Extend Blocks

An Extend block defines a new entry that starts as a copy of an existing one. Only the differences go in the block.

<Type>Extend <NewName> <ParentName>
  ; keys or nuggets that differ from the parent
End

Rules for every Extend

• The parent must be loaded first: above the Extend in the same file, or in a file the game loads earlier.
• The copy is taken at load. Editing the parent's block changes every entry that extends it.
• An extended entry can itself be a parent, so chains work.
• An Extend with an empty body is an exact copy under a new name.

Block	File	What the child changes
ArmorExtend	Armor.ini	Damage type values, set or multiplied
LocomotorExtend	Locomotor.ini	Any Locomotor key
WeaponExtend	Weapon.ini	Any Weapon key
ObjectExtend	Object INIs	Keys, modules, WeaponSet, ArmorSet
ObjectCreationListExtend	ObjectCreationList.ini	Adds nuggets after the parent's
FXListExtend	FXList.ini	Adds nuggets after the parent's
ParticleSystemExtend	ParticleSystem.ini	Any ParticleSystem key

Armor.ini

• ArmorExtend <NewArmor> <ParentArmor>Copies every damage coefficient of the parent.
• Armor = <DamageType> <Percent>Sets one damage type.
• ArmorMult = <DamageType> <Percent>Multiplies the inherited value, e.g. 50% halves it.

ArmorExtend TruckArmorNukeUpgraded TruckArmor
  Armor = RADIATION 0%
  Armor = POISON    37%
End

Notes

• Armor = DEFAULT resets every damage type, wiping the inherited values. List it first if the child needs a new default, then the types that differ from it.
• A missing parent is an INI error.
• Contra's Armor.ini names the parent in the header instead of the old ;Base armor is comment.

Locomotor.ini

• LocomotorExtend <NewLocomotor> <ParentLocomotor>Copies every Locomotor key.

LocomotorExtend CrusaderFastLocomotor CrusaderLocomotor
  Speed        = 40
  SpeedDamaged = 30
End

Notes

• A missing parent asserts in debug builds. Release builds skip the block, so the new locomotor does not exist.

Weapon.ini

• WeaponExtend <NewWeapon> <ParentWeapon>Copies every Weapon key.

WeaponExtend Chem_HindRocketPodWeapon HindRocketPodWeapon
  ProjectileDetonationOCL = Chem_OCL_PoisonFieldSmall
End

Notes

• A missing parent asserts in debug builds. Release builds skip the block, so the new weapon does not exist.

Object INIs

• ObjectExtend <NewObject> <ParentObject>Copies keys and modules.
• RemoveModule <ModuleTag>Drops one inherited module.
• A WeaponSet or ArmorSet in the child replaces all inherited sets of that kind.

ObjectExtend ZExtendedTank Chem_GLAVehicleRadarVan
  ButtonImage = SNHacker2
  RemoveModule ModuleTag_Stealth
  WeaponSet
    Conditions = None
    Weapon     = PRIMARY Tank_InfernoCannonGun
  End
End

Notes

• Full reference with module replacement: Objects & Modules.

ObjectCreationList.ini

• ObjectCreationListExtend <NewList> <ParentList>Runs every nugget of the parent, then the nuggets in its own block.

ObjectCreationListExtend OCL_CHINAInfPowerPlantExplode OCL_ChPt1_Base
  CreateDebris
    ModelNames  = ChPt88
    Offset      = X:23 Y:8 Z:70
    Mass        = 10.0
    Count       = 1
    Disposition = SEND_IT_FLYING
  End
End

Notes

• Nuggets only add. An inherited nugget cannot be changed or removed; to drop one, write the list as a plain ObjectCreationList.
• Naming the list itself as parent appends nuggets to it.
• A missing parent asserts in debug builds, and the block loads without it.
• Inherited nuggets create their objects first. The first object created is the one modules like CreateObjectDie and OCLSpecialPower act on, so keep a list's key object in its own block or at the start of its parent.

FXList.ini

• FXListExtend <NewList> <ParentList>Plays every nugget of the parent, then the nuggets in its own block.

FXListExtend FX_AmericaWarFactoryDeathFinal FX_StructureExplosionSmoke_Base
  ViewShake
    Type = STRONG
  End
  Sound
    Name = BuildingDie
  End
End

Notes

• Nuggets only add. An inherited nugget cannot be changed or removed.
• Naming the list itself as parent appends nuggets to it.
• A missing parent asserts in debug builds, and the block loads without it.
• Nuggets stay in memory until the game exits, as ObjectCreationList nuggets always have. Redefining an FXList, for example in a map.ini, keeps the old nuggets, so each map load that redefines lists adds a little memory.

ParticleSystem.ini

• ParticleSystemExtend <NewSystem> <ParentSystem>Copies every key of the parent. Keys in the block override the copied values.

ParticleSystemExtend TEXplosive23PurpleBig TEXplosive23RedBig
  Color1 = R:160 G:60 B:220 0
  Color2 = R:90 G:30 B:140 25
End

Notes

• A key left out takes the parent's value, not the default. Set it explicitly to get the default back.
• Keep Type, VelocityType and VolumeType the same as the parent's, or restate every key of the new type. The velocity and volume keys of different types share storage.
• A missing parent asserts in debug builds, and the block loads without it.
• Saving from the in-game particle editor writes every system back in full and drops the Extend form.

Base lists in Contra's INIs

Lists that only exist to be extended end in _Base, e.g. OCL_GXMammoth_D01_Base or FX_StructureExplosionSmoke_Base. Each holds a nugget set that several lists share, such as a building's debris pieces.

• Editing a _Base list changes every list built on it.
• To give one list a different version of a shared nugget, move that list off the base and write its nuggets out in full.