[TokyoBlade]

In this tutorial we will be giving Saruman his own Word of Power spell.

Important programs:

- BFME2 SDK
http://games.ea.com/official/lordoft...c=bfme2_modsdk

- FinalBIG
http://www.wagnerma.de/

- Either Photoshop, Gimp or Paint.NET
http://www.photoshop.com/
http://www.gimp.org/
http://www.getpaint.net/

Also, make sure you have the latest patch!


Getting Started

Create a mod folder - e.g. C:\mybfme2mod
Create a folder inside that one called art
Create a folder inside that one called compiledtextures
Create a folder inside that one called he

Create another folder inside C:\mybfme2mod called data
Copy lotr.str into the folder
Create a folder inside data called ini
Copy the following ini files into the mod's ini folder:

- commandbutton.ini
- commandset.ini
- experiencelevels.ini
- fxlist.ini
- fxparticlesystem.ini
- specialpower.ini
- upgrade.ini
- weapon.ini

Create a new folder inside ini called object
Create a folder inside that one called evilfaction
Create a folder inside that one called units
Create a folder inside that one called isengard
Copy saruman.ini into this folder

Create a bfme2 shortcut with your mod extension:

"C:\Program Files\Electronic Arts\The Battle for Middle-earth (tm) II\lotrbfme2.exe" -mod "C:\mybfme2mod"

Change C:\mybfme2mod to wherever you put your mod folder.



Coding the spell

First, let's start off with commandbutton.ini to make the button settings for the spell. Put this in wherever you want (I prefer putting new code in at the very end myself):

CommandButton Command_SpecialAbilitySarumanWordOfPower
  Command                 = SPECIAL_POWER 
  SpecialPower            = SpecialAbilitySarumanWordOfPower
  TextLabel               = CONTROLBAR:SarumanWordofPower
  ButtonImage             = HSSarumanDominate
  ButtonBorderType        = ACTION 
  DescriptLabel           = CONTROLBAR:ToolTipSarumanWordofPower
  AutoAbility              = Yes
  PresetRange              = 120.0
  InPalantir              = Yes
End

The reason we are using the HSSarumanDominate icon is because we are going to remove Saruman's dominate spell to make room for Word of Power!

Next, let's look at commandset.ini to change Saruman's palantir interface command set. Look for this:

CommandSet SarumanCommandSet
    1    = Command_ToggleStance
    2    = Command_SpecialAbilityIsengardWizardBlast
    3    = Command_SarumanFireball
    4    = Command_SpecialAbilitySpeechCraft ; ;
    5    = Command_SpecialAbilityDominateEnemy ; ;
    6    = Command_SarumanThunderBolt    
    12    = Command_CaptureBuilding
    13    = Command_AttackMove
    14    = Command_Stop
End

Like I said, we are going to remove the Dominate spell, so let's change it to this:

CommandSet SarumanCommandSet
    1    = Command_ToggleStance
    2    = Command_SpecialAbilityIsengardWizardBlast
    3    = Command_SarumanFireball
    4    = Command_SpecialAbilitySpeechCraft ; ;
    5    = Command_SarumanThunderBolt
    6    = Command_SpecialAbilitySarumanWordOfPower    
    12    = Command_CaptureBuilding
    13    = Command_AttackMove
    14    = Command_Stop
End

I swapped over the Thunder Bolt spell with the Word of Power spell because I want it to come last, but you can put it wherever you want!

For reference purposes, this is the slot order for the palantir commandset:



All units use Command_ToggleStance for slot 1.


Next, let's go into experiencelevels.ini to set what level Saruman learns this spell. Look for this:

ExperienceLevel    SarumanLevel1
    TargetNames                    = IsengardSaruman
    RequiredExperience                = 1    
    ExperienceAward                    = SARUMAN_LVL1_EXP_AWARD
    Rank                        = 1
    SelectionDecal
        Texture                    = decal_hero_evil    
        Style                    = SHADOW_ALPHA_DECAL
        OpacityMin                = 50%    
        OpacityMax                = 100%
        MinRadius                = 40
        MaxRadius                = 200
        MaxSelectedUnits            = 40
    End    
End

After this code there is code for all the rest of Saruman's levels. You can put the Word of Power in at any level you like. Ideally, it should be a level 10 spell, but I'm going to put it in at level 1 so I don't have to level up Saruman before trying out the new spell!

