Talk about your unusually small baby steps...

Okay, I'm really getting hung up here. I've successfully created a 'lesser' weapon for my Lesser Catapult unit in CoreWeapons.xml. However, as soon as I deviate from BasicCatapultAttack on either gamemodifier, then problems start to arise with the ability being locked out, basically giving me the tooltip error "This attack is not available...so you'd better not be seeing this tooltip anywhere."

    <GameItemType InternalName="LesserCatapultAmmo">
        <DisplayName>Catapult Ammo</DisplayName>
        <Description>Heavy shot suitable for smashing walls or unprotected foes.</Description>
        <Type>Weapon</Type>
        <CanBeEquipped>1</CanBeEquipped>
            <GameModifier>
                <ModType>Unit</ModType>
                <Attribute>UnlockCombatAbility</Attribute>
                <StrVal>BasicCatapultAttack</StrVal>
                <Provides>Ranged attack</Provides>
            </GameModifier>
            <GameModifier>
                <ModType>Unit</ModType>
                <Attribute>UnlockRangedAction</Attribute>
                <StrVal>BasicCatapultAttack</StrVal>
                <Provides>Ranged attack</Provides>
            </GameModifier>
        <IsAvailableForSovereignCustomization>0</IsAvailableForSovereignCustomization>
        <RarityDisplay>Common</RarityDisplay>
        <TacticalRange>9</TacticalRange>
        <SupportUnitType>Unit_Catapult</SupportUnitType>
        <IsAvailableForUnitDesign>0</IsAvailableForUnitDesign>
        <ArtDef>CatapultAmmo_ArtDef</ArtDef>
        <GameItemTypeArtDef InternalName="CatapultAmmo_ArtDef">
            <GameItemTypeModelPack InternalName="CatapultAmmo_Default">
                <IconFile>Caravan1_Medallion.png</IconFile>
                <TintR>0</TintR>
                <TintG>0</TintG>
                <TintB>0</TintB>
                <AttackSFX>CatapultToss1_M</AttackSFX>
            </GameItemTypeModelPack>
        </GameItemTypeArtDef>
    </GameItemType>

I've created a BasicLesserCatapultAttack in CoreSpells.xml, and it does work to change the RangedAction to BasicLesserCatapultAttack, but at the cost of having the CombatAbility locked out. If I change both to BasicLesserCatapultAttack, I can still fire the basic attack, but the CombatAbility is still locked out...

    <SpellDef InternalName="BasicLesserCatapultAttack">
        <DisplayName>Lesser Catapult Ammo</DisplayName>
        <Description>Attack a unit from a distance with a giant thrown rock.</Description>
        <Image>Action_Catapult.png</Image>
        <IconFG>Action_Catapult.png</IconFG>
        <SpellBookSortCategory>Unit</SpellBookSortCategory>
        <SpellBookSortSubCategory>UnitDamage</SpellBookSortSubCategory>
        <SpellType>Tactical</SpellType>
        <SpellClass>Offensive</SpellClass>
        <SpellSubClass>Damage</SpellSubClass>
        <SpellTargetType>EnemyUnit</SpellTargetType>
        <HideInHiergamenon>1</HideInHiergamenon>
        <IsCastable>0</IsCastable>
        <IsRangedAttack>1</IsRangedAttack>
        <GameModifier>
            <ModType>Unit</ModType>
            <Attribute>DefendableDamage</Attribute>
        </GameModifier>
        <AIData AIPersonality="AI_General">
            <AIPriority>5</AIPriority>
        </AIData>
        <HitSoundFX>Spell_Catapult_Hit1</HitSoundFX>
        <HitSoundFX>Spell_Catapult_Hit2</HitSoundFX>
        <MissSoundFX>Catapult_Miss1</MissSoundFX>
        <MissSoundFX>Catapult_Miss2</MissSoundFX>
        <SpellCastSoundFX>Catapult_Toss</SpellCastSoundFX>
        <SpellCastEffectName>Catapult_Particle</SpellCastEffectName>
        <SpellCastEffectScale>0.9</SpellCastEffectScale>
        <SpellCastProjectile>1</SpellCastProjectile>
        <SpellCastProjectileSpeed>500</SpellCastProjectileSpeed>
    </SpellDef>

