The Truth about AbilityData.slk...

I've been lurking on this board for the past month and I have noticed that there is a difference of opinion regarding which files will/will not cause desynch or other problems in Battle.Net.

Cookie's tutorial on implanting lists reads:
::SNIP::
Files that were unable to take effect:
-Abilitydata.slk
-Miscdata.txt
::SNIP::

Cookie also mentions in the post regarding cutom .txt:
::SNIP::
To make things clear:

Slk that can be loaded in w3m itself and DO NOT cause desync after play:

Unitui.slk
unitdata.slk
unitweapons.slk
unitbalance.slk

Be sure to use preload file trigger for using these slk files. Just in case to prevent netsplit during play

Txt that can be used:

any txt in the units folder, with exception with miscdata.txt
::SNIP::

However, in my own experience, I was able to get the AbilityData.slk file to work properly with edited spells by intstalling it into the .w3m map file with WinMPQ. The map also seems to work just fine in Battle.net.

To further confuse the issue, I've seen additional posts by other forum members stating that the <race>func.txt and <race>strings.txt also work on Battle.Net if you install it into the .w3m map file with WinMPQ.

So is Cookie's tutorial outdated with the release of v1.04? Or is there some bug in my map that may occur that I haven't experienced yet.

If it is outdated with the release of v1.04, it would be nice to see some kind of update to the *important* threads at the top that explained what files can be added to the .w3m file and still have it work on Battle.net. (i.e. a list of files that work on b.net and a brief description of what they do) And also a statement of which graphics/models/skins can safely be changed without risk of desynch.

yea its outdated. I was confused a little when i started spell editing too but just go with farnim's guide. Thats the most recent and accurate one i believe.

Abilty Editing IS NOW allowed, thanks to blizzard. Now, we can import them, and lots of other stuff DIRECTLY into a map. Cool, huh?

Great. What else is allowed now? I understand Spell editing is allowed. What about the func and strings .txt files?

I'm serious about needing to add something about all this to the *important* threads above. It is REALLY confusing to read conflicting reports.

Everything should work as far as implementing goes, there may be very few exceptions, but I've come across none.

As far as I know, editing miscdata.txt still doesn't work though.
:nono:

So MiscData is the only .slk that can't successfully be implanted in the w3m file and still have it work on battle.net? What patch fixed all this? 1.03 had a bunch of WE changes, but none of these were mentioned...

I believe the reason why 1.03 patch changed a lot of this is because before that there weren't any spell changes, and in 1.03 they did various spell "fixes" and alterations, although this is just a guess for the most part (since I don't recall any spell changes from 1.0 - 1.2).

Also miscdata is a .txt file, not an .slk file.

I have managed to mess around with just about every .txt and .slk (using excel) and haven't found any yet that don't work besides miscdata.txt (which it just seems to ignore if you put in your map).

if you are talking about my skinning tutorial, ill update it if I ahve the time, ill add some features like how to modify bones, animations and such =)

*ahem* i hate to nit pick details but it was patch 1.04, not 1.03

Miscdata.txt doesn't work if imported into maps.....but.....it will when put into the patch.mpq

Players would need a copy of your patch.mpq though, if it was for a campaign or whatever.

Yes. I was referring to the tutorial. The most confusing part however is in the *important* thread about custom.txt files in this forum.


After I read this I was scared to death to modify .slk and .txt files and implant them in my map.

Anything works if put into a war3patch.mpq. It doesnt matter what it is. But for it to work on bnet through that method, you would have to get everyone thats playing a copy of your war3patch.mpq, somewhat in the same way that the new race mod has.