Modding: C&C Generals: Creating a New General's Power

The Step-by-Step Guide to Creating a New General's Power by Cloning an Existing One

This tutorial assumes that you already know how to access the INI files within INI.big (INIZH.big for Zero Hour), extract them to the proper location, and know how to edit them. People who cannot handle these tasks would be better served looking at a beginner's tutorial and getting some basic modding experience before jumping headfirst into a more difficult task such as this.

As you might have guessed by the title, this tutorial is about adding a new General's Power to a side. I prefer to use the cloning method (copying existing code and changing whatever is necessary in the copy) as opposed to typing new code from scratch as it greatly reduces the likelihood of a typo interfering. For the purposes of this tutorial, I will use the example of cloning China's Artillery Barrage power and giving it to the GLA. You'll probably want to clone another General's Power at some point, but the principle is the same. So, without any further disclaimers, here is the step-by-step guide:

1. Clone all Artillery Barrage Sciences (3 of them in this case) in Science.ini. Be sure to give each Science a new name (a common mistake when cloning code) and change the PrerequisiteScience= values so that SCIENCE_GLA is present instead of SCIENCE_CHINA for the first level and that levels 2 and 3 refer to the new Sciences 1 level beneath them, or else your new Artillery Barrage clone will be inaccessable.

   Science SCIENCE_GLAArtilleryBarrage1
     PrerequisiteSciences = SCIENCE_GLA SCIENCE_Rank3
     SciencePurchasePointCost = 1
     IsGrantable = Yes
     DisplayName = SCIENCE:ChinaArtilleryBarrage
     Description = CONTROLBAR:ToolTipChinaScienceArtilleryBarrage
   End
   
   Science SCIENCE_GLAArtilleryBarrage2
     PrerequisiteSciences = SCIENCE_GLAArtilleryBarrage1 SCIENCE_Rank3
     SciencePurchasePointCost = 1
     IsGrantable = Yes
     DisplayName = SCIENCE:ChinaArtilleryBarrage2
     Description = CONTROLBAR:ToolTipChinaScienceArtilleryBarrage
   End
   
   Science SCIENCE_GLAArtilleryBarrage3
     PrerequisiteSciences = SCIENCE_GLAArtilleryBarrage2 SCIENCE_Rank3
     SciencePurchasePointCost = 1
     IsGrantable = Yes
     DisplayName = SCIENCE:ChinaArtilleryBarrage3
     Description = CONTROLBAR:ToolTipChinaScienceArtilleryBarrage
   End

2. Clone the Artillery Barrage SpecialPower in SpecialPower.ini. Change the RequiredScience= value to refer to the level 1 version of your cloned Sciences. In addition, you will need to change the Enum= value to something used by a SpecialPower that was cut from Generals or ZH at some point. The Napalm Strike is a good example of this, so I'm going to copy SPECIAL_NAPALM_STRIKE from it for my new Artillery Barrage. If you are modding normal Generals, then the AcademyClassify= line will not exist. No not panic, as this was new code added for Zero Hour.

   ;-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
   SpecialPower SuperweaponGLAArtilleryBarrage
     Enum                = SPECIAL_NAPALM_STRIKE
     ReloadTime          = 300000   ; in milliseconds. min is 2x door/open close time!
     RequiredScience     = SCIENCE_GLAArtilleryBarrage1
     InitiateSound       = FireArtilleryCannonSound
     PublicTimer         = No
     SharedSyncedTimer   = Yes
     ViewObjectDuration  = 30000
     ViewObjectRange     = 250
     RadiusCursorRadius  = 125
     ShortcutPower       = Yes     ;Capable of being fired by the side-bar shortcut.
     AcademyClassify     = ACT_SUPERPOWER ;Considered a powerful special power that a player could fire. Not for simpler unit based powers.
   End

3. Clone all Artillery Barrage OCL's (ObjectCreationLists) from ObjectCreationList.ini. (Again, there are 3 of them in this case). Fortunately, no change is required beyond a simple name edit.

