The Big Deal Add-On for BattleTech Extended 3025-3061

Mods Battletech
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21

TBD has been updated to temporary patch 1.4.7. Nothing too fancy, everything fancy will be in 1.5, here is a list of current changes:
– In the WW episode, minor text edits were made to missions 2A and 1B, as well as to the starting conversation;
– In the MMRNR episode, mission 3A was changed, now Morgen and I have the same skill stats in the battle as when hired, the stats themselves have also been changed. Both tanks have been removed. Also made minor changes to conversation 4A;
– All FPs main files have been updated, a minor fix related to star systems;
– A bug has been fixed for all Spectors, their interface should now be displayed above them in battle, and not hang around somewhere nearby;
– Updated mod.json for CAC-C in the corresponding version;
– The CAC-C version also got a fix from the CAC-C itself for one of the star systems, which led to starmap failures during timeline changes;
– Updated SLRoyal Xotl table since new LAMs were added to CAC-C;
– Among the parts of LosTech 'Mechs that you can find in stores or FP crates, you may now find PXH-1B parts.

Just reinstall TBD as usual: delete the old version and put all of the folders of the new one in Mods.

22

TBD has been updated to version 1.4.7b. In version 1.4.7 there was a critical error related to the starmap, I apologize. Reinstall the mod as usual.

23

There have been reports that Win10 Defender has discovered Trojans in the cache of downloaded RARs. I didn’t find it there with the same defender with today’s updates, but all the ldownload links were updated just in case, and both versions 1.4.7b were repacked in ZIP.
Starting to think this version is cursed.

24

Another critical error was discovered, so TBD has been updated to version 1.4.7C. At the same time, all the folders were repacked from rar to zip – I mean, everything in general, not only the mod itself.
We’re waiting for 1.4.7D, I guess?
I express special thanks to Paulobrito for finding errors and Kierk for the solution.

25

And here comes 1.4.7.D. Fixed a bug with an excessive number of rewards in the WW episode.

26

And here is version 1.5. Here’s what’s new:
– A new flashpoint campaign, you can start it in Cadiz (DC), where the first episode appears from time to time. It’s not nearly as big as TBD, but you’ll still find tons of references, conversations, mini-bosses, and great loot. The campaign is designed for the early game phases: it will be quite difficult for a medium-light company, more or less ok for a medium company, for heavy 'Mechs it should be easy. TIME FOR SPITE AND VIOLENCE!
– Two new 'Mechs: Crab CRB-27sl and a new unique 'Mech that you can get as a reward for the campaign.
– A new Ronin you can hire. Or not hire, who knows but you?
– 5 new events, including one random one.
– 4 new logos for your company.
– Added new text descriptions for conversations in the campaign.
– TBD now uses the Extended Conversations mod. CWolf’s permission has been received.

Technical changes:
– The way of adding new factions and ammunition to the Rail Gun has been changed especially for Warenwolf (aka MRB). Now the BEX source files are not overwritten; instead, the corresponding code is “injected” through ModTek.
– The “Ruins” tag for all planets on the star map has finally been fixed, and this now works not only for a new career, but also for current saves. Many thanks to mcb for the scripts for this.
– Star systems are no longer overwritten during installation (except for Inner End, there was a typo that can only be corrected manually through overwriting).
– One new condition has been added to the “Oldtimer” event; now, in order to purchase Warhammer 6Rk from Bob Kurita, you will need to complete at least the first episode of the new campaign in any way. All previous launch conditions are also still in place.
– Slightly increased the chance of triggering the Crafty Hands event.
– Slightly changed Yang’s thoughts for Phoenix 4R.
– Fixed a typo in the list of rewards for the WW episode, branch B.
– Updated Xotl tables for SLRoyal.
– All custom tanks in flashpoints have had their tags slightly adjusted.
– The General you fight in the BS episode has been remade. No changes to the loadout, just a fix.
– Added a loader for the artillery turret in the TBD episode in the CAC-C version.
– Updated mod.json in the CAC-C version.
– Updated patch for compatibility with Solaris 7.
– Updated data for manual entry.
– The emergency zip has been updated in case new flashpoints break.
– In the flashpoint The Opportunist, the starting tag is disabled. This means that you can still play TBD, it’s just that this flashpoint will not respawn constantly, but after a while if you have other flashpoints.

I would like to express my gratitude to mcb, MRB and Kierk for technical assistance, Keivar for the general idea, Holda-volk for the work on fine-tuning the portraits, Lullbaby of me for the face of the main antagonist, and I would especially like to say thanks to Perry Chalmers for proofreading 33 pages of texts for the new campaign. And, of course, to everyone whom I might have forgotten to mention, but who in one way or another contributed to the release of TBD 1.5. You’re all cool and wonderful, you know?

