Modding special abilities?
 

I'm sure that the RFB and TMO crews have enough on their hands, but....

I was wondering if there is anything in the future that could address how "Special Abilties" are assigned. I did a search on this, but no clue as to how they are assigned, and it looks pretty much random and non-sensical, possibly hard coded. I seem to routinely get a boat-load of expert sonarmen.

How you become an expert sonarman from 6 patrols in the aft torpedo room is anybody's guess.:roll:

Any thoughts?

p.s. new patch for RFB is working dandy. Fewer indestructible Merch.'s.:)

Nothing, eh?

Perhaps someone can tell me really quick where the special abilities are (which file?)

Special Abilities are for officers and enlisted above level 6. They are assigned when the crew member is promoted. As far as I can tell the mechanism is completely random and not tied to any specialization which is a problem at times. The special abilities are found in Data\UPCData\UPCCrewData folder. If you want to edit the crew member special ability you must open a save game folder SH4\data\cfg\SaveGames\(Save number)\ while in port. Open the file ActiveUserPlayerUnits.upc, wade through the file and find the crew member in the list by compartment and edit the line SpecialAbilities= . The file is laid out like the crew management screen and the number of the crew member goes top to bottom through each row on screen.

That's strange, when I promote my crewmembers, a dialogue box appears and allows me to select the special ability myself.

>>The special abilities are found in Data\UPCData\UPCCrewData folder

Thanks very much, ancient46. Appreciated!

>>Skookum; you're referring to specialization menu that pops up that allows you to choose a skill specialization for crew when promoted. I am referring to the 'special abilities' that pop up as a green icon on the crew member's icon when a certain patrol total/patrol history is reached.

I have noticed that the engine rooms and torpedo compartments create an inordinate # of sonar and radar specialists, which of course doesn't make sense.

Regarding the Radar and Sonar special abilities. http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=145483 My sub was a submerged radar and sonar training school!