   ;-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
   ;-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
   ObjectCreationList SUPERWEAPON_GLAArtilleryBarrage1
     DeliverPayload
       Transport                       = ChinaArtilleryCannon
       FormationSize                   = 12
       FormationSpacing                = 1.0
       StartAtPreferredHeight          = Yes
       StartAtMaxSpeed                 = Yes
       MaxAttempts                     = 1                   ;max attempts
       DeliveryDistance                = 250                 ;distance from target allowed to start/stop dropping.
       WeaponErrorRadius               = 100                 ; how bad the artillerist is
       DelayDeliveryMax                = 3000                ; his delayed reaction to "Fire!"
       VisibleItemsDroppedPerInterval  = 1                   ;Drops two bombs at a time
       VisibleDropBoneBaseName         = RootTransform       ;The bombs are created and dropped at this bone base
       VisibleSubObjectBaseName        = Bomb                ;The bombs are visible until dropped.
       VisibleNumBones                 = 1                   ;Number of bones.
       VisiblePayloadTemplateName      = ChinaArtilleryBarrageShell  ;Created when payload is dropped.
       VisiblePayloadWeaponTemplate    = ArtilleryBarrageDamageWeapon
       InheritTransportVelocity        = Yes                 ;The bombs will start at transport velocity.
       ExitPitchRate                   = 30                  ;The bomb will pitch down.
       SelfDestructObject              = Yes                 ; so the delivery vehicle goes away 'POP!'
       DeliveryDecalRadius = 125
       DeliveryDecal
         Texture           = SCCArtilleryBarrage_China
         Style             = SHADOW_ALPHA_DECAL
         OpacityMin        = 25%
         OpacityMax        = 50%
         OpacityThrobTime  = 500
         Color             = R:255 G:156 B:0 A:255
         OnlyVisibleToOwningPlayer = Yes
       End
     End
   End
   
   
   ;-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
   ;-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
   ObjectCreationList SUPERWEAPON_GLAArtilleryBarrage2
     DeliverPayload
       Transport                       = ChinaArtilleryCannon
       FormationSize                   = 24
       FormationSpacing                = 1.0
       StartAtPreferredHeight          = Yes
       StartAtMaxSpeed                 = Yes
       MaxAttempts                     = 1                   ;max attempts
       DeliveryDistance                = 250                 ;distance from target allowed to start/stop dropping.
       WeaponErrorRadius               = 100                 ; how bad the artillerist is
       DelayDeliveryMax                = 3000                ; his delayed reaction to "Fire!"
       VisibleItemsDroppedPerInterval  = 1                   ;Drops two bombs at a time
       VisibleDropBoneBaseName         = RootTransform       ;The bombs are created and dropped at this bone base
       VisibleSubObjectBaseName        = Bomb                ;The bombs are visible until dropped.
       VisibleNumBones                 = 1                   ;Number of bones.
       VisiblePayloadTemplateName      = ChinaArtilleryBarrageShell  ;Created when payload is dropped.
       VisiblePayloadWeaponTemplate    = ArtilleryBarrageDamageWeapon
       InheritTransportVelocity        = Yes                 ;The bombs will start at transport velocity.
       ExitPitchRate                   = 30                  ;The bomb will pitch down.
       SelfDestructObject              = Yes                 ; so the delivery vehicle goes away 'POP!'
       DeliveryDecalRadius = 125
       DeliveryDecal
         Texture           = SCCArtilleryBarrage_China
         Style             = SHADOW_ALPHA_DECAL
         OpacityMin        = 25%
         OpacityMax        = 50%
         OpacityThrobTime  = 500
         Color             = R:255 G:156 B:0 A:255
         OnlyVisibleToOwningPlayer = Yes
       End
     End
   End
   