If you are using the Solaris 7 mod, then before installing version 1.5, be sure to delete the Extended Conversations folder in your Mods – TBD 1.5 now uses this mod too, but a newer version.

ATTENTION: While version 1.5 is still save compatible and should run pretty well on the current BEX installation, I would still recommend doing a clean install due to changes to the star map and factions. Let me remind you that it’s not necessary to delete CAB when reinstalling all your mods, only BEX and other mods.

27

Well, two years since release, and it’s time for patch 1.5.1, but first, two important and not the best news.
First: unfortunately, you will have to install a new CAB for TBD 1.5.1 to work correctly. BEX version 1.9.3.7 didn’t support it, but this was fixed in the patch. With an outdated CAB or installed in the Legacy mode, you will NOT be able to complete TBD campaign; a new version of CAB is required. On the bright side, you’ll now be able to use all the new models being added to CAB.
Second: for no apparent reason, GitHub tells me to go to hell – I can’t log in there and I can’t even contact their technical support, because I don’t receive any damn verification codes. This means that as of April 14, 2024, GitHub is no longer the source of actual versions of TBD – well, at least until I can get there, and I have no idea when that will happen. What can I say – I hate verification codes.
Now here’s what’s new:
– Flashpoint “Spite and Violence” has an increased chance of spawning at the request of players. Perhaps it’s now even too high, so further adjustments are not excluded.
– Assault and almost all heavy 'Mechs except 60-ton ones have been removed from the possible rewards of “Spite and Violence”, but you can still get their parts as a reward in the FP crate. On the other hand, the list of light, medium and heavy 60-ton 'Mechs in possible rewards for this FP has been expanded.
– Replaced the unit icon for the Battle Budgies to make them look a little less wacky.
– I’ve been waiting for this for 2.5 years since the start of development of the Black Sabbath FP and it’s finally happened: Hammerhands got its own model, and it looks amazing. Thanks Shade for a great job done. The icon has also been replaced, and Hammerhands now finally uses its own affinity instead of the one shared with BattleAxe.
– In the Black Sabbath FP, Whistler now drives a modified Hammerhands instead of a JagerMech, as was originally intended during development.
– In the same episode, the first conversation was slightly edited, because Dieter and Yang could not help but react to a 'Mech like this.
– All Exterminators finally use their own model instead of the rescaled Assassin. Icons and affinities have also been updated. Thanks to Kierk for providing the files for this.
– Added model 4C Exterminator to both versions, the one that has the Null Signature System and Chameleon LPS. Used by WoB and ComStar. Thanks again to Kierk for providing the files.
– Added 5 new logos for your gang of mechwarriors.
– Added a patch from Kierk for compatibility of BEX with the new version of CAB.
– Updated Xotl table for SLRoyal.
– Updated data for manual entry.

Reinstall TBD in the usual way: delete the old folder and place the new one in your Mods directory. Don’t forget to add patches for Solaris or medical equipment after reinstallation if you need them.

28

I apologize, but in version 1.5.1 2 files were missing that are responsible for interaction with the new CAB. Mod updated to version 1.5.2, files returned, reinstall it as usual.

29

There was a typo in the new 'Mech for Whistler. The mod has been updated to version 1.5.2b, but if you have already updated to 1.5.2, you can simply drop this replacement file into the Mods\fps_TheBigDealBEXCE\chassis directory instead of full reinstall.
chassisdef_hammerhands_HMH-3D_WHI.json (5.4 KB)

30

TBD has been updated to version 1.6. At first, 3 warnings:

