Evil Factions Reskin 0.3.1 by Brevi

[MonkeyChief]

Wow I love your updated Ugluk model - nice work. And yeah, this stuff takes ages to do. I've tried milkshape and got a grip of the basics but doing the skinning almost exploded my brain. I have huge respect for both moddelers and skinners - and if you can do both, you are basicaly a modding god!

[SoldiersofGondor]

Epic!

[Berserker1]

I agree, that is why I am intimidated by the mere thought of animating. It definately is a talent to do stuff like this. Plus, I do unit modding as it is, very time consuming already.

[Brevi]

Ok so it's finished. I'm pretty sure this is the best skin I've done so far. I will test it in the afternoon if it's all working well then I will release it today.

Here is a good night screenshot for you guys still up:

[Brevi]

Alright everyone version 0.2 is now out, check the first page.

If you already use 0.1 it makes no difference with the install. Just copy and overwrite.

You might notice that there are no 'new' units reskinned in this version but don't worry they will come too! Based on your feedback I felt it was (and still is) necessary to improve my original reskins first.

Please report if you run into any problem with my submod. There should be virtually none but if there is any I wanna know. And as always, feedback is greatly appreciated.

Brevi

[Master Necromancer]

Much better Mumakils and the Bersekers, the Blarog on the other hand needs more work, and you will need a modeler or moddeling skills to change that.

P.S. It is great to see that you wan't to improve your work as you progress.

[Brevi]

Thanks a lot Master Necro. The next version will be the rework of the Balrog from scratch much likely using the original Third Age Total War model and I will have a look on the Warg too. It will also have something new but that will be surprise. =)

[Master Necromancer]

Thanks a lot Master Necro. The next version will be the rework of the Balrog from scratch much likely using the original Third Age Total War model and I will have a look on the Warg too. It will also have something new but that will be surprise. =)

That's great news! Don't forget to ask permission first from KK to use his model.

P.S. I really, really hope that the surprise will be reworked snaga.

[Brevi]

Don't forget to ask permission first from KK to use his model.

I've already asked for KK's and Alletun's permission before I made this topic. I highly respect their work so I would never try to use it without.

Thats so amazingly much better than the current Balrog model!

Yeah that was my impression too when I added it. It's no balrog but heck it's badass. On the other hand I don't remember how detailed Tolkien's description is but it's probably described as a black big ass winged demon with fire. Other then the fire it fits that pretty well.

But anyway I will rework the whole thing, the next will be as 'PJ Balrog' as possible.

[Berserker1]

When I downloaded .2, it is still .1 data.

Also for the orc bands on isengard, how do I implement them, when all it is, is an extra texture? Do I just create a data entry in isengard in the EDU? Do I also have to put data about isengard orc bans in the description buildings? IF so, that is somewhat too complicated to do both, export descriptions buildings is really complicated, and I do not feel like spending time to understand that. Though, isnt the dunlending supposed to be the basic spearmen of isengard?

[Brevi]

When I downloaded .2, it is still .1 data.

Geez man, sorry about that. The link was somehow still the old one in the download section. Corrected.

For adding the Orc Band you need to edit several files. Check the guide at the end of my post.
Dunlendings are only available in specific towns and I was missing a basic orc unit from the roster of Isengard. Since Isengard's strength lies already in the strong spearmen (and the berserkers of course) I though I would not hurt the balance if I add another choice of that kind. I will reskin all the orcs in a later version I hope, when that happens I might create a unique orc unit for Isengard. A weak starter unit to go along with Snaga and Dunlending.

Guide of adding Orc Band to the Isengard roster:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

(Note that this is only for those with the compatibility version, in the normal version this is already done.)

Backup the files that you are going to edit! If the game does not start or you run into errors you made a mistake and you need the restore the original and try again with paying more attention.

Part I

Open the file export_descr_buildings.txt in notepad.
Search for the string Orc Band.

You will find lines like this one.
recruit_pool "Orc Band" 1 0.5 4 0 requires factions { england, } and region_religion catholic 15
England is Mordor, France is Isengard so it's quite obvious. Replace it like this:
recruit_pool "Orc Band" 1 0.5 4 0 requires factions { england, france, } and region_religion catholic 15
You must do this for all (!) instaces of recruit_pool "Orc Band" where you see { england, }.

Part II

Open the file export_descr_unit.txt in notepad.
Search for the string Orc Band.
Get to the part where it says:
ownership england
era 0 england
era 1 england
era 2 england
Replace it so it looks like this:
ownership england, france
era 0 england, france
era 1 england, france
era 2 england, france

Part III

Open the file battle_models.modeldb in notepad.

