Title: The Complete EDU Guide for RTW (inc. BI-Alex) Posted by: Aradan Modding area: Units (balance, function, stats) Required programs: Notepad (or other text editor) Optional tools:EDU-matic, Caligula unit editor Summary: An in-depth explanation of the export_descr_unit file, which is the primary base for modding unit statistics and almost all non-visual aspects of them.
Understanding & Coding the Export_Descr_Unit.Txt (EDU) file
by Aradan
Last update: 28/06/2022 (Updated info on loose, wedge, testudo, shield-wall, schiltrom, and cantabrian circle formations, and power_charge, spear and light_spear attributes)
This guide is considered a WIP and will be updated with all new confirmed info and possible error corrections.
Spoiler Alert, click show to read:
Update Log:
30/06/2022 : Updated info on loose, wedge, testudo, shield-wall, schiltrom, and cantabrian circle formations, and power_charge, spear and light_spear attributes.
28/06/2022 : Updated info on unit size, 'druid', 'screeching_women', and 'warcry' attributes, and berserker capability.
15/11/2014 : Updated balancing lethality value for fs_spearmen skeleton variants.
27/06/2013 : Added 'screeching_women' in the attributes section.
20/05/2010 : Info added for 'engine' and 'ship' lines.
13/05/2010 : Info added on min_delay.
01/03/2010 : Info added on general_unit_upgrade.
25/02/2010 : Info added on mount_effect.
25/09/2009 : Info added on morale tags.
23/09/2009 : Info updated on discipline attribute.
25/09/2008 : Info added on naval battles
26/08/2008 : Info added on 'short_pike' (re: schiltrom)
01/08/2008 : Info added on creating 1-soldier units
28/01/2008 : Info added for 'stat_health' tag and suggestions for auto-resolve balance improvement (*major* update).
27/01/2008 : Info added for 'stat_health' tag.
06/12/2007 : Info added for 'general_unit' attribute.
21/11/2007 : 'Shield' info typo corrected.
13/11/2007 : Info added for 'short_pike' weapon attribute.
31/09/2007 : Info added for 'mercenary_unit' attribute.
05/08/2007 : Added "skirmish" as a class option - still needs more testing
21/07/2007 : Chariots added in mount-effects, horde edited as a non-BI-RTW formation, 'other' weapons edited as upgradeable.
20/07/2007 : CB selection screen info added for class and category
Guide updated with info on short_pike (and note also added for merc_unit update)
Thx, Jubal_Barca. The purpose of the Guide is to state what can normally be done just through this file. Such modding changes aren't easy for everyone, so I can't include them here.
I have one remark about phalanx-short_pike.
We found problems, at least when this couple of attributes were used in secondary weapon (primary was a javelin). When the soldiers were throwing the javelins, a long pike was shown vertically (no animation).
This problem disappeared by eliminating short_pike and phalanx formation. The elimination of only phalanx did not solve the problem, but we didn't try the elimination of only short_pike.
With regard to can_swim, it is (as you probably know) possible with BI.exe, but not with RTW.exe. The presence of the attribute in EDU (too lazzy to delete it ) doesn't produce any CTD, but we have remarked that soldiers in bridge battles tend to the suicide , they enter the river and die. This trend is less marked when can_swim is not present, although I've observed some cases:
Thx for the phalanx-short_pike tip (and the can_swim confirmation). I haven't yet found the time to test phalanx (working mainly on FATW/BI 1.6), but info like this make testing small things much easier!
# [def_skill] : Unit's defensive skill, taken into account only in melee and only against attacks from the front or the right side. It doesn't affect defense against missiles. It represents a soldier's ability to parry(rather than block) and dodge strikes. Max value is 63 and everything higher will be considered 63.
# [shield] : Unit's shield value, taken into account against both ranged and melee attacks, but only when they come from the front or the right side.Against missiles from the front it offers twice the protection it's value suggests. Measures the blocking capabilities of a unit's shield. Max value is 31 and everything higher will be considered 31.
How do you know these?
Has this been tested? I always thought the shield protected from the front and left.
Yes, it has either been tested or is based on what Gerome Grasdyke has revealed in various of his posts over at the .Org. There are also some relevant research threads at the Ludus Magna there.
The shield part is a typo, it is meant to read "left side". Thx a lot for pointing that out!
I have one remark about phalanx-short_pike.
We found problems, at least when this couple of attributes were used in secondary weapon (primary was a javelin). When the soldiers were throwing the javelins, a long pike was shown vertically (no animation).
This problem disappeared by eliminating short_pike and phalanx formation. The elimination of only phalanx did not solve the problem, but we didn't try the elimination of only short_pike.
With regard to can_swim, it is (as you probably know) possible with BI.exe, but not with RTW.exe. The presence of the attribute in EDU (too lazzy to delete it ) doesn't produce any CTD, but we have remarked that soldiers in bridge battles tend to the suicide , they enter the river and die. This trend is less marked when can_swim is not present, although I've observed some cases:
How can you have more than 120 units.You have more than 220.???????
# light_spear: Gives default bonus of +8 to defense vs cavalry, and penalty of -4 to defense vs. infantry. Offers less pushing power than spear.
# spear: Gives default bonus of +8 to attack vs cavalry, and penalty of -4 to attack vs. infantry. Offers more pushing power than light_spear. Units with "spear" attribute tend to lose cohesion and break lines (due to the extreme pushing power) with undesired results, so use is advised only with cohesive formations/attributes like short_pike, shield_wall, phalanx etc.
So light_spear changes defense and spear changes attack?
Last edited by Korinthos Hoplites; November 24, 2007 at 04:48 AM.
Yep, that's right. You can tell by timing the battles. When spear is present, they take less time than usual, because the bonus to attack means faster kills, while when light_spear is on the battles are slower than usual, because the defense bonus means slower kills.