AOD DEC MOD (feat. Darkest Hour Map)

[Dichromate]

Do you use AOD-Exe Version 1.07 and not install any fixes or other user patches?

Yes definitely - the only thing I've changed is setting the delays to 0 for ministers, leaders, ect, as well as the delays for carrying out orders - but I've been doing that in AOD since it first came out and haven't had any problems. I'll see if I can upload the save game - was about to do it here but realized its way too big.

[Decriser]

I'm happy to release another add-on/optional download for DEC-Mod - Arsenal of Democracy. As terrain information is vital in this MOD now you can download an overworked DH-Map where basic terrain types are added in political view. Annoying switching between these views are past. Furthermore it makes the map looking more alive as you see towns, mountains and trees. Shoreline provinces are repainted to give some relief effect. Hopefully u like it too, have fun!

Have a look at Posting Nr.1 for downloading. Long live AoD!

[Dichromate]

I'm happy to release another add-on/optional download for DEC-Mod - Arsenal of Democracy. As terrain information is vital in this MOD now you can download an overworked DH-Map where basic terrain types are added in political view. Annoying switching between these views are past. Furthermore it makes the map looking more alive as you see towns, mountains and trees. Shoreline provinces are repainted to give some relief effect. Hopefully u like it too, have fun!

Have a look at Posting Nr.1 for downloading. Long live AoD!

Attachment 49777 Attachment 49778

You might want to have a look at the Hungarian cores - at the moment they're a bit off in Transylvania (and one of the slovak provinces)- I'd suggest the provinces marked


Since they were the most ethnically Hungarian and ended up as part of Hungary during the war.
(so basically: all the small slovak border provinces, Carpathian Ruthenia and Northern Transylvania (which Germany can give to Hungary in the Vienna Dictate event), Plus Novisad in Yugoslavia/Serbia.
- there are definitely provinces that should be cores at the moment that aren't, and maybe a couple that are that shouldn't be (between North Transylvania and Banat)
(Hungarian cores are always a pain to deal with though since some people will insist on the whole former Kingdom of Hungary while others will insist on almost nothing. The present setup is just bizarre and wrong in some places though)

You *could* have Banat as well -
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banat#Demographics)
Since the Germans in Hungary were always well integrated and friendly to the state so there's at the very least a very workable supportive minority (in most of banat Hungarians + Germans would equal or outnumber Serbs or Romanians) + a historic claim.

Unless it's done through events though I don't think any other cores should be given - if Germany splits Czechoslovakia with Hungary then its fair enough it gets cores on Slovakia.

[Dichromate]

oh and here's the savegame with the crash. I don't think it's producing a dump for me unfortunately. Just let it go forward a week or so - however long it takes for Japan to declare war on China and you should get it (if not then maybe it's my install)
save games.rar

[Decriser]

oh and here's the savegame with the crash. I don't think it's producing a dump for me unfortunately. Just let it go forward a week or so - however long it takes for Japan to declare war on China and you should get it (if not then maybe it's my install)
Attachment 49793

Okay, I've tested your savegame and it works normally on my computer. No CTD when Japan declares war. In your case maybe there are some cached files or a corrupt install.

[Decriser]

Thanks Dichromate for your suggestions about the core provinces. I'm going to implement these changes in the 1936 - Road to War base Scenario. Also I'm willing to overwork settings like historical correct unit names, core provinces, minister names etc. But I cannot do all the research alone - this is where you (everyone who likes this Mod) come into play. Send me/post your suggestions, also new events (at best ready to implement) and I'll have a look into it. I know there are a lot of people who have good knowledge about historical accurate settings (bestmajor,...).

[Dichromate]

Okay, I've tested your savegame and it works normally on my computer. No CTD when Japan declares war. In your case maybe there are some cached files or a corrupt install.

Okay thanks - that's good to know, I'll re-install.

[EasyGreen]

I'm liking the new map very much. Thanks!