So, we need to add this:

Upgrades = Upgrade_SarumanWordOfPower

Giving us this:

ExperienceLevel    SarumanLevel1
    TargetNames                    = IsengardSaruman
    RequiredExperience                = 1    
    ExperienceAward                    = SARUMAN_LVL1_EXP_AWARD
    Upgrades                    = Upgrade_SarumanWordOfPower
    Rank                        = 1
    SelectionDecal
        Texture                    = decal_hero_evil    
        Style                    = SHADOW_ALPHA_DECAL
        OpacityMin                = 50%    
        OpacityMax                = 100%
        MinRadius                = 40
        MaxRadius                = 200
        MaxSelectedUnits            = 40
    End    
End

If you choose to put it in at level 10, then it should look like this:

ExperienceLevel    SarumanLevel10
    TargetNames                    = IsengardSaruman
    RequiredExperience            = SARUMAN_LVL10_EXP_NEEDED  
    ExperienceAward                = SARUMAN_LVL10_EXP_AWARD    
    AttributeModifiers            = HeroLevelUpDamage9
    Rank                        = 10
    LevelUpFx                    =    FX:GandalfLevelUp1FX
    Upgrades                    =    Upgrade_SarumanThunderBolt Upgrade_SarumanWordOfPower
    SelectionDecal
        Texture                    = decal_hero_evil
        Style                    =    SHADOW_ALPHA_DECAL
        OpacityMin                =    50%    
        OpacityMax                =    100%
        MinRadius                = 40
        MaxRadius                = 200
        MaxSelectedUnits        = 40
    End    
END

When giving more than one upgrade on a single level, you just have to leave a space after each one.


Now let's look at fxlist.ini to tell the game what FX are used for the spell. Add the following code wherever you want:

FXList FX_SarumanPreAttackBlast
  ParticleSystem
    Name = SarumanBlastInitialWave
    Offset = X:0.0 Y:0.0 Z:20.0
  End
  ParticleSystem
    Name = SarumanBlastInitialCenter
    Offset = X:0.0 Y:0.0 Z:20.0
  End
  ParticleSystem
    Name = SarumanBlastInitialVortex
    Offset = X:0.0 Y:0.0 Z:20.0
  End
  ParticleSystem
    Name = GandalfBlastRipple
    Offset = X:0.0 Y:0.0 Z:0.0

  End
End

FXList FX_SarumanBlast
  ParticleSystem
    Name = SarumanBlastFinalLight
    Offset = X:0.0 Y:0.0 Z:60   ;Z:8.0
  End
  ParticleSystem
    Name = SarumanBlastFinalShockWave
    Offset = X:0.0 Y:0.0 Z:20.0
  End
  ParticleSystem
    Name = GandalfBlastDust
    Offset = X:0.0 Y:0.0 Z:15.0
  End
  Sound
    Name = GandalfBlastWeapon
  End
End

I have left some of Gandalf's original Word of Power FX because we don't need to change all of them!

GandalfBlastRipple is just a white ripple effect, so we don't need to change the colour of that.
GandalfBlastDust is the dust cloud that forms. There's no need to change any of the dust effects.
GandalfBlastWeapon is the blast sound made when casting the spell.

