Campaign Faction Switching

[ruthless]

Hey, I was just wondering today while playing the campaign as Mordor, is there any way I can switch which faction I'm playing as within a active campaign. I'm curious because I've built up a huge empire as mordor and I would like to have a try as, in the same save, switching to another faction and building up their armies and then switching back to have a little more challenge in the game.

I was wondering if this can be done by entering some sort of console command or something like that. I know it sounds strange but is it really possible in any way?

Thanks!

[ruthless]

I've found that 'control <value>' should allow me to do this but I'm not sure exactly how that should be typed in the command bar, and what the proper code names are for the factions, especially since it's a mod. Any help? Thanks

[Clagius]

I've found that 'control <value>' should allow me to do this but I'm not sure exactly how that should be typed in the command bar, and what the proper code names are for the factions, especially since it's a mod. Any help? Thanks

Command is "control faction id", never tested it myself but it should work.

carthage ;;GONDOR
gauls ;;ROHAN
egypt ;;DWARVEN CLANS
seleucid ;;NOLDORIN
macedon ;;GALADHRIM
thrace ;;SILVAN ELVES
romans_brutii ;;ISENGARD
romans_julii ;;MORDOR
romans_scipii ;;ORCS RABBLES
armenia ;;EASTERLINGS
parthia ;;SOUTHRONS
dacia ;;DUNLENDINGS
britons ;;DALE
germans ;;FREE-PEOPLES
slave ;;MENACES

Here is the list of ID's and faction names. Hope it helped.

So you type it like this to console; "control carthage" for example.

[Bardo]

Unfortunately, the command "control faction" does not work in the game console. It can only be executed from the background script.
There is a script inside this mod that uses this command to allow players to control more than one faction at same time (named "hot seat script"). You may take a look to that script and to modify it so it stops after several turns. This way you could grow the economy of several factions for some turns and then, to continue playing with one single faction.

For example (inside background_script.txt):

	monitor_event FactionTurnStart FactionType britons
        and I_TurnNumber <= 20
		console_command control britons
		snap_strat_camera 0, 156
		zoom_strat_camera 0.8
		while I_LocalFaction egypt
		end_while
		snap_strat_camera 0, 156
		zoom_strat_camera 0.8
		call_object_shortcut strat_ui save_stratmap
		inhibit_camera_input true
		disable_entire_ui
		hide_ui
	end_monitor

	monitor_event FactionTurnStart FactionType egypt
        and I_TurnNumber <= 20
		console_command control egypt
		snap_strat_camera 0, 156
		zoom_strat_camera 0.8
		while I_LocalFaction britons
		end_while
		snap_strat_camera 0, 156
		zoom_strat_camera 0.8
		call_object_shortcut strat_ui save_stratmap
		inhibit_camera_input true
		disable_entire_ui
		hide_ui
	end_monitor

[ruthless]

So would I actually be able to switch control of a single faction at any time, or would it just be a script that would assist the other factions?

[paradamed]

Is there any way to fight the defensive battles as well in the hotseat mode? I think people figured out how to implement it in M2TW. Do you think it is possible in RTW as well?

[Bardo]

Oh, I didn't know it was possible in MTW. I'll take a look to see if the same is possible in RTW.

[paradamed]

There is a thread about this in the TATW forum.

[paradamed]

In the hotseat you actually play with the other factions when you hit end turn. You should try it at least once. The only problem is that you cant play defensive battles. Maybe there is a workaround this limit. In the M2TW engine modders figured out how to play defensive battles in the hotseat mode. Maybe it can work for RTW. I have no idea.

[SakyaIllidan]

use Hot Seat Script

[ruthless]

Hmmm, ok. I think I want to try this hot seat script. I'm not entirely sure how to do it yet, but I see what you guys are saying.

[Bardo]

To use the current script:

===== HOT SEAT MOD =====================

The hot seat mod allows you to control more than one faction. You can use it to play alone or versus other human players.
The code to play hot seat mode is included but not activated because it changes depending on the factions you want to control.
If you want to activate a hot seat mod (recomended some modding experience), you need to open the file \alexander\lotrtw\data\scripts\show_me\background_script.txt, to search the words "set_counter hotseatmod" and to change the number in this line (default is 0) by:

; 0: No hot seat (default)
; 1: A New Power is Rising (Isengard-Dunland)
; 2: Forces of the Darklord (Mordor-Easterlings-Southrons)
; 3: Men of the West (Gondor-Rohan)
; 4: Sons of Men and Sons of Stone (Dwarves-Dale)
; 5: The First Children (Noldor-Galadhrim-Silvan)
; 6: The Ring Quest (Gondor-FreePeoples-Mordor)

Quote from Myrddraal instructions (all the credits for the hot seat mod goes to him... in fact all what I know about scripting is thanks to him):

Quote:
Play your turn as you like. I advise you to make it a rule to auto-resolve all battles as playing them will give you an unfair advantage over the opponent, who will be controlled by the AI.

End your turn as you normally would.

At the end of your turn, your screen will lock, the UI will be hidden and a message will appear saying "save successful".

1. If you are playing Hot Seat (several players on one computer)

* Press CTRL + L
* The next player should wait for the game to load, then start his/her turn by running the script...

1. If you are playing Play by Email Multiplayer

* Quit the game and send the Quicksave.sav file found in C:\Program Files\Activision\Rome - Total War\saves to the next player
* The next player should load this file and start his/her turn by running the script...


Don't forget to relaunch the script everytime you reload the game (everyturn in this case). If you do not activate the script before you press end turn, then you will need to reload the quicksave and to repeat the turn.