   
   ;-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
   ;-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
   ObjectCreationList SUPERWEAPON_GLAArtilleryBarrage3
     DeliverPayload
       Transport                       = ChinaArtilleryCannon
       FormationSize                   = 36
       FormationSpacing                = 1.0
       StartAtPreferredHeight          = Yes
       StartAtMaxSpeed                 = Yes
       MaxAttempts                     = 1                  ;max attempts
       DeliveryDistance                = 250                 ;distance from target allowed to start/stop dropping.
       WeaponErrorRadius               = 100                 ; how bad the artillerist is
       DelayDeliveryMax                = 3000                ; his delayed reaction to "Fire!"
       VisibleItemsDroppedPerInterval  = 1                   ;Drops two bombs at a time
       VisibleDropBoneBaseName         = RootTransform       ;The bombs are created and dropped at this bone base
       VisibleSubObjectBaseName        = Bomb                ;The bombs are visible until dropped.
       VisibleNumBones                 = 1                   ;Number of bones.
       VisiblePayloadTemplateName      = ChinaArtilleryBarrageShell  ;Created when payload is dropped.
       VisiblePayloadWeaponTemplate    = ArtilleryBarrageDamageWeapon
       InheritTransportVelocity        = Yes                 ;The bombs will start at transport velocity.
       ExitPitchRate                   = 30                  ;The bomb will pitch down.
       SelfDestructObject              = Yes                 ; so the delivery vehicle goes away 'POP!'
       DeliveryDecalRadius = 125
       DeliveryDecal
         Texture           = SCCArtilleryBarrage_China
         Style             = SHADOW_ALPHA_DECAL
         OpacityMin        = 25%
         OpacityMax        = 50%
         OpacityThrobTime  = 500
         Color             = R:255 G:156 B:0 A:255
         OnlyVisibleToOwningPlayer = Yes
       End
     End
   End

4. Now you'll need to clone a total of 5 CommandButtons in CommandButton.ini: 3 for you to purchase your new Artillery Barrage and 2 to fire it. (Notice a pattern here?) As before, substitute your new code name wherever there is a reference to the original Artillery Barrage.

   CommandButton Command_PurchaseScienceGLAArtilleryBarrage1
     Command           = PURCHASE_SCIENCE
     Science           = SCIENCE_GLAArtilleryBarrage1
     ButtonImage       = SSBarrage
     ButtonBorderType  = UPGRADE ; Identifier for the User as to what kind of button this is
   End
   
   CommandButton Command_PurchaseScienceGLAArtilleryBarrage2
     Command           = PURCHASE_SCIENCE
     Science           = SCIENCE_GLAArtilleryBarrage2
     ButtonImage       = SSBarrage2
     ButtonBorderType  = UPGRADE ; Identifier for the User as to what kind of button this is
   End
   
   CommandButton Command_PurchaseScienceGLAArtilleryBarrage3
     Command           = PURCHASE_SCIENCE
     Science           = SCIENCE_GLAArtilleryBarrage3
     ButtonImage       = SSBarrage3
     ButtonBorderType  = UPGRADE ; Identifier for the User as to what kind of button this is
   End
   
   
   CommandButton Command_GLAArtilleryBarrage
     Command           = SPECIAL_POWER
     SpecialPower      = SuperweaponGLAArtilleryBarrage
     Options           = NEED_SPECIAL_POWER_SCIENCE NEED_TARGET_POS CONTEXTMODE_COMMAND
     Science           = SCIENCE_GLAArtilleryBarrage1 SCIENCE_GLAArtilleryBarrage2 SCIENCE_GLAArtilleryBarrage3
     TextLabel         = CONTROLBAR:ArtilleryBarrage
     ButtonImage       = SSBarrage
     ButtonBorderType  = ACTION ; Identifier for the User as to what kind of button this is
     DescriptLabel     = CONTROLBAR:TooltipFireArtilleryBarrage
     RadiusCursorType  = ARTILLERYBARRAGE
     InvalidCursorName     = GenericInvalid
   End
   
   
   CommandButton Command_GLAArtilleryBarrageFromShortcut
     Command           = SPECIAL_POWER_FROM_SHORTCUT
     SpecialPower      = SuperweaponGLAArtilleryBarrage
     Options           = NEED_SPECIAL_POWER_SCIENCE NEED_TARGET_POS CONTEXTMODE_COMMAND
     Science           = SCIENCE_GLAArtilleryBarrage1 SCIENCE_GLAArtilleryBarrage2 SCIENCE_GLAArtilleryBarrage3
     TextLabel         = CONTROLBAR:NoHotKeyArtilleryBarrage
     ButtonImage       = SSBarrage
     DescriptLabel     = CONTROLBAR:TooltipFireArtilleryBarrage
     RadiusCursorType  = ARTILLERYBARRAGE
     InvalidCursorName     = GenericInvalid
   End

5. With everything ready, now you can set up your shiny new CommandButtons to appear ingame by adding their names in the appropriate places in CommandSet.ini.