Now let's move on to fxparticlesystem.ini to code in these FX. Add the following wherever you want:

FXParticleSystem SarumanBlastInitialWave
  System
    Priority = ALWAYS_RENDER
    ParticleName = EXRing01.tga
    Lifetime = 25 25
    SystemLifetime = 45
    SortLevel = 1
    Size = 400 400
    StartSizeRate = 1 1
    BurstDelay = 2 2
    BurstCount = 1 1
    IsGroundAligned = Yes
  End
  Color = DefaultColor
    Color2 = R:107 G:58 B:39 10
    Color3 = R:0 G:0 B:0 22
    ColorScale = -20 20
  End
  Update = DefaultUpdate
    SizeRate = -10 -10
    SizeRateDamping = 1.05 1.05
    AngleZ = -180 180
    AngularDamping = 1 1
    AngularDampingXY = 1 1
  End
  Physics = DefaultPhysics
    VelocityDamping = 0.75 0.8
  End
  EmissionVelocity = OutwardEmissionVelocity
    Speed = -4 -4
    OtherSpeed = -4 -4
  End
  EmissionVolume = LineEmissionVolume
    IsHollow = Yes
    StartPoint = X:0 Y:0 Z:-8
    EndPoint = X:0 Y:0 Z:10
  End
  Draw = DefaultDraw
  End
End

FXParticleSystem SarumanBlastInitialCenter
  System
    Priority = ALWAYS_RENDER
    ParticleName = EXLnzFlar1.tga
    Lifetime = 40 40
    SystemLifetime = 20
    SortLevel = 1
    Size = 5 5
    BurstDelay = 5 5
    BurstCount = 1 1
    InitialDelay = 20 20
  End
  Color = DefaultColor
    Color2 = R:255 G:172 B:136 20
    Color3 = R:0 G:0 B:0 40
  End
  Update = DefaultUpdate
    SizeRate = 2 2
    SizeRateDamping = 1.03 1.03
    AngularDamping = 1 1
    AngularDampingXY = 1 1
  End
  Physics = DefaultPhysics
    VelocityDamping = 0.75 0.8
  End
  EmissionVelocity = OutwardEmissionVelocity
  End
  EmissionVolume = LineEmissionVolume
    StartPoint = X:0 Y:0 Z:8
    EndPoint = X:0 Y:0 Z:8
  End
  Draw = DefaultDraw
  End
End

FXParticleSystem SarumanBlastInitialVortex
  System
    Priority = HIGH_OR_ABOVE
    ParticleName = EXLnzFlar2.tga
    Lifetime = 40 40
    SystemLifetime = 20
    SortLevel = 1
    Size = 5 5
    BurstDelay = 1 1
    BurstCount = 20 20
    IsParticleUpTowardsEmitter = Yes
  End
  Color = DefaultColor
    Color2 = R:255 G:172 B:136 5
  End
  Update = DefaultUpdate
    SizeRateDamping = 1 1
    AngularDamping = 1 1
    AngularDampingXY = 1 1
  End
  Physics = DefaultPhysics
    VelocityDamping = 1.1 1.1
  End
  EmissionVelocity = OutwardEmissionVelocity
    Speed = -0.4 -0.4
  End
  EmissionVolume = CylinderEmissionVolume
    IsHollow = Yes
    Radius = 240
    Length = 16
  End
  Draw = DefaultDraw
  End
End

FXParticleSystem SarumanBlastFinalLight
  System
    Priority = ALWAYS_RENDER
    ParticleName = EXexplo01.tga
    Lifetime = 10 10
    SystemLifetime = 5
    SortLevel = 1
    Size = 10 10
    BurstCount = 2 2
  End
  Color = DefaultColor
    Color1 = R:255 G:168 B:89 0
    Color2 = R:0 G:0 B:0 10
  End
  Update = DefaultUpdate
    SizeRate = 80 160
    SizeRateDamping = 0.8 0.7
    AngleZ = -1 1
    AngularDamping = 1 1
    AngularDampingXY = 1 1
  End
  Physics = DefaultPhysics
    Gravity = 1
    VelocityDamping = 1 1
  End
  EmissionVelocity = OutwardEmissionVelocity
    Speed = 1 1
  End
  EmissionVolume = PointEmissionVolume
  End
  Draw = DefaultDraw
  End
End