  1. UPDATE THE CAB BEFORE INSTALLING, OTHERWISE YOUR SAVES WILL NOT LOAD.
  2. If you have any Spector, put it in storage, preferably before installation, but possible after. When you update TBD, you can take it out from there and re-equip it again.
  3. I finally restored access to GitHub, so now there will be up-to-date versions again.
    Here’s what’s new with us:
    – A new campaign of 3 flashpoints, the difficulty is increasing. You can start it in the Raman system, this is the Davion world near the border with Kurita. Written by Hrothgar Heavenlight, edited by me, proofread by Perry Chalmers. Holda-volk worked on the new portraits.
    – 7 new BattleMechs – 4 Excaliburs and 3 Shoguns.
    – 1 new Ronin pilot.
    – 5 new events, one of them random.
    – 5 new emblems for your unit.
    – 1 unit of new unique equipment. Just like the Command Module from Dieter Anders or the TTS from Hyena, you can only get it once per career/campaign.
    – 1 new The Mackies album cover as bonus content.
    Fixes and edits:
    – Hella lot of text corrections. You’re unlikely to notice them – they’re mostly typos/incorrect characters, but they’re there.
    – Fixed actuators for all Stone Rhinos (again), Corsairs, Kyudos, CrossCuts, Spectors and some custom enemy 'Mechs. For both Spectors, the incorrect placement of the ECM systems has also been corrected.
    – The cost of all playable chassis added by TBD has been correctly recalculated.
    – Exterminator 4C has been removed from the СAС-C version. Don’t panic, it was just added to СAС-С directly, there’s no need to duplicate it.
    – Fixed missing Linesman model (now looks like Mauler), Duan Gung and Turhan APC got their own models. The Stone Rhino model has also been updated and looks great. Many thanks to Transient74 for fine-tuning it for BEX. Also updated icons and affinities for all of them except the APC.
    – Fixed CrossCuts, a lot of things were done wrong there. There are also internal fixes for the Kyudo chassis.
    – Fixed tags for Quickdraw 4H and Warhammer 6Rk. 6Rk has fallen in price by 100,000, so in the event for its purchase it costs a little less too. And now that specific 'Mech that Bob can sell you, when destroyed, drops parts of the standard 6Rk to avoid confusion.
    – Added missing Large Engine quirk for Rifleman 5CS.
    – RF2-A in the CAC version now has symmetrical hardpoints (thanks to Polyonymous for the report).
    – The Command Module that Dieter gives you now weighs 5 tons to make it slightly less OP. Testarossa, accordingly, has 2 less DHS.
    – Added a respawn fix for missions, now planets gutted to 0 instead of 0-2 missions should have up to 5 after a while. Thanks to Enabling for the code for this fix.
    – More enemies have been added to the Rat Race flashpoint.
    – The MMRNR FP has been significantly redesigned. The enemies are weaker, but since you are literally using the same Mackies all 4 missions, you won’t have full armor after mission 1.
    – in TBD campaign, the camera settings during conversations within missions have been edited.
    – The spawn frequency of Kyudo, Rifleman 2N, Crusader 1R, Wyvern 5Nsl, Pillager 1N and Thug 11Eb has been significantly reduced. Parts and assembled chassis of the RFL-2N and PLG-1N are no longer sold in stores.
    – Fixed missing commas in many castdefs, as well as Rider settings in the final episode of the S&V campaign.
    – Updated Xotl tables, added new LAMs from CAC-C, Excalibur B1 and Shogun 2H.
    – Updated the BTAdditionalDificultyOptions mod to work correctly in 1.6 (thanks mcb, this code has been waiting in the wings for 2 years).
    – Updated mod.json for CAC-C in the appropriate version, compatibility patch for Solaris 7, emergency files and info for manual input.
    Special thanks to Kierk for providing the Expansion Pack resources.
31

TBD has been updated to version 1.6.1.
ATTENTION! UPDATE THE CAB BEFORE INSTALLING, OTHERWISE YOUR SAVES WILL NOT LOAD.

– Added a bunch of fixes from Kierk:

  1. The stability of all Excaliburs and their quirks have been adjusted, the role has been changed to skirmisher AND sniper. An additional ballistic hardpoint has been added to the C1 model.
  2. Changed melee damage for all Shoguns, fixed missing buff to hit chance. Shoguns also now use the Urban Combatant affinity.

– Fixed missing buff to the melee hit chance for all of the Hammerhands 'Mechs.
– The 4D and 5D Riflemen now use the same built-in rangefinder as the 2N model.
– Naginata and Kyudo got their own models, icons and affinities.

32

Patch 1.6.2 for TBD is now available.
WARNING! UPDATE CAB BEFORE INSTALLING, OTHERWISE YOUR SAVES WILL NOT LOAD!
Edits and fixes:
– The non-CAC version should now work fine – some changes were made to the Kyudo model, which previously caused problems with launching without using the CU code. Thanks to the CAB team for the fix.
– Slightly changed the hardpoints of both Kyudo chassis.
– Fixed the custom Helepolis in TBD campaign (Mr. Crowley, Black Sabbath episode). Fix provided by Kierk.
– Striker got its own model (thanks to Transient74), affinity and icon (thanks to Kierk).
– Updated Xotl tables.
– Updated manual input data.

33

Hallo and thank you very much for your work!

I played BattleTech Extended a while ago and am thinking about replaying it again.
Was very glad to discover your mod, especially since the BT Extended does not seem to get updates anymore.
This said, I also discovered the “Flashpoints from the Inner Sphere” mod which can also be used with BT Extended. Since I like extra Flashpoints but do want to avoid compatibility issues I wanted to ask you if you know if this mod is compatible with yours or not.
Thank you in advance and again my honest appreciation for your work!

