[Modding] Custom variant as a starter 'mech...

[Hey Vsauce Peter here.]

I'm wanting to start a new campaign with a custom 'mech—built in the Skirmish Mode 'mech lab—as my default starting 'mech. This is proving very tricky, because, unlike individual stock 'mechs that have .json files for all the requisite chassisdef_ and movedef_ files and mechdef_ components, variants built in Skirmish Mode appear to all be housed communally in one lone file.

Furthermore, the format for the build is slightly different, which is a little bit annoying.

I figure the best way to go about this is to just create a new stock 'mech that is outfitted the way I want, just as the Catapult has a pair of .json trios—one for the C1, and one for the K2.

Am I thinking about this the right way? Or is there a simpler way to make a custom variant the default starter in Campaign Mode?

 

[Zoticus77]

Good Morning.

I believe you are correct, the best way to get a customized version of a mech as your starting mech is to set it up as an official variant with associated json files.

There are good instructions on how to do that if you search google for "battletech game add mechs" and follow the link with "btmodding.warriorsblood" in the URL (Edit: sorry for that... mod removed all the direct links in my post). just ignore the one or two beta-specific steps like including the "unit_release_ksbeta" mechtag.

However, I'd recommend setting it up as a proper mod though ModTek so that you're not mucking about in the game directories.

[Mod edit: No unapproved links, github, nexusmods]

If you want some examples, search on Nexus mods for the following:
Zot's Unseen Mechs using Existing Models
Norse-Storm Battlemech Inc. - Swayback Line

I'm happy to answer any questions as well.
-Z.

 

[Hey Vsauce Peter here.]

Thanks for your reply.

I've tried a few times--adding insult to injury is that I want the variant to include some pieces from a mod. Strangely, last time I tried, I could have sworn I copied the Catapult K2 files and created a new variant, but the load out was wrong and it appeared in-game as a Catapult K5 (which I think may be mod-introduced, I don't know what's stock and what isn't anymore). I fail to see the mistake I'm making, on paper, all the files seem appropriate.

 

[Tynyn]

This might help
http://btmodding.warriorsblood.com/index.php?title=Add_Mechs

 

[Eximar]

This might help
http://btmodding.warriorsblood.com/index.php?title=Add_Mechs

That will work for skirmish, but not the campaign.

If you want custom mechs in the campaign, you have to edit MetaDataDataBase in addition to the jsons and the VersionManifest.

Justin Kase is the one to ask about that in his thread:

https://forum.paradoxplaza.com/foru...ariants-vehicles-work-with-campaigns.1091277/

 

[Zoticus77]

That will work for skirmish, but not the campaign.

If you want custom mechs in the campaign, you have to edit MetaDataDataBase in addition to the jsons and the VersionManifest.

Justin Kase is the one to ask about that in his thread:

https://forum.paradoxplaza.com/foru...ariants-vehicles-work-with-campaigns.1091277/

Better to use the ModTek framework. It will handle the work related to the database and version manifest. That's what I did with my mod adding a handful of classic mechs that were not included at release.

Most mods at the Nexus make use of ModTek and link to the (super easy) install instructions from their mod descriptions. However, users are unable to directly link to them in posts on the forum here, so you'll have to do some very basic googling to get the NexusGames Battletech page.

-Z.