Editing Mod:Edit a main character

This tutorial explains how to edit your starting character in ''[[Wikipedia 2197|The Sum]]''. [[file:Ecran Entity Editor.jpg|thumb|This tutorial uses the ''Entity Editor''.]]

== Required tools ==
* [[Mod:Editors#Entity_editor|Entity Editor]]

== Before you start ==
Take some time to learn how the Entity Editor works by checking out the [http://10projets.org/nousaurons/editor_readme.html#Section3 "readme" file of the Fallout Tactics Editor].{{Warning|Characters are referred to as "Actors" in the document.}}

=== Choosing your starting character ===
# Open the ''Game''/ folder then '''FT Improver.EXE'''.
# Pass the videos by clicking on them.
# Click on {{False button|PLAY|color=black|button=yes}} then {{False button|NEW|color=black|button=yes}}.
# Click {{False button|<|color=black}}{{False button|>|color=black}} to choose a character. Keep their name in mind for later.
{{Idea|The '''start position''' and '''story''' are fixed to the character. So best might be to pick a start position you prefer, or a character that looks most sympatic to you (though you can change their portrait and name.)}}

=== Opening the starting character file ===
# Open the ''Game''/ folder then '''FT Improver.EXE'''.
# Pass the videos by clicking on them.
# Click on {{False button|MORE|color=black|button=yes}}.
# Click {{False button|ENTITY EDITOR|color=black|button=yes}}.
# Navigate to the {{False button|File|color=gray|bordure=black}} menu then {{False button|Open|color=gray3}}.
# Open the desired starting character which must end with '''.ent''' (stored in ''Game/core/entities/Actors/prefab'').