FXParticleSystem SarumanBlastFinalShockWave
  System
    Priority = ALWAYS_RENDER
    ParticleName = EXRing01.tga
    Lifetime = 40 40
    SystemLifetime = 5
    SortLevel = 1
    Size = 1 1
    BurstCount = 1 1
    IsGroundAligned = Yes
  End
  Color = DefaultColor
    Color1 = R:255 G:172 B:136 0
    Color2 = R:0 G:0 B:0 40
    ColorScale = -40 40

  End
  Update = DefaultUpdate
    SizeRate = 35 35
    SizeRateDamping = 1 1
    AngleZ = -1 1
    AngularDamping = 1 1
    AngularDampingXY = 1 1
  End
  Physics = DefaultPhysics
    VelocityDamping = 0.8 0.8
  End
  EmissionVelocity = OutwardEmissionVelocity
  End
  EmissionVolume = PointEmissionVolume
    IsHollow = Yes
  End
  Draw = DefaultDraw
  End
End

Basically all we've done here is change the colour of the Word of Power from Blue to Red.

If you want to use a different colour, just change:

"Color1 =" to whatever settings you want.

Now, let's go into specialpower.ini to set the spell. Add this somewhere:

SpecialPower SpecialAbilitySarumanWordOfPower
    Enum                           = SPECIAL_WORD_OF_POWER
    ReloadTime                       = 300000
End

The ReloadTime is how long it takes to recharge the attack. 60000 = 60 seconds, 120000 = 120 seconds, etc.

Enums are hardcoded, so don't change this.

Now we need to make the spell an upgrade in upgrade.ini. Add this somewhere:

Upgrade Upgrade_SarumanWordOfPower
  Type              = OBJECT
End

Now for all the attack information. In weapon.ini, add this somewhere:

Weapon SarumanWordOfPower
    IdleAfterFiringDelay = 0
    AttackRange = 120
    MinimumAttackRange = 0.8
    WeaponSpeed = 401         ; dist/sec 
    MinWeaponSpeed = 241
    MaxWeaponSpeed = 601      ; dist/sec Upper limit on scaling, when attacking past nominal "max" range
    ScaleWeaponSpeed = Yes ; Used for lob weapons, scales speed proportional to range
    RadiusDamageAffects = ENEMIES NOT_SIMILAR
    DelayBetweenShots = 5000               ; time between shots, msec
    PreAttackDelay        = 2600
    PreAttackType         = PER_ATTACK ; Do the delay each time we attack a new target
    PreAttackFX           = FX_SarumanPreAttackBlast
    FireFX                = FX_SarumanBlast
    FiringDuration      = 1400
    DamageNugget                        ; A basic Nugget that just does damage
        Damage            = 600
        Radius            = 300.0
        DamageType        = MAGIC
        DamageFXType    = MAGIC
        DeathType        = EXPLODED
        DamageSpeed        = 700.0 ; must match the ShockWaveSpeed below
    End
    MetaImpactNugget                    ; A Nugget that throws things back with force
;        HeroResist            = .75
        ShockWaveAmount   = 80.0
        ShockWaveRadius   = 550.0
        ShockWaveTaperOff = 1.0
        ShockWaveZMult    = 1.000
        ShockWaveSpeed      = 700.0 
    End
End

Damage = 600 is how much damage the blast does
Radius = 300.0 is the damage radius
ShockWaveAmount = 80.0 is the shockwave force
ShockWaveRadius = 550.0 radius of the shockwave

Feel free to change those to whatever you want (I made them slightly higher than Gandalf's)

PreAttackFX and FireFX refer to the FX we made earlier - As the names suggest, PreAttackFX is for the preattack and FireFX is for the actual blast.

You can change the speed at which the shockwave moves if you want with ShockWaveSpeed (just remember you need to make sure DamageSpeed and ShockWaveSpeed are the same!).

It would be a good idea to experiement with some of these settings to see for yourself what they do in the game.

Finally, in saruman.ini, add these 2 codes. The first code (animation) needs to go near the top with the other animations. The second code (word of power) needs to go near the end with the other power codes.

