How do you add augments to FFIV using Cheat Engine???

[Malum]

*** Warning ***

This is (necessarily) a long post. It is technical and therefore I cannot give you a tl;dr. If you aren't well versed (or at least familiar) in using Cheat Engine with Final Fantasy IV, you won't likely find this post of value or interest to you.

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I need to add the 6 "permanently missable" augments from Edward and Yang. I am doing a full 3 play-through completionist run of Final Fantasy IV (Steam) and am following SBallen's guide on GameFAQs.

For reference, his guide is here (with the augment section highlighted):

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/ds/939425-final-fantasy-iv/faqs/51274?page=5#section351

I do not have a save slot early enough in my run to revert to obtain these augments through normal gameplay. I am currently around ~75 hours into my run and will not be restarting, nor will I continue without 100% completion. I mention these facts to avoid any suggestions of restarting or progressing further without those augments. Neither are acceptable, and I won't rest until I have successfully inserted the 2nd set of these augments into my save file (so no need to suggest otherwise).

Notes concerning why I'm making this post:

- I have already read multiple topics on the subject matter, the explanations on offer so far do not adequately describe the process. Whichever link you have to an explanation on usage on Cheat Engine I've probably read it (although if I haven't, I'll give it a look).

- I have already taken the tutorial from within Cheat Engine and successfully used it for other hacks (i.e., changing Gil amount in inventory). The tutorial did not prepare me for this particular situation.

To elaborate, this is a more involved process than other types of game hacks, according to what I've read (including in other Steam discussion threads). In particular:

- It is difficult because augments are "Key Items" which means they are tracked and interact separately from normal items in the main inventory screen.

- Some have suggested that adding an item in inherently difficult with FFIV due to the way item tracking works in code (there is a hidden variable that tracks the total number of items you are carrying and if that value isn't also modified to increase to accommodate the added item, it will fail to show up in your inventory).

- Instead, it is suggested to alter the hex code for an item (an x-potion, for example) to make it become a different item. They did not mention how to specifically do this, and I'm not sure if it would work in this case due to Augments again being key items (perhaps altering old Key Items, such as "Baron Key" would work).

- Because I cannot purchase or obtain these items in any other way, I cannot manipulate their inventory values to track their memory/hex addresses to identify them.

- Some have made lists of items (including augments) with their 4 byte hex addresses, however I have been unsuccessful in having Cheat Engine locate any of them, so there is clearly some missing step or detail folks aren't mentioning (this may be the only piece of information I need to progress). Unless the November 2020 game update may have changed the hex values, and so those lists are now out-dated/obsolete.

- Other folks have confirmed this can however be done, as they have successfully added augments to their save files. It may more involved than adding Gil or EXP, but it can be done.

One thread I read the entirety of (but not the only one) is located here, if it assists in helping understand the nature of the issue (or if someone believes they can fill in any gaps of information that are present). Its not the only source of information I've referred to, but the only one I have a link to off-hand, and the one I've most thoroughly tried to learn from.

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=363028841

[Note: I am new to using Cheat Engine with FFIV, so if you are certain that I have misunderstood any of the technical information in that link (or the sources I've read from are mistaken) please feel free to explain what needs clarification.]

My ideal solution is someone uploading a video online showing step-by-step instructions concerning this precise situation (I've watched other videos, but they have not covered the exact process needed in this scenario), as I do not have the background or understanding to take the information that I've come across and translate it into, "What *exactly* do I click on (or type), in the proper order, to make this change happen in reality?"

I doubt that will happen, but if a knowledgeable and generous person out there is willing to do that, I know from other peoples' comments across FFIV forums online that I won't be the only one that will be VERY grateful for it. Any method of assistance is appreciated however, so thank you in advance.

Okay, long post is done. Thanks for reading, I hope it either helped someone in a similar situation, or at least was interesting in some way. Have a great day!

[Malum]

Anyone?

[Leonhart]

Hey there. I'll try to keep it simple. First of all, you need to have a key item you can "replace" into the item you wish for. Make sure to check the full item code list here[www.xpgamesaves.com].

For instance, we'll replace 01 Frying Pan into 02 Darkness augment.

Frying Pan code: 2329
Darkness augment code: C623

All items and key items have codes, as you already know from the list above. In Hex editing, the game organizes them like this:
01 Frying Pan: 23 29 01
Being 23 29 the item code and 01 the quantity you have. The rest of the numbers are irrelevant for this tutorial.

Therefore, the code for the 02 Darkness augment we'll replace the FP into, will end up like this:
C6 23 02

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So here we go:

1. Boot both CE and FFIV, load your save file and press Tab to pause it.
2. In CE, select the "FF4.exe" at the little computer on top-left (don't confuse it with the launcher).
3. Select Hex and do a First Scan.
4. Open Memory View.
5. On top screen, go to Search > Find Memory > Select Array of byte > type 23 29 01 and enter. It will then be the first line on the overview (not highlighted, so be aware).
6. Edit the code 23 29 01 into C6 23 02.
7. That's it. Go back to the game and check your Key Items inventory. The Frying Pan will have turned into 02 Darkness augment.
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The reason I recommend always turning into 02 or more of said item is that, when you use it, you'll still have the item slot avaiable to turn into another item or turn back into the Frying Pan itself later.

Hope that helps. Cheers.

[Malum]

Thank you, Leonhart!

I haven't had the time to use your guide yet, but I will soon. I'll check back if I'm successful or not. Again, thanks... I had given up on playing the game due to this roadblock.

[Malum]

Hey Leonhart,

It took a while to be able to give your guide a go, but I'm encountering issues. I was hoping to be able to ask you questions in real time, so have sent you a friend request. If you're uncomfortable accepting it, I can attempt to explain the situation(s) here, but due to how technical and involved everything is, I expect there may be miscommunications.

Thanks again for your assistance.

[Shon]

Malum, I was able to make it work! I can teach you if you wish, just add me and we can set up a call on discord or something! (I sent a Friend Request here on steam)

And thanks Lionhart for the tutorial!!

[Malum]

Shon,

Thank you for your kind offer... Me and Leonhart spoke a little while ago and cleared up my misunderstandings with the process. Great to hear that your situation was resolved by his guide as well!

I managed to add the missing augments to my save file. So far, no issues detected. Hopefully, it'll remain that way *fingers crossed*

[Shon]

Oh, good then! Glag it's going on for you as well!