Defines.txt

Defines.txt is a file in the Common folder and defines most of the constants that usually are hardcoded. This means that you have the option to change these values as well. We will not go into a full discussion on all the values here yet, but will list a few examples:

Example contents

   -0.01 #_EDEF_MERCHANT_ANTI_STAGNATION_

This is the amount by which stagnation is reduced by every merchant sent to a center of trade. It's a one-time effect, applied on arrival, regardless of whether the merchant is successful at competing. The value here is identical to the one used in-game, so the default -0.01 means every merchant reduces stagnation by exactly 0.01. So it takes 10 merchants to get the lowest visible change of 0.1. Greater negative values can be used to combat stagnation at CoTs that get competition. CoTs that are accessible by 4 or less nations (3 or less after monopolies are unlocked) do not get competition, as there are enough slots available for everyone to send the maximum number of merchants without competing.

   50 #_EDEF_COT_STAGNATION_LIMIT_

This is the stagnation value at which a center of trade gets automatically closed. The value here is identical to the one visible in-game. Higher values can be used to keep stagnating CoTs operational for longer, and lower values will weed them out more quickly.

   1000 #GARRISON_SIZE

This defines the garrison size added for each fort level. If you wish to play without forts, you could try setting this to 0.

   1.0  #MDEF_INFANTRY_SPEED_,
   1.0  #_MDEF_CAVALRY_SPEED_,
   0.75 #_MDEF_ARTILLERY_SPEED_,

Here we have the movement speed for the three main unit classes. You can change the ratio between them and make them faster/slower.

   2.0  #_MDEF_MERCENARY_MAINTENANCE_

This defines the maintenance cost for mercenaries. By default they are twice the cost of regular troops.

   50   #_CDEF_CORE_LOSE_,				//50
   50   #_CDEF_CORE_GAIN_,				//50

This defines the year limits on dynamic cores, how long you will keep a core before losing it and how long you must hold a province to gain a core.

   1000	#_DDEF_DEFENDER_OF_FAITH_COST_

This defines the Defender of faith cost. By default they are 1000.

Modding defines

The defines, unlike many other files in EU3, are relatively easy to understand. Although caution is still required, and it may be necessary to ask on the forums before change, a lot of the lines in the file can be easily deciphered.

You can usually just ignore the CDEF or DDEF and one must be careful not to get confused, weather the value is months, years or days.

Common folder