[bestmajor]

I know there are a lot of people who have good knowledge about historical accurate settings (bestmajor,...).

if you're interested look into my colour project. there are some CSVs in it which are more or less self-explanatory (including 'footnotes') for a lot of countries.
there are also events to rip off for the german anschluss, franch vichy and soviet purges - only the adjustment will take some time - but the basic research is already done.
there are TT pics and suggestions as well, so even if you dont like the paintings, it could be a useful tool.

i could also point you at the mistakes - but this would take ages, so the latest colour package is usually also the best researched leaders/ministers list.

alternatively you could make a fresh install of AoD 1.02, ripp of the german and finnish CSVs, patch up to 1.07 and drop those in again.


what AoD definately needs is a working death date for leaders - thats broken.

some event suggestions (i made them for my personal modification, they work, but i'm not experienced with event writing)

################################################## #############################
# Artur Phleps defects to Germany
# Event 800100
#
################################################## #############################
event = {
id = 800100
random = no
country = ROM
style = 0
trigger = {
leader = 4370
}
date = { hour = 7 year = 1940 month = may day = 30 }
offset = 1
deathdate = { hour = 4 year = 1954 month = december day = 29 }

name = "Artur Phleps defects to Germany"

desc = "Artur Phleps defects to Germany to join the Waffen SS."

picture = "Phleps_defects_ROM-GER"

action_a = {
name = "OK"
command = { type = sleepleader which = 4370 }
}
}

refers to: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artur_Phleps

################################################## ###################
# Hoßbach Memorandum
# Event 9901226
#
################################################## ###################
event = {
id = 9901226
random = no
country = GER

trigger = {
atwar = no
government = fascist
headofstate = 1
}

name = "Hoßbach Memorandum"
desc = "The Hoßbach Memorandum was the summary of a meeting on November 5, 1937 between German dictator Adolf Hitler and his military and foreign policy leadership where Hitler's future expansionist policies were outlined. The meeting marked a turning point in Hitler's foreign policies, which then began to radicalize. It outlined Hitler's plans for expansion in Europe."
style = 0
picture = "Hoßbach_Protokoll"

date = { day = 5 month = november year = 1937 }
offset = 1
deathdate = { day = 30 month = december year = 1938 }

action_a = {
name = "OK"
command = { type = belligerence which = GER value = 1 }
command = { type = domestic which = defense_lobby value = 1 }
}
}

refers to: http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ho%C3%9Fbach-Niederschrift

commands are debatable, of course - its more flavour

################################################## ###################
# mit brennender Sorge
# Event 9901227
#
################################################## ###################
event = {
id = 9901227
random = no
country = GER

trigger = {
government = fascist
headofstate = 1
}

name = "Papal encyclical: Mit brennender Sorge"
desc = "'Mit brennender Sorge' was a Catholic Church encyclical of Pope Pius XI, published on 10 March 1937. Written in German, not the usual Latin, it was read from the pulpits of all German Catholic churches on one of the Church's busiest Sundays, (Palm Sunday, March 21st). It condemned breaches of the Reichskonkordat agreement signed between the Nazi government and the Church in 1933, and furthermore contained criticism of Nazism and, in the opinion of some, a veiled attack on Hitler."

style = 0
picture = "Pope"

date = { day = 21 month = march year = 1937 }
offset = 1
deathdate = { day = 30 month = december year = 1938 }

action_a = {
name = "OK"
command = { type = dissent value = 2 }
}
}

################################################## ###################
# Summi Pontificatus
# Event 9901228
#
################################################## ###################
event = {
id = 9901228
random = no
country = GER

trigger = {
government = fascist
headofstate = 1
atwar = yes
}

name = "Papal encyclical: Summi Pontificatus"
desc = "'Summi Pontificatus' is an encyclical of Pope Pius XII published on October 20, 1939. The encyclical is subtitled 'On the Unity of Human Society.' It was the first major encyclical of Pius XII so was seen as setting 'a tone' for his papacy. It critiques major errors at the time, such as ideologies of racism and cultural superiority and the totalitarian state. The encylical laments the destruction of Poland, denounces the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact, and calls for a restoration of independent Poland."