   First off comes the new purchasing buttons. They belong in SCIENCE_GLA_CommandSetRank3, and I recommend placing them in slots 13, 14, and 15.

   CommandSet SCIENCE_GLA_CommandSetRank3
     1 = Command_PurchaseScienceHijacker
     4 = Command_PurchaseScienceRebelAmbush1
     5 = Command_PurchaseScienceRebelAmbush2
     6 = Command_PurchaseScienceRebelAmbush3
     7 = Command_PurchaseScienceCashBounty1
     8 = Command_PurchaseScienceCashBounty2
     9 = Command_PurchaseScienceCashBounty3
     10 = Command_PurchaseScienceEmergencyRepair1
     11 = Command_PurchaseScienceEmergencyRepair2
     12 = Command_PurchaseScienceEmergencyRepair3
     13 = Command_PurchaseScienceGLAArtilleryBarrage1
     14 = Command_PurchaseScienceGLAArtilleryBarrage2
     15 = Command_PurchaseScienceGLAArtilleryBarrage3
   END

   Next is the sidebar shortcut button, which goes in SpecialPowerShortcutGLA.

   CommandSet SpecialPowerShortcutGLA
     1 = Command_AmbushFromShortcut
     2 = Command_EmergencyRepairFromShortcut
     3 = Command_AnthraxBombFromShortcut
     4 = Command_ScudStormFromShortcut
     5 = Command_RadarVanScanFromShortcut
     6 = Command_SneakAttackFromShortcut
     7 = Command_GPSScramblerFromShortcut
     8 = Command_GLAArtilleryBarrageFromShortcut
   END

   Finally, you should add the normal firing CommandButton the the GLA Command Center's CommandSet.

   CommandSet GLACommandCenterCommandSet
     1  = Command_ConstructGLAWorker
     4  = Command_GPSScrambler
     5  = Command_Ambush
     6  = Command_EmergencyRepair
     7  = Command_AnthraxBomb
     8  = Command_SneakAttack
     9  = Command_GLAArtilleryBarrage
     13 = Command_SetRallyPoint
     14 = Command_Sell
   End

   Remember that all 3 CommandSets already exist and should not be created anew. Note that in normal Generals, the number of CommandSet slots is more restricted, so you may need to make some sacrifices in order to fit in your new Artillery Strike.

6. Now you'll need to edit the GLA Command Center itself so that it can support the new Artillery Barrage. Copying code that already works is the best way to do this, so search for "Object ChinaCommandCenter" in \Object\FactionBuilding.ini and then search for "ModuleTag_17". Copy the associated block of code (all 7 line's worth, the entire module) and then search for "Object GLACommandCenter". Scroll down to the end of that Object's code and paste your copied code slightly above the unindented "End" statement. Give your new module a name, because the fun part is about to begin. The module you just copied had several references to the original Artillery Barrage code, and you'll need to update all of them in order to have the new Artillery Barrage work properly ingame.

   Object GLACommandCenter
     ...
   
     Behavior           = OCLSpecialPower ModuleTag_GLAArtilleryBarrage
       SpecialPowerTemplate = SuperweaponGLAArtilleryBarrage
       UpgradeOCL           = SCIENCE_GLAArtilleryBarrage3 SUPERWEAPON_GLAArtilleryBarrage3
       UpgradeOCL           = SCIENCE_GLAArtilleryBarrage2 SUPERWEAPON_GLAArtilleryBarrage2
       OCL                  = SUPERWEAPON_GLAArtilleryBarrage1
       CreateLocation       = CREATE_AT_EDGE_FARTHEST_FROM_TARGET
     End
   
     ...
   End

7. Test your new Artillery Strike ingame. Note that this guide will only give the new Artillery Strike to the default GLA faction. If you are modding ZH and want any of the GLA generals to have this new ability as well, then you must repeat Steps 5 and 6 for each General.

While this guide goes through a few steps that are not technically necessary, I recommend cloning General's Powers in this way in order to prevent the two powers from having dependencies that could interfere with each other. This way, the new Artillery Barrage is independent of the old one and can be adjusted accordingly. (Want to change the timer or the rank prerequisites for your new General's Power? Go ahead!). You'll also be well on your way to creating a new unique General's Power, but that involves additional steps and will be covered in another tutorial.

Have fun! And remember: you must use these modding powers only for good, not for evil.