34

Flashpoints of the Inner Sphere is fully compatible with TBD, no worries about that. I have both mods connected in parallel, everything works fine. Besides, part of the code was reworked at the request of MRB, the author of FPotIS, to eliminate conflicts between mods :slightly_smiling_face:
BT Extended is currently in the process of being updated, but there’s no release date yet.

35

Thank you very much for your swift answer!
Then I am going to get everything installed and unto the breach once again it goes!

Wish you a nice rest of Sunday.

36

A small warning for all TBD users. BattleTech Extended 2.0 beta has been released. The current version of TBD, 1.6.2, is NOT compatible with it. Of course, TBD will be adapted to the new version of BEX, but only with the release of a new release version.

1 Like
37

Well, 'Mechs, absurdity and rock’n’roll are back. TBD has been updated for version 1.6.3. There are now two versions: the old one for BEX 1.9.3.7 and the new one for BEX 2.0. The first one is unlikely to be updated ever again, while the second one is now the main version.
Version for BEX 1.9.3.7:
UPDATE THE CAB BEFORE INSTALLING, OTHERWISE YOUR SAVES WILL NOT LOAD.
– Fixed incorrect cost of WVE-5Nsl parts in CAC-C version, thanks to Kierk for pointing it.
– Mercury got its own model, icon and affinity, as well as a fix for Yang’s comment for the 98 model from Haree. If you have any Mercury, make sure to put it in the storage before installing the update.
– Added 3 new emblems for your mercenary unit.
– Added PDF with old description.
Version for BEX 2.0.0.2:
– The mod has been lightened by 26 chassis (ARC-5CS, BKX-7K/7NC, EXC-B2/B2b/C1, HMH-3D/4D, KSC-3I/3L/4I/4L, KY2-D-02, MAD-5CS, PXH-1bC, PLG-3Z, RFL-5CS, SHG-2E/2F, SPR-4F, WHM-6Rk/7CS, BWP-2B/2E/BWP-3A) and fixes for the Hospital, star map, Hell of a Deal event, mission respawn and some others. But this is a reason for joy – all this is now present in the basic BEX.
– Added 3 new emblems for your mercenary unit.
– All extinct chassis except Kyudo model 01 can no longer be encountered in battles (except special enemies). But they and their parts can still be obtained if pirates are your friends.
– Corsairs are now only encountered starting from 3035.
– TBD campaign is now limited to a timeline from April 3034 to April 3056.
– Changed enemies in the mission with the RF2-A test drive.
– Some special enemies were armed with Inferno SRMs in the CAC version. Now they are armed with them in the base version as well. Get a fire extinguisher, ha-ha.
– Updated Xotl tables.
– Updated data for manual input.
– Mod description updated.

1 Like
38

In the Black Sabbath flashpoint, when opting to help Hyena, the map after the second consecutive drop (you kill two support lances and then re-drop to kill Priest - that map) did not work for me. The map loaded, the camera panned to the kill target I suppose and stayed there. Then the game became semi responsive: I could click stuff but no feedback from the interface, no dialogue pop ups you usually get at the beginning of the mission. Even in debug mode, pressing kill all would work and kill all enemies but complete mission would not work, the game was just unresponsive. Clicking on the settings menu would do nothing and had to alt-F4 out. Tried a few times with different game settings as well.

I had similar behaviour when BEX Tactics came out and BSK-MAZ chassis was broken, would get the same effect when trying to assemble it. Maybe one of the mechs used in that mission has something wrong with their chassis def ?

I had to opt to not helped Hyena and everything worked just fine after that.

Thank you for the mod, it is fantastic. I don’t like the consecutive drops because they take so long and I don’t have much free time but otherwise, I can appreciate the effort and love that has gone into it and all I have to say is congratulations and thank you again.

Oh, fresh install of BEX Tactics and TBD as soon as it came out, no other mods.

39

Figured it out. Made a mistake when replacing movedefs for 2.0 and damaged the chassisdef of one of the special tanks, which is found only in this mission. I’ll fix it today, you can replay and help Hyena, if you want.

40

I forgot to post the patch note yesterday, and today another patch was released.

Version 1.6.3b:
– The new Inferno SRMs have been found to be working incorrectly in tank ammo racks, so they’re disabled for now, but they’re still there in some 'Mechs and should work fine there. Thanks to Demuder for pointing out the problem.
– Minor fixes to custom tanks in campaigns.
– Mod description updated.

Version 1.6.3c:
– Fixed missing names for 10 custom tanks.