Help modding weapon proficiencies on Recon class. Thread - MISERY mod for S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Call of Pripyat

Hey guys,

Searched through the forum and found a few threads touching the subject but not really fully shedding light on how it is done properly so thought I'd see if I could get a thorough tutorial on how to accomplish this.

Basically I play exclusively Recon with no interest in playing any other class, and I've always felt that having the choice between a semi automatic pistol calibre weapon and a selective fire pistol calibre weapon was a little bland and unusual for the Recon class and I don't use cut down assault rifles since I feel I'm playing an Assaulter.

Essentially, I want to modify the files in Misery to allow for Recon to have high shotgun proficiency so I have the option of a CQC burst style weapon to add some flavour to the game. I have tried copy and pasting both text files and weapons files in the "Class_Diversity" folder, and even pasting the entire "gamedata" folder from the Sniper and Assaulter's area to see if any changes have happened, all resulting in no changes to either text description or perceptive feel to the weapons, which obviously means I'm missing something when it comes to modifying the proficiencies.

Was wondering if any of you guys have successful experience modding weapon proficiencies, and if you would be kind enough to offer a tutorial on how to do it. I'm sure others would be grateful in helping them play in their ideal style as well. Thanks in advance for your comments!

Several things are tied with weapon behaviour.

Text files have no influence at all, except notes that gives you a clue if some weapon have low/medium/high proficience.

Weapon config files deals mostly with damage and bullet dispersion when you fire from weapon.

Thing that you probabloy missed is camera effects - visual representation in game how weapon behave when it is fired. It is dealed with actor_effects_data.script

That file can't be just copy-pasted from one class to another. You need to edit that file and change part for specific weapon. You can copy-paste same part of file from another class. Otherwise, you will just play as sniper or assaulter class, despite game still think you have chosen recon class.

Keep in mind that changes to actor_effects_data.script require starting new game, otherwise data from older save before you edit that file might be corrupted.

On side note, you might not even need to change anything. You can use any weapon with Recon as any other class, despite that description say you have low proficience with it. You will get a bit more recoil camera effect than if you use same weapon with other class, you might need to wait a bit longer between shots, to get better aim of target, but weapon still can be dangerous to enemy if used properly.

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Copying the specific weapons from the sniper class diversity folder into your recon weapons folder (after you have already started and saved a recon game) will give you most of the advantages. The st_items_weapons file will give you the descriptions, The camera effects may effect the appearance, but AFAIK it's the individual weapon config file which makes the bullets have more or less dispersion, recoil, etc.

I only play sniper and rarely use shotguns myself. They are loud, have terrible recoil, and pitiful magazine capacities. I'll take a medium proficiency weapon with a large magazine and AP rounds any day. The differences between medium and high ability are negligible. Mutants are easily avoided, clean food is plentiful enough, and a double tap handles most NPC's quietly (important for recon). I have no trouble handling the unavoidable mutant with AP rounds. Yes, it costs more for a kill, but you don't have to kill that many unless you want to. Late in the game the KSVK makes a great one-shot hunting rifle if you just want to clear an open area before traversing it Even recon need to have some fun

I would not even bother with st_items_weapons file. It will call your normally high prof recon weapons something else and just sniper high prof weapons high. You will know which weapons you copy over from Sniper, just use those weapons.

Edited by: jasper34

Hey guys,

Thanks for the timely and helpful responses as always. Changing "actor_effects_data.script" to include Sniper shotgun camera effects as suggested by Kcs123, along with having to change classes in game for the changes to take effect, resolved all the issues I was having with getting it to work. Initially when I swapped the weapons files, I didn't realise I had to actually change class, so that it would load from another class's folder and therefore update the new information from the altered files. It took a friend to tell me that he had encountered this before and that it was all I needed to get it to work and to my joy it did. So now I not only have high shotgun proficiency for my Recon class, but I also have all the text and camera animations working perfectly.

While I understand that it wasn't necessary to do all this, it was vital to eliminate aspects that were immersion breaking for me personally. I couldn't take the game seriously on a shotgun only play through, playing a close quarters combatant that lacked full proficiency in a close quarters weapon, so it needed to be fixed. I also enjoy playing with a faithful shooter play style, so when I salvage a crappy shooter and stick with it for the entire game, I want my avatar to feel like it is a weapon he has mastered. And unfortunately I'm one of those people that when I see medium listed under proficiency, even if it technically functions at high proficiency, it aesthetically looks like an eyesore which again is another aspect that chews into my immersion. I guess everyone has their nails on a chalkboard experience and I'm just glad to have completely eliminated it.

Obviously if I wanted to play with a long range weapon I would play a sniper for immersion reasons, but I'm more of an up close and personal, duck and weave kind of gunslinger that likes using trash tier gear, so while it seems picky this was absolutely vital for my enjoyment and I am very grateful to you guys taking the time to help me out.

I'd like the chance to give back for the help you guys have given me, so if anyone reading this thread expresses an interest in a step by step guide on how to change proficiencies, then I'll gladly take the time to detail all the steps. Once again, thanks for the help guys, you've been great!