Patch: Selectable Script

Yes, the patch is aimed at a rom with a header. I forgot to add it in the description.

As it was explained, the advantage is to reduce the script size and to allow a better customization for the Colosseum battles.

As example, let's suppose you have a monster with the following spells in its control list: fire, ice, bolt and poison. In the original game, you are forced to write a script for the monster. Otherwise, the monster does nothing in battle. The monster script can be something like this: (in pseudo code, i don't remember their hex values)

Code:

select random: fire, ice, bolt
wait for next turn
select random: poison, fire, ice
wait for next turn
select random: bolt, poison, fire
wait for next turn
select random: ice, bolt, poison
end turn script
end counter script

You actually waste script bytes to choose one of the spells in the control list. With this patch, you only need to reset/clear/unset the 'script event' flag and erase the monster script. The bytes can be used by another monster script. Of course, it is only relevant if you need more space for monster scripts.

I personally enjoy the fact that i are not forced anymore to write a script for a monster. I can only setup its control list, erase its script and clear the 'script event' flag. It may not be apparent, but it saves a lot of energy and time. There are three digits of monster in this game. How many time, effort and patience you need to rewrite all their battle scripts? Manually inserting all bytes or instructions, one by one? With this patch, with the exception of a few monsters with hard coded features, to write a full monster script is optional.

Unfortunately, you must revise all 'script event' flags for all monsters in the game. It can't be helped, you manually need to setup the monsters to choose between the control list or its script. However, i believe it is easier than rewriting all scripts for all monsters in the game.