Backstory
Hi all, about 2 months ago I ended up reinstalling battlefront and falling in love with it again. It was the first game that I ever installed mods on (after 14 year old me took 2 months to figure out how de unzip "starfiremodv1.1.rar").

Instead of installing the old mods again, I wondered how difficult it was to mod the game myself. To my surprise it was quite easy and the sheer amount of knowledge on this forum played a key role in development. So thank you for archiving the knowledge on SWBF1 modding!

Now, there is enough changes for a first release, so I present you: Battlefront, with mustard on the SIDE

A short description of the mod

The simple goal of this mod is changing the gameplay of the sides without adding new assets. Everything is done only by editing code while keeping balance in mind. All stock classes are maintained, while bringing more variety to their stats and equipment. At first glance it looks like the base game, but the gameplay is significantly different.

• The vanguard and shocktrooper carry different pistols.
• Timebombs behave more like a satchel charge, their big blast radius can be used offensively.
• The rebel pilot and darktrooper blast cannons are now different and more powerful.
• Scouts have holdout pistols that are only effective at close range, overheat fast and do heavy damage.
• Blaster bolts have been lengthened, the more damage a weapon does the bigger the bolt. Changing the look of battles and making it clear what is shooting at you.
• Sniper rifle bolts have lower velocity, giving the weapon a punchy feel while making it more challenging/satisfying to hit moving targets.
• Higher velocity for many blaster rifles and pistols

The file was a few MB too big to upload here, so I uploaded it on moddb. Over there you can also read the full changelog.

Download Moddb

For the time being I will only release the GCW era since it's development is more advanced, new releases may follow if I get around to it. I don't do feature request, but feedback on balancing is welcome. I hope you have a lot of fun with it.

Alright, then I am going to start tinkering with that. I will report back if there are more questions, until then, thanks for the support!

Cool, so if I understand correctly I could do the localization in BFBuilder and then copy the files over to Battlebek's tool and have it combined into a new core.lvl for the game?

Regarding the new alternative method: I can write "ReadDataFile("NEW\\coreaddition.lvl")" line after "ReadDataFile("sound\\tat.lvl;tat1gcw");" and it will overwrite the games stock localisation? Assuming I made a folder inside _LVL_PC that is called "NEW" and contains coreaddition.lvl?

This alternative method would also allow me to load the core.LVL generated by BFBuilder without involving Battlebek's tool?

I have successfully added new weapons and classes to the game. Over the last 2 weeks I have been trying to figure out localization. I had little success finding info that showed me how to get it to work.

From the tutorials in understood that after creating a new project in BFbuilder, the localization can be done using the "Localize <modname>" button. This does open the multilanguage tool for me. Is it correct that initially there exist only the "level" and "weapons" scopes? And that the "weapons" scope only contains "snw" and "ewk" scopes? Is this correct or should it also be showing the scopes of the shipped sides in there?

Also, in what folder can the munged localization file be found? Or are they munged into the SIDE LVLs?

It's a good check indeed, I went through the files you mentioned and all seemed in order.

I can't pinpoint what fixed it, but while checking all.req I decided to clean up these lines
        "all_inf_smuggler"
        "all_inf_smugglersnow"
        "all_walk_tauntaun"
        "imp_hover_speederbike"
        "tat_hover_landspeeder"
                "all_inf_flanker"


And changed it to this

        "all_inf_smuggler"
        "all_inf_smugglersnow"
                "all_inf_flanker"
        "all_walk_tauntaun"
        "imp_hover_speederbike"
        "tat_hover_landspeeder"

Afterward I was able to load the flanker class into the slot of the smuggler and even the soldier class. The NPCs happily played the new class without issue. I have not been able to reproduce my mistake, so for the time being I assume that I corrected a syntax error while cleaning up the order of the code. Sorry that I did not catch this myself.

When changing the loadout of "all_inf_soldierdesert" the games continues to crash when NPCs join, but I think I can work around that by just replacing the class in it's entirety.

For now I can continue working on the mod, so thanks everyone for the help so far. I hope to share my work with you soon! I am thinking of calling it

"battlefront, with mustard on the side"

Quote from: {AR}MetalKiller on February 18, 2026, 07:09:01 AMHow exactly have you set up your project?
Do you add the new unit class to the all.req file and copy the munged all.lvl file over to the GameData/Data/lvl_pc/Sides/ folder?
Or did you munge the tat2 map and use it from the addon folder?

Yes,I have added the unit to the all.req file and created the file inside the "REQ" folder. Inside the ODF folder I've created the unit itself. After munging I have copied the file ALL.LVL into the "GameData/Data/lvl_pc/Sides/" folder. With this technique I've already created a new unit replacing the darktrooper and modified other ODF values, this works perfectly fine. (and has been a ton of fun)

I did not munge TAT2 into my addon folder.