{|class="wikitable centre" style="width=75%;"
!Character name
!Picture
!File name
!
!Character name
!Picture
!File name
|-
|style = "padding-left: 25px;"|'''Mara'''
|[[File:Mara_small_portrait.png|50px|link=MediaWiki]]
|style = "padding-right: 25px;"|prefab1.ent
|style = "background: black"|
|style = "padding-left: 25px;"|'''Marais'''
|[[File:Marais_small_portrait.png|50px|link=MediaWiki]]
|style = "padding-right: 25px;"|prefab2.ent
|-
|style = "padding-left: 25px;"|'''Veille'''
|[[File:Veille_small_portrait.png|50px|link=MediaWiki]]
|style = "padding-right: 25px;"|prefab3.ent
|style = "background: black"|
|style = "padding-left: 25px;"|'''Dann'''
|[[File:Dann_small_portrait.png|50px|link=MediaWiki]]
|style = "padding-right: 25px;"|prefab4.ent
|-
|style = "padding-left: 25px;"|'''Chance'''
|[[File:Chance_small_portrait.png|50px|link=MediaWiki]]
|style = "padding-right: 25px;"|prefab5.ent
|style = "background: black"|
|style = "padding-left: 25px;"|'''Monréal'''
|[[File:Monréal_small_portrait.png|50px|link=MediaWiki]]
|style = "padding-right: 25px;"|prefab6.ent
|-
|style = "padding-left: 25px;"|'''Nouvelle'''
|[[File:Nouvelle_small_portrait.png|50px|link=MediaWiki]]
|style = "padding-right: 25px;"|prefab7.ent
|style = "background: black"|
|style = "padding-left: 25px;"|'''Basque'''
|[[File:Basque_small_portrait.png|50px|link=MediaWiki]]
|style = "padding-right: 25px;"|prefab8.ent
|-
|style = "padding-left: 25px;"|'''Franche'''
|[[File:Franche_small_portrait.png|50px|link=MediaWiki]]
|style = "padding-right: 25px;"|prefab9.ent
|style = "background: black"|
|style = "padding-left: 25px;"|'''Hiverse'''
|[[File:Hiverse_small_portrait.png|50px|link=MediaWiki]]
|style = "padding-right: 25px;"|prefab10.ent
|-
|style = "padding-left: 25px;"|'''Isabette'''
|[[File:Isabette_small_portrait.png|50px|link=MediaWiki]]
|style = "padding-right: 25px;"|prefab11.ent
|style = "background: black"|
|style = "padding-left: 25px;"|'''Géorgy'''
|[[File:Georgy_small_portrait.png|50px|link=MediaWiki]]
|style = "padding-right: 25px;"|prefab12.ent
|-
|style = "padding-left: 25px;"|'''Kadi'''
|[[File:Kadi_small_portrait.png|50px|link=MediaWiki]]
|style = "padding-right: 25px;"|prefab13.ent
|style = "background: black"|
|style = "padding-left: 25px;"|'''Tempo'''
|[[File:Tempo_small_portrait.png|50px|link=MediaWiki]]
|style = "padding-right: 25px;"|prefab14.ent
|-
|style = "padding-left: 25px;"|'''Épi'''
|[[File:Epi_small_portrait.png|50px|link=MediaWiki]]
|style = "padding-right: 25px;"|prefab15.ent
|style = "background: black"|
|style = "padding-left: 25px;"|'''Brave'''
|[[File:Brave_small_portrait.png|50px|link=MediaWiki]]
|style = "padding-right: 25px;"|prefab16.ent
|-
|style = "padding-left: 25px;"|'''Amérique'''
|[[File:Amerique_small_portrait.png|50px|link=MediaWiki]]
|style = "padding-right: 25px;"|prefab17.ent
|style = "background: black"|
|style = "padding-left: 25px;"|'''Leg'''
|[[File:Leg_small_portrait.png|50px|link=MediaWiki]]
|style = "padding-right: 25px;"|prefab18.ent
|-
|style = "padding-left: 25px;"|'''Talée'''
|[[File:Talee_small_portrait.png|50px|link=MediaWiki]]
|style = "padding-right: 25px;"|prefab19.ent
|style = "background: black"|
|style = "padding-left: 25px;"|'''Read'''
|[[File:Read_small_portrait.png|50px|link=MediaWiki]]
|style = "padding-right: 25px;"|prefab20.ent
|-
|style = "padding-left: 25px;"|'''Mercie'''
|[[File:Mercie_small_portrait.png|50px|link=MediaWiki]]
|style = "padding-right: 25px;"|prefab21.ent
|style = "background: black"|
|style = "padding-left: 25px;"|'''Vaillant'''
|[[File:Vaillant_small_portrait.png|50px|link=MediaWiki]]
|style = "padding-right: 25px;"|prefab22.ent
|}

== Editing the character ==

=== Change the portrait ===

==== In game ====
# [[Mod:Edit a main character#Choosing your starting character|Choose your starting character]].
# Click on {{False button|MODIFY|color=black|button=yes}}.
# Click {{False button|<|color=black}}{{False button|>|color=black}} on the top right corner to browser through various portraits.

==== Manually ====
Using the code name (or file name) of your character, it is easy to change their portrait.{{Idea|This method give access to ALL the game's 1000+ portraits.}}
# Open the folder ''Game/core/gui/char/'' then choose a portrait in the list.{{Idea|If you can't see the portraits by double-clicking on them, [[Mod:Programs_recommended#Red.21Viewer|install ''Red!Viewer'']]}}
# Delete or rename the '''.zar''' associated with your starting character: ex: '''prefab1.zar'''.
# Copy/paste the portrait '''.zar''' file you want for a portrait, renaming it "prefabX.zar". ex: '''prefab1.zar'''.

=== Rename the character ===

==== In game ====
# [[Mod:Edit a main character#Choosing your starting character|Choose your starting character]].
# Click on {{False button|MODIFY|color=black|button=yes}}.
# Click on their name on the top left corner and change it.
# Click on {{False button|OK|color=white|button=yes}}.

==== Manually ====
# Open the file '''characters.txt''' located in ''Game/core/locale/game/''.
## Press {{False button|ctrl|color=white}}+{{False button|f|color=white}} and search for ''name_prefabX'' (X being the number in your prefab character code name).
## Change the name between the "{}" brackets <syntaxhighlight>
name_prefab1 = {character name}
</syntaxhighlight>
# Go to the {{Fake button|File|color=black}} menu and then {{Fake button|Save|color=black}}.

