Custom Races can't get the same benefits as premades?

from GalCiv2 Forums

I just finished the last expansion's campaign to see what else was added, and went to do a 'normal' game of Galciv 2. As usual, I make a custom race to fit myself and...I find that custom races have lower caps than the permade races in specific stats. 

 

Ex: Altarian's get +25 to research [the only race to get it], meaning they have a cap of +45% research if they get the max research stat.

Custom races don't. They're still stuck on the same point system as everyone else. Which, unless I missed something, means to get the specific stats you want, you have to play as a premade race, which sticks you with their tech that you can't change.

 

My question is, is there a way to change it so a custom race can get the same stat benifits as premade races? Right now, custom races are looking week compared to the default ones, since some of them get really nice bonuses that cost more than 5 ability points. 

9,253 views 2 replies
Reply #1 from GalCiv2 Forums Top

My question is, is there a way to change it so a custom race can get the same stat benifits as premade races?

Sure, if you are not opposed to a little bit of modding. All you have to do is to modify the AbilityBonuses.xml so you can get all the stat-bonuses you want. Maybe the RaceConfig.xml too, if you want Custom Races to have more customisation points. You can find both files under Galactic Civilizations II - Ultimate Edition\Twilight\Data\English.

Editing the files is pretty simple. All you need is a text editor. However, I'd advise you to not edit the original files directly. Instead, make copies of them and place those in the Data sub-folder of a Mod-folder. The game comes with a Default Mod-folder, which you can use. The directory for the files would then read Galactic Civilizations II - Ultimate Edition\Mods\Default\Data. You can then edit the files in that location without having to worry about accidentally breaking something.

Reply #2 from GalCiv2 Forums Top

The official stance on this is that Stock Races should be stronger than Custom Races.

However this is only true for a few Stock Races, because the Custom Race is free to choose their Super Ability. In which case you pick Super Breeder which on its own is stronger than most Stock Races racial attributes. Super Hive or Super Diplomate can be also very strong if you just put the right strategy behind it.

I wouldn't overvalue the starting techs, because it's merely 200 RP and most can't be traded anyway because everybody will have it anyway after the 8 starting turns.

Sins of a Solar Empire II