To give some more context about my process: I run game version 1.3.7 GOG, I have created the mod using BFbuilder pro and us it to munge the SIDE LVLs. The mission.LVL I made using battlebektoolbox.

Quote from: {AR}MetalKiller on February 18, 2026, 07:09:01 AMRegarding your changes to the soldier class: It would be helpful to see what lines you changed in the odf.

These are the only lines I changed and causes the crashes once NPCs spawn. Once I undo these changes the game runs fine again. I've tested this 5+ times.
The oddd thing is that if for example I use the same method to remove the mines from the vanguard, there are no issues whatsoever.

WeaponName1         = "all_weap_inf_rifle"
WeaponAmmo1         = 6
WeaponName2         = "all_weap_inf_pistol"
WeaponAmmo2         = 0
WeaponName3         = "all_weap_inf_thermaldetonator"
WeaponAmmo3         = 3
WeaponChannel3        = 1
//WeaponName4         = "all_weap_inf_crackgrenade"
//WeaponAmmo4         = 3
//WeaponChannel4    = 1

I am starting to think that some AI routine is looking at the loadouts of several classes (rebel soldier, smuggler) and once some classes are changed, they're no longer compatible with the AI routine.

Ah I see, could you give an example of what the syntax would look like? Or an existing forum thread that goes into more detail? Because I tried several things like:

ReadDataFile("DC:SIDE\\all.lvl"

ReadDataFile("dc\\SIDE\\all.lvl"

ReadDataFile("dc\SIDE\\all.lvl"

And all of them resulted in crashes.

Quote from: Dark_Phantom on February 16, 2026, 04:26:07 PMGo ahead and share your mission.lvl lua changes here, and we'll see what we can figure out with them.

Thanks for reaching out and wanting to check my code

The new class is called "all_inf_flanker", here are the mission.lvl changes I made to tat2i.lua.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------
-- FUNCTION:    ScriptInit
-- PURPOSE:     This function is only run once
-- INPUT:
-- OUTPUT:
-- NOTES:       The name, 'ScriptInit' is a chosen convention, and each
--              mission script must contain a version of this function, as
--              it is called from C to start the mission.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

function ScriptInit()
--  Empire Attacking (attacker is always #1)
    local ALL = 2
    local IMP = 1
--  These variables do not change
    local ATT = 1
    local DEF = 2

    AddMissionObjective(IMP, "red", "level.tat2.objectives.1");
--  AddMissionObjective(IMP, "orange", "level.tat2.objectives.2");
    AddMissionObjective(ALL, "red", "level.tat2.objectives.1");
--  AddMissionObjective(ALL, "orange", "level.tat2.objectives.3");

SetTeamAggressiveness(IMP, 0.95)
SetTeamAggressiveness(ALL, 0.95)

SetMaxFlyHeight(50);
--    SetMaxFlyHeight(40);

    ReadDataFile("sound\\tat.lvl;tat2gcw");
    ReadDataFile("SIDE\\all.lvl",
        "all_inf_basicdesert",
        "all_inf_lukeskywalker",
--        "all_inf_smuggler")
    "all_inf_flanker");


    ReadDataFile("SIDE\\imp.lvl",
        "imp_fly_destroyer_dome",
        "imp_walk_atst",
        "imp_inf_basic",
        "imp_inf_dark_trooper",
        "imp_inf_darthvader");
    ReadDataFile("SIDE\\des.lvl",
        "tat_inf_jawa");
--      Alliance Stats
    SetTeamName(ALL, "Alliance")
    SetTeamIcon(ALL, "all_icon")
    AddUnitClass(ALL, "all_inf_soldierdesert",11)
    AddUnitClass(ALL, "all_inf_vanguard",3)
    AddUnitClass(ALL, "all_inf_pilot",4)
    AddUnitClass(ALL, "all_inf_marksman",4)
--    AddUnitClass(ALL, "all_inf_smuggler",3)
    AddUnitClass(ALL, "all_inf_flanker",3)
    SetHeroClass(ALL, "all_inf_lukeskywalker")

--      Imperial Stats
    SetTeamName(IMP, "Empire")
    SetTeamIcon(IMP, "imp_icon")
    AddUnitClass(IMP, "imp_inf_storm_trooper",11)
    AddUnitClass(IMP, "imp_inf_shock_trooper",3)
    AddUnitClass(IMP, "imp_inf_pilotatst",4)
    AddUnitClass(IMP, "imp_inf_scout_trooper",4)
    AddUnitClass(IMP, "imp_inf_dark_trooper",3)
    SetHeroClass(IMP, "imp_inf_darthvader")

