10. Mods Guide

• Adding a New Type
• Setting Rules
• Adding Mod Config
• Testing

This guide covers creating new types in the game using the NCO mod and C&C mod configuration. You will create a new solider and chemical tank who you can build in-game and tweak the rules for.

This guide does not cover:

• Setting a text description for your new type
• Showing graphics for your unit in the modern graphics mode
  • A white square will be shown when not using classic mode
• Setting a sidebar icon for your new type

If you want help on how to do the above, see the test folder I use for this mod which has an example new Infantry & Unit mod in it here. These are not things provided by the mod, they are supported out of the box by C&C for making mods using XML, text and image files.

Adding a New Type

• Open or create the RULES.INI file inside the mod folder (see here for details)
• Add a Mods section like so:

[Mods]
NewInfantry=LaserDude
NewUnits=ChemTank

This tells NCO to create a new infantry type with the identifier LaserDude and a new unit type with the identifier ChemTank.

---

Below the Mods section create a new section for your mod:

[LaserDude]
BaseType=E1

[ChemTank]
BaseType=FTNK

The BaseType is what the new infantry type should look, act and sound like. In this example a Minigunner will be seen in-game when you create the LaserDude type and a Flame Tank when you build a ChemTank.

---

Your RULES.INI should now look like this:

[Mods]
NewInfantry=LaserDude
NewUnits=ChemTank

[LaserDude]
BaseType=E1

[ChemTank]
BaseType=FTNK

Setting Rules

Note: New types will inherit ALL the rules of the base type, so you should refer to the RULES-DEFAULT.INI file and set new rules for the different things you want to change.

For example: if you use a commando you will need to set the BuildLevel and ScenarioLevel rules for your new infantry type if you want to build it in a campaign mission.

Let's update our RULES.INI section for our new type:

[LaserDude]
BaseType=E1
PrimaryWeapon=Obelisk_Laser
Cost=200

[ChemTank]
BaseType=FTNK
BuildLevel=5
ScenarioLevel=5
Prerequisite=NONE
PrimaryWeapon=CHEMSPRAY

The new soldier should now be equipped with a laser gun and cost around 200 credits (depending on difficulty level).

The chemical tank can be built in level 5 on-wards and does not require any buildings other than an Airstrip.

Adding Mod Config

Now we have configured the NCO mod to create our new units we must do the same for C&C. This is done by editing some files in the NCO mod directory.

• Open the CNCModGameCommands.xml file inside the XML folder in a text editor
• Add a new piece of text after the mods comment:

      <!-- mods -->

      <Command Name="LaserDude">
        <GameCommand>GAME_COMMAND_TD_MOD_CUSTOM_BUILD1</GameCommand>
      </Command>

      <Command Name="ChemTank">
        <GameCommand>GAME_COMMAND_TD_MOD_CUSTOM_BUILD2</GameCommand>
      </Command>

Note: The 1 and 2 in the command starts at 1 for new types and increases by one for each new type, in the order they appear in the XML file.

For example: setting NewInfantry=NewType,AnotherType would mean that NewType would have an ID of 1, and AnotherType has an ID of 2.

Testing

• Start C&C in the usual way
• Load NOD mission 5 (or a later level), or start a skirmish as NOD
• Ensure you are in Classic graphics mode (spacebar to toggle)
• Build a Power Plant, Hand of Nod, Refinery and an Airstrip
• Click on your new infantry type in the sidebar
• Your laser powered soldier should now be ready for battle
• Click on your new chemical tank in the sidebar
• Your chemical spraying tank should now be ready for battle