Modding World Conquest

This file describes how to make your addon work well together with world conquest.

How to add an era's units to World Conquest's enemy selection pool

Making an era that works well together with world conquest, is quite easy: just add the [world_conquest_data] tag to your [multiplayer_side] tag just as the standard world conquest era does, important: your era may not set require_era=no for this to work.

Furthermore if your era contains new unit types don't forget to put an additional [world_conquest_data] in [era] to describe which traits these unit types should get when they are selected as heroes (use this to compensate weaker unit types).

To make an era/modification that also changes the enemy army unit types, make sure to define the wc2_init_enemy event and use it to set the wc2_enemy_army variable that should contain the pool of 'armies' that the enemies are chosen from:

ini

[event]
    name = "wc2_init_enemy"
    [filter_conditional]
        [variable]
            name="wc2_enemy_army.length"
            equals=0
        [/variable]
    [/filter_conditional]
    [set_variables]
        name = "wc2_enemy_army"
        [literal]
            # last digit has to be the total number of factions you want to [group]
            factions_available = "1,1,1,1,2,2,2,2,3,3,3,3,4,4,4,4"
            [group]
                # allies will be the factions who should be paired with this one
                allies_available="2,3,4"
                id = "enemyfaction_id"
                recruit= "Orcish Grunt,Orcish Archer,Wolf Rider,Orcish Assassin,Troll Whelp"
                [recall]
                    level2 = "Orcish Ruler, Orcish Slayer,..."
                    level2 = "Orcish Warlord, Troll Warrior,..."
                [/recall]
                [commander]
                    level1 = "Orcish Leader, Orcish Grunt,..."
                    level2 = "Orcish Ruler, Orcish Slayer,..."
                    level2 = "Orcish Warlord, Troll Warrior,..."
                [/commander]
                [leader]
                    level2 = "Troll"
                    level3 = "Troll Warrior"
                    recruit = "Orcish Grunt,Orcish Archer,Troll Whelp"
                [/leader]
                [leader]
                    level2 = "Orcish Warrior"
                    level3 = "Orcish Warlord"
                    recruit = "Orcish Grunt,Orcish Archer,Wolf Rider,Orcish Assassin"
                [/leader]
                # add more leader specifics here
            [/group]
                        # make another group and copy-paste the previous one to make more factions
        [/literal]
    [/set_variables]
[/event]

How to make a WC-style era

In your era's CFG file, code in the following:

Let's assume I want to make a World Conquest era for the...Extended Era...

We have done this to ensure the era follows the same code and functionality as the original World Conquest era. Next, continue coding:

ini

#ifdef LOAD_WC2
[resource]
    id= extended_era_resource_main

    # load the World Conquest era-specific Lua Code
    [lua]
        code = " wesnoth.dofile('campaigns/World_Conquest/lua/era_main.lua') "
    [/lua]

    # this defines who the commanders, deserters and heroes
    [world_conquest_data]
        [hero_types]
            [Aragwaithi] # Note this tag can be given any name (but maintain consistency)
                name= _ "Aragwaithi"
                types="Aragwaith Swordsman,Aragwaith Spearman,Aragwaith Adept,Aragwaith Archer"
            [/Aragwaithi]
            [Dark_Elves]
                name= _ "Dark Elves"
                types="Dark Elven Fighter,Dark Elven Hunter, Dark Elven Lizard Rider" # and so on...
            [/Dark_Elves]
            # Combined
            # you need this bonus all since this is what WC sees when loading up the hero availability pool in bonus points.
            [Bonus_All] # Notice how I added in the hero groups in. This is how it should be done.
                types=Aragwaithi,Dark_Elves
            [/Bonus_All]
        [/hero_types]
        ## array of [trait_extra]

