizing parts of each others' mods. I truly believe that in six months from now a smaller number of larger modifications will be the most prevalent modding projects. If this belief is true, then it makes no sense for GrandViz and Darth and Lusted and Point Blank to be working on mutually incompatible modifications: that would be a true waste of creativity, intellect and work. Rather, if they desire it so, they should work together when they broaden the original scope of their mods (eg. campaign AI for Grandviz, battle AI for Darth).

I, of course, completely endorse that modders should do the kind of modifications they want. If they choose not to collaborate with someone else, it is their perfect right and I am still equally amazed and grateful for the work they are doing. May I just ask in that case to include in their installation instructions, as UAI had from the beginning, to specify which files modify what? I think that the community will be able to write guides on combining parts of popular mods with time if modders specify which files modify what.

Thank you all

[GrandViZ]

Yes because changes in other files make the ai field better armies.

And for those using LTC i recommend only using these files from LTC as other files GrandViz includes in his mod would interfere with changes i've made.

descr_campaign_ai_db.xml
descr_diplomacy.xml
descr_faction_standing.txt

Don't forget the updated changes to the descr_strat.txt for AI faction initialization. These changes are very important to avoid passive behavior in the long run.

Furthermore the new settlement mechanics are worth a try for those that enjoy realistic growth rates, and a more challenging campaign.

Best regards
GrandViZ

[Commintern]

Yes because changes in other files make the ai field better armies.

And for those using LTC i recommend only using these files from LTC as other files GrandViz includes in his mod would interfere with changes i've made.

descr_campaign_ai_db.xml
descr_diplomacy.xml
descr_faction_standing.txt

What about the descr_sm_factions.txt file? Is it bad that Im GrandViz's descr_sm_factions.txt file?

BTW lusted, you havent changed the AI profiles and diplomacy section in your newest version of LTC!
It's probably because v2.1 LTC doesnt use v1.2 Ultimate AI, but I wanted to be sure. So, are you updating the descr_strat changes of Ultimate AI in every new version of your mod?

[prase]

Furthermore the new settlement mechanics are worth a try for those that enjoy realistic growth rates, and a more challenging campaign.

Yes, I am very interested in this, but how can I combine DarthMod with these changes? If it was possible to keep your movement rates on the campaign map and Darth's battle AI, I would walk away from the (now unfortunately) very obsolete LtC and combine just you and Darth.

But there's no guide how to combine portions of UAI and Darth, and there are things with either UAI or Darth that I don't like when I use the entire combination, so I have to stick to LtC. Hope LtC gets updated soon.

PS: I opened this topic here because so many modders use UAI. This topic could otherwise easily have been opened anywhere else (no particular problems with UAI as a mod).

[Froggie5]

Yes, I am very interested in this, but how can I combine DarthMod with these changes? If it was possible to keep your movement rates on the campaign map and Darth's battle AI.

This is quite easy - simply download the Dath Formations War Pack:

http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showthread.php?t=76132

This download contains all the key files for Darth's Battle AI, none of which interfere with Ultimate AI. You might also want to include Darth's descr_projectile from either the full Ultimate AI or Darth's Open Source download (Same file).

In general the key to avoiding conflict in combining mods is 1. read the readme/installation instructions. 2. Do a visual comparison of the files - when in doubt unzip mod files into a new folder and copy files by hand into the mod data folder.

Don't be afraid to get under the hood and tinker with the files either (just always make a backup) - for example, I don't care for add/remove money scripts myself and just cut that portion out of the Ult AI campaign script.

I will mention this on the 1.2 feedback thread as well, but it is really essential that anyone using the Real Combat files also uses Zxiang 1983's fix for the 2-handed bug. See the first page of the Real Combat thread:

http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showthread.php?t=82671

[Lusted]

hat about the descr_sm_factions.txt file? Is it bad that Im GrandViz's descr_sm_factions.txt file?

No its not bad i just dont recommend it.

