Doc 2

We know, the Great Battles scenario editor is not the most stable programming creation on the market -- not by a long shot. It can be extremely frustrating to spend time meticulously creating a map and units, and then have the game refuse to play because some unit isn't working right. Now that we've had a chance to mess with it for awhile, we identified a good number of problems, and even came across temporary solutions. If you have something to add to this list, please drop me a line at: jeff@wargamer.com.

Problem	Work Around

Game crashes when unit graphic is changed, especially leaders.	Copy an existing unit that already has the graphic you want to use, then edit the name and stats to reflect what you need. I suspect this might solve many unit related problems.
Game refuses to load in GBCE shell.	According to Wayne, this might occur if your map is exceptionally complex. I have also traced this problem to the deployment of Pontine chariots - don't use them.
Game crashes in GBCE shell and the editor.	Sometimes the game loses track of deleted or moved units. This problem is most easily identified by leaders that won't delete, even if all subordinate units have been removed. The best solution is to reload the map and redeploy the units.
Scenario info box truncates entries.	Use this box for sparse info, and do not attempt to format it. Include significant data in design document.
Can't edit existing scenario.	You can only edit those created with the editor. You cannot edit the battles that come with the games.
Can't play downloaded scenario.	Scenarios are posted in packed format (.PSF). Go into the editor, select FILE \| UNPACK, then select the PSF file (make sure you download to the DATA directory).
Double sized infantry units deploy as single-hex units.	Use phalanx units or multiple infantry units.
Group move does not end leader turn.	Play by the rules and don't cheat! Select one target hex for the leader in the group move, order adjacent attacks if available and desired, then end turn immediately. Under no circumstances are you to move again.
When selecting leader for elite initiative on the first turn, the elite leader is always chosen regardless of the leader selected.	This appears to happen when the host is NOT the player with the elite initiative. Have the player with elite initiative host the game.

1. Create map and save under a different name. If the scenario crashes, redeploying units is usually a fairly quick procedure, creating the map is not.

2. Every time you go back to the editor and change a scenario you are working on, save it under a different file name, and remember to change the name listed in the Scenario Information screen (this is the name that displays in the game shell). The ability to roll back to a working copy should a later version become corrupt is a life saver. It will also help track down various bugs -- remember to report them to us if you find a new one. When your scenario is finished and working properly, you can delete all of the backups. Don't forget to rename the scenario file and information data to reflect the actual scenario name.

3. Clone and reconfigure units when possible. Using the "Create New Unit" option seems to introduce an inordinate share of bugs. The last scenario I designed consisted entirely of cloned units -- and did not crash at all during setup or play.

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