D2 MPQ/Map Editors?

[The_Great_Sephiroth]

Greets everybody. I've been playing Diablo II and LoD since they were released, but the same old stuff over and over again gets old, FAST! I've used a few mods and enjoyed them, and am thinking of doing my own, but can't seem to locate the tools to do so. Is there a way to make static maps, such as Andariel's map, or Mephisto's chamber? If not, is the format of Diablo II maps known? I program in C++ (not Visual, the real deal) and could write an editor easily, if I knew the format.

Also, are there any tools to view, extract, or insert files into MPQ archives? I've heard of them in my search for mod tools, but haven't found one yet. Thanks for the information!

 

[HolyShytItsBob]

Check the d2 modification sticky. It has links to everything you need. Check PhrozenKeep they have EVERYTHING all laid out nicely on their site. They have mpq editors and map data editing tools. No use writing tools for to do things other tools already do

 

[xXLordSlippyXx]

I think you need hex editor. Try hex workshop

 

[The_Great_Sephiroth]

Thanks for the information. I grabbed the image import program, map editing program, and the MPQ editing program. It kind of reminds me of working with the old Doom/Heretic/Hexen/Strife WAD files. Edit a map/image/sound in seperate apps, then use a comand-line app to put them into a WAD.

My first planned mod will be to convert the game using 100% Hexen sounds, textures, sprites, etc. I'll post a link when it's done. After that I'll try doing a larger one that converts the game using TES2: Daggerfall stuff.

One off-the-wall question remains though. Is it possible for me to modify the main quests, or are they hard-coded into the executable? If I can change those, it'd be awesome.

 

[HolyShytItsBob]

Im not sure about now, but back awhile you couldnt change the quests. You might be able to change some aspects of them with a lot of hex editing. Ask someone at Phrozen Keep.

 

[The_Great_Sephiroth]

If it involves hexing the exe, I'll leave them as-is. I'll ask when I get to that stage in the mod though.