        # This is used to force assign the mentioned trait to certain units
        # as compensation if the unit type is deemed weak (such as goblin spearman).
        [trait_extra]
            types=Walking Corpse
            {WORLD_CONQUEST_II_TRAIT_LEGENDARY_ZOMBIE}
        [/trait_extra]
        [trait_extra]
            types=Goblin Spearman
            {WORLD_CONQUEST_II_TRAIT_LEGENDARY_GOBLIN}
        [/trait_extra]
        [trait_extra]
            types=Orcish Assassin,Young Ogre,Ruffian,Woodsman
            {WORLD_CONQUEST_II_TRAIT_EPIC}
        [/trait_extra]
        [trait_extra]
            types=Ghoul,Poacher,Thief,Footpad,Saurian Skirmisher,Vampire Bat,Peasant,Dune Herbalist
            {WORLD_CONQUEST_II_TRAIT_EXPERT}
        [/trait_extra]
        [trait_extra]
            types=Elvish Archer,Elvish Shaman,Elvish Scout,Elvish Fighter
            {TRAIT_DEXTROUS}
        [/trait_extra]
        [trait_extra]
            types=Dwarvish Guardsman,Dwarvish Ulfserker,Dwarvish Thunderer,Dwarvish Scout
            {TRAIT_HEALTHY}
        [/trait_extra]
        [trait_extra]
            types=Naga Fighter,Wolf Rider,Orcish Grunt,Drake Glider,Dune Rover,Dune Rider
            {TRAIT_STRONG}
        [/trait_extra]
        [trait_extra]
            types=Spearman,Fencer,Cavalryman,Merman Fighter,Merman Hunter,Mermaid Initiate,Dune Burner,Thug
            {TRAIT_RESILIENT}
        [/trait_extra]
        [trait_extra]
            types=Heavy Infantryman,Bowman,Skeleton,Skeleton Archer,Saurian Augur,Troll Whelp,Orcish Archer
            {TRAIT_FEARLESS}
        [/trait_extra]
        # This filters the following hero types
        # to simply explain this...
        # if your bonus point is next to mountains and cave walls and such, then these should be far away from
        # watery bodies..thus, aquatic heroes should not be spawned in that case
        [hero_spawn_filter]
            types=Naga Fighter,Merman Fighter,Merman Hunter,Mermaid Initiate,Naga Dirkfang,Naga Guard
            [filter_location]
                [filter_radius]
                    [not]
                        terrain="M*,X*"
                    [/not]
                [/filter_radius]
                terrain="W*,S*"
                radius=2
            [/filter_location]
        [/hero_spawn_filter]
    [/world_conquest_data]
[/resource]

[era]
    id=extended_conquest_era
    name= _ "Extended Conquest Era"
    require_era=yes

    description= _ "This is a string"

    {RANDOM_SIDE}

    # This is what an MP side code should look like 
    [multiplayer_side]
        id= # ID of the faction
        name= # name of the faction
        recruit=Drake Fighter,Dwarvish Fighter,Drake Burner,Dwarvish Thunderer,Saurian Augur,Dwarvish Ulfserker,Drake Clasher,Dwarvish Guardsman,Saurian Skirmisher,Poacher,Drake Glider,Footpad,Thief,Thief
        # recruit list. For your own benefit, write the recruit list with pairs side by side
        #as not to be confused later on
        image= # image of the faction
        type=random
        leader= Dwarvish Steelclad,Dwarvish Thunderguard,Dwarvish Stalwart,Rogue,Trapper,Drake Flare,Fire Drake,Drake Arbiter,Drake Thrasher,Drake Warrior,Saurian Oracle,Saurian Soothsayer
        random_leader= # list of leader ids which should be chosen if randomised
        description= # description of the faction (you can skip this one)
        [world_conquest_data]
            commanders=Drakes,Knalgans
            heroes=Loyalists_All,Northerners_All,Young Ogre
            deserters=Rebels,Undead,Dune Burner
            deserters_names=_ "Dune Burner, Rebels and Undead"
            {WC_II_PAIR "Drake Fighter" "Dwarvish Fighter"}
            {WC_II_PAIR "Drake Burner" "Dwarvish Thunderer"}
            {WC_II_PAIR "Saurian Augur" "Dwarvish Ulfserker"}
            {WC_II_PAIR "Drake Clasher" "Dwarvish Guardsman"}
            {WC_II_PAIR "Saurian Skirmisher" "Poacher"}
            {WC_II_PAIR "Drake Glider" "Footpad"}
            {WC_II_PAIR "Thief" "Thief"}
        [/world_conquest_data]
    [/multiplayer_side]


    {QUICK_4MP_LEADERS}
    {TURNS_OVER_ADVANTAGE}

    # load the main resource
    # otherwise you will encounter errors
    [load_resource]
        id = extended_era_resource_main
    [/load_resource]
[/era]
#endif

How to make your own artifacts/trainers/hero_types and have them added to World Conquest

