[Question] Custom Grand Menance

[Tavior]

I went through the empire modding and there are a few thing I see I can do. Sadly none of them are quite exactly what I am looking for.

Oh before you ask. This is kind of first foray into creating a mod from scratch. I have meddle with file before and I am a programmer.

However I am curious is there any way to add a new Menace to what already exists? I am looking to create a different kind of Menace from the other that already exist in-game.

Have that empire use an unique FTL type (not quite one of the 3 standard type nor a fallen empire ftl)? Lets just say I want to remove some of the restrictions on wormhole travel; like being able to open exit side wormhole right next to the sun and place wormhole station anywhere in-system they want to.

Can you change this Menace to always start with the exact same leader (fleet/admiral/scientist/governor etc...) each time? Immortal? By same leader I don't meant the same traits just same name, kinda of, and portrait. This may not be very important but I want to make it look like they are all "clones war army" copies. If the name may create a conflict. Then "name xxxx" xxxx being a number that increase from some integer up by a few will work beautiful.

No this is not a "joke mod".

 

[Foraven]

You can edit current FTL mode, or add new components using them, but creating a new one from scratch is unfortunately not possible (yet). You can however make them use special version of existing ones. Btw we have 4 travel types in this game : warpdrive, hyperdrive, wormhole and jumpdrive. Jumpdrive is the late game new drive and it's used by the current "grand menaces".

 

[Tavior]

Yes I am aware of all 4 type of FTL. What I meant is that some of the "restrictions" can be modified to have a different feeling like hyperspace having zero charge up time.

The general goal is to make wormhole have no charge up time and can be open from anywhere to anywhere with respect to solar system location. IE can open from planet to exoplanet to sent a fleet over. Just like how jumpdrive (fallen empre) does right now.

 

[Foraven]

Yes I am aware of all 4 type of FTL. What I meant is that some of the "restrictions" can be modified to have a different feeling like hyperspace having zero charge up time.

The general goal is to make wormhole have no charge up time and can be open from anywhere to anywhere with respect to solar system location. IE can open from planet to exoplanet to sent a fleet over. Just like how jumpdrive (fallen empre) does right now.

Well, i seen the AI pop up wormholes next to my planets so i guess it can happen already. The trip back to the closest station can't be avoided, it's hard coded as far as i can tell. The charge up time however can be tied to the drive component, reducing the charge time to zero.

Like this:


utility_component_template = {
key = "WORMHOLE_DRIVE_ZERO"
size = small
icon = "GFX_ship_part_wormhole"
icon_frame = 1
power = 0
cost = 20
ftl = wormhole

ai_weight = {
weight = 100
}

ship_modifier = {
ship_windup_mult = -1.0
}

class_restriction = { shipclass_military shipclass_constructor shipclass_colonizer shipclass_science_ship shipclass_transport }
prerequisites = { "tech_wormhole_GM_1" }
component_set = "ftl_components"
}

 

[Tavior]

Well, i seen the AI pop up wormholes next to my planets so i guess it can happen already. The trip back to the closest station can't be avoided, it's hard coded as far as i can tell. The charge up time however can be tied to the drive component, reducing the charge time to zero.

Thank for the example.

I never seen AI bypass the "arrival at edge of solar system" restriction on the 3 standard FTL unless they are themselves fallen empire or using jumpdrive where they can jump directly to planet. However they do use jumpdrive which doesn't fit what I am looking for.

One more thing, can you change wormhole space station to be allowed to build anywhere as opposite to only edge of solar system? That way return trip isn't as a big of an issue while keeping in-system travel time reasonable sane.

 

[Foraven]

Thank for the example.

I never seen AI bypass the "arrival at edge of solar system" restriction on the 3 standard FTL unless they are themselves fallen empire or using jumpdrive where they can jump directly to planet. However they do use jumpdrive which doesn't fit what I am looking for.

One more thing, can you change wormhole space station to be allowed to build anywhere as opposite to only edge of solar system? That way return trip isn't as a big of an issue while keeping in-system travel time reasonable sane.

In one of my test saves the first enemy fleet arrive at the edge of the system, but for some reason the second one spawn right on top of my defense station. Might be a bug or it's due to having a first fleet already in the fight...

I think the edge of system thing can be modded, not sure where. Most likely it's in the defines.lua file.

 

[Tavior]

Yes you are right in the defines.lua file as:

WORMHOLE_STATION_OFFSET = 150.0, -- Used to place wormhole stations in system

. However it is unclear what "offset" is based on? Distance from sun?

Look like you can allow multiple wormhole per station which is good.

 

[Foraven]

Yes you are right in the defines.lua file as: . However it is unclear what "offset" is based on? Distance from sun?

Look like you can allow multiple wormhole per station which is good.

No idea. But you can easily figure it out changing the values and starting new game and using cheat codes to test it out. You only need to bring up the console with ~ then use the "Instant_Build" code to try out if the station placement requirement changed.