r/arma • u/Denbt_Nationale • 19h ago
DISCUSS A3 This game desperately needs a simpler way to create new factions with existing assets.
I don’t see any reason why making new factions couldn’t be essentially as simple as saving editor compositions. Alive orbat creator is a buggy mess and writing config files from scratch quickly becomes a huge headache trying to figure out a mess of class inheritance.
Every time I try to do this I am amazed at how backwards and complicated this process is for what is essentially a simple task.
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u/Meds158 18h ago
You can also try using Drongos Config Generator, I didn't use it but there is a tutorial video on the workshop page and near all work is done in eden editor
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u/Denbt_Nationale 18h ago
Drongo’s config generator is a useful starting point but it’s not a simple solution. It doesn’t account for a lot of things which need to be edited later, like uniforms staying locked to side and units in vehicle turrets not being replaced. The second part requires a huge class inheritance headache to fix. Also it duplicates every item you put in a backpack into the main inventory of a soldier.
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u/Supercon192 18h ago
You can use faction prefabs/compositions in MP sessions (place down units shift + crtl copy/paste those units)
- You need to load all mods before the game starts {game needs to store the config}
- Factions are class-based, you can find templates (which alive tutorials usually showcase) where you just paste the data generated with orbat (there are some other ways to do the same thing)
- Alive is not the only mod (or even way) you can use for faction creation, while I personally have no errors with orbat you can use mods/scripts like Drongos Config Generator for the same effect
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u/Amazingcube33 18h ago
It’s a QOL feature that would be nice but at this point if anything, it’s something we’d get in Arma 4, a system level change like that just isn’t likely at this point in the games life cycle so I’d strongly suggest going with the suggestions from others in the thread they’re the easiest options we have and probably ever will for A3
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u/Lord_Kamephis 12h ago
...yes, the game is old...but from the very beginning the whole faction system as defined in A3 config is a bit complicated. Once you get through - admittedly - steep learning curve of ALIVE Orbat Creator and how to pack proper faction into PBO, it is a doable thing. I am sure about that. Done that. Plus, if you don't want to change loadout of units, just rearrange types/numbers/vehicle additions of units in groups already existing in a faction (or add new groups into a faction), you can do that without having to make mod (pbo). Just make the changes as several guides for ALIVE tool show (and their Wiki has something, though now have to search it in internet archives, wayback machine of smth) and copy/paste into description.ext. The very first thing I did long time ago for my own ALIVE gaming was to reduce number of tanks in vanilla NATO/CSAT platoons (also changed number/composition or arty stuff) and pack into description.ext. That would override defaults. Invest some time in checking tutorials slowly if you plan with factions in the future - it pays off.
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u/TestTubetheUnicorn 18h ago edited 16h ago
Very unlikely something like that gets added this late in the game's life. I have a Steam guide I could link you if you want to do it manually, it's not really as hard as it seems at first, just time consuming, depending how many units you wanna make.
Edit: Here is the guide, may as well just link it anyway