--  Attacker Stats
    SetUnitCount(ATT, 25)
    SetReinforcementCount(ATT, 250)
--    SetReinforcementCount(ATT, 200)
    AddBleedThreshold(ATT, 31, 0.0)
    AddBleedThreshold(ATT, 21, 0.75)
    AddBleedThreshold(ATT, 11, 2.25)
    AddBleedThreshold(ATT, 1, 3.0)
    SetTeamAsFriend(ATT, 3)

--  Defender Stats
    SetUnitCount(DEF, 25)
    SetReinforcementCount(DEF, 250)
--    SetReinforcementCount(DEF, 200)
    AddBleedThreshold(DEF, 31, 0.0)
    AddBleedThreshold(DEF, 21, 0.75)
    AddBleedThreshold(DEF, 11, 2.25)
    AddBleedThreshold(DEF, 1, 3.0)
    SetTeamAsFriend(DEF, 3)

--  Local Stats
    SetTeamName (3, "locals")
    AddUnitClass (3, "tat_inf_jawa", 14);
    SetUnitCount (3, 14)
    SetTeamAsFriend(3,ATT)
    SetTeamAsFriend(3,DEF)

--  Level Stats
    ClearWalkers()
    AddWalkerType(0, 0) -- special -> droidekas
    AddWalkerType(1, 1) -- 1x2 (1 pair of legs)
    AddWalkerType(2, 0) -- 2x2 (2 pairs of legs)
    AddWalkerType(3, 0) -- 3x2 (3 pairs of legs)
    SetMemoryPoolSize("Obstacle", 653)
    SetSpawnDelay(10.0, 0.25)
    ReadDataFile("TAT\\tat2.lvl")
    SetDenseEnvironment("false")


--  Sound Stats
    OpenAudioStream("sound\\tat.lvl",  "tatgcw_music");
    OpenAudioStream("sound\\tat.lvl",  "tat2");
    OpenAudioStream("sound\\tat.lvl",  "tat2");
    OpenAudioStream("sound\\gcw.lvl",  "gcw_vo");
    OpenAudioStream("sound\\gcw.lvl",  "gcw_tac_vo");

    SetBleedingVoiceOver(ALL, ALL, "all_off_com_report_us_overwhelmed", 1);
    SetBleedingVoiceOver(ALL, IMP, "all_off_com_report_enemy_losing",   1);
    SetBleedingVoiceOver(IMP, ALL, "imp_off_com_report_enemy_losing",   1);
    SetBleedingVoiceOver(IMP, IMP, "imp_off_com_report_us_overwhelmed", 1);

    SetLowReinforcementsVoiceOver(ALL, ALL, "all_off_defeat_im", .1, 1);
    SetLowReinforcementsVoiceOver(ALL, IMP, "all_off_victory_im", .1, 1);
    SetLowReinforcementsVoiceOver(IMP, IMP, "imp_off_defeat_im", .1, 1);
    SetLowReinforcementsVoiceOver(IMP, ALL, "imp_off_victory_im", .1, 1);

    SetOutOfBoundsVoiceOver(2, "Allleaving");
    SetOutOfBoundsVoiceOver(1, "Impleaving");

    SetAmbientMusic(ALL, 1.0, "all_tat_amb_start",  0,1);
    SetAmbientMusic(ALL, 0.99, "all_tat_amb_middle", 1,1);
    SetAmbientMusic(ALL, 0.1,"all_tat_amb_end",    2,1);
    SetAmbientMusic(IMP, 1.0, "imp_tat_amb_start",  0,1);
    SetAmbientMusic(IMP, 0.99, "imp_tat_amb_middle", 1,1);
    SetAmbientMusic(IMP, 0.1,"imp_tat_amb_end",    2,1);

    SetVictoryMusic(ALL, "all_tat_amb_victory");
    SetDefeatMusic (ALL, "all_tat_amb_defeat");
    SetVictoryMusic(IMP, "imp_tat_amb_victory");
    SetDefeatMusic (IMP, "imp_tat_amb_defeat");

    SetSoundEffect("ScopeDisplayZoomIn",  "binocularzoomin");
    SetSoundEffect("ScopeDisplayZoomOut", "binocularzoomout");
    --SetSoundEffect("WeaponUnableSelect",  "com_weap_inf_weaponchange_null");
    --SetSoundEffect("WeaponModeUnableSelect",  "com_weap_inf_modechange_null");
    SetSoundEffect("SpawnDisplayUnitChange",       "shell_select_unit");
    SetSoundEffect("SpawnDisplayUnitAccept",       "shell_menu_enter");
    SetSoundEffect("SpawnDisplaySpawnPointChange", "shell_select_change");
    SetSoundEffect("SpawnDisplaySpawnPointAccept", "shell_menu_enter");
    SetSoundEffect("SpawnDisplayBack",             "shell_menu_exit");

