I discovered a deck limitation in DotP 2014

[GamerXYZ0]

It appears DotP 2014 doesn't allow more user decks than a certain unknown amount (didn't test what this exact amount is, but my guess is that it's 15 to accomodate the expansion, to be increased before the deck packs are released). If you let the game have more decks, it crashes on the "Ignite your spark" deck. I know that it allows at least 11 (didn't test for more), and doesn't allow at least 20 (didn't test for less).

Note that I really mean decks that appear for you, the player. Unplayable decks don't matter.

[RiiakShiNal]

This only seems to be the case with the Skidrow crack, the 3DM crack (posted in sumomole's thread) seems to work fine even with 24 "user" decks (34 decks total, not counting sealed). I haven't tested with the Steam version (I'm keeping it unmodded for the moment) so I don't know if it crashes or not (though going by what sumomole said about "trying all versions", I would assume it doesn't).

[GamerXYZ0]

Really? Well, in that case it's time to ditch SKIDROW's version. I have already been affected by way too many bugs.

It does seem the 3DM crack keeps pestering me with "a possible change in downloadable content has been detected" whenever I start up, but that's well worth for having some modding freedom without running into problem after problem.

[RiiakShiNal]

I just did a test on the Steam version and it suffers from the same problem as the Skidrow version, it crashes when there are too many decks (exact same test set as I did for 3DM and Skidrow versions). So it looks like the only true usable crack for us at the moment is the 3DM crack.

Way to go WotC & Stainless, you made the game even more unstable. You guys are going to drive people to the cracked versions just so they can play the decks they want to.

[GrovyleXShinyCelebi]

Wait, is the limitation max 15 user-made decks or 15 decks total (including 10 ingame)? And is a way to fix it for Steam and SKIDROW version viable?

[GamerXYZ0]

15 decks total, including the game's own decks. Note that the number 15 is merely a hunch: it could just as well be smaller or bigger (I just assume 15, as it allows more than 10, so my guess is that the limit's big enough to allow the expansion). No idea about a fix.

[RiiakShiNal]

On the Skidrow version the game appears to crash with 9 added decks making the limit 8 "user" decks (18 decks total).

Is it just me or does this seem familiar to the number of deck configurations stored in DotP 2013 (excluding the last one or two Steam updates for it)?

[GrovyleXShinyCelebi]

OH... MY... GOD...
I was afraid of this...

I was going to make 11 decks total, and I've already coded in the first 5 and am already working on number 6. I'm using SKIDROW for modding, and this certainly puts a dent in my plans...

Any idea where I can find a version that bypasses this issue and how hard is it to get up and running with my mod? (luckily I have all my files in another folder so moving it should be easy).

[RiiakShiNal]

sumomole has posted the 3DM crack in the opening post of his 2014 mod release thread which does not seem to have this issue.

[GamerXYZ0]

You can search for (without the quotation marks): "dotp 2014 3DM". I found it instantly.

Note that the 3DM crack keeps "reloading content" everytime you start up (takes about 5-10 seconds), and whenever a duel's ended, it takes quite a bit longer before it returns to the deck selection screen (about 10-15 seconds).

[GrovyleXShinyCelebi]

Sigh... it's not optimal, but I guess if that's what it takes to run more than 8 user decks...

[thefiremind]

whenever a duel's ended, it takes quite a bit longer before it returns to the deck selection screen (about 10-15 seconds).

Good to know, I wasn't sure about what crack I was using since it was given to me by another forum user, but now I know it's the right one to avoid problems. I think I'm waiting less than 10-15 seconds, but it's a lot indeed: it's enough time to let the loading screen show a different tip for about a second. I have enough patience to wait, anyway.

[GamerXYZ0]

whenever a duel's ended, it takes quite a bit longer before it returns to the deck selection screen (about 10-15 seconds).

Good to know, I wasn't sure about what crack I was using since it was given to me by another forum user, but now I know it's the right one to avoid problems. I think I'm waiting less than 10-15 seconds, but it's a lot indeed: it's enough time to let the loading screen show a different tip for about a second. I have enough patience to wait, anyway.

Sounds about right indeed: my version also shows the second tip for about a second. At first, I thought it froze on me, considering I was used to a MUCH faster loading time to get back.

[propel0]

does this work with Steam?

[RiiakShiNal]

The deck limitation is due to having too many decks in content pack 0 with always_available="true". This can be overcome in a few ways:

• Use a cracked version of the game (specifically the 3DM version). You can't play regular Steam multiplayer this way because you're using a cracked version.
• Remove the always_available="true" from some of the decks that have it and unlock them in another way (such as setting steam_id_1="213850").
• Move some of the decks into another content pack and then unlock that content pack. Content pack is not a Wad and a Wad is not a content pack. Instructions on how to create a new content pack.