style = 0
picture = "Pope"

date = { day = 20 month = october year = 1939 }
offset = 1
deathdate = { day = 30 month = december year = 1939 }

action_a = {
name = "OK"
command = { type = dissent value = 2 }
}
}

papal events, idea came from CORE

################################################## #############################
# Foundation of Smersh
# Event 8951000
#
################################################## #############################
event = {
id = 8951000
random = no
country = SOV
style = 0

trigger = {
atwar = yes
government = communist
}

date = { hour = 5 year = 1943 month = april day = 14 }

offset = 1
deathdate = { hour = 4 year = 1954 month = december day = 29 }

name = "SMERSH is founded"
desc = "'SMERSH' were the counter-intelligence departments in the Soviet Army formed in late 1942 or even earlier, but officially founded on April 14th, 1943."

picture = "SMERSH"

action_a = {
name = "OK"
command = { type = intelligence which = us value = 5 }
command = { type = metalpool value = -500 }
command = { type = supplies value = -550 }
command = { type = manpowerpool value = -10 } # activate TT SMERSH
}
}

refers to: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SMERSH

well, not much. but if you can use something feel free to use it or adjust it.

[Decriser]

Thanks, major! And yes I agree, Leader Deathdate should be fixed. At the moment it increases only the chance to die in battle when the date is reached (as far as I know). I would prefer a system like for the ministers.

[Julle64]

Thanks, major! And yes I agree, Leader Deathdate should be fixed. At the moment it increases only the chance to die in battle when the date is reached (as far as I know). I would prefer a system like for the ministers.

If it only increases the risk to die in a battle so maybe we should ask for a line in the misc.txt where one can set the possibility (e.g. 0.0 = no risk, 1.0 = dies at the given date).

[juice99]

i'm suprised this mod is not better known, it's idea is just great, but there are some problems, in hands-off game in 36' scenario germany cannot win with france at all, it's 1946 alrady, i tried 2 times, and everytime germany is just not progressing

also, can we expect version for 1.08AoD?

edit: there are even more problems, after i removed ALL troops from france/netherlands/belgium in 1936 scenario and made their manpower 0, germany barely was able to break through, but russian-german war never happens, it's just stalemate, i tried few hands-off games and every time the same.

[Decriser]

Hi juice99, when I made the MOD, I had to integrate a lot of DH stuff. For sure I haven't tested all. Especially German AI is not tested if gameplay happens historical accurate. Balancing and testing would have required more community feedback. For AOD more or less some of the bigger MODS still exist and the rest of the Modding community has moved on to Darkest Hour, in my point of view. About version 1.08 Aod, the new *.exe made my Mod unstable and the gameplay fixes mostly do not fit to this MOD because of the DH-content. So I decided to stay on 1.07.
Anyway thanks for playing my mod! Decriser

[Schmitz]

cool mod. it would be great if you could find the time to update it to 1.08

[Schmitz]

I can't get mine to work. It crashes at the start up screen. Do I have to do anything to the AODgame.exe file? It seems like just copying isn't enough

EDIT: Never mind, I've got it

[Sathariel]

Hi Decriser. I`m downloading the mod as I type, so I haven't tried it yet, but I just want to say that, basing on the pictures you've posted, I have never ever seen any map to any of the HoI2/3/clones games that would look more beautiful that this one . I have no idea how did I miss your mod, but I actually feel a bit guilty now . Anyway, I will gladly give it a spin once the dl finishes.

[Sathariel]

Alright, spent some time playing the German 1936 campaign. First and foremost, as I mentioned before: the mod looks amazing. I never use sprites, so I can't really comment how do they compare with the plain version (or even if they've been changed) but they look nice. The map is great and informative. The tech tree is good too. In my game I built up easily, won vs Poland and got stuck in France . I don't really complain, never used too finesse tactics in AoD vs France as it wasn't needed, so in your mod I just moved my troops forward, province by province, got Netherlands, Belgium beaten, captured Paris, but I failed to move further. As I said, was possibly a result of my clumsiness and habits, not the mod's. Oh and my interceptors are getting their back whooped constantly, but that again is due to my mistakes (I refuse to promote any leaders so they can get exp faster, and it results in huge overstack penalty).