=== Add a bio (for companions) ===
If the character you create does not join the player's group as a [[Nous_Aurons:Contenus#Companions|companion]], skip this step.
As for the name, the bio of a character is stored in ''Game/NousAurons/locale/Game/'''characters.txt''''' (French version) and ''Game/core/locale/Game/'''characters.txt''''' (English version).
# Open the two files '''characters.txt''' and for each of them:
## Press {{False button|ctrl|color=white}}+{{False button|f|color=white}} and search for "//RECRUES"
## Directly below, copy/paste the following code: <syntaxhighlight>
name__code_name_of_character = {Name of character}
desc__character_code_name = {<Ck>LOCATION\nPROFESSION\nBiography appearing in the language appropriate to the version of '''characters.txt''}
</syntaxhighlight>
* '''LOCATION:''' Name of the [[The Sum:Contents#Merica|location]] where the companion is recruited.
* '''PROFESSION:''' Primary or official [[The Sum:Contents#Professions|profession]] of the companion. There may be more than one.{{Idea|If the character_code_name has been correctly assigned in the entity editor, the character's name and bio should appear correctly.}}
# Save the document.

=== Change characteristics ===
There are an infinite number of possible variations for the characteristics of the starting character, you can even change their starting [[Level of autonomy]].

==== In game ====
# [[Mod:Edit a main character#Choosing your starting character|Choose your starting character]].
# Click on {{False button|MODIFY|color=black|button=yes}}.
# Use the {{False button|+|color=white}} and {{False button|-|color=white}} buttons to relocate the stats, or the <font size="+1" color="yellow">☻</font> and <font size="+1" color="grey">☻</font> buttons to reassign the [[Traits|traits]].{{Warning|There is a maximum of two [[Traits|traits]] at all time, and sometimes one is hidden, letting you only reasign the visible one.}}
# Click on {{False button|OK|color=white|button=yes}}.

==== Manually ====
Manually altering the starting character offers the most possibilities of change. Instead of relocating the points, [[Perks|perks]] and [[Skills|skill]] points, you can choose them freely, and modify many other character's elements like the [[Level au autonomy]]. Keep in mind that you can make a ''God-like'' character, but it might spoil the game.
# [[Mod:Edit a main character#Choosing your starting character|Choose your starting character]].
# [[Mod:Edit a main character#Opening the starting character file|Open the character file]].
# Expand any tab ({{Fake button|XXXX|color=gray|border=black}}) to the left to edit its values ({{Fake button|XXXX|color=gray3}}{{Fake button|#&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;|color=black2}}). Follow the steps below for more specific modifications.
# Navigate to the {{False button|File|color=gray|border=black}} menu and then {{False button|Save|color=gray3}}.

