Blacksmith FAQ
Are you having problems with a scenario you have downloaded? Don't know how to properly use and install them? Got a problem with ModPacks, or a scenario design question? If so, you have come to the right place. This FAQ is maintained by Angel Aro, and contains content contributed by Angel Rasher and former Angel Tyrael.
Be sure to check out the Scenario Design How-To's as well.Table of Contents
Download Questions
What is a .ZIP file?
A .ZIP file is an archive of several files. .ZIP files are used to compress a group of files' size. Players have less to download in the AoKH Blacksmith when compressed .ZIP files are available, rather than 10 separate, scattered, and unorganized files. All downloads at AoKH are .ZIP files. Download WinZIP if you wish to extract the files secured within our .ZIP downloads.
Why doesn't the file I downloaded from the Blacksmith show up when I attempt to run a custom scenario or custom campaign?
Make sure you have extracted the scenario from the .ZIP file you downloaded. Furthermore, check to see if your download is a .SCN or .CPN file. If it's a .SCN file, place it in your "Age of Empires II\Scenario" folder. If it's a .CPN file, place it in your "Age of Empires II\Campaign" folder. To run a .SCN file, launch AoK and go to Single Player -> Standard Game -> Scenario. To run a .CPN file, launch AoK and go to Single Player -> Custom Campaign.
Where do I place .TXT and .DOC files that I extract?
.TXT and .DOC files are usually ReadMe files that the author provided. They usually provide installation instructions and credits. They don't have to go anywhere. Extract them into your common "My Documents" folder or anywhere else you prefer. Be sure to read them before asking the author any questions that could be answered in the .TXT or .DOC.
Where do I place .SCN files that I extract?
.SCN files are scenario files. Place all .SCN files into your "Age of Empires II\Scenario" folder. To run them, launch AoK and go to Single Player -> Standard Game -> Scenario.
Where do I place .CPN files that I extract?
.CPN files are campaign files. Place all .CPN files into your "Age of Empires II\Campaign" folder. To run them, launch AoK and go to Single Player -> Custom Campaign.
Where do place .AI files that I extract?
.AI files are artificial intelligence files. Place all .AI files into your "Age of Empires II\AI" folder.
Where do I place .MP3 and .WAV files that I extract?
.WAV and .MP3 files are sound files. Place all .MP3 and .WAV files into your "Age of Empires II\Sound\Scenario" folder.
Where do I place .AVI files that I extract?
.AVI files are movie files. They are rarely found in scenarios due to their difficulty to create. However, if you find a scenario or campaign with one, place it in the "Age of Empires II\AVI" folder.
Where do I place .AKS files that I extract?
.AKS files are ModPack files. They can be placed anywhere. Just make sure you remember where they are, because when you with to use a ModPack, you must execute its .AKS file. You may need to install MPS Studio for this to function correctly.
What directory do I save my downloaded .ZIP files to?
Anywhere you want. It is not the .ZIP file's location that is important, but it is the content of the .ZIP file's lcoation this is important. Save a .ZIP file to any location, just remember where it is so that you can extract it when you wish to play the scenario inside.
Scenario Design Questions
How do I get units from Age of Empire I into my Age of Empire II Scenario?
Not every AoE Scenario can be placed in an AoK Scenario. However, with some hacking, the AoK scenario design community found a few. Using the "Map Copy" feature in the scenario editor, you can copy and paste some units from Angel Rasher's New Units and Objects Scenario Template.
What is a trigger?
This is to every scenario designer out there. But once they have found the answer, their entire view of creating scenarios and campaigns is changed. Triggers are basically cause-and-effect sequences. With a trigger, you can specify what you want to happen and when. For a basic tutorial on what each of the trigger can do, check out the Trigger Tutorial.
How do I create a trigger?
Once you open up the scenario editor, there are several tabs towards the top of the screen. Click on the one titled "triggers." This will bring up the trigger section.
What is a trigger condition?
Triggers are cause-and-effect sequences. To set the "cause" of this sequence, you would use a trigger condition.
What is a trigger effect?
Triggers are cause-and-effect sequences. To set the "effect" of this sequence, you would use a trigger effect.
Can I modify a unit's armor or attack range?
Nope.
When I use a trigger to change a unit's name, it still doesn't work! Why is this?
This is a very annoying bug. Delete the unit that you want to have a modified name. Now relocate the change name trigger (it should be red now) and reselect the targeted unit. This should fix the problem. Sometimes you have to close and reopen the editor for this to work, however.
How do I use a custom AI in my scenario?
Towards the top of the editor, there are several tabs. One of these tabs is entitled "Players." Click on it to bring up the Player Section of the editor. In the bottom right it says "Personality." If you want the player to just build-and-destroy like a standard game, keep the AI on "Standard." But if you want to use your own AI, make sure your AI is in the "Age of Empires II\AI" folder and choose that AI in the player's personality slot.
How does an AI goal apply to my scenario?
AI goals change the behavior of a computer player in the course of a scenario. For example, say an AI's first and initial goal (Goal 1) was to remain defensive and never attack. And then lets say its second goal (Goal 2) was to pump out some offensive units and attack. Well when you reach a certain point in a scenario, you might want to create a trigger to raise the difficulty and activate the second AI goal (Goal 2). Thus, the computer will begin attacking your army.
Why doesn't the introduction messages (Instructions, Hints, History, Scouts, etc.) come up before I play my scenario?
There are two possible reasons for this. First, you are "testing" the map, not running it through Single Player -> Standard Game -> Scenario. Second, you never provided any instructions. If there is nothing to show, the intro scene won't appear without any information. Instead, It will be skipped all together.
How do I add and/or remove mission objects to my scenario?
If you want to create a new mission objective, follow the model:
TRIGGER: "Objective: Destroy all Enemies." Objective, On. Start, Off. Loop, Off. CONDITION: [whenever you want this to happen] EFFECTS: None
When this trigger is activated, the objective will appear in the objective box. To remove it, simply deactivate that trigger.
I cannot seem to get my scenario in the blacksmith reviewed... is there an easier way?
Sure there is. Leave a request at the Reviewing Thread in the Scenario Design forum. They will be sure to review it ASAP.
How do I add and/or remove mission objectives to my scenario?
If you want to create a new mission objective, follow the instructions below:
TRIGGER: "Objective: Destroy all Enemies." Objective, On. Start, Off. Loop, Off.
CONDITION: [whenever you want this to happen] EFFECTS: None
When this trigger is activated, the objective will appear in the objective box. To remove it, simply deactivate that trigger.
