Slitherine

I noticed commanders.txt was 41 lines longer in version 8.4.1 than in 8.3.0. Curious, I laid the two files out side by side and found that the differences are all in American and Japanese commanders. Somebody added traits to various such commanders who previously did not have any. (There was some tweaking to ranges as well.)

For example, here is our good buddy Jimmy Chapman in 8.3.0 and in 8.4.1:


The lines added for American and Japanese commanders accounted entirely for the incremental 41 lines in the file, so apparently changes were confined to these two factions although I have not gone through the rest of the file to make sure of that.* Here are the two files for comparison:


*Subsequently, I did line up and eyeball the two files side-by-side starting with the // SPECIAL // section and noticed no changes in any of the other faction commanders.

Finally.
I think a number of these commanders were originally created as avatars for players, probably for multiplayer games.
These commanders will surely come in handy in a couple of custom Japanese and US campaigns I have in storage.
Good catch, Bruce.

That first one implies that Jimmy previously offered Thoughts and Prayers to those around him (but no boosts...)

This poor fellow is the only remaining dunce in the pack. He ought to file suit!

With that moustache, he should be happy that he's but been sent to the barber

Erik2 wrote: ↑Fri Apr 24, 2020 6:55 pm I think a number of these commanders were originally created as avatars for players, probably for multiplayer games.

Yep, would be my guess, too.

Nicely done. Thanks.
(Almost forgot to update the commanders.txt file in my mod.... )

I wonder what prompted the retroactive editing? Why bother now, when there hasn't been an American or Japanese soldier in official DLC for many moons? (Well, I'll take that back; Red Star begins vs. the Japanese in Manchuria, IIRC. But Americans? Poof, I snap my fingers at them. ( ))

bru888 wrote: ↑Fri Apr 24, 2020 11:13 pm I wonder what prompted the retroactive editing? Why bother now, when there hasn't been an American or Japanese soldier in official DLC for many moons? (Well, I'll take that back; Red Star begins vs. the Japanese in Manchuria, IIRC. But Americans? Poof, I snap my fingers at them. ( ))

I can only speculate, too. Maybe the growing amount of custom campaigns covering the US faction.

But maybe you've noticed the second Soviet campaign being number 14 in the campaign list. Either they're superstitious or perhaps there's some interesting content incoming before the end of the Soviet trilogy...

Or bebro found some time on his hands and went digging

Or bebro finally acted on my commander plea 4-5 years ago
Anyway, I'm happy.

Work on Soviet commanders was a good starting point to fill the gaps. For now it's for modders mostly, but we'll see...

The stats aren't super-sophisticated, but better than zilch. I kept them low intentionally, as way more (possible) commanders have an impact already, if they are all super-human it would need more design efforts by modders to balance this.

With that moustache, he should be happy that he's but been sent to the barber

Poor guy, shouldn't feel left out. I'll add him a few stats too...

Question: What does the “range” do? I’ve never understood what it actually means...

Zekedia222 wrote: ↑Sun Apr 26, 2020 8:29 pm Question: What does the “range” do? I’ve never understood what it actually means...

Manual: "Commanders are automatically unlocked in specific scenarios on specific dates or events, and can be attached to a unit to provide specific bonuses to its unit and any other unit within its command range."

Jimmy has a range of 0, so his benefits only accrue to the unit he is sitting on:


Pete has a range of 1, so supposedly his benefit is being received by his host unit and the unit to his left:


The range is indicated by the striped overlay.

I think of it as Range 0 guys are "Aces". Their unit is great, and they stand alone. Range > 0 are "Commanders" and perform best when in a group of units.

Personally, I often have Land Commanders on "Solid" units that aren't necessarily in the front line, like Heavy Inf. when advancing.