Empire: Total War - Modding Index

Tutorials and resources for modding Empire: Total War:

For tools currently see: ETW Modding Tools (incomplete list - may be merged here).

The below listing provides links to tutorials, useful answers to common modding questions and resources, divided by category.
When adding items please keep to existing format with the type of article first;

• Tutorial = extensive tutorial, step by step how to mod something etc.
• Answer = short piece on minor topic or answer to frequently asked question.
• Resource = lists of things that work in-game, docudemons, templates, downloads of helpful starting set-ups etc.

General Set-up Information

• Resource - Links to basic 'how to' guides for new modders - by Alwyn
• Tutorial - STARTPOS.ESF analysis and modifications. HYBRID startpos.esf - by husserlTW - includes links to tools and other tutorials
• Tutorial - Replacing the grand campaign - by alpaca
• Tutorial - How to create Mods - by MrThib - images missing
• Resource - Empire Mod Architecture Primer - by JeromeGrasdyke (CA)
• Answer - Mod-Foldering regions.esf and other campaign map data - by Irmo - images missing
• Answer - How to install various types of mods for ETW - by ForteS
• Tutorial - Perfect ESF<->XML converter - Modifications Tutorial - by ForteS - includes ids and 'how-to' make various basic changes
• Tutorial - How to mount multiple views of pack files simultaneously - by taw - (using FUSE)
• Resource - The great DB Manual - by Lazy Knight
• Tutorial - Tips and Tricks in modding ETW and NTW - by husserlTW
• Resource - Complete guide to ETW's localisation files (aka "The Loc") - by Okmin
• Resource - Official RAW Database Table (XML, XSD) - CA Released Info

Units

• Tutorial - How to create a custom unit - a complete guide - by Aldgarkalaughskel - images missing
• Tutorial - How to add from another faction's unit to your faction - by The Phenom - Example use: Added Norwegian Ski Troops - by Isostran
• Tutorial - NAVAL MODDING - by Bethencourt
• Answer - Rookie's guide on how to mod unit specs with PFM 1.9.9 - by Sir.Cunningham
• Answer - How to Enable Unique Regiment Names - by The Vicar
• Tutorial - How to add a new Cannon Model - by Primergy - images missing
• Answer - Fixed Squares with larger unit sizes - by Ergonomics
• Answer - Adding pistols to cavalry - by Geronimo2006
• Answer - How to change marines in naval-battles - by Geronimo2006 - images missing
• Answer - Changing a units 2nd weapon - by General Brewster

Models

• Tutorial - Merging parts of models in MilkShape 3D - by ProvostGuard - images missing
• Tutorial - Getting your custom weapons in game - by T.C. - images missing
• Tutorial - Modeling & DB. Milkshape & UU3D. How wangrin and I use them - by Bethencourt

Textures

• Answer - Gloss maps explained - by just

Banners

• Tutorial - How to add new flags - COMPLETED - by husserlTW

Recruitment

• Answer - Regions of recruitment or AOR-system - by Bethencourt

Cultures & Factions

• Tutorial - How to add a new faction replacing an existing one - by husserlTW
• Tutorial - How to add new new cultures and subcultures - by uanime5
• Answer - How to edit a faction description in the startpos and a modded pack file - by Alwyn
• Answer - How to Change/add Victory Conditions - by Seraphim
• Answer - Keeping your old flag after a revolution - by Rekcinad
• Answer - How to change factions' turn order - by Okmin

Characters

• Tutorial - Rename your Admiral's / General's / King's / Edit Family Tree - by Macdaddy02
• Answer - Change ministerial titles - by jeweetwel_youknow
• Answer - Changing a king to a queen - by Geronimo2006 - missing image

Agents

• Answer - How to add "sabotage army" ability - by Lordsith

Buildings

• Tutorial - Breaking up existing and adding new Building Chains - by Minas Moth
• Tutorial - How to add new building chains - by Quintus Hortensius Hortalus
• Tutorial - How to add new building slots upgrading cities - by husserlTW
• Tutorial - How to add buildings/slots to Cities - by demis14

Mapping

Campaign Map (startpos)

• Tutorial - Guide for adding a new building to the campaign map - by uanime5
• Tutorial - ADVANCED How to make complicated startpos changes - hyprid method limitations - God Startpos - by husserlTW - for helping advanced Empire modders to make advanced changes in starting position and create a stable campaign
• Tutorial - Adding New towns to a Region - by Ulsterman
• Tutorial - How to remove a trade route from the startpos - by Alwyn - images missing
• Answer - How to remove city forts from the startpos (and from saved game) - by Alwyn
• Answer - How to edit the startpos so that cities are fortified at the start of the game - by Alwyn
• Answer - How to activate an emergent port or town-UPDATED (startpos.esf 22/06) - by husserlTW
• Answer - How to change which faction is emergent in a region - by Alwyn - images missing
• Answer - Change region ownerships without FOW bug (easy method) - by shokh
• Answer - How to use modfoldered map files in the multiplayer campaign - by T.C.
• Answer - How to change a region's religious percentage using-ESF-Editor - by Legend of War
• Resource - Guide to the ETW map - by uanime5
• Resource - Regions List - by Gerlandric

Battle Map

• Tutorial - How to add a custom Battle Building - by Primergy
• Resource - Farm_Tile_Templates Research - by Primergy

Sounds

• Answer - How to change national language - by Hegemon de Pagan

Music

• Answer - Guide on using your own MP3s to replace in-game music - by LordWedggie

2D Graphics

• Answer - Icons with Photoshop CS4 - by Bethencourt

Scripting

• Answer - Diplomacy editing - by Alex1987

Miscellaneous

• Resource - Research of Unknown Areas in Startpos.esf - by husserlTW
• Tutorial - Guide to Using DBEditor - by Jinarik - images missing
• Answer - How to remove the Fog of War Bug from Minor Factions - by erasmus777
• Answer - ~ Ketzer's Guide On Getting Rid Of Projectile Clairvoyance ~ - by Ketzerfreund
• Answer - How to get rid of the Warpath menu and get your old menu back - by hip63
• Answer - How to create your own modded patch.pack files - by lesterthenerd
• Answer - How to get 20+ units per army in the campaign - by |Quintus Sertorius|
• Answer - Modding game mechanics in DB files - by LtChambers - early explanation of editing files using hex editor
• Answer - How to edit Turns Per Year in startpos.esf by using ESF Editor - by Apolloa
• Answer - How to edit Victory Condition & Regions to capture by editing startpos.esf - by Apolloa - also covered in: STARTPOS.ESF analysis and modifications. HYBRID startpos.esf
• Answer - How to save changes in *.loc file - by p.jakub88
• Answer - How to disable the replenish troops button in Grand Campaign - by p.jakub88 - relies on deleting vanilla file
• Resource - Research on accuracy system in Empire: Total War - by p.jakub88
• Resource - Lua code snippets in etwng repository - by taw
• Resource - New github repository etwng for all format discoveries and code opened - by taw
• Resource - FUSE driver for mounting .pack as virtual filesystem (for OSX and Linux) - by taw
• Resource - ETW Runtime Memory Stucture Documention - by .Mitch.

See Also

• Tutorial List on TWcenter.