The limiting feature comes from how the ASM is put together to populate each character's available commands list.
See, The character specific commands are read from the default data and enabled on a character's list.
So, for example, since only Celes has Runic as a default skill only she would get to use it.
Therefore the bulk of the available commands would still be limited to specific characters.
For the commands that were formerly given by equipping a relic to swap out another command that is already
specific to a character the algorithm would then go through 2 checks:
First one to see if the required item is held by the party.
Secondly a check for the associated default command.
Let's say you obtained then new version of the Fake Mustache that is made from one of the unused key items.
If you go into Terra's command list Control won't show up because she doesn't have access to Sketch.
But since Relm does have Sketch as a default command the routine will also give her Control since you got the
new version of the Fake Mustache.
Jump would only require the new Dragoon Boots key item, so all characters would gain access to the Jump command.
Things like the Offering and Dragon Horn only modify how a specific command works and don't have an associated
command that they swap out. These would have to remain as normal relics unless a brand new custom made
command was added that specifically used the parts of the Fight / Jump code that are triggered by the original relics.
Also, there are only 7 unused key items and most of them are needed to accommodate the majority of the command swapping
relic effects. Technically, there are only 5 required for this but I'd personally like to use the remaining 2 for Shock and Health.
Specifically, I want to implement something similar to the General Leo's Legacy patch and have one key item give Celes,
through her use of Runic, access to Shock. And the remaining one, I was thinking of designating for Health as another general
skill that any character can use.
If this all pans out and I can figure out how to make this thing I am definitely going to document it so that which key items unlock
which commands can be easily modified since not everyone will want use the particular setting I'm planning on like Cyan getting
GP Rain from acquiring the Coin Toss instead of Setzer who will be getting a new version of MagiTek as a command without the
status effect.
In planning this thing out I'm also emphasizing compatibility with the original engine and avoiding hard-coding anything.
That's why I want to have the new routines check the current character's default commands instead of checking specific actors.
Plus, if the initial patch works out I then want to look into expanding the key item list to accommodate more commands and / or
adding more custom commands as well.
And I just had the thought that I could also make special cases for other items, too. For example, binding the Runic command to
the Rune Blade weapon so that any character who uses one get Runic added to their command list. I'd have to modify the code
that reverts command swaps when a related relic is removed, but that shouldn't be a big deal.
Changing the menus is probably going to be the biggest hassle. As you say, there isn't much documentation about that, but
then again I don't really HAVE TO do that part at first. I can probably make the main part of this work within the Status sub-menu
without having to change any menus at all. Moving it all over to the Skills menu is just a personal preference, really. Still, it might
be a good idea to leave that part for the end or just leave it as a separate addendum project.
I hope that clear things up.
See, The character specific commands are read from the default data and enabled on a character's list.
So, for example, since only Celes has Runic as a default skill only she would get to use it.
Therefore the bulk of the available commands would still be limited to specific characters.
For the commands that were formerly given by equipping a relic to swap out another command that is already
specific to a character the algorithm would then go through 2 checks:
First one to see if the required item is held by the party.
Secondly a check for the associated default command.
Let's say you obtained then new version of the Fake Mustache that is made from one of the unused key items.
If you go into Terra's command list Control won't show up because she doesn't have access to Sketch.
But since Relm does have Sketch as a default command the routine will also give her Control since you got the
new version of the Fake Mustache.
Jump would only require the new Dragoon Boots key item, so all characters would gain access to the Jump command.
Things like the Offering and Dragon Horn only modify how a specific command works and don't have an associated
command that they swap out. These would have to remain as normal relics unless a brand new custom made
command was added that specifically used the parts of the Fight / Jump code that are triggered by the original relics.
Also, there are only 7 unused key items and most of them are needed to accommodate the majority of the command swapping
relic effects. Technically, there are only 5 required for this but I'd personally like to use the remaining 2 for Shock and Health.
Specifically, I want to implement something similar to the General Leo's Legacy patch and have one key item give Celes,
through her use of Runic, access to Shock. And the remaining one, I was thinking of designating for Health as another general
skill that any character can use.
If this all pans out and I can figure out how to make this thing I am definitely going to document it so that which key items unlock
which commands can be easily modified since not everyone will want use the particular setting I'm planning on like Cyan getting
GP Rain from acquiring the Coin Toss instead of Setzer who will be getting a new version of MagiTek as a command without the
status effect.
In planning this thing out I'm also emphasizing compatibility with the original engine and avoiding hard-coding anything.
That's why I want to have the new routines check the current character's default commands instead of checking specific actors.
Plus, if the initial patch works out I then want to look into expanding the key item list to accommodate more commands and / or
adding more custom commands as well.
And I just had the thought that I could also make special cases for other items, too. For example, binding the Runic command to
the Rune Blade weapon so that any character who uses one get Runic added to their command list. I'd have to modify the code
that reverts command swaps when a related relic is removed, but that shouldn't be a big deal.
Changing the menus is probably going to be the biggest hassle. As you say, there isn't much documentation about that, but
then again I don't really HAVE TO do that part at first. I can probably make the main part of this work within the Status sub-menu
without having to change any menus at all. Moving it all over to the Skills menu is just a personal preference, really. Still, it might
be a good idea to leave that part for the end or just leave it as a separate addendum project.
I hope that clear things up.