Instead of adding them to an era you can also put them in a [resource] that gets loaded from a [modification]. Make sure to mark the modification as required (require_modification=yes) or different clients may load different data in multiplayer leading to issues. World Conquest looks for [world_conquest_data] tags in the era and every loaded resource.

ini

[era]
    # era code here

    [world_conquest_data]
        [artifact]
            name= _ "Leather Bag of Herbal Stuff"
            icon=items/leather-pack.png # dont add attack icons here, just what the item image here.
            description= _ "heals +4 and regenerates +4"
            info = _ "Some story about random Dune Alchemist dude deciding to pack his stuff in a bag and it got lost."
            sound=heal.wav
            [effect]
                apply_to=remove_ability
                [abilities]
                    [heals]
                        id=healing
                    [/heals]
                [/abilities]
            [/effect]
            [effect]
                apply_to=new_ability
                [abilities]
                    {ABILITY_HEALS}
                    {ABILITY_SELF_HEAL}
                [/abilities]
            [/effect]
        [/artifact]

        [trainer]
            type=Blood Manipulator
            advanced_type=Sangel
            image=attacks/wail.png
            name= _ "Blood Magic"
            dialogue= "You have found me, mortals? Well...let us show your recruits some blood magic!"
            manual_invest = false #Setting manual_invest to false will hide a trainer from the invest screen. Not specifying this variable at all includes a new trainer by default.
            [grade]
            [/grade]
            [grade]
                {WCT_CHANCE_FEEDING 3}
                {WCT_CHANCE_SP 2 MELEE DRAIN}
                {WCT_CHANCE_SP 1 RANGED DRAIN}
                {WCT_CHANCE_DARK_DEFENSE CAVE 7}
                {WCT_CHANCE_DARK_DEFENSE MUSHROOM 6}
                {WCT_CHANCE_XP 73 -10%}
            [/grade]
            [grade]
                {WCT_CHANCE_FEEDING 7}
                {WCT_CHANCE_ABILITY 2 REGENERATES}
                {WCT_CHANCE_SP 4 MELEE DRAIN}
                {WCT_CHANCE_SP 2 RANGED DRAIN}
                {WCT_CHANCE_DARK_DEFENSE CAVE 16}
                {WCT_CHANCE_DARK_DEFENSE MUSHROOM 13}
                {WCT_CHANCE_XP 73 -20%}
            [/grade]
            [grade]
                {WCT_CHANCE_FEEDING 12}
                {WCT_CHANCE_ABILITY 5 REGENERATES}
                {WCT_CHANCE_SP 6 MELEE DRAIN}
                {WCT_CHANCE_SP 3 RANGED DRAIN}
                {WCT_CHANCE_SP 1 MELEE SLOW}
                {WCT_CHANCE_SP 1 RANGED SLOW}
                {WCT_CHANCE_ARCANE_BOOST 1 MELEE}
                {WCT_CHANCE_ARCANE_BOOST 1 RANGED}
                {WCT_CHANCE_DARK_DEFENSE CAVE 29}
                {WCT_CHANCE_DARK_DEFENSE MUSHROOM 21}
                {WCT_CHANCE_XP 73 -30%}
            [/grade]
        [/trainer]
        [hero_types]
            [Aragwaithi] # Note this tag can be given any name (but maintain consistency)
                name= _ "Aragwaithi"
                types="Aragwaith Swordsman,Aragwaith Spearman,Aragwaith Adept,Aragwaith Archer"
            [/Aragwaithi]
            [Dark_Elves]
                name= _ "Dark Elves"
                types="Dark Elven Fighter,Dark Elven Hunter, Dark Elven Lizard Rider" # and so on...
            [/Dark_Elves]
            # Combined
            # you need this bonus all since this is what WC sees when loading up the hero availability pool in bonus points.
            [Bonus_All] # Notice how I added in the hero groups in. This is how it should be done.
                types=Aragwaithi,Dark_Elves
            [/Bonus_All]
        [/hero_types]
    [/world_conquest_data]
[/era]

Summary

Overall World Conquest file structure:

Normally, this is what an entire modifications/era file should look like. Notice where the #ifdef LOAD_WC2 and endif have been used. This has been added to further illustrate and clarify problems.

ini

#ifdef LOAD_WC2
[resource]
    id= extended_era_resource_main

    # load the World Conquest era-specific Lua Code
    [lua]
        code = " wesnoth.dofile('campaigns/World_Conquest/lua/era_main.lua') "
    [/lua]

