Help Editing SPARK Soldier

[ryanpowell1989]

Hello fellas. I'm pretty new on here, so forgive me If I've overlooked some hidden cache of Spark troubleshooting topics/info and this topic has already been solved..

 

But, in truth, I have found no such thing- ANYWHERE online for that matter, Nexus & Steam included. Just a bunch of unsolved Spark-related questions, with very-little straightforward, working answers.

 

Basically, here's my problem: I'm unable to change ANYTHING related to the Spark. As a matter of fact, NONE of the changes I make to my .ini files seem to work. Neither Xcom 2 Vanila, or Xcom 2 WOTC.

 

Here's everything I've tried:

1.) Deleted My Documents\My Games folder (after backing up saved game files), and the changes I made to the .ini file did not carry over to the game, but remained unchanged in the .ini after game launch.

 

2.) Tried doing just tiny changes in the .ini files to see if my changes were causing the problem. Changed ONLY Hacking from 5 to 85 on the Spark, and built a new Spark in Proving Ground, after waiting 5 days (in-game). No changes.(Actually, in the WOTC .ini, I changed the default Spark hacking from 5 to 75, instead of 85, so that I could tell which .ini edit was successful. Vanilla or WOTC)

 

3.) Tried using Vanilla game launcher instead of WOTC, despite having made the same 5 to 85 & 5 to 75 changes to Spark Hacking in both:

XCOM 2\XComGame\DLC\DLC_3\Config\XComGameData_CharacterStats

XCOM 2\XCom2-WarOfTheChosen\XComGame\DLC\DLC_3\Config\XComGameData_CharacterStats

Neither of them worked.

 

4.) I confirmed that my .ini files are NOT "read-only".

 

5.) Lastly, I tried installing Grimy's Console Command Mod, and editing Spark stats in-game, using the command SetSoldierStat eStat_Hacking 100 KILLER SPARK002 after changing Spark name from "______SPARK-002" to "KILLER SPARK002", while keeping in mind that Grimy's is case sensitive. Changes didn't work.

(______ in this case means blank/emtpy)

 

So, after all said and done, I'm completely lost, and fresh out of ideas.

 

Some help from one of my more wise and knowledgeable gaming compatriots sure would be nice right about now..

Edited March 3, 2018 by ryanpowell1989

[AuroraDelta]

If you have the SDK loaded you should be able to replace the spark if nothing else. If you cant get the spark to edit (Which shouldn't be too hard by just altering its template in the X2Characters area with a new file), you can always create a new spark, override the old tech to make it create your spark, and then build that one however you please.

[JDDysart]

First:

using the command SetSoldierStat eStat_Hacking 100 KILLER SPARK002 after changing Spark name from "______SPARK-002" to "KILLER SPARK002", while keeping in mind that Grimy's is case sensitive. Changes didn't work.

 

I seem to remember from "MakeSoldierAClass", that In a console command, a UnitName SHOULD be in quotes: SetSoldierStat eStat_Hacking 100 "KILLER SPARK002" ?

 

Then, I have more experience with XCOM:EU 2012, where the DLC content from the Steam Local Files (installation) are combined with default files before being written to the Document Files (User dependent data) ...

 

I am not quite up to speed with how XCOM 2 manages this for (optional?) DLCs, such as Shen's Last Gift and Alien Hunters ... it would appear that (at one time) the intent was to only allow said 'DLC Content' into a game where these DLCs were selected while starting a campaign? and that when selected the DLC content is loaded in - but not saved in the Document Files? It would also appear that, at some other time, it was intended that SPARKs be allowed in as an additional Soldier Class (in addition to Grenadier, Ranger, Sharpshooter, Specialist and Psi Operative); taking the place of "tanks" or "SHIVs" from earlier XCOM games?

 

Any which way, IMO, these two intents came to cross purposes that created a SNAFU - that I hope to live to see untangled.

 

Back to how to save time now ... as XCOM 2 and WotC do not actually share files (re: "<Steam>\SteamApps\Common\XCOM 2"):

• For the XCOM 2 game (without WotC) stay out of the XCom2-WarOfTheChosen folder; in Documents use "\MyGames\XCOM2".
  
• For XCom2-WarOfTheChosen stay in the XCom2-WarOfTheChosen folder; in Documents use "\MyGames\XCOM2 War of the Chosen".

 

Now I need to get back to playing the game ... and see if I can make it past the confusion of slowing Advent down while contacting Resistance factions (post Shen's Last Gift); and locate this "Black Market" that I have read so much about.

 

~ JDDysart

[JDDysart]

Update: After further review (of XCOM 2) ...

 

Apparently when a DLC is installed the DLC's "Cooked content" (including default values?) is placed in with the rest of the game's "Cooked content" - so, once the DLC is installed, the supporting content is "In The Game".

 

The pieces placed in the DLC folders are only what is needed to bridge-the-gap (hook-into?) to said supporting content ... for including the DLC specifics on whichever 'Campaigns' that the user selects to have it included on; and may or may not (depending on section headers?) override any default values in the "cooked" files. If the section headers (such as >[sparkSoldier X2SparkCharacterTemplate_DLC_3]<) do match up with what is in the "cooked" files, then when the DLC is selected for a particular campaign - the INI values should override the default values.

 

If you are into modding ... are you aware that there is a GiveHackReward console command (for use while on a mission) that permanently increases the active unit's hacking stat? (re: EnemyProtocol_1 or EnemyProtocol_2) Personally I have better luck with Key-Bound commands -or- a Key-Bound text file containing one or more console commands (as these appear NOT to require enabling the "Console").

 

On a side note (of interest to me) ...

 

It would appear that the "hooks" for allowing a SPARK that has been saved to (or created directly in) the Character Pool have yet to be written? Rather, building SPARKs in the "Proving Grounds" is the way those "winds blew".

 

~ JDDysart