;;; word of power animation
        AnimationState         = SPECIAL_WEAPON_FOUR
            StateName = Attacking
            Animation        
                AnimationName = IUSaruman_ATKB
                AnimationMode = ONCE
            End
            FXEvent            = Frame:5 Name:FX_SarumanPreAttackBlast
        End



;------- WORD OF POWER --------
    
    Behavior = UnpauseSpecialPowerUpgrade ModuleTag_WordEnabler
        SpecialPowerTemplate = SpecialAbilitySarumanWordOfPower
        TriggeredBy = Upgrade_SarumanWordOfPower
    End
    Behavior = SpecialPowerModule ModuleTag_WordStarter       
        SpecialPowerTemplate      = SpecialAbilitySarumanWordOfPower
        UpdateModuleStartsAttack  = Yes
        StartsPaused                = Yes
    End
    Behavior = WeaponFireSpecialAbilityUpdate ModuleTag_WordWeaponFireUpdate   
        SpecialPowerTemplate    = SpecialAbilitySarumanWordOfPower
        WhichSpecialWeapon        = 4
        SkipContinue            = Yes

        UnpackTime              = 1700 
        PackTime                = 1    
        FreezeAfterTriggerDuration = 2500 ; Hold AI for this long after we fire.
        
        AwardXPForTriggering    = 0        
        StartAbilityRange        = 80.0
        
        SpecialWeapon            = SarumanWordOfPower
    End

We're not making a new animation for this attack, so we'll just use IUSaruman_ATKB, which is the same animation used for fireball.

It's important to note that WhichSpecialWeapon needs to refer to the word of power animation - Notice that the animation says AnimationState = SPECIAL_WEAPON_FOUR so WhichSpecialWeapon must be "4". If it said AnimationState = SPECIAL_WEAPON_THREE then WhichSpecialWeapon should be set to "3", and so on.

Now we need to add text for the spell. Open up lotr.str and add:

CONTROLBAR:SarumanWordofPower
"Saruman's Wo&rd of Power"
END

The & symbol indicates the keyboard hotkey; the hotkey is the letter than comes AFTER the & symbol - In this case, you can just press the "r" button to activate the spell. Finally, add this:

CONTROLBAR:ToolTipSarumanWordofPower
"Unleashes Saruman's ultimate power!"
END

You can put whatever text you like within the quotation marks.

That's it for the coding!


(This last section is optional)

Making a new button

Now let's look at making a new button for it to replace the dominate spell.

Please refer to this tutorial for information on how to work on DDS files: http://middleearthcenter.com/forums/...ad.php?t=21872

Please refer to this tutorial for information on how to make a new button and put it into the game: http://middleearthcenter.com/forums/...ad.php?t=18516

Saruman's interface is heroui_047. Replace the dominate spell button with whatever you want. This is what I ended up with:



Follow the 2nd tutorial link for help on building the asset.dat file, if you don't know how to.


That's all done! Let's check it out in game.






Questions/problems? Feel free to ask.

[Annihilus]

Can you help please? When I copy and paste the code to saruman.ini,it crashes.Can you explain me a little more?
Thanks for help!

Edit:I gaves Unknown block 'AnimationState'

Error parsing INI block 'AnimationState' in file 'data\ini\object\evilfaction\units\isengard\saruma n.ini'.
----- Automerged post -----
And,how could find this "lotr.str" file too?

[TokyoBlade]

Quote: Originally Posted by Annihilus

Can you help please? When I copy and paste the code to saruman.ini,it crashes.Can you explain me a little more?
Thanks for help!

Edit:I gaves Unknown block 'AnimationState'

Error parsing INI block 'AnimationState' in file 'data\ini\object\evilfaction\units\isengard\saruma n.ini'.
----- Automerged post -----
And,how could find this "lotr.str" file too?

Sorry for the really late reply (I didn't even notice this had a reply!).

