Unit modding

Basic troops[edit]

The stats of basic troops are found in defines.lua as LIGHT_INFANTRY_PHASE_SKIRMISH_ATTACK, etc.

For the 3D models used on the map, there's a convention on the name of EMFXActorType or pdxmesh gfx entries, based on the culturegfx of the units:

culturegfx_<unit_type>
culturegfx_<unit_type>_rider (for mounted units)
culturegfx_<unit_type>_weapon
culturegfx_<unit_type>_helmet
culturegfx_<unit_type>_shield

culturegfx is the first matching unit_graphical_cultures of the culture (if any), otherwise the graphical_cultures, defaulting to westerngfx.

See interface/avatars.gfx for the base game units assets.

Special troops[edit]

To add a special troops the steps are to:

Add a unit in common\special_troops:

my_special_unit = {
    morale = 4
    maintenance = 3
    phase_skirmish_attack = 0.5
    phase_melee_attack = 5
    phase_pursue_attack = 8
    phase_skirmish_defense = 4
    phase_melee_defense = 4
    phase_pursue_defense = 3
    base_type = heavy_infantry
}

Add the unit sprite into gfx\interface\unitpanel_specialunits_bigstrip.dds and gfx\interface\unitpanel_specialunits_smallstrip.dds

The noOfFrames in interface\unitpanel.gfx needs to be increased

   spriteType = {
        name = "GFX_unitpanel_specialtroops_smallstrip"
        texturefile = "gfx\\interface\\unitpanel_specialunits_smallstrip.dds"
        noOfFrames = 6
    }
 
    spriteType = {
        name = "GFX_unitpanel_specialtroops_bigstrip"
        texturefile = "gfx\\interface\\unitpanel_specialunits_bigstrip.dds"
        noOfFrames = 6
    }

Add a modifier definition in common\modifier_definitions

my_special_unit = {
    show_as_percent = no
    is_good = yes
    is_monthly = no
    is_hidden = no
    max_decimals = 0
}

my_special_unit_offensive = {
    show_as_percent = yes
    is_good = yes
    is_monthly = no
    is_hidden = no
    max_decimals = 2
}

my_special_unit_defensive = {
    show_as_percent = yes
    is_good = yes
    is_monthly = no
    is_hidden = no
    max_decimals = 2
}

my_special_unit_morale = {
    show_as_percent = yes
    is_good = yes
    is_monthly = no
    is_hidden = no
    max_decimals = 2
}

Add the localization:

my_special_unit;Special unit;;;;;;;;;;;;;x
my_special_unit_offensive;Special unit Offensive;;;;;;;;;;;;;x
my_special_unit_defensive;Special unit Defensive;;;;;;;;;;;;;x
my_special_unit_morale;Special unit Morale;;;;;;;;;;;;;x
my_special_unit_modifier;Combat Modifier boost to Special unit Troops: $PERC$;;;;;;;;;;;;;x

Add the new unit in common\technology in this case, typically associated to technology of its base_type (here TECH_HEAVY_INFANTRY):

TECH_HEAVY_INFANTRY = {
        modifier = {
            (...)
            my_special_unit_OFFENSIVE = 0.6
            my_special_unit_DEFENSIVE = 0.6
        }      
    }

Tactics[edit]

Tactics are defined in the /common/combat_tactics/ folder. The format is:

<tactic_name> = {
	days = 1
	sprite = 1 
	group = <tactic_group_name>

	trigger = {
		phase = <tactic_phase>
	}

	mean_time_to_happen = {
		days = 3
	}
}

"days" refers to the amounts of days a tactic will last. If it is set as "1" the tactic will last for one day, if it is set as "2" it will last for two days etc.
"sprite" defines the sprite the tactic will have. The number corresponds with the index of a tactics icon, which are defined inside Crusader Kings II\gfx\interface\combat_tactic_strip.dds. Inside Crusader Kings II\interface\combat.gfx the properties spritetypes are defined.
"group" is the tactic group that the tactic belongs to. In vanilla, the groups skirmish, harass, swarm, volley, defensive, swarm, charge, stand_fast and advance are used.

To illustrate, here is an example of a tactic from the the file 00_combat_tactics.txt in vanilla:

stand_fast_tactic = {
	days = 18
	sprite = 3
	group = stand_fast

	trigger = {
		phase = melee
		pikemen = 0.01
		location = {
			terrain = forest
		}
	}

	mean_time_to_happen = {
		days = 3
		modifier = {
			factor = 1.5
			flank_has_leader = yes
			leader = {
				martial = 8
			}
			heavy_troops = { 
				who = pikemen
				value = 0.7
			}
		}
		modifier = {
			factor = 1.5
			flank_has_leader = yes
			leader = {
				martial = 12
			}
			heavy_troops = { 
				who = pikemen
				value = 0.6
			}
		}
		modifier = {
			factor = 1.5
			flank_has_leader = yes
			leader = {
				martial = 16
			}
			heavy_troops = { 
				who = pikemen
				value = 0.5
			}
		}
	}

	knights_offensive = -1.5
	heavy_infantry_offensive = -1.5
	pikemen_offensive = 3
	enemy = {
		group = charge
		factor = 3
	}
}