    # this defines who the commanders, deserters and heroes
    [world_conquest_data]
        [hero_types]
            [Aragwaithi] # Note this tag can be given any name (but maintain consistency)
                name= _ "Aragwaithi"
                types="Aragwaith Swordsman,Aragwaith Spearman,Aragwaith Adept,Aragwaith Archer"
            [/Aragwaithi]
            [Dark_Elves]
                name= _ "Dark Elves"
                types="Dark Elven Fighter,Dark Elven Hunter, Dark Elven Lizard Rider" # and so on...
            [/Dark_Elves]
            # Combined
            # you need this bonus all since this is what WC sees when loading up the hero availability pool in bonus points.
            [Bonus_All] # Notice how I added in the hero groups in. This is how it should be done.
                types=Aragwaithi,Dark_Elves
            [/Bonus_All]
        [/hero_types]
        ## array of [trait_extra]

        # This is used to force assign the mentioned trait to certain units
        # as compensation if the unit type is deemed weak (such as goblin spearman).
        [trait_extra]
            types=Walking Corpse
            {WORLD_CONQUEST_II_TRAIT_LEGENDARY_ZOMBIE}
        [/trait_extra]
        [trait_extra]
            types=Goblin Spearman
            {WORLD_CONQUEST_II_TRAIT_LEGENDARY_GOBLIN}
        [/trait_extra]
        [trait_extra]
            types=Orcish Assassin,Young Ogre,Ruffian,Woodsman
            {WORLD_CONQUEST_II_TRAIT_EPIC}
        [/trait_extra]
        [trait_extra]
            types=Ghoul,Poacher,Thief,Footpad,Saurian Skirmisher,Vampire Bat,Peasant,Dune Herbalist
            {WORLD_CONQUEST_II_TRAIT_EXPERT}
        [/trait_extra]
        [trait_extra]
            types=Elvish Archer,Elvish Shaman,Elvish Scout,Elvish Fighter
            {TRAIT_DEXTROUS}
        [/trait_extra]
        [trait_extra]
            types=Dwarvish Guardsman,Dwarvish Ulfserker,Dwarvish Thunderer,Dwarvish Scout
            {TRAIT_HEALTHY}
        [/trait_extra]
        [trait_extra]
            types=Naga Fighter,Wolf Rider,Orcish Grunt,Drake Glider,Dune Rover,Dune Rider
            {TRAIT_STRONG}
        [/trait_extra]
        [trait_extra]
            types=Spearman,Fencer,Cavalryman,Merman Fighter,Merman Hunter,Mermaid Initiate,Dune Burner,Thug
            {TRAIT_RESILIENT}
        [/trait_extra]
        [trait_extra]
            types=Heavy Infantryman,Bowman,Skeleton,Skeleton Archer,Saurian Augur,Troll Whelp,Orcish Archer
            {TRAIT_FEARLESS}
        [/trait_extra]
        # This filters the following hero types
        # to simply explain this...
        # if your bonus point is next to mountains and cave walls and such, then these should be far away from
        # watery bodies..thus, aquatic heroes should not be spawned in that case
        [hero_spawn_filter]
            types=Naga Fighter,Merman Fighter,Merman Hunter,Mermaid Initiate,Naga Dirkfang,Naga Guard
            [filter_location]
                [filter_radius]
                    [not]
                        terrain="M*,X*"
                    [/not]
                [/filter_radius]
                terrain="W*,S*"
                radius=2
            [/filter_location]
        [/hero_spawn_filter]
    [/world_conquest_data]
[/resource]

[era]
    id=extended_conquest_era
    name= _ "Extended Conquest Era"
    require_era=yes

    description= _ "This is a string"

