ChangeActorPool

[Hobbes]

I notice the option event files have various actor type events. Is there any information on these anywhere? I've not been able to find much but thought I had seen something a few weeks ago.

Also is it possible to deliberatly make a general inactive for a turn? Using RerollActivation?

Many thanks for any help,
Chris

[Hobbes]

I can the first mention of ChangeActorPool under AACW patch 1.07f but no mention of how it works?

Modding:
fixed: ChangeActorPool command had a bug.


Cheers, Chris

[lodilefty]

This command is used a lot in WIA options.

And they are working very well in WIA...

What we can't mod are the 'Actors', as they involve hard code.

See Actors.ini under aliases...

[Hobbes]

Hi Lodi, I'm really confused about options. I assume I can make unique options for the Pontiac scenario? I thought they were just events triggered by the player clicking on the picture.

Now I've reached the stage were I would like to start creating them I see that the options events have some different commands like ChangeActorPool and I wonder how these work. Looking at the forum I find nothing - just a remark that a bug was fixed in ChangeActorPool in 1.07f.

I really hope that I am able to create unique events triggered by options or all my efforts will have been in vain. If you can confirm that I can I will be a happy man! For example one simple option I would like to see would be to build an Indian fire raft which would trigger an event that would have a 30% probability of sinking a ship moored at Detroit.

I'm sure I will be able to work out how the option events work myself eventually if there is no information but I wonder how others came to understand this?

Thanks, Chris

[Primasprit]

Maybe this example helps? It is from Optionsmil.sct

This adds a military option via the ChangeActorPool command:

Code: Select all

SelectFaction = $USA
StartEvent = evt_nam_USA_Repl_Supply_ON|1|0|NULL|NULL|NULL|NULL

Conditions
  MinDate = 1775/01/01

Actions
  ChangeActorPool = $gmaOptionMil;MaxUse;1;ResetFreq;0;ImageID;Opt_SYW_britsh_soldiers.png;Title;opt_title_USA_Repl_Supply;MsgString;opt_desc_USA_Repl_Supply;ToolString;opt_hint_USA_Repl_Supply;SubType;[B]USA_Repl_Supply[/B];SParam1;USA

Here is checked if the option is selected and the according actions are triggered.

Code: Select all

SelectFaction = $USA
StartEvent = evt_nam_USA_Repl_Supply_Check|999|0|NULL|NULL|NULL|NULL

Conditions
  CheckOption = $gmaOptionMil;[B]USA_Repl_Supply[/B];=;1
  EvalEngagementPts = >=;15

Actions
  ChgFacEngagementPts = -15

SelectRegion = $Philadelphia

SelectFaction = $USA
SelectRegion = $Philadelphia
  CreateGroup
  Posture = $Defensive
  SetKind = $Land
  Entranch = 0
  InCS = 0
  FixType = 0
  SetName = _genName
  Apply
  CreateUnit
  SetType = $uni_USA_Sup1
  SetName = _genName
  Apply

SelectFaction = $GBR
  GenTextMsg  = opt_notify_USA_GBR_Repl_Supply;1;NULL;NULL;NULL

SelectFaction = $USA
  GenTextMsg  = opt_notify_USA_Repl_Supply;1;NULL;NULL;NULL
  ChangeActorPool = $gmaOptionMil;MaxUse;0;ResetFreq;0;ImageID;Opt_SYW_britsh_soldiers.png;Title;opt_title_USA_Repl_Supply;MsgString;opt_desc_USA_Repl_Supply;ToolString;opt_hint_USA_Repl_Supply;SubType;USA_Repl_Supply;SParam1;USA

EndEvent

[Hobbes]

Thank you! From a quick look I assume I can add an event then such as IND_Fire_Raft instead of USA_Repl_Supply to trigger my own event from an option? I'm still not sure if I can make my own events trigger from options or if I can only pick from a stock of existing option fired events?

I think I can work out what ChangeActorPool does but I still find it strange that there is no information on this.

Many thanks, Chris

[Primasprit]

From a quick look I assume I can add an event then such as IND_Fire_Raft instead of USA_Repl_Supply to trigger my own event from an option?

Yes, you can do this.

I'm still not sure if I can make my own events trigger from options or if I can only pick from a stock of existing option fired events?

You can trigger any event. Create an event which is checked every turn and add as condition

Code: Select all

CheckOption = $gmaOptionMil;IND_Fire_Raft;=;1

to test if the option was selected.

This one:

Code: Select all

EvalEngagementPts = >=;15

checks if there are enough EP to pay for the option.

I think I can work out what ChangeActorPool does but I still find it strange that there is no information on this.

What's why it is good that you are asking.
So if you have any more questions don't hesitate to post them.

Cheers
Norbert

[lodilefty]

Yes you can write your own...

