=== README - Custom Modular 3rd Special Weapon for F-14D ===

This mod provides customizability for F-14D's 3rd special weapon. Several "upgrade modules" are available for use.

-- NOTE ON COMPATIBILITY --

- Compatible with:
- Plane skin mods
- Datatable mods (e.g. Add On Compatibility, Additional Skin Slots, ammo change mods)
- Mods that do not affect F-14D (obviously)

- Not Compatible with:
- Any mod that changes F-14D's main file ("pawn" file). For example, other weapon swap mods.

-- CONTENTS --

Inside the downloaded archive you will find several .PAK files divided into folders based on what "module group" they belong to. ONLY INSTALL AT MOST ONE FILE FROM EACH MODULE GROUP. Installing more than one file per module group may lead to unexpected behavior.

1. Base file [F14DCustomSpW3_Base_P.pak]
This file is REQUIRED for the mod to work. This mod applies the change to all skin slots, allowing the custom SpW to be installed, and adds 4 belly hardpoints.
With this mod installed, and no "upgrade modules" installed, the following changes are applied to 8AAM:
- Reduced lock on angle
- Disables lock stacking on a single target
- Changes HUD label to MSTM
Missile model remains the same, which is NATO/American 4AAM/6AAM/8AAM model. 8-target capability is also retained.

2. Module 0 - Lock On Amount
By default, the missile is capable of locking multiple targets at once up to the number of missiles in a salvo, and cannot stack multiple at once. The files in this module group can be used to change that.
- [F14DCustomSpW3_LockSingleTarget_P.pak]: Disable multi targeting, only lock one target at a time.
- [F14DCustomSpW3_LockStackable_P.pak]: Enable lock stacking on targets, allowing multiple locks on one target.
- [F14DCustomSpW3_LockNone_P.pak]: Disables lock on.

2. Module 1 - Homing
This module group contains files that determine the homing property of the missile.
- [F14DCustomSpW3_HomingDelayLead_P.pak]: Missile gains target leading ("proportional guidance"), but has delayed homing activation.
- [F14DCustomSpW3_HomingInstant_P.pak]: Missile immediately tracks target on launch, without leading.
- [F14DCustomSpW3_HomingBalanced_P.pak]: Has less delay than "instant track" version, but less "leading" than the first option.

3. Module 2 - Salvo vs Load Time
This module group contains files that determine how many missiles are loaded per salvo.
- [F14DCustomSpW3_Salvo1_P.pak]: 1 missile per salvo, 2s reload time per missile
- [F14DCustomSpW3_Salvo2_P.pak]: 2 missile per salvo, 4.2s reload time per missile
- [F14DCustomSpW3_Salvo4_P.pak]: 4 missile per salvo, 8.5s reload time per missile
- [F14DCustomSpW3_Salvo6_P.pak]: 6 missile per salvo, 13s reload time per missile
- [F14DCustomSpW3_Salvo8_P.pak]: 8 missile per salvo, 18s reload time per missile
- [F14DCustomSpW3_Salvo12_P.pak]: 12 missile per salvo, 28s reload time per missile

4. Module 3 - Range vs Lock Speed
This module group contains files that determine the missile's range and lock speed. Longer range leads to higher missile flight duration, but lowers lock speed.
- [F14DCustomSpW3_Range2000_P.pak]: 2000m lock range, 9s missile flight duration, fastest lock speed (slightly faster than ADMM)
- [F14DCustomSpW3_Range4000_P.pak]: 4000m lock range, 12s missile flight duration
- [F14DCustomSpW3_Range6000_P.pak]: 6000m lock range, 15s missile flight duration
- [F14DCustomSpW3_Range8000_P.pak]: 8000m lock range, 18ss missile flight duration, slowest lock speed (slightly slower than base 6AAM/8AAM)

5. Module 4 - Target Type & Lock Angle
This module group contains files that determine target type and lock angle.
- [F14DCustomSpW3_TargetAA_P.pak]: Air-to-Air only, 42.5 degree lock angle
- [F14DCustomSpW3_TargetAG_P.pak]: Air-to-Ground only, 42.5 degree lock angle
- [F14DCustomSpW3_TargetAll_P.pak]: Multipurpose, 27.5 degree lock angle

6. Module 5 - Special properties
This module group contains files that add special properties to the missile.
- [F14DCustomSpW3_MiscWideHoming_P.pak]: Greatly increases missile homing angle after launch, allowing loop but lowers turn rate.
- [F14DCustomSpW3_MiscSemiActive_P.pak]: Missile only tracks when the target is inside HUD targeting reticle. Missile turn rate greatly increased.
- [F14DCustomSpW3_MiscAoE_P.pak]: Adds radial damage and enabling detonation on almost-miss, but reduces missile speed.
- [F14DCustomSpW3_MiscBarrage_P.pak]: Disables multi-lock on. Fires all missiles in salvo with 0.35s delay between missile, costing only 1 ammo for the whole barrage.

7. Module 6 - Visual/Model
This module group contains files that changes the missile's appearance. Purely visual.
- [F14DCustomSpW3_VisNATOMSL_P.pak] : NATO/American MSL/HPAA/QAAM model, used on F-104C's HPAA, F-22A's QAAM, F-16C's MSL, etc
- [F14DCustomSpW3_VisNATOSASM_P.pak] : NATO/American SASM model, used on F-15C's SASM
- [F14DCustomSpW3_VisNATO8AGM_P.pak] : NATO/American 8AGM model, used on F-35C's 8AGM
- [F14DCustomSpW3_VisEuro4AAM_P.pak] : European 4AAM model, used on Mir-2000-5's 4AAM
- [F14DCustomSpW3_VisEuroLAAM_P.pak] : European LAAM model, used on Rafale M's and Typhoon's LAAM
- [F14DCustomSpW3_VisJPQAAM_P.pak] : Japanese QAAM model, used on F-15J's QAAM
- [F14DCustomSpW3_VisXFA27MSTM_P.pak] : XFA-27's MSTM model
- [F14DCustomSpW3_VisSu574AAM_P.pak] : Su-57's and 5th Gen Fighter's 4AAM model
- [F14DCustomSpW3_VisFB22LAAM_P.pak] : FB-22's LAAM model

-- INSTALLATION --

1. Download the mod archive file from Nexus
2. Install the base file (F14DCustomSpW3_Base_P.pak) to the ~mods/ directory of the game (ACE COMBAT 7/Game/Content/Paks/~mods/)
3. Install the modules you wish to have (AT MOST ONE FILE PER MODULE) to the ~mods/ directory
4. Start the game
5. Enjoy!

-- KNOWN ISSUES --

> When using 1-salvo module without single target module, it can lock up to 2 enemies at once but only fire one missile
Solution: Use single target module
Keeping default multilock or adding lock-stacking module is useless anyway because it will only fire one missile.

-- CREDITS --
Project Aces, for the game itself
Creators of these tools and their dependencies: UModelAC7, UAssetGUI, UnrealPak Enhanced. Without those, this mod couldn't have been made.
Creator and members of GHBHSH Discord, for all the modding knowledge shared.
You, for taking the time reading about this. Download is greatly appreciated, but I also thank you for bothering to read this description.
The Ace Combat community.
And last but not least...
ChatGPT, for generating a basic Python script to copy/move files to the desired directories, which I then adjusted.