SwdTech Suspend

SwdTech Suspend
Author: SilentEnigma
Version: 1.1
Released: 2025-04-02
Applies to: FF3us 1.0
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This patch modifies the infamous SwdTech charging mechanic by allowing the player to switch characters mid-charge.

While the SwdTech gauge is charging for a character, the player may now press the X or Y button to switch between characters. The gauge position is held in the background while other characters receive commands. Once input returns to the charging character, the SwdTech gauge window automatically reopens. The gauge will resume from the next tier number past its previous position.

Thanks C-Dude for pointing out where to find some good unused battle RAM.

Enjoy!

 SwdTechSuspend_v1.1.zip (5.06 KB, 6 downloads)

In your opinion, why should someone use this hack instead of HatZen's SwdTech Ready Stance, which speeds up the SwdTech gauge? What does this bring that the other one doesn't?

Sounds like it brings to the table that you can go about doing other commands for other characters while the sword tech gauge fills up.

In your opinion, why should someone use this hack instead of HatZen's SwdTech Ready Stance, which speeds up the SwdTech gauge? What does this bring that the other one doesn't?

This hack is arguably less intrusive. With the patch applied, the player can still choose not to use the feature, and the gauge will behave identically to vanilla. This was a priority for my own project.

Also, I see HatZen's hack as a slight re-imagining of the gauge concept. HatZen's can be more fun because the faster gauge creates a bit of a timing puzzle. At the same time, the gauge no longer functions as a "charge-up", since the bulk of the wait time is applied after the ability is selected.

Very much a matter of preference.

By the way, the two patches are actually compatible (albeit with diminishing returns)!

I really like this patch.  I want it to work.  But I've been running into some issues with it.

I tested it out during Sabin's scenario, both with my own save file from ROSE and with vanilla save file #5 from here.

When you leave the military base and first get access to Cyan's SwdTech, the SwdTech Suspend doesn't work.  It acts just like vanilla.  However, if you save, reset, and load, it works.

It also breaks if you talk to a ghost merchant on the phantom train and choose (Shop).  You don't even have to choose Buy after that.  I tested some other merchants and they also break it.

Interestingly enough, if you change your party, SwdTech Suspend starts working again.  I tested this by switching party members at Narshe.  Then I talked to a merchant there and it was broken again.

Then I talked to a merchant there and it was broken again.

Hi squirbo,

With your feedback, I was able to identify the bug.
I will release a new revision soon to address it. Thanks!

The patch has been updated to v1.1 to address the issue described above by squirbo.