One thing that I did have problems with is the stability of the mod. It tends to crash quite randomly at times. At first I couldn't even move it past March 1936 without 5-6 crashes, but, as I later figured out, it was something to do with my system (not the mod), as Heroes of Might and Magic III also suffered from same random crashes. It had to do something with antivirus being stuck investigating one file, I believe, and restart fixed it. Still a monthly autosave is a must, as the game continues to crash occasionally, and more often than vanilla AoD does.
Another thing I`m not entirely sure about is, removing all (or most of Old Guards). The German leadership especially is quite fine now, with 2 FMs and 6 Generals (many of them are Logistic Wizards or Defensive Specialists, but no Old Guards anymore). It does result in an abundance of the high level commanders from the start of the campaign and makes promotions not necessary. It actually is quite alright with me, since I try to never promote my leaders so they can build up huge skill levels, but I always paid a price of having just 2-3 usable FMs/Generals for that. Now I have them aplenty.

I`ll go back to the game once I have some more time, and will probably have to replay it from the start, as I got myself into a WWI trench warfare situation in the West. Gotta do better buildup of my forces, and hopefully can carry on further with the campaign.

[Count of Reval]

What about creating a mod which "converts" vanilla Hoi2 map into DecMap style? In that case we wouldn't have any compatibility issues.

Graphically the DecMap is nice indeed, and it's quite bothersome to toggle between political and terrain map all the time.

[Decriser]

What about creating a mod which "converts" vanilla Hoi2 map into DecMap style? In that case we wouldn't have any compatibility issues.

Graphically the DecMap is nice indeed, and it's quite bothersome to toggle between political and terrain map all the time.

There is already a project to migrate the DH-Map for AoD vanilla Darkest-Hour-to-AoD-Map-Project Once it is finished, you easily can use DEC Map also.

[Decriser]

Alright, spent some time playing the German 1936 campaign. First and foremost, as I mentioned before: the mod looks amazing. I never use sprites, so I can't really comment how do they compare with the plain version (or even if they've been changed) but they look nice. The map is great and informative. The tech tree is good too. In my game I built up easily, won vs Poland and got stuck in France . I don't really complain, never used too finesse tactics in AoD vs France as it wasn't needed, so in your mod I just moved my troops forward, province by province, got Netherlands, Belgium beaten, captured Paris, but I failed to move further. As I said, was possibly a result of my clumsiness and habits, not the mod's. Oh and my interceptors are getting their back whooped constantly, but that again is due to my mistakes (I refuse to promote any leaders so they can get exp faster, and it results in huge overstack penalty).

One thing that I did have problems with is the stability of the mod. It tends to crash quite randomly at times. At first I couldn't even move it past March 1936 without 5-6 crashes, but, as I later figured out, it was something to do with my system (not the mod), as Heroes of Might and Magic III also suffered from same random crashes. It had to do something with antivirus being stuck investigating one file, I believe, and restart fixed it. Still a monthly autosave is a must, as the game continues to crash occasionally, and more often than vanilla AoD does.
Another thing I`m not entirely sure about is, removing all (or most of Old Guards). The German leadership especially is quite fine now, with 2 FMs and 6 Generals (many of them are Logistic Wizards or Defensive Specialists, but no Old Guards anymore). It does result in an abundance of the high level commanders from the start of the campaign and makes promotions not necessary. It actually is quite alright with me, since I try to never promote my leaders so they can build up huge skill levels, but I always paid a price of having just 2-3 usable FMs/Generals for that. Now I have them aplenty.

I`ll go back to the game once I have some more time, and will probably have to replay it from the start, as I got myself into a WWI trench warfare situation in the West. Gotta do better buildup of my forces, and hopefully can carry on further with the campaign.

Thanks for your feedback! If you want a real challenge try "Victory or Valhalla". About the Old Guards, I removed them because I never liked "old guard" as it was not clear if the trait was working correctly! But more of concern is the lack of stability, personally I play the MOD often with a friend of mine and it crashes occasionally but not often. It is even more stable if I disable autosave, in multiplayer autosaving sometimes generates crashes. Maybe a bit off topic but I find it quite interesting that you are still playing HOMM3, which was one of my favorite games for a long time. Played all the campaigns on highest difficulty and multiplayer was fun too. But it feels like ages ago.