COMPLETE NEWBIE GUIDE: Classic/Legacy Client Editing for LUCERA2
1. Download the only 2 things you need
- Official Lucera2 DAT Editor + guide → https://lucera2.com/threads/classic-legacy-interlude-dat-editor.5350 (JDK 17 required)
- Dev Mode (dsetup.dll) + guide → https://lucera2.com/threads/developer-mode-for-classic-rezhim-razrabotchika-dlja-classic.2246
2. DAT Editor – This is exactly what you see
Top options (always this way):
- Structures → Fafurion - Classic Secret of Empire ← pick this!
- Encrypt → Source
- Formatter → Enabled
Buttons you’ll use daily:
- Open → loads a .dat directly as a table (skip .txt)
- Save (DAT) → instant save back to .dat (fastest)
- Save (TXT) → only for backups or searches
3. Add a new weapon / armor / skin
- Structures → Fafurion - Classic Secret of Empire
- Open → weapongrp_classic.dat (or armorgrp_classic.dat)
- Open a second window → weapongrp.dat (no `_Classic`) → find the skin you like
- Copy the entire row
- Paste it at the bottom of the `_Classic` table
- Change the ID to a free one (e.g. 95000)
- Save (DAT)
- Drop the new .dat into your client/system → test with Dev Mode
Same idea for `armorgrp_classic.dat`, `etcitemgrp_classic.dat`, `npcgrp_classic.dat`, etc.
4. Clone any existing item (fastest method)
- Copy the row inside the .dat and only change the ID (e.g. 50 → 95050)
- On the server: copy the original XML, paste it into your custom XML and change the ID there too
- Add the new entry to `itemname_classic.dat` (clone the line, change ID/text) and the `armorgrp_classic.dat`, `etcitemgrp_classic.dat` or `npcgrp_classic.dat`, DEPEND OF THE ITEM.
5. Dev Mode – see everything instantly
- Drop dsetup.dll into your client/system
- Run l2.exe → this prompt shows up:
Another useful guide: https://lucera2.com/threads/devmode-items.5077
Buttons:
- Да / Yes-Aden (left) → FULL MODE → lists every single asset in the client (ideal for browsing)
- Нет / No-Classic (right) → CLASSIC MODE → shows only your server files + customs (perfect to test)
- Отмена / Cancel → normal game
In-game hotkeys:
- Press Tab → console
- SV → preview all skill effects
- NV → preview all NPC models
- Inventory search box → type any ID → instant preview
6. Pro tip: create your own XML ranges
Lucera2 splits items/NPCs in chunks:
- 0-99.xml, 100-199.xml, 200-299.xml … up to 999900-999999.xml
Best practice:
- 95000-95099.xml → all your custom weapons/armors
- 96000-96099.xml → custom etcitems/shots/scrolls
- 97000-97099.xml → custom NPCs
7. More info:
| File | what make this? |
|---|---|
| itemname_classic.dat | Item display text (names, descriptions, flags). → dont fortget edit the item folder xml |
| itemstatdata_classic.dat | Base stats; pairs with armorgrp/weapongrp. |
| armorgrp_classic.dat | Visuals for armors/accessories (mesh, texture, sounds). |
| weapongrp_classic.dat | Weapon models, animations, offsets, textures. |
| etcitemgrp_classic.dat | Scrolls, materials, misc icons + sounds. |
| npcname_classic-eu.dat | NPC name/title text. → dont fortget edit the npc folder xml |
| npcgrp_classic.dat | NPC models, textures, collisions. |
| skillname_classic-eu.dat | Skill names & tooltips. → dont fortget edit the skill folder xml |
| skillgrp_classic.dat | Skill icons, VFX, cast/reuse visuals. |
| skill_soundgrp.dat | Skill sound bindings. |
| zonename_classic.dat | Zone names on the map/minimap. |
| systemmsg_classic-eu.dat | System messages for popups/chat. |
| sysstring_classic-eu.dat | Short UI strings (buttons, labels). |
| questname_classic-eu.dat | Quest titles and short descriptions. |
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