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Hello all! This is my awsome site, I’ll be posting my info here.

Ejnoy as I build it up!

8/25/07

Modding Stronghold 2

NOTE!

Modding Stronghold 2 will change the game completely. After changed, there is no way to change back without uninstalling then reinstalling.
To avoid this, Copy the folder labeled Stronghold 2 and paste it, it should make a folder titled ‘Copy of Stronghold 2’. Do this to your hearts content, though there are many files and it may take some time, but it is vital that you do it at least once.

In stronghold 2, the game files are made with G2F files. These files are the Unit modules. Unfortunately, unless you have 20,000 grand to spend, you can not edit the unit modules (making a unit walk with a limp, etc). But you can change the units skin or swap files.

The unit modules are located (usually) at C:/ Program Files / Firefly Studios / Stronghold 2 / Meshes / units / models
To swap a unit file, create an exterior folder. If you wanted to give a Swordsman a Pikeman body, copy and paste ALL the Pikeman folders into this exterior folder. There will be files such as Pikeman High, Low, and a regular Pikeman. Rename the files in the exterior folder, changing Pikeman to Swordsman (Don’t delete the High or low’s!). Then, create an exterior folder (2) in the first, and cut and paste all the original swordsman files into it. Then, take the files in the first exterior folder and paste into the original file.

When you play the game, the swordsman will have a pikeman body, but use a sword and shield as regular.

If you want you can play around with this, you can make the Swordsman a lefty, or give him a Spear and a shield to use, however he will, as the swordsman within him, swing it like a sword.

Changing a Units Skin
As you can see, all the units have Skins. A units skin is what makes up the unit, or the visuals of the Unit. It is easy to change the skins, but not easy to do well.

To change the skins, go to C:/Program files/firefly studios/stronghold 2/meshes/units/models

You should see a Picture icon next to the regular G2F files, double click it and go to Save As. I suggest JPEG, for it saves as the best quality.
Then load a program like Microsoft Paint or Adobe Images, and load that file. You can now edit the file. However, you must stay inside the pre-made skin, otherwise the game will be a little jittery, and it won’t work anyways, and isn’t worth the trouble.
There are other, more difficult things possible like making a swordsman throw a spear, or making a Knight use a Lance and thrust with it, but I am a man who likes to procrastinate, and it would take me a year to get the will power to write such a long thing for a game.