Replace the part from 8 orc_band to 14 morannon_guard with this: (but do not touch anything from the 14 morannon_guard line)

With this:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

8 orc_band
1 1
48 unit_models/_Units/EN_Lmail_Hmail/mmob_lod0.mesh 6400
2
7 england
72 unit_models/_Units/EN_Lmail_Hmail/textures/en_smail_smail_mordor.texture
79 unit_models/_Units/EN_Lmail_Hmail/textures/en_smail_smail_mordor_normal.texture
40 unit_sprites/england_orc_band_sprite.spr
6 france
72 unit_models/_Units/EN_Lmail_Hmail/textures/en_smail_smail_mordor.texture
79 unit_models/_Units/EN_Lmail_Hmail/textures/en_smail_smail_mordor_normal.texture
40 unit_sprites/england_orc_band_sprite.spr
2
7 england
59 unit_models/AttachmentSets/Final mordor_mordor_diff.texture
59 unit_models/AttachmentSets/Final mordor_mordor_norm.texture 0
6 france
59 unit_models/AttachmentSets/Final mordor_mordor_diff.texture
59 unit_models/AttachmentSets/Final mordor_mordor_norm.texture 0
1
4 None
10 MTW2_Spear 0
2
18 MTW2_Spear_primary
14 fs_test_shield 0
16 -0.090000004 0 0 -0.34999999 0.80000001 0.60000002
12 orc_band_upg
1 1
48 unit_models/_Units/EN_Lmail_Hmail/mmob_lod0.mesh 6400
2
7 england
72 unit_models/_Units/EN_Lmail_Hmail/textures/en_smail_smail_mordor.texture
79 unit_models/_Units/EN_Lmail_Hmail/textures/en_smail_smail_mordor_normal.texture
40 unit_sprites/england_orc_band_sprite.spr
6 france
72 unit_models/_Units/EN_Lmail_Hmail/textures/en_smail_smail_mordor.texture
79 unit_models/_Units/EN_Lmail_Hmail/textures/en_smail_smail_mordor_normal.texture
40 unit_sprites/england_orc_band_sprite.spr
2
7 england
59 unit_models/AttachmentSets/Final mordor_mordor_diff.texture
59 unit_models/AttachmentSets/Final mordor_mordor_norm.texture 0
6 france
59 unit_models/AttachmentSets/Final mordor_mordor_diff.texture
59 unit_models/AttachmentSets/Final mordor_mordor_norm.texture 0
1
4 None
10 MTW2_Spear 0
2
18 MTW2_Spear_primary
14 fs_test_shield 0
16 -0.090000004 0 0 -0.34999999 0.80000001 0.60000002

Replace the part from 25 mordor_captain_early_flag to 14 mordor_captain with this:
(but do not touch anything from the 14 mordor_captain line)

With this:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

25 mordor_captain_early_flag
1 1
92 unit_models/_Generals_and_Captains/northern_captain_flag/mordor_captain_flag_early_lod0.mesh 100000
2
7 england
72 unit_models/_Units/EN_Lmail_Hmail/textures/en_omail_omail_mordor.texture
79 unit_models/_Units/EN_Lmail_Hmail/textures/en_omail_omail_mordor_normal.texture 0
6 france
72 unit_models/_Units/EN_Lmail_Hmail/textures/en_omail_omail_mordor.texture
79 unit_models/_Units/EN_Lmail_Hmail/textures/en_omail_omail_mordor_normal.texture 0
2
7 england
59 unit_models/AttachmentSets/Final nazgul_mordor_diff.texture
59 unit_models/AttachmentSets/Final nazgul_mordor_norm.texture 0
6 france
60 unit_models/AttachmentSets/Final nazgul_mordor_diff2.texture
59 unit_models/AttachmentSets/Final nazgul_mordor_norm.texture 0
4
4 None
14 MTW2_Spear_new 0
1
22 MTW2_Spear_primary_new
0
5 horse
17 MTW2_HR_Sword_new 0
1
22 MTW2_Sword_Primary_new
0
8 elephant
17 MTW2_HR_Sword_new 0
1
22 MTW2_Sword_Primary_new
0
5 camel
17 MTW2_HR_Sword_new 0
1
22 MTW2_Sword_Primary_new
0 -1 0 0 0 0 0 0

[Baleurion]

-Balrog new model added and reskinned.
I've used the Bloodthirster model from FabiusBile's submod for Call of Warhammer. I've changed this and that in the model and reskinned them to look like Balrogs.

Thats so amazingly much better than the current Balrog model!
I guess it doesnt really look like a "Balrog" however, with the lack of lava-cracks or that fiery blunt stone "mouth", but frankly idc, looks amazingly much better!

[Brevi]

Is this Balrog enough for you guys?

[Louis Lux]

Very nice

[Berserker1]

I just soiled myself

Anyways, the mumakil is much better, though I think the model itself could use updating, for example the tusks should be angled, or whatever they actually look like in the movie.

[Brevi]

Anyways, the mumakil is much better, though I think the model itself could use updating, for example the tusks should be angled, or whatever they actually look like in the movie.

I'm sorry Zerker but I fail at modeling, I can scale this and that maybe touch some vertexes without destroying the whole model but that's about it. Maybe I will try once all my re-texture plans are finished.

Louis Lux & Point Blank:
Glad you like the new Balrog guy!

[Point Blank]

Like the Balrog

[Master Necromancer]

It looks great but it would look better if you would add some lava on the body too and close his mouth or make it smaller.

[Brevi]

It looks great but it would look better if you would add some lava on the body too and close his mouth or make it smaller.

Those changes that you mentioned require model editing skills which I don't have. As far as skin goes this is pretty much the best possible I can make. I've worked on it for like 10 hours (half at work) I'm sick of Balrogs for a long time now.

I hope you will however like the current version. I also decided to release it straight away so you guys can start playing with it. We are up on 0.2.3.

Check the first post.

[johanrosen]

That's an awesome retexture of the Balrog! Keep up the good work!