How do I attach changes to Bnet maps?

I tinkled around with some skills and they seem to work fine when I test the map by myself. However, I read in one of the tutorials that you needed to attach the altered files to the map before the changes will show up on other people's computer on Battlenet.

Anyone know how to go about doing this? Im using TechMPQ. I tried using WinMPQ but it gave me a error.

I admit Im a editing noob so go easy on the flames.

Thanks in advance,

S1lverfish

download winmpq 1.8 from the dl section and put the files in under the right places and if you changed abilitydata then i think you have to have the defult loading screen...

make sure that the map that you are putting it in is not open when inserting the file

It's winMPQ 1.60, which is the most recent version.

Thanks for the tip. I downloaded WinMPQ. My other question now is do I add the files I altered into a specific directory?

For instance, I altered abilitydata.slk, humanabilityfunc.txt, and humanabilitystrings.txt. Should I add these 3 files into "/units/" directory within the .w3m map file? Or do I just add it in without a directory prefix.

Any help would be appreciated. So far I added them into "/units/" dir but for some reason, when I test it on bnet, all players except host are auto-dropped 2 secs into game. I'm not sure if this a result of incorrect addition of files thru WinMPQ, or bad triggers.

Help!

- S1lverfish

hmm.. try changing the path to 'units\' instead of '\units\'

also captilize the "U"

Units\

s1lverfish , probably it is a desync caused by diferent versions of the maps.

I'm having the same problem. After you "Add" the files into the units\ folder, if you play with a normal war3patch.mpq some of the tootips, positioning, and art may not work. Why that is I'm not sure yet, I'm asking that too.

Afaik all files that are in war3patch.mpq will overwrite the files you put into your map. So its USELESS to put files like AbilityData.slk, MiscData.txt etc. to maps!!! emote_sweat
And if you put the changed files in your war3patch.mpq and want to play it on b.net, ALL the players must have the same version of the war3patch.mpq, else they will drop.

You sure you have v1.04? It fixes that stuff with the load order.

Mm_Dave is right, it overwrites the files you attach, however another thread had a solution. Trost has tried it online with the ability files in the war3patch.mpq, war3.mpq, warcraftiii\units, and the map and it seemed to work. I'm still testing to see but this does seem like a solution.

I think the war3patch overwrite has been fixed with the latest patch. I finished my bnet map a few days ago and have been playing it online with no problems. Most heros have a custom skill and it works fine. Adding all the additional files to the map file boosted size by about 100k tho. Other than that, its fun to be had by all!

Another really cool map showcasing custom skills and items for Bnet is Valley of Dissent. The map is protected but you can still pull out some of the altered files and see some of the internal workings of how it was done.

Thanks to all the ppl who helped me out with my problem.

- S1lverfish

Oh BTW, I figured out why my custom maps were dropping ppl on bnet. Do not play on bnet with a altered war3patch.mpq file. It turns out I was the one getting dropped from games on Bnet, even on maps with stock skills. So if you want to host custom maps on Bnet, there's no alternative but to add the altered files to the maps.

- S1lverfish

Cold Hawaiian,

The only thing I can think of for your problem is to double check that you altered the correct skill in the correct section. For instance, many of the skills have multiple listing in different files. Searing arrow is listed in NightElfAbilityfunc.txt, NightElfAbilityStrings.txt, as well as NeutralAbilityFunc.txt and NeutralAbilityStrings.txt. This is the case for lots of the skills. I have the same problems at times. Only solution is to double check and triple check your work.

-S1lverfish