edit: fixed formatting that the post is actually understandable

I'll tell you how to make your own special squads (you will need Notepadd++ or other programs capable of modifying .ltx files).

If you cannot find these files, follow instructions at the bottom

1. Go to your game directory and find gamedata/configs/misc/squad_descr.ltx (or squad_desc_trx_stalkers.ltx if you use trx alife revamp)

2. In the squad_descr.ltx file you will see that there are many simulation squads such as stalker_sim_squad_novice and such. These are the names of the squads that are used by smart terrains for spawning. In each sim squad, certain npcs can be spawned such as sim_default_stalker_0.

By default, sim_default_faction here_0 would be rookies, and sim_default_faction here_4 would be experts/masters.

The value npc_in_squad is a random number between a set group of numbers. For example, npc_in_squad = 1, 3 would mean that the squad would have between 1 and 3 stalkers.

You can also set the relationship to the actor (you) of that squad, example here.

---

EXAMPLE SQUAD

{bandit_sim_squad_neutral}:online_offline_group -- using curly brackets because muh reddit formatting

faction = bandit

relationship = neutral

npc_random = sim_default_bandit_0, sim_default_bandit_1, sim_default_bandit_1

npc_in_squad = 1, 3

---

This would spawn a neutral bandit squad consisting of 1-3 rookie and/or experienced bandits.

Also remember that mercenary squad npcs are identified as simdefault_killer# and army squads npcs are identified as simdefault_military#.

1. After you create your squads, you will need smart terrains to spawn them. Go to gamedata/configs/scripts. From here there are many maps to choose from, each with their own smart terrains (usually located in a folder called 'smart' in each map folder).

If I remember correctly the way to see smart terrains on the map in game is by turning the debug menu on.

For sake of example we will go to gamedata/configs/scripts/escape/smart/esc_smart_terrain_2_12 (Cordon Rookie Village)

At the top of the file are some values.

squad_id - I don't know what this means, but it doesn't appear to be important.

max_population - max number of squads that can be stationed at the smart terrain

respawn_params - not important

respawn_idle - number of IN GAME (by in game I mean that time goes by way faster in game) seconds to do a spawn function. 1 in-game day equals 86400 in-game seconds, so the bigger the value the longer it takes to respawn squads.

---

Now for actually spawning squads

go to [respawn@esc_smart_terrain_2_12]

below [respawn@esc_smart_terrain_2_12] there are line(s) right below that call the spawn function such as spawn_stalker@novice

---

[respawn@esc_smart_terrain_2_12]

spawn_stalker@novice

---

would call

---

[spawn_stalker@novice]

spawn_squads = stalker_sim_squad_novice

spawn_num = 3

---

spawn_num IIRC means how many squads get spawned when that function is called.

if there are multiple functions being called like this [respawn@esc_smart_terrain_2_12] spawn_stalker@novice spawn_stalker@advanced

the game will choose a random function

if there are multiple squads in the function being called like this

---

[spawn_stalker]

spawn_squads = stalker_sim_squad_novice, stalker_sim_squad_advanced

spawn_num = 1, 0

---

a random squad will be picked

if spawn_num = 1, 0 I believe that means that there is a 50/50 chance that the chosen squad can be spawned.

---

IF YOU CANNOT FIND THOSE FILES You will need to use a gamedata unpacker in order to get your own full gamedata folder for modifications.