Here is a quick guide on making custom special rules for TTC. If you're looking to make a unit have a different cost for a specific faction or character, this is what you need.

1. script_bonus_value_ids_tables

In this table you need to enter the bonus value ids that you are going to use. The valid IDs are as follows:


Replace unit key with the main_units_tables key. The exact format for these keys matters.

2. effects_tables

You will need to create an effect for each aspect of your special rule. So, if you want to move a unit to special and set their cost to one, you would want to create two effects.

You can name these effects whatever you like, it does not matter.

3. effect_bonus_value_scripted_junctions_tables

In this table, you connect the effects you created in step #2 to the bonus values you created in step #1.

The first column of this table is always "value". The next column is the effect you created. The third column is the bonus value you created.

4. Whatever tables you want.

At this point, you have an effect which can be used in tables. For example to add the rule to a skill you would go to character_skill_level_to_effects_junctions_tables.

Basically any table that has effects will work. The only thing is that they have to be targeted at characters using the scope.

So, for common examples, skills would use a character_to_character_own scope while technologies would use a faction_to_character_own_unseen scope.

When filling out the 'value' field:
- The weight modifier bonus value is understood by the script as + or - cost. To reduce a unit from 2 special to 1 special, you'd want a value of -1. To make it cost three you'd want a value of +1.
- The other bonus values are understood by the script as on-off switches. To make a unit go to a different group, you would just want to put any value greater than 0.

5. The scripted filter:

The final step to get your special rule to work is to tell the script when it needs to check for one.

Here is a template script for adding a special rule filter:


This would check for special rules for UNIT_KEY on Katarin.

The valid flags for the special rules filter are "subtype", used above, "faction" , and "subculture". These flags have an OR relationship, so for instance:


Would check for special rules for UNIT_KEY on Belekor (no matter who owns him), as well as all characters from the Legion of Chaos faction, as well as all characters from any Khornate faction.

Why is this needed? Because otherwise I'd have to check every unit in the game on every lord for a special rule, and that would be bad for performance.

You should put this code in a .lua file in script/ttc/