Looks like you put the code in the wrong place, though that isn't your fault (it's mine). For some reason I said "Finally, in saruman.ini, add these 2 codes somewhere:" when, in fact, you have to put them in a specific place. The first code

;;; word of power animation
        AnimationState         = SPECIAL_WEAPON_FOUR
            StateName    = Attacking
            Animation        
                AnimationName = IUSaruman_ATKB
                AnimationMode = ONCE
            End
            FXEvent            = Frame:5 Name:FX_SarumanPreAttackBlast
        End

Needs to go in the animation section. Try putting it right after this code:

;;; LIGHTING BOLT SPECIAL POWER ;;;
        AnimationState          = SPECIAL_WEAPON_THREE
            Animation                = Throwing Fireball
                AnimationName        = IUSaruman_SPCA
                AnimationMode        = ONCE
                UseWeaponTiming        =    Yes
            End
            
            FrameForPristineBonePositions = 48
        End

Then the main word of power code needs to go later on. Try putting it after this code:

;//---------------------------------LIGHTNING BLAST-----------------------------------------
    Behavior = UnpauseSpecialPowerUpgrade ModuleTag_IstariLightEnabler
        SpecialPowerTemplate = SpecialAbilityLightingBolt
        TriggeredBy = Upgrade_SarumanThunderBolt
    End
    Behavior = SpecialPowerModule ModuleTag_IstariLightPower                      
        SpecialPowerTemplate        = SpecialAbilityLightingBolt
        UpdateModuleStartsAttack    = Yes
        StartsPaused                = Yes
        InitiateSound                = SarumanVoiceAttackCharge
    End

    Behavior = WeaponFireSpecialAbilityUpdate ModuleTag_IstariLightUpdate
        SpecialPowerTemplate    = SpecialAbilityLightingBolt
        SkipContinue            = Yes

        UnpackTime              = 1500
         PreparationTime         = 1  
         PersistentPrepTime      = 1000
         PackTime                = 500
        AwardXPForTriggering    = 0
        StartAbilityRange        = 290; Note: This has to be smaller than the weapon range or it'll never succeed
        ApproachRequiresLOS        = Yes        
        SpecialWeapon            = SarumanLightningBlastWeapon
        MustFinishAbility        = Yes
        WhichSpecialWeapon        = 3
        BusyForDuration            = 2500
    End

    Behavior = AutoAbilityBehavior ModuleTag_LighntingAutoAbility
        SpecialAbility                = SpecialAbilityLightingBolt
        MaxScanRange                = #SUBTRACT( SARUMAN_LIGHTNING_RANGE 25 )
        Query                        = 1 ALL ENEMIES -STRUCTURE
    End

; ;
    Behavior = AttributeModifierAuraUpdate ModuleTag_SarumanLeadershipUpdate
        StartsActive    = Yes
        BonusName        = GenericHeroLeadership
        RefreshDelay    = 2000
        Range            = 200
        ObjectFilter    = GENERIC_BUFF_RECIPIENT_OBJECT_FILTER
    End

If I remember correctly, the lotr.str is in lang/ data.

I hope that works!

[Annihilus]

Sorry for the late reply.Thanks for returning back! I'll give a try to your solution. Thanks =)

[Annihilus]

I tried but i failed again to make it work.Would you upload your saruman.ini please?

[TokyoBlade]

Quote: Originally Posted by Annihilus

I tried but i failed again to make it work.Would you upload your saruman.ini please?

Here:

http://www.filedropper.com/saruman

[Annihilus]

Thanks for the help but the link seems dead.Could you re-upload it? I just want this wop very much =)

[TokyoBlade]

lol, there must be a time limit on file hosting for that site. I'll use hotfile instead.

https://hotfile.com/dl/163245179/ca5...ruman.ini.html

[Annihilus]

OMG! It worked! Thank you! Thank you for a quadrillion times!

[TokyoBlade]

Glad to hear it's finally working for you

[Annihilus]

It wouldn't work without your help mister,thanks again =)

[Annihilus]

Could I do the same for Sauron?

[TokyoBlade]

Yeah, you can.

[Annihilus]

I have to do the same things or with some little differences?
----- Automerged post -----
This ability was made for Saruman and if I just copy the same codes it might not work I think :S
(Just opinion,you are the boss)