BTW lusted, you havent changed the AI profiles and diplomacy section in your newest version of LTC!
It's probably because v2.1 LTC doesnt use v1.2 Ultimate AI, but I wanted to be sure. So, are you updating the descr_strat changes of Ultimate AI in every new version of your mod?

I have changed the ai profiles, just check the descr_strat in my mod. I haven't changed the faction standings at the bottom of the file as im going to be making my own changes to it.

Furthermore the new settlement mechanics are worth a try for those that enjoy realistic growth rates, and a more challenging campaign.

My mod includes its own settlement mechanics as its a 1 year per turn campaign.

It is just my opinion that perhaps it may be a wise move (in terms of amount of work) for the mods to start cooperating in harmonizing parts of each others' mods. I truly believe that in six months from now a smaller number of larger modifications will be the most prevalent modding projects. If this belief is true, then it makes no sense for GrandViz and Darth and Lusted and Point Blank to be working on mutually incompatible modifications: that would be a true waste of creativity, intellect and work. Rather, if they desire it so, they should work together when they broaden the original scope of their mods (eg. campaign AI for Grandviz, battle AI for Darth).

Modders will work on what thay want to, and that generally means overlapping modifications.

[GrandViZ]

I haven't changed the faction standings at the bottom of the file as im going to be making my own changes to it.

You should know, that wrong initialization can lead to passive AI behavior. Please make sure, to test the effects of your changes, as I would like to prevent the "AI is totally dumb passive" posts.

Regards
GrandViZ

[Lusted]

You should know, that wrong initialization can lead to passive AI behavior. Please make sure, to test the effects of your changes, as I would like to prevent the "AI is totally dumb passive" posts.

Don't worry im going to test it thoroughly.

[messenger42]

Hi GrandViz!

What if I want to combine other Mod with your Mod? how would I do that? Specificly I would like to use Med. Lite ver.1f with your mod. Is that possible?

[razor436]

I have a question about combining this mod with the Medieval2 lite mod.

In the M2Lite mod forums I read the following:

Is this (M2Lite) mod compatible with other mods?
This mod uses the mod switch protocol. So yes, as long as you install the other mods with the mod switch correctly, it's compatible. This mod will install itself as it's own mod subfolder and own start-up .bat.

So how exactly do es this allow me to run both mods?

[prase]

Thank you all for your help here. In return, I am offering a step-by-step guide to combining UAI 1.3 and Darth's War AI.

What do you get when you follow this guide?
- everything that comes with UAI 1.3
- Darth's War AI
- mercenaries that were unexpectedly omitted from 1.3
- normal campaign map walking distances

1. Download and install UAI 1.3
- the file and the guide is located at http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showthread.php?t=83074

2. Download and install zxiang1983's fix for 2-handed combat. Make sure to backup your original files because you may need them for other mods!
- the file and the guide is located at http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showthread.php?t=74094

3. Download and install the descr_mercenaries.txt file which Grand forgot in the 1.3 version
- put the file in the folder M2TW/ultimateAI/data/world/maps/campaign/imperial_campaign
- the file is located at
http://www.file-upload.net/download-...aries.txt.html

3. Download and install Darth's War AI
- put the file in the folder M2TW/ultimateAI/data/
- the file and the guide is located at http://www.twcenter.net/forums/downl...o=file&id=1026

4. Download and install the file descr_character.txt that includes normal campaign map marching distances (the default by Darth is VERY long)
- put the file in the M2TW/ultimateAI/data/ folder
- the file is located at http://www.twcenter.net/forums/attac...4&d=1169373103
- generally, it is also possible to use the descr_character.txt file from other mods to suit your preferences. I am using the file from Lands to Conquer mod myself.

[Ludicus]

Congrats,well done!
You can also use the more recent Darth´s War Ai files from the last OS19:

1-battle_config.xml
2-config_ai_battle.xml
3-descr_battle_movement_modifiers.txt
4-descr_formations_ai.txt
5-descr_pathfinding.txt

[Boehm]

How do I make UAI run with Blood, Broads, & Bastards ??