I've also created a BasicLesserCatapultAbility in CoreSpells.xml, with the objective of having it the precise same as BasicCatapultAttack except with a 5 turn cooldown attached:

    <SpellDef InternalName="BasicLesserCatapultAbility">
        <DisplayName>Lesser Splash Attack</DisplayName>
        <Description>Attack a unit from a distance with a giant thrown rock.</Description>
        <Image>Action_Catapult.png</Image>
        <IconFG>Action_Catapult.png</IconFG>
        <SpellBookSortCategory>Unit</SpellBookSortCategory>
        <SpellBookSortSubCategory>UnitDamage</SpellBookSortSubCategory>
        <SpellType>Tactical</SpellType>
        <SpellClass>Offensive</SpellClass>
        <SpellSubClass>Damage</SpellSubClass>
        <SpellTargetType>EnemyUnit</SpellTargetType>
        <AllowFriendlyFireInRadius>1</AllowFriendlyFireInRadius>
        <HideInHiergamenon>1</HideInHiergamenon>
        <Cooldown>5</Cooldown>
        <IsCastable>0</IsCastable>
        <IsRangedAttack>1</IsRangedAttack>
        <Radius>1</Radius>
        <GameModifier>
            <ModType>Unit</ModType>
            <Attribute>DefendableDamage</Attribute>
        </GameModifier>
        <AIData AIPersonality="AI_General">
            <AIPriority>3</AIPriority>
        </AIData>
        <HitSoundFX>Spell_Catapult_Hit1</HitSoundFX>
        <HitSoundFX>Spell_Catapult_Hit2</HitSoundFX>
        <MissSoundFX>Catapult_Miss1</MissSoundFX>
        <MissSoundFX>Catapult_Miss2</MissSoundFX>
        <SpellCastSoundFX>Catapult_Toss</SpellCastSoundFX>
        <SpellCastEffectName>Catapult_Particle</SpellCastEffectName>
        <SpellCastEffectScale>0.9</SpellCastEffectScale>
        <SpellCastProjectile>1</SpellCastProjectile>
        <SpellCastProjectileSpeed>500</SpellCastProjectileSpeed>
    </SpellDef>

Ultimately, this is what I'm aiming to have accomplished in this catapults mod:

The Lesser Catapult is to have a basic attack, only being able to target a single tile. It is to have an ability with a 5 turn cooldown that does a splash attack (currently the BasicCatapultAttack). The Lesser Catapult is to be available for city defense upon completion of the Drills tech (or a building completed as a consequence of the Drills tech)

The 'Greater' Catapult is to have it's current BasicCatapultAttack (without the cooldown). It is to have 2 abilities. The first ability is a 5 turn cooldown that does a greater splash attack with range 2. The second ability is a 5 turn cooldown fire attack, mostlikely with particle effects similar to the Coalstones attack. The 'Greater' Catapult is to be available for city defense upon it's current design (though I may need to attach it to a upgraded structure in order to replace the Lesser Catapult)

If, at the very least I am to get anything out of this, it's that modding isn't my forte. Nevertheless, I'm alwasy willing to learn something new.

Agreed!  This is more or less what I was referring to in my previous question in the thread.  Because aside from reverse engineering what I already see being used in mods and other xml used by the game, I have a very hard time actually *knowing* what most code is supposed to do.

Assuming nothing like this already exists, while it would be a massive undertaking, I can't imagine how much easier this would make modding for beginners and experienced, long-time modders alike.

Frigidian:

1. Nope.  Assuming you're referring to doing basic editing of .xml files, you can use anything that reads basic text docs.  I use good ol' notepad (for simplicity sake).

2. Yes, you can edit everything you mentioned.  Some parts are far simpler and easier to edit than others.  Editing and creating new items is probably the easiest in my experience.  If you have experience with Photoshop, making custom skins isn't tough.  A number of people have shared their modifications to traits.

3. Yes, that mostly involves simple edits of .xml files.  As with everything, there are limitations.  But this is a fantastic game if you want to play something highly-customizable so it truly feels like it's "your own" without being overly-complicated.  A great combo in my book.

Thanks for answering so promptly

I'm pleasantly surprised how flexible the modding this game allows, I'll certainly have a good look at XML language since I'm still very fresh, as for designing skins, that's just great, I read somewhere in this forum that using a software called GIMP is quite good for that aspect.