    {RANDOM_SIDE}

    # This is what an MP side code should look like 
    [multiplayer_side]
        id= # ID of the faction
        name= # name of the faction
        recruit=Drake Fighter,Dwarvish Fighter,Drake Burner,Dwarvish Thunderer,Saurian Augur,Dwarvish Ulfserker,Drake Clasher,Dwarvish Guardsman,Saurian Skirmisher,Poacher,Drake Glider,Footpad,Thief,Thief
        # recruit list. For your own benefit, write the recruit list with pairs side by side
        #as not to be confused later on
        image= # image of the faction
        type=random
        leader= Dwarvish Steelclad,Dwarvish Thunderguard,Dwarvish Stalwart,Rogue,Trapper,Drake Flare,Fire Drake,Drake Arbiter,Drake Thrasher,Drake Warrior,Saurian Oracle,Saurian Soothsayer
        random_leader= # list of leader ids which should be chosen if randomised
        description= # description of the faction (you can skip this one)
        [world_conquest_data]
            commanders=Drakes,Knalgans
            heroes=Loyalists_All,Northerners_All,Young Ogre
            deserters=Rebels,Undead,Dune Burner
            deserters_names=_ "Dune Burner, Rebels and Undead"
            {WC_II_PAIR "Drake Fighter" "Dwarvish Fighter"}
            {WC_II_PAIR "Drake Burner" "Dwarvish Thunderer"}
            {WC_II_PAIR "Saurian Augur" "Dwarvish Ulfserker"}
            {WC_II_PAIR "Drake Clasher" "Dwarvish Guardsman"}
            {WC_II_PAIR "Saurian Skirmisher" "Poacher"}
            {WC_II_PAIR "Drake Glider" "Footpad"}
            {WC_II_PAIR "Thief" "Thief"}
        [/world_conquest_data]
    [/multiplayer_side]


    {QUICK_4MP_LEADERS}
    {TURNS_OVER_ADVANTAGE}

    # load the main resource
    # otherwise you will encounter errors
    [load_resource]
        id = extended_era_resource_main
    [/load_resource]

    # artifacts and trainers
    [world_conquest_data]
        [artifact]
            name= _ "Leather Bag of Herbal Stuff"
            icon=items/leather-pack.png # dont add attack icons here, just what the item image here.
            description= _ "heals +4 and regenerates +4"
            info = _ "Some story about random Dune Alchemist dude deciding to pack his stuff in a bag and it got lost."
            sound=heal.wav
            [effect]
                apply_to=remove_ability
                [abilities]
                    [heals]
                        id=healing
                    [/heals]
                [/abilities]
            [/effect]
            [effect]
                apply_to=new_ability
                [abilities]
                    {ABILITY_HEALS}
                    {ABILITY_SELF_HEAL}
                [/abilities]
            [/effect]
        [/artifact]
        [trainer]
            type=Blood Manipulator
            advanced_type=Sangel
            image=attacks/wail.png
            name= _ "Blood Magic"
            dialogue= "You have found me, mortals? Well...let us show your recruits some blood magic!"
            [grade]
            [/grade]
            [grade]
                {WCT_CHANCE_FEEDING 3}
                {WCT_CHANCE_SP 2 MELEE DRAIN}
                {WCT_CHANCE_SP 1 RANGED DRAIN}
                {WCT_CHANCE_DARK_DEFENSE CAVE 7}
                {WCT_CHANCE_DARK_DEFENSE MUSHROOM 6}
                {WCT_CHANCE_XP 73 -10%}
            [/grade]
            [grade]
                {WCT_CHANCE_FEEDING 7}
                {WCT_CHANCE_ABILITY 2 REGENERATES}
                {WCT_CHANCE_SP 4 MELEE DRAIN}
                {WCT_CHANCE_SP 2 RANGED DRAIN}
                {WCT_CHANCE_DARK_DEFENSE CAVE 16}
                {WCT_CHANCE_DARK_DEFENSE MUSHROOM 13}
                {WCT_CHANCE_XP 73 -20%}
            [/grade]
            [grade]
                {WCT_CHANCE_FEEDING 12}
                {WCT_CHANCE_ABILITY 5 REGENERATES}
                {WCT_CHANCE_SP 6 MELEE DRAIN}
                {WCT_CHANCE_SP 3 RANGED DRAIN}
                {WCT_CHANCE_SP 1 MELEE SLOW}
                {WCT_CHANCE_SP 1 RANGED SLOW}
                {WCT_CHANCE_ARCANE_BOOST 1 MELEE}
                {WCT_CHANCE_ARCANE_BOOST 1 RANGED}
                {WCT_CHANCE_DARK_DEFENSE CAVE 29}
                {WCT_CHANCE_DARK_DEFENSE MUSHROOM 21}
                {WCT_CHANCE_XP 73 -30%}
            [/grade]
        [/trainer]
    [/world_conquest_data]
[/era]
#endif