Consolidating an unofficial equipment file

[VPaulus]

I sense than more than ever is now urgent to make an effort in the direction pointed by El_Condoro in the first post.
With Bebro, DMP, Dragos, HBalck, Puma, rezaf and others this soon will be an issue, and will be totally out of control.
We have to create a correct filename structure, tags for modders, etc.
We need also to think in creating a database with the unofficial original units and the re-skin ones.
That means that will need volunteers for that task.

[nikivdd]

I sense than more than ever is now urgent to make an effort in the direction pointed by El_Condoro in the first post.
With Bebro, DMP, Dragos, HBalck, Puma, rezaf and others this soon will be an issue, and will be totally out of control.
We have to create a correct filename structure, tags for modders, etc.
We need also to think in creating a database with the unofficial original units and the re-skin ones.
That means that will need volunteers for that task.

I concur but the problem with expanding the number of flags/nations hasn't been solved yet.
For example: Bebro has 4 additional flags in his mod. I already prepared something with 3 additional flags. All those nations have their own units.

[bebro]

Well, my files are somewhat of a mess, since I was eager to go into modding and didn't plan that much ahead. My eqp file looks a bit chaotic.

Maybe this could be limited to a "European file" first? I know it goes somewhat against the basic idea of having really *all* together, but it could be easier. I'm afraid I have to pass on this though (time)...

[El_Condoro]

I know I was the one who started this thread but, having just finished a minor equipment modification for my campaign, I am not sure of the value in consolidating all the equipment in one file 'to rule them all'. My reasons are:

• Each equipment list for the respective mods is designed with that mod in mind
  If I want to use someone else's unit stats I can simply copy them across from their equipment file
  It's a huge amount of work to consolidate the various equipment
  Most daunting, dealing with the inevitable opinion differences on the stats for units, the best graphic, etc.
  If each opinion is somehow catered for, the list of equipment for each type will be large and a pain to navigate in the Scenario Editor.

As long as the official equipment file is available for general use, each mod's equipment file can be maintained separately without causing problems.

[flakfernrohr]

Since I "collect" icons so to speak and put the first newly skinned icons from zombiehunter and rezaf in an equipment file with duplicated units, this has been a bit of a worm in my apple too. Don't get me wrong, I will never complain about too many icons for this game.

I have been working on three different equipment files for my own use. They contain the icons I want to use in two of them plus the vanilla icons from the standard PzC files (which is one of the files of the three). The other two are adjusted according to my own stats that I enjoy playing and using. The are adjusted slightly and more than slightly, one for each. All I have to do is pull one equipment file out of the game and put in the other one to play the game with either the vanilla equipment or my custom equipment. To make one of these equipment files and have it function properly is very time consuming and mentally taxing with the stats and details requiring utmost concentration and accuracy.

I don't know that I would be satisfied with everyone's interpretation of what units and stats would be in a file when there are so many variations. Just making these three to work properly (vanilla file has custom Icons only), is a tedious task and very time consuming on just a few hundred units. Then you are adding new ones or switching out ones that are improved.

I think the best way (probably unfeasible) is to implement a search function by a name and availability of an icon in a library folder of icons. Even this, if possible or feasible, has its drawbacks.

Maybe the problem is there are too many choices of units for the scenarios. I mean who is going to get a PzII in 1944 when you are plugging a hole with Russian's driving through in IS 2 tanks? Is it really necessary to have "all" of a Nation's equipment it produced available throughout the war when so much of it is obsolete? And I am not throwing stones at the talented people who make the icons for very unselfish reasons, but what will you use a Harley Davidson motorcycle for in PzC? What will you use a Kubelwagon for? If it hasn't got firepower or is used to transport some firepower, what role does it really play? Yes, they look neat and all, but they aren't going to help you destroy the enemy's units on the battlefield or bring something to the battlefield that would truly do something other than decorate the battlefield and surrounding territory.

[Ballermann]

but what will you use a Harley Davidson motorcycle for in PzC? What will you use a Kubelwagon for?

You can use the Harley as an early Recon Unit.
The Kubelwagon, i use them as transport for my Snipers.

So, i like such units.

[flakfernrohr]

How do you use Sniper units in the game? How effective are they? I am interested in knowning because I cannot understand their real value in elimination of enemy units on the level necessary to achieve a victory in the game.

[Razz1]

Snipers are not applicable at this level of game play in my opinion.

[flakfernrohr]

Snipers are not applicable at this level of game play in my opinion.

Razz1, yes that is more or less my thought as well. I started a sniper thread on the forum and we mostly came to that conclusion. So I was wanting to know how Ballerman uses them in his game playing and how effective they are. I have NO clue.

The only way I could see them as useful would be as a seperate purchase unit to add to an existing infantry unit to increase firepower and longer range spotting, giving the infantry unit more capacity to have a serious damage effect on their opponent. Maybe an example would be the HW units versus standard infantry. More firepower and ability to deal with defense as well.