In regard to your point of view about this game being hand crafted to our wishes and whims, that's certainly a godsend, even more so if one can share his creations with the rest of the community. 

@Xethros see this topic and my replies https://forums.elementalgame.com/445730/

Bleh... double post.

I have another question, some of the feedback I've received on the Construct Soldiers mod is asking for more depth, like building city improvements that increase the stats of the Golem units specifically. How would I go about doing this?

For the special traits in the city, how would I do this in the XML? I've only been doing this a few days so it's a lot of guess work for me :/

Okay, and so if I wanted it to just increase the defense of golems, I use what?

Cheers for the help again, Heavenfall

You should be able to create and all female faction (except the champions, possibly) Make a race type and set all AI starting units to be female and only allow Generic Female for both "male" and "female" units. For champions, I'm not sure if you can attach pre-reqs to prevent a race from choosing male champions or set the AI weight to only female champions.

You could redesign all champions to be female champions for Kingdoms and that would accomplish the same effect

Okay I don't know what I'm doing wrong.

Apologies beforehand on the format of the in game info. I don't know how to set it up on the post how it looks like in the xml file. And yes I made this character uber.

This is my champion. I have put his info just like this in the CoreUnits xml doc.

<UnitType InternalName="Champion_HadrianAurelian">     <DisplayName>General Hadrian Aurelian</DisplayName>     <UnitDisplayName>General Hadrian Aurelian</UnitDisplayName>     <Class>General</Class>     <Allegiance>Kingdom</Allegiance>     <CreatureType>Champion</CreatureType>     <RaceType>Race_Type_Altarians</RaceType>     <Unique>1</Unique>     <CanBeDesigned>0</CanBeDesigned>     <Gender>Male</Gender>     <WageOverride>1</WageOverride>     <IsNPC>1</IsNPC>     <IsChampion>1</IsChampion>     <IsSovereign>0</IsSovereign>     <SpawnRating>1</SpawnRating>     <NPCSpawnLikelihood>100</NPCSpawnLikelihood>     <GameModifier>       <ModType>Resource</ModType>       <Attribute>Unrest</Attribute>       <Value>-15</Value>       <Provides>-15% Unrest in the city this unit is in</Provides>     </GameModifier>     <LevelMilestone InternalName="L1">       <Level>1</Level>       <UnitStat_Accuracy>80</UnitStat_Accuracy>       <UnitStat_CombatSpeed>25</UnitStat_CombatSpeed>       <UnitStat_ChanceToCrit>10</UnitStat_ChanceToCrit>       <UnitStat_HitPoints>30</UnitStat_HitPoints>       <UnitStat_BG_IsChampion>1</UnitStat_BG_IsChampion>       <UnitStat_BG_IsHumanoid>1</UnitStat_BG_IsHumanoid>       <UnitStat_BG_IsRace_Altarians>1</UnitStat_BG_IsRace_Trogs>       <UnitStat_BG_IsKingdom>1</UnitStat_BG_IsEmpire>       <UnitStat_BG_IsMale>1</UnitStat_BG_IsMale>     </LevelMilestone>     <SelectedAbilityBonusOption>Blood_Altarian</SelectedAbilityBonusOption>     <SelectedAbilityBonusOption>Bard</SelectedAbilityBonusOption>     <SelectedAbilityBonusOption>Potential</SelectedAbilityBonusOption>     <SelectedAbilityBonusOption>Veteran</SelectedAbilityBonusOption>     <SelectedAbilityBonusOption>Brilliant</SelectedAbilityBonusOption>     <SelectedAbilityBonusOption>Knowledge</SelectedAbilityBonusOption>     <SelectedAbilityBonusOption>Potentia  </SelectedAbilityBonusOption>     <SelectedAbilityBonusOption>General</SelectedAbilityBonusOption>     <SelectedAbilityBonusOption>Life1</SelectedAbilityBonusOption>     <SelectedAbilityBonusOption>Earth1</SelectedAbilityBonusOption>     <SelectedAbilityBonusOption>Air1</SelectedAbilityBonusOption>     <SelectedAbilityBonusOption>Fire1</SelectedAbilityBonusOption>     <SelectedAbilityBonusOption>Water1</SelectedAbilityBonusOption>     <SelectedAbilityBonusOption>Bard</SelectedAbilityBonusOption>     <SelectedAbilityBonusOption>Evoker1</SelectedAbilityBonusOption>       <AutoCreateEquipment>Pike_Perfect</AutoCreateEquipment>     <AutoCreateEquipment>CloakOfShadows</AutoCreateEquipment>     <AutoCreateEquipment>BootsOfTheSpider</AutoCreateEquipment>     <AutoCreateEquipment>Longbow_Ignys</AutoCreateEquipment>     <AutoCreateEquipment>Longsword_SwordOfTheSunAndMoon </AutoCreateEquipment>     <AutoCreateEquipment>CloakOfShadows</AutoCreateEquipment>     <AutoCreateEquipment>Longsword_Souls</AutoCreateEquipment>     <AutoCreateEquipment>Spear_AirElemental</AutoCreateEquipment>     <Equipment>F_Head_Wraith_Mesh_03</Equipment>     <Equipment>Sovereign_Fez_Hair_ID1</Equipment>     <Equipment>Sovereign_Warrior_Shirt_Pleated_ID2</Equipment>     <Equipment>Kingdom_Leather_Gloves_Dark</Equipment>     <Equipment>Kraxis_Beard</Equipment>     <Equipment>Noble_Surcoat_Solid_ID1</Equipment>     <Equipment>Basic_Pants_ID2</Equipment>     <Equipment>AmuletOfFlames</Equipment>     <Equipment>AmuletOfFrost</Equipment>     <Equipment>AmuletOfHaste</Equipment>     <Equipment>AmuletofWarding</Equipment>     <Equipment>Warhorse</Equipment>     <Equipment>Muchant_Cloak_ID2</Equipment>     <Equipment>Warrior_Boots_ID2</Equipment>     <Equipment>BandOfInsight</Equipment>     <Equipment>RingOfWisdom</Equipment>     <Equipment>DelinsEmber</Equipment>        <Quote>'For the Kingdom!'</Quote>     <NPCRecruitmentText>Command me my lord.</NPCRecruitmentText>     <Backstory>The trusted childhood friend of Lord Solva, General Hadrian Aurelian is an expert in battle tacticts and a minor mage himself.  No other can test his might on the battlefield.       <AnimationPack>NoblemanAnimationPack</AnimationPack>     <HasEssence>false</HasEssence>     <ModelPath>Gfx\HKB\Units\K_Male_Mesh_01.hkb</ModelPath>     <SkeletonPath>Gfx\HKB\Units\K_Male_Skeleton_01.hkb</SkeletonPath>     <EyeTexture>gfx\eyes\blinks\eyeblink_f3_blue.png</EyeTexture>     <AnimationPack>NoblemanAnimationPack</AnimationPack>     <ShowAsSingleUnit>false</ShowAsSingleUnit>     <CutSceneDataPack>HenchmanCutscenePack</CutSceneDataPack>     <ModelScale>1.0082</ModelScale>     <TacticalModelScale>1.5000</TacticalModelScale>     <EquipmentScale>1.0000</EquipmentScale>     <ClothMapScale>1.6000</ClothMapScale>     <BattleAnimationBehavior>Melee</BattleAnimationBehavior>     <MovementType>land</MovementType>     <BobbingFrequency>0.0000</BobbingFrequency>     <ClothPoseIndex>0</ClothPoseIndex>     <InfoCardBackground>BG27_CastlePlains</InfoCardBackground>     <InfoCardBackgroundFlipped>0</InfoCardBackgroundFlipped>     <CanBeDesigned>1</CanBeDesigned>     <UserDesigned>true</UserDesigned>     <IsModDependent>false</IsModDependent>     <Medallions InternalName=""/>     <MovingSFX>TEMP_KnightMarching1</MovingSFX>     <LevelMilestone InternalName="">       <Color_Hair>0,0,0,255</Color_Hair>     <Color_Skin>217,153,97,255</Color_Skin>     <Color_Clothing1>50,60,0,255</Color_Clothing1>     <Color_Clothing2>0,0,0,255</Color_Clothing2>     <Color_Metal>148,148,0,255</Color_Metal>     <Color_Primary>50,50,50,255</Color_Primary>     <Color_Secondary>33,15,5,255</Color_Secondary>     <Color_Roof>50,60,0,255</Color_Roof>     <Color_TerrainBlend>255,255,255,255</Color_TerrainBlend>     <Color_TerrainOnly>255,255,255,255</Color_TerrainOnly>     <Color_Trans>255,255,255,255</Color_Trans>     <Color_ScrollTransMask>255,255,255,255</Color_ScrollTransMask>     <Color_Eyes>255,255,255,255</Color_Eyes>     <Color_Crest>255,255,255,255</Color_Crest>     <Texture_Skin>K_Male_beard_Texture_01.png</Texture_Skin>     <CreatorFactionName>CustomFaction_Odencii</CreatorFactionName>     <Gender>Male</Gender>     <UnitModelType>HenchmanMale</UnitModelType>        <IsSovereign>0</IsSovereign>     <HasWages>1</HasWages>     <NPCFreeRecruit>0</NPCFreeRecruit>     <RaceType>Race_Type_Altarians</RaceType>     <IgnoreItemTrainingCosts>false</IgnoreItemTrainingCosts>     <AdditionalTrainingTurns>200.0000</AdditionalTrainingTurns>     <WageOverride>0.0000</WageOverride>     <UnitTypeVersion>1</UnitTypeVersion>     <TileRadius>0</TileRadius>     <GetPerksOnLevelUp>1</GetPerksOnLevelUp>     <DividesBattleExp>0</DividesBattleExp>     <CanSqueeze>0</CanSqueeze>     <OnHitParticleName>Bloody_OnHit</OnHitParticleName>     <AllowGrouping>false</AllowGrouping>     <SoundPack>SoundPack_Generic_Male</SoundPack>   </UnitType>

