Hi J-man

Go to DATA\MISSIONS\ENCOUNTERS

You will find many encounter ini files just open the ones you want. It will look like this when opened

This is area_assault.ini
[EncounterFormation
ship_by_class = 1, 1, sc_fighters
pilot_job = assault_leader_job
make_class = wanderer
ship_by_class = 2, 3, sc_fighters, -1
pilot_job = assault_job
make_class = wanderer
formation_by_class = fighters
behavior = wander
arrival = all, -object_jump_gate, -tradelane
allow_simultaneous_creation = yes
zone_creation_distance = 0
times_to_create = infinite

[EncounterFormation
ship_by_class = 1, 1, sc_fighters
pilot_job = assault_leader_job
make_class = wanderer
ship_by_class = 2, 3, sc_fighters, -1
pilot_job = assault_job
make_class = wanderer
formation_by_class = fighters
behavior = wander
arrival = all, -object_jump_gate, -tradelane
allow_simultaneous_creation = yes
zone_creation_distance = 0
times_to_create = infinite

[Creation
permutation = 0, 3
permutation = 1, 1

Now to change the number of ships in a formation just look for this entry
ship_by_class = 1, 1, sc_fighters
pilot_job = assault_leader_job<Notice Leader>
This is for how many Leaders will appear with the wingmen below. Notice the ship_by_class = the number following this is the number that will appear the next number is the amount of npc's that can appear.
So just change that number like so
ship_by_class = 2, 2, sc_fighters
And 2 leaders will appear.

Now for the wingmen

ship_by_class = 2, 3, sc_fighters, -1
pilot_job = assault_job<Notice assault_job which means basically wingmen>

Notice the ship_by_class = the number following this is the number that will appear the next number is the amount of npc's that can appear.
So just change that number like so
ship_by_class = 6, 6, sc_fighters, -1
Now 6 NPC's will appear every time.

"All truth passes through three stages:
First, it is ridiculed;
Second, it is violently opposed; and
Third, it is accepted as self-evident."

Yes, this I now and have tried. However, I am unable to get these squads above 9 ships per.

This is what I would like to have happen.
I would like to see about 12-16 fighters per squad. As you almost finish destroying this squad. Then another 12-16 show up.
Depending on the mission, you have anywhere from 3 to 4 waves of squads showing. This would mean a total of 48 - 64 fighters in a total mission.

This is where I need the help.

Your thoughts

J-MAN

P.S. Thanks again for the help.

Now I'm not trying this out right now and it has been a while for me, but to get it done you should also create/modify a corresponding formation in missions\formations.ini, like:

---

[Formation
nickname = fighter_nomad
pos = 0, 0, 0
pos = -45, 0, 15
pos = 45, 0, 15
pos = -90, 0, 30
pos = 90, 0, 30
pos = -135, 0, 45
pos = 135, 0, 45
pl_pos = 0, -50, 105

---

Each line is a fighter; the values indicate the position relative from the player's ship. Add a few similar lines to increase the number of fighters.

Then, in faction_prop.ini, search for the nomad section and change formation = fighters, fighter_guild into formation = fighter_nomad

---

[FactionProps
affiliation = fc_n_grp
legality = unlawful
( ... )
formation = fighter_nomad

---

Maybe I forgot a few steps, so backup your mod in case my suggestion screws it up.

Yep, tried that also. I have even set the formation for about 12 ships. Still cant get more than 8.
I have edited the area_nomad.ini. The formation.ini. The system's .ini. and several more trying to figure this thing out.
I cant afford to pull out anymore hair, at my age I need all I can get.

J-MAN

You must change the number of ships allowed in each Zone in your system files. It won't matter if your encounter file has 1000s of ships only the maximum number will appear according to the zone settings.

Thx. I already changed the max_battle_size to above what I was hoping for.

---

I already changed the max_battle_size to above what I was hoping for.

---

(for clarity's sake: ) also thought of the density ?




Edited by - Moonhead on 2/23/2006 2:33:04 PM

This is a typical zone (Manhatten)

density = 12 < this sets how many can be in the zone
repop_time = 10
max_battle_size = 8 < this does exactly what it says
pop_type = li_p_grp, base_cluster_law
relief_time = 10
faction_weight = li_p_grp, 12
----BLAH------
----BLAH------
faction_weight = gd_bh_grp, 3
density_restriction = 4, unlawfuls < these also set how
density_restriction = 4, lawfuls < many can appear

**shuffles of with a new headache**

Well now here is the strange part, yes I did all of that. Still cant get a large number to show in a squad.

J-MAN

Freelancer Modding / Lays Potato Chips - Once you start, you just cant stop!

Edited by - J-MAN on 2/23/2006 6:56:03 PM

Edited by - J-MAN on 2/23/2006 8:39:28 PM

I don't know about making them arrive in one large formation but I do know how to get them to arrive in large numbers.

shape = BOX
size = 53277, 4000, 57373
sort = 99.500000
toughness = 10
density = 30
repop_time = 8
max_battle_size = 9
pop_type = background
relief_time = 8
faction_weight = fc_n_grp, 10
encounter = area_nomads_m13, 10, 0.250000
faction = fc_n_grp, 1.000000

This is from St03 (just outside the Dyson Sphere), I don't know how many turn up as I can't count them fast enough . I have yet to get out of this zone alive without cheating (I opened the system up in my mod for a bit of fun)

**shuffles of with a new headache**

I have the large encounters working.

When you are out flying around, the Nomads show up in groups of 13. However, when you are running a mission, they still will not go above 8 in a group.

What file(s) do I need to have the missions also use formations?

J-MAN

random missions folder, try this file:

NpcRanktoDifficulty.ini

Inside note it says...
[RankAndFormationSizeToDifficulty
Have a fiddle, suggest adding numbers in BETWEEN the low and high extremes. Back up the file first of course, and then report back on your findings.

No Sir, that did not work.
When they are NOT in a mission, everything is as wanted.
When they ARE in a mission, ony 8 in a formation.

Does anybody else have any suggestions?