    SetPlanetaryBonusVoiceOver(IMP, IMP, 0, "imp_bonus_imp_medical");
    SetPlanetaryBonusVoiceOver(IMP, ALL, 0, "imp_bonus_all_medical");
    SetPlanetaryBonusVoiceOver(IMP, IMP, 1, "");
    SetPlanetaryBonusVoiceOver(IMP, ALL, 1, "");
    SetPlanetaryBonusVoiceOver(IMP, IMP, 2, "imp_bonus_imp_sensors");
    SetPlanetaryBonusVoiceOver(IMP, ALL, 2, "imp_bonus_all_sensors");
    SetPlanetaryBonusVoiceOver(IMP, IMP, 3, "imp_bonus_imp_hero");
    SetPlanetaryBonusVoiceOver(IMP, ALL, 3, "imp_bonus_all_hero");
    SetPlanetaryBonusVoiceOver(IMP, IMP, 4, "imp_bonus_imp_reserves");
    SetPlanetaryBonusVoiceOver(IMP, ALL, 4, "imp_bonus_all_reserves");
    SetPlanetaryBonusVoiceOver(IMP, IMP, 5, "imp_bonus_imp_sabotage");--sabotage
    SetPlanetaryBonusVoiceOver(IMP, ALL, 5, "imp_bonus_all_sabotage");
    SetPlanetaryBonusVoiceOver(IMP, IMP, 6, "");
    SetPlanetaryBonusVoiceOver(IMP, ALL, 6, "");
    SetPlanetaryBonusVoiceOver(IMP, IMP, 7, "imp_bonus_imp_training");--advanced training
    SetPlanetaryBonusVoiceOver(IMP, ALL, 7, "imp_bonus_all_training");--advanced training

    SetPlanetaryBonusVoiceOver(ALL, ALL, 0, "all_bonus_all_medical");
    SetPlanetaryBonusVoiceOver(ALL, IMP, 0, "all_bonus_imp_medical");
    SetPlanetaryBonusVoiceOver(ALL, ALL, 1, "");
    SetPlanetaryBonusVoiceOver(ALL, IMP, 1, "");
    SetPlanetaryBonusVoiceOver(ALL, ALL, 2, "all_bonus_all_sensors");
    SetPlanetaryBonusVoiceOver(ALL, IMP, 2, "all_bonus_imp_sensors");
    SetPlanetaryBonusVoiceOver(ALL, ALL, 3, "all_bonus_all_hero");
    SetPlanetaryBonusVoiceOver(ALL, IMP, 3, "all_bonus_imp_hero");
    SetPlanetaryBonusVoiceOver(ALL, ALL, 4, "all_bonus_all_reserves");
    SetPlanetaryBonusVoiceOver(ALL, IMP, 4, "all_bonus_imp_reserves");
    SetPlanetaryBonusVoiceOver(ALL, ALL, 5, "all_bonus_all_sabotage");--sabotage
    SetPlanetaryBonusVoiceOver(ALL, IMP, 5, "all_bonus_imp_sabotage");
    SetPlanetaryBonusVoiceOver(ALL, ALL, 6, "");
    SetPlanetaryBonusVoiceOver(ALL, IMP, 6, "");
    SetPlanetaryBonusVoiceOver(ALL, ALL, 7, "all_bonus_all_training");--advanced training
    SetPlanetaryBonusVoiceOver(ALL, IMP, 7, "all_bonus_imp_training");--advanced training

    SetAttackingTeam(ATT);

--  Camera Stats
--Tat2 Mos Eisley
--Overhead
AddCameraShot(0.514878, -0.143332, -0.814235, -0.226667, -351.052490, 31.599720, -71.300522);
--Derelict
AddCameraShot(0.899316, 0.007445, 0.437220, -0.003620, -212.966995, 20.173393, 56.179829);
--Cantina
AddCameraShot(0.902993, -0.019975, -0.429085, -0.009492, -205.001770, 17.679758, 77.177254);
end

Since my first message I did some experimentation and found that replacing the darktrooper class posed no problems. The game kept running and the NPCs played the new class without issue. So I am puzzled as to why editing the smuggler and rebel trooper classes (or their loadout) causes issues.

Just before writing this reply I tested it again just to be sure. It crashes as soon as the NPCs join, but in an PVP LAN match the class is fully playable without issue.

Thanks again for taking the time

Hi all,

I am working on a sidemod that aims to bring more gameplay variety to the factions/classes. I want to squeeze much gameplay out of SWBF1 without importing any external assets.

So far, it's been going great! But I ran into some issues that I have not been able troubleshoot:

Whenever I import a new class into the game and it replaces the wookie smuggler it crashes. But if said new class replaces the marksman class, the game runs without issue. The same thing happens after removing a grenade from "all_inf_soldier.odf". In both cases the crash occured as soon as NPCs spawned into the map.

For this mod I've only edited the MISSION.LVL for TAT2 and the SIDES.LVL for the game.

Any ideas of what could trigger these crashes?

Thanks for your time!