==== Tips on character customization ====
* Do not modify the values under <font color = "yellow">- Modifiers -</font> field.
* Do not change the character's equipment or inventory there. To give your starting character [[The Sum:Items#Items|items]] or [[The Sum:Items#Weapons|weapons]], [[Mod:Starting items|use this method instead]].
* '''{{False button|Stats|color=grey}}:''' [[Stats]] can be set from 1 to 10.{{Warning|• Most armors need at least 2 of Charisma to be worn, and weapons 2 of Intelligence.<br>• '''Luck''' &#x3D; '''Instinct''' (In the editor, the orginal ''Fallout Tactics'' terms are used, so they can vary from [[Wikipedia 2197|The Sum]] game. Use the {{False button|Make|color=grey}}/{{False button|Level|color=grey}} buttons on top to check if you edited the right element.}}
* '''{{False button|Traits|color=grey}}:''' Only change {{False button|age|color=grey3}} and {{False button|sex|color=grey3}} there.
* '''{{False button|Derived|color=grey}}:''' If you add {{False button|maxHitPoints|color=grey3}}, your actual [[Life points]] stays the same. [[Mod:Edit a main character#Life points|Follow these steps]] to change that.
** {{False button|maxCarryWeight|color=grey3}} can be negative.{{Warning|It is not recommanded to change any other {{False button|Derived|color=grey}} values.}}
* '''{{False button|Skills|color=grey}}:''' You can add or substract any value to any skill [[Skills|skills]].{{Warning|In the editor, the orginal ''Fallout Tactics'' terms are used, so they can vary from [[Wikipedia 2197|The Sum]] game. Use the {{False button|Make|color=grey}}/{{False button|Level|color=grey}} buttons on top to check if you edited the right element.}}
* '''{{False button|Tag Skills|color=grey}}:''' They are not used for any starting character in [[Wikipedia 2197|The Sum]], so using them is not recommended.
* '''{{False button|Optional Traits|color=grey}}:'''{{Warning|• Do not uncheck {{False button|Human|color=grey3}},{{False button|Ghoul|color=grey3}},{{False button|Mutant|color=grey3}} and {{False button|Deathclaw|color=grey3}}<br>• In the editor, the orginal ''Fallout Tactics'' terms are used, so they can vary from [[Wikipedia 2197|The Sum]] game. Use the {{False button|Make|color=grey}}/{{False button|Level|color=grey}} buttons on top to check if you edited the right element.}}
* '''{{False button|Perks|color=grey}}:''' [[Perks]] can be applied multiple times. {{Warning|In the editor, the orginal ''Fallout Tactics'' terms are used, so they can vary from [[Wikipedia 2197|The Sum]] game. Use the {{False button|Make|color=grey}}/{{False button|Level|color=grey}} buttons on top to check if you edited the right element.}}

=== Add levels ===
To add [[Autonomy Level|levels of autonomy]] to the starting character:
# [[Mod:Create_a_character#Open the file (Entity editor)|Open the character file]].
# Click the {{False button|Level|color=gray|bord=black}} button to the right of the menu at the top.
# Press the {{False button|+|color=white}} button to the right of "Autonomy" the number of times you want.
# Select a [[Perks|Perk]] when prompted.
# Assign all points earned from the [[Skills]] on the right using the {{False button|+|color=white}} and {{False button|-|color=white}} buttons. {{Idea|Holding down the {{False button|shift|color=white}} key by clicking on these buttons adds or subtracts 10 points for each click}}
# [[Mod:Edit a main character#Life points|Ajust the starting character's Life points]] (''see below'')
# Press {{False button|OK|color=white|button=yes}}.

==== Life points ====
If you added [[Autonomy Level|Autonomy Levels]] to your character, it is important to adjust their [[Life]] points to ensure that they are not injured (and therefore potentially hostile) as soon as the player encounters them.
# Calculate the number of Life Points the character needs using the [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1ERTgH9OsLT_8GCl4E6gcspTy07x-Iab1CWDKbmo5t2o/edit#gid=41039390 following form].{{Idea|Get the character's [[Strength]], [[Endurance]] and [[Autonomy Level]] by clicking the {{False button|Level|color=gray|bord=black}} button at the top of the page in the Entity Editor.}}
# In the Entity Editor, expand the very last tab {{False button|ActorStatus|color=gray|edge=black}}.
# To the right of {{False button|hitPoints|color=gray}}, replace the current number with the calculated number of Life Points.
# Go to the {{False button|File|color=gray|border=black}} menu then {{False button|Save|color=gray3}}.

=== Change the character colors ===
# [[Mod:Create_a_character#Open the file (Entity editor)|Open the character file]].
# Expand the {{False button|Image|color=gray|border=black}} tab.
# 4 menus allow you to change the character's colors, with two dimmers, the first controlling the saturation and the second the color level.{{Warning|Changing the first color ({{False button|Base|color=gray3}}) will affect the character blood color...}}

=== Equipment (Entity editor) ===
To give your starting character items or weapons, ''see [[Mod:Starting items]]''.