Here is the spell to summon him:

<SpellDef InternalName="SummonChampion_HadrianAurelian">         <DisplayName>Summon General Hardian Aurelian</DisplayName>         <Description>Summons a level 5 General Hadrian Aurelian.</Description>         <Image>M_AirElemental_Card.png</Image>         <IconFG>S_SummonAirElemental_Icon.png</IconFG>         <AutoUnlock>1</AutoUnlock>         <SpellBookSortCategory>Summon</SpellBookSortCategory>         <SpellBookSortSubCategory>Summon</SpellBookSortSubCategory>         <SpellType>Strategic</SpellType>         <SpellClass>Defensive</SpellClass>         <SpellSubClass>Summon</SpellSubClass>         <SpellTargetType>Self</SpellTargetType>  <CasterMustBeSov>1</CasterMustBeSov>         <SpellResourceCost>             <Resource>Mana</Resource>             <Amount>1</Amount>         </SpellResourceCost>    <GameModifier InternalName="Reward2">         <ModType>Unit</ModType>         <Attribute>UnitJoinArmy</Attribute>          <StrVal>Champion_HadrianAurelian</StrVal>          <UnitClass>Champion</UnitClass>    </GameModifier>         <AIData AIPersonality="AI_General">             <AIPriority>0</AIPriority>         </AIData>         <HitSoundFX>Spell_SummonAirElemental_01</HitSoundFX>         <SpellDefEffect>             <EffectName>S_SummonAirElemental_Particle</EffectName>             <LocalPosition>0,0,0</LocalPosition>             <EffectScale>0.5</EffectScale>             <EffectDelay>0</EffectDelay>             <SnapToTerrain>1</SnapToTerrain>         </SpellDefEffect>     </SpellDef>

I didn't change much with the spell interms of the look, just the name and such.

So why doesnt' my sovereign have that spell when he begins the game?

Yes. The General Hadrian Aurelius Character is from a previous game.  I'm trying to get him to start the game as my sovereign Solva's right hand man.  Having difficulty getting the spell to work like Heavenfall mentioned in the dragon champion thread.  Like I said I'm new to the xml fiddling. I can put items with characters but I can't get the rest of it to work.

EDIT: I can't even get the spell to show up in Solva's spellbook at the beginning of the game. I set up the summon spell like the Steal Spirit spell that all Player characters start with figuring that would work for my spell to have it start with my main character.  But it hasn't.