Question about editing KotOR1 Hardcore Talchia Style mod

[niBBa]

Mod can be found here: https://www.lonebullet.com/mods/download-hardcore-2011-talchia-style-knights-of-the-old-republic-mod-free-45593.htm

So what I wanted to do was make the early game a bit harder.

In this mod, there is a file called qg_hardcore.ncs that I tried to edit. I input the following code (simply by copying the code that follows and changing the variables):

if(nCharLevel >= 8 && nCharLevel <= 12)
        {
            eStatA = EffectAbilityIncrease(ABILITY_WISDOM, 6);
            eStatB = EffectAbilityIncrease(ABILITY_DEXTERITY, 6);
            eStatC = EffectAbilityIncrease(ABILITY_CHARISMA, 6);
            eStatD = EffectAbilityIncrease(ABILITY_STRENGTH, 6);
            eFP = EffectTemporaryForcePoints(75);
            nVP = 75;
        }

 

and changing the "8" and "12" to "3" and "7," changing all the "6" to "2," and changing both "75" to "25."

I entered a new area and the changes don't seem to be taking place. I didn't think it would be as simple as doing what I did, but I didn't see why it would work (I am not a coder, though). There's nothing that I see in the k_ai_master.ncs file that comes with it that relates to the hardcore.ncs so I didn't think that was the culprit. If anyone can maybe take a look at my qg_hardcore.ncs file, I would appreciate it, see if I did anything wrong.

Any suggestions would be lovely!

qg_hardcore.ncs

[TamerBill]

There's a line added to k_ai_master (a base-game script that handles general AI) that calls the qg_hardcore script whenever someone sees a party member for the first time, and then qg_hardcore applies the stat buffs to them.

Changing the numbers and recompiling qg_hardcore should work. If you want someone to check your script you should probably upload the nss rather than the ncs, though.

Edit: Actually, checking the source script, that part with +6 to four stats only applies to enemy Jedi. If you're not testing it against Jedi then there's your problem.

[niBBa]

Do you have any idea on what I can edit to make NPCs in general a bit tougher? I find combat ends way too quickly in KotOR.

 

EDIT: Also, yeah, I am still on Taris so no Jedi yet. I'd love to buff the regular enemies. 😕

[TamerBill]

Just to check, you are editing the source nss, right, not decompiling the ncs? Because the source script is pretty well-commented, you should be able to get the gist of it if you read through it all.

The sections are for Jedi, then Beasts, then Droids, then everyone else.

[niBBa]

I must be a dumbass. You're right, Bill. I see that there are entries for the other NPCs. I only edited the Jedi set. 

Scoundrel, Soldier, Scout (class):
    Player Level 8+: +6 Dexterity, +6 Strength, +75 Vitality points.
    Player Level 13+: +12 Dexterity, +12 Strength, +130 Vitality points.
    Player Level 17+: +20 Dexterity, +20 Strength, +200 Vitality points.

This would be for the rest of the humanoid enemies, correct?

[TamerBill]

Yes, although that part of the script's just descriptive. The part you need to edit is further down.

	//Set up the effects based on the character level
        if(nCharLevel >= 8 && nCharLevel <= 12)
        {
            eStatA = EffectAbilityIncrease(ABILITY_STRENGTH, 6);
            eStatB = EffectAbilityIncrease(ABILITY_DEXTERITY, 6);
            nVP = 75;
        }
        else if(nCharLevel >= 13 & nCharLevel <= 16)
        {
            eStatA = EffectAbilityIncrease(ABILITY_STRENGTH, 12);
            eStatB = EffectAbilityIncrease(ABILITY_DEXTERITY, 12);
            nVP = 130;
        }   
        else if(nCharLevel >= 17)
        {
            eStatA = EffectAbilityIncrease(ABILITY_STRENGTH, 20);
            eStatB = EffectAbilityIncrease(ABILITY_DEXTERITY, 20);
            nVP = 200;
        }
        else
        {
            bValid = FALSE;
        }
        if(bValid == TRUE)
        {
            eLink = EffectLinkEffects(eStatA, eStatB);
        }

 

[niBBa]

28 minutes ago, niBBa said:

 

 

[Peepee]

I would like to know how to edit this as well

[niBBa]

Nevermind, I am not sure it's working.

 

//Set up the effects based on the character level
        if(nCharLevel >= 1 && nCharLevel <= 3)
        {
            eStatA = EffectAbilityIncrease(ABILITY_STRENGTH, 2);
            eStatB = EffectAbilityIncrease(ABILITY_DEXTERITY, 2);
            nVP = 1125;
        }

I am currently level 3, so I figured I could use the above as a test -- setting a high level of HP into an enemy would be a good way to detect if it's working... but it doesn't seem to be. I am in the lower Taris area entering the apartments and I see a group of Black Vulkars who are just as squishy as before the 1125 adjustment.

Either I'm still a dumbass, the code is wrong, or there's a limit to the amount of VP? I don't know. I am entering a new area, too. I made a hard save prior to entering the "test zone."

I attached my .nss. I will beg for one of you guys to look at it and see what I am doing wrong.

qg_hardcore.nss

[TamerBill]

Okay, I just tested it. It seems to me that the original mod is straight-up broken, the on-perception event never fires so the effects are never applied.

I've moved the event so that it fires on spawn instead, much more reliable.

k_ai_master.nss k_ai_master.ncs

[niBBa]

I appreciate this a lot! thank you!

However, the enemies still felt the same. I figured with a bonus of 1125 health (as I understand it) that it would take a fair bit of time to kill an enemy...

[TamerBill]

I think I see your problem. This part here:

	if(nCharLevel >= 1 && nCharLevel <= 3)
	{
		eStatA = EffectAbilityIncrease(ABILITY_STRENGTH, 2);
		eStatB = EffectAbilityIncrease(ABILITY_DEXTERITY, 2);
		nVP = 1125;
	}
	if(nCharLevel >= 3 && nCharLevel <= 7)
	{
		eStatA = EffectAbilityIncrease(ABILITY_STRENGTH, 4);
		eStatB = EffectAbilityIncrease(ABILITY_DEXTERITY, 4);
		nVP = 50;
	}

The first part checks for level less-than or equal-to 3, and the second part checks for level greater-than or equal-to 3. So if you're exactly level three then both will trigger, and the second one (+50 HP) will override the first (+1125 HP). Change the second one to be >= 4 instead, then run your test again.

[niBBa]

That did it. Thank you again, Bill. You are the best!

[Guest Qui-Gon Glenn]

I found this by chance today... That mod was broken, and was removed by me almost instantly after release due to my lack of testing and some feedback from a friend.

Interesting that you were able to download it. The "mod" was not really mine at all, just an edit on Talchia's (also broken) mod. If I had done my homework properly, I would have recognized then that changing difficulty is more involved than editing one script with some numbers and expecting magic to happen.

Others have since made improvements on this scheme I believe. I congratulate you on learning through my mistakes