I sort of understand the logic flow of the options, and wrote new ones exactly the way you describe: substitute string content in those pesky mega strings that make them work...

Each option has the following event set:
[use 1775 USA buys supply as example]

evt_nam_USA_Repl_Supply_AIActivate
enables the option for the AI, with probability that AI "does it"

evt_nam_USA_Repl_Supply_ON
Activates the option in ledger

evt_nam_USA_Repl_Supply_Check
checks to see if player selected the option this turn, and if there are enough EP [also any other conditions you wish]. If all true, then "does it"
event includes the 'action' and text messages to notify both sides
event de-activates the option

evt_nam_USA_Repl_Supply_Regen
Reactivates the option, per the conditions.
This is where we limit the number of 'reactivations'...

All the 'non-option' event script can be used [probability, ownership of regions, counting units, etc.]. The 'ActorPool' just adds the ability for the play to choose to do it....

Lots of strings to add, logic to check. It only takes one small typo or string error to FUBARR the option. Trust me: been there, did that

Good luck! Advice freely given! Buy your own anti-acids

[Hobbes]

Oh phew! I can't tell you what a relief this is - I have so many ideas in mind for options and I started thinking that maybe I wouldn't be able to make them.

Thanks chaps, I will study these tomorrow and start making a few.


Chris

[jastaV]

I uploaded down here an EXL abstract, relative to a military Opitions I'm working on.

1. Military_Options_On

"StartEvent" is set to zero:
StartEvent; 0
It is expected to be later activated by Military_Options_Regen event.
With that I hope to add some randomness to Military Option availability.

2. I tried adding a "Disable" event for the Option:
evt_nam_FRA_MilitaryOption13GC5_Disable
[color="RoyalBlue"]Conditions; NULL
FixedDate; 1813/09/01
Actions; NULL
ChangeActorPool; $gmaOptionMil|MaxUse|0|ResetFreq|0|ImageID|None.png|Title|opt_title_FRA13CG5|MsgString|opt_desc_FRA13CG5|ToolString|opt_hint_FRA13CG5|SubType|FRA_MilitaryOption13GC5|SParam1|FRA[/color]

With this I hope to remove the option from ledgers pages ata fixed date: MaxUse|0 was used in ChangeActorPool.

I'm editing it now ad I have not tested it.... just hope it works!

3. This is a question, indeed!

I'd like to have ChangeActorPool beeing a random event rather thata 100% chance one.
Do you know if is possible to add a Probability check to a ChangeActorPool?

Something like:

ChangeActorPool; [color="Red"]Probability 50[/color]|$gmaOptionMil|MaxUse|0|ResetFreq|0|ImageID|None.png|Title|opt_title_FRA13CG5|MsgString|opt_desc_FRA13CG5|ToolString|opt_hint_FRA13CG5|SubType|FRA_MilitaryOption13GC5|SParam1|FRA

or perhaps: $gmaOptionMil|MaxUse|0|[color="Red"]Probability 50[/color]|ResetFreq|0|ImageID|None.png|Title|opt_title_FRA13CG5|MsgString|opt_desc_FRA13CG5|ToolString|opt_hint_FRA13CG5|SubType|FRA_MilitaryOption13GC5|SParam1|FRA

Thanks in advance for suggestions.

[Pocus]

Oh phew! I can't tell you what a relief this is - I have so many ideas in mind for options and I started thinking that maybe I wouldn't be able to make them.

Thanks chaps, I will study these tomorrow and start making a few.


Chris

Yes, this is what is good with Options, they use the script engine, which can be expanded what's more to suit more need.

[Pocus]

JastaV: No you don't change anything in the parameters of the Option (or Actor), but you can instead change the conditions of the events triggering it.

[jastaV]

JastaV: No you don't change anything in the parameters of the Option (or Actor), but you can instead change the conditions of the events triggering it.

Yes, something like:

[color="RoyalBlue"]Conditions; NULL
ActorDisabled; $gmaOptionMil|FRA_MilitaryOption13GC5
Probability; 50[/color]

I know this one works, with a 50% chance the Option will be available for selection!
Indeed, I was looking for something a bit more complex: side has to activate the option paying for relative costs, but I was seeking for a reduced chance , (50% in the example) to get the option benefit.

Example: you pay full activation cost for getting replacents, but you have a 50% change you will not get any!

[jastaV]

JastaV: No you don't change anything in the parameters of the Option (or Actor), but you can instead change the conditions of the events triggering it.

Guess I have a solution: I'll put a ChgEvtOccurs command in the MilitaryOption_Check

[color="Blue"]ChgEvtOccurs; evt_nam_AddRepl13a|MaxOccurs|1[/color]

Replacemet actual delivery will be linked to probability of evt_nam_AddRepl13a!

It should work!