Modifying existing character traits

[kevindrosario]

What are all the files you need to use to modify character traits? I tried simply changing effects in export_descr_character_traits, but the effects did not show up on the characters in game. The traits remained the same as they were before. So I'm guessing there are other files I need to play around with.

[Moon]

In the TEXT folder it's the export_vnvs.txt.strings.bin or export_vnvs if it's already been converted. Use the strings_bin_converter if it hasn't. After editing the file and it doesn't work, delete the strings.bin in the TEXT folder and it will generate a new one. You'll also need Python 2.6 to use the converter.

[kevindrosario]

I'm playing Stainless Steel so everything seems to be converted I think. There is both a export_vnvs.txt and a export_VnVs.txt.strings.bin in the text folder of SS.

So what you're saying is after editing export_descr_character_traits I just delete the strings.bin file and it will generate a new one and it should work in game? I just tried that and it was still displaying the trait as it was before I changed it. Do I need to edit export_vnvs.txt as well?

[Druvatar De Bodemloze]

yes

[kevindrosario]

I tried editing export_vnvs.txt and now it's displaying my changes, but the actual effects of the trait are still not working. It's still being applied as it was before I changed the trait.

[Moon]

Make sure the export_vnvs.txt and the export_descr_character_traits are a perfect match and it will work.

[kevindrosario]

Just to test out if my changes were working, I decided to make a single noticeable change. So I decided to increase the command of the Grandmaster of the Teutonic Order from 1 command bonus to 5 command bonus. The original entry in export_descr_character_traits was this

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Trait FactionleaderTO
Characters family
AntiTraits FactionheirTO

Level Hochmeister
Description Hochmeister_desc
EffectsDescription Hochmeister_effects_desc
Threshold 1

Effect Command 1
Effect Authority 2
Effect TroopMorale 2
Effect PersonalSecurity 3
Effect Level 2

Which I changed to this (changed part bolded)

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Trait FactionleaderTO
Characters family
AntiTraits FactionheirTO

Level Hochmeister
Description Hochmeister_desc
EffectsDescription Hochmeister_effects_desc
Threshold 1

Effect Command 5
Effect Authority 2
Effect TroopMorale 2
Effect PersonalSecurity 3
Effect Level 2

The original entry for Hochmeister in export_vnvs.txt was this

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

{Hochmeister_desc}This man is the head of the mighty Teutonic Order, a man who wields as much power as most monarchs.
{Hochmeister_effects_desc}+1 Command, +2 Authority, +2 Morale for all troops on the battlefield, +3 to personal security (improves the chances of foiling assassination attempts)
{Hochmeister}Hochmeister

Which I changed to this (changed part bolded again)

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

{Hochmeister_desc}This man is the head of the mighty Teutonic Order, a man who wields as much power as most monarchs.
{Hochmeister_effects_desc}+5 Command, +2 Authority, +2 Morale for all troops on the battlefield, +3 to personal security (improves the chances of foiling assassination attempts)
{Hochmeister}Hochmeister

I then deleted exportVnVs.txt.strings.bin and started up the game. It was a very simple change I made just to test to see if it would work. When I moused over the trait on the Grandmaster, it displayed as having a bonus of 5 to command, but his command trait was at the same as before. Did I miss any steps? I can't figure out where I went wrong.