Merging Squads From Different Saves

This is a guide for importing specific characters or whole squads into other save games, if you for example want your main character from an earlier game to join your new game.

How to do it:

Create new saves when you do this, don't save over.
I have noooo idea what problems this could cause in the future, so be on the safe side.

(You don't have to close the game for this to work, just load the modified save when you are done)

Start by loading your main save and creating an empty squad(Name it "Import) and then save.
I'll call this save file "Target".

Load the save containing the character(s) you want to move to "Target".
Make a new squad(Name this one "Import" as well) and put the character(s) in it.
Save.
I'll call this save file "Movers"

Go to the Kenshi main folder.
(To get there from the steam window; Right click on Kenshi->Properties->Local Files->Browse Local Files)

Start "forgotten construction set.exe"
(we'll use this to correct some problems and to verify that we copy the right squad.)
Click the cross on the window that pops up in the center.
Click "Open Any" at the top.
Go into the Save folder.
Go into the "Movers" folder.
Go into the Platoon folder.
Find "Nameless_#.platoon" and open it.
A window should pop up, scroll down.
If your characters are at the bottom of the list you have to right file, if not, try the other
"Nameless_#.platoon" file(s).
When you know which file contains the Movers, remember which file it is.

(Edit: Apparently the squad is not "nameless" any longer, it should have your faction's name)


Open up the save folder.
Open the "Movers" folder
Find the squad in the platoon folder.
Copy the "nameless_#.platoon" file with the right number.

Go into the "Target" save folder.
Find the "nameless_#.platoon" which is empty. (remember the number)
The empty squad will be tiny (1kb in my case).
(You can verify with forgotten construction set the same way that you did the first time.)
Paste the Moving squad.
Delete the empty squad.
Change the number of the file to the one of the (now deleted) empty squad.

The squad is now moved.

And now there's the possible problem with the characters sharing "portrait_index", which makes the portraits change between the characters sharing the same number.

If you don't care about glitchy portraits (the pictures at the bottom center) then you are done.


This is easier to fix the fewer characters you have, since you have to find a number that is free.
You can use the "portraits_texture.png" file in the "Target" save folder to find free numbers, they are in order. (left to right) (No visible numbers on the portraits, you have to keep track yourself)
Character one has the number 0, character two has number 1, and so on.
There might be spaces between portraits, those are free numbers.
Any number after the last portrait should be free. (Maybe not if you are at the squad size cap)
Paint job with numbers: http://imgur.com/iiVVAsE

Open the squad in forgotten construction set.
Click "Changes" at the top.
Open the "GAMESTATE_CHARACTER" things. (Double click or click and enter)
Windows will pop up.
Scroll to the bottom.
Find "portrait_index" (it should be in the middle-ish)
Change the "portrait_index" of every "GAMESTATE_CHARACTER" to a free number (Which you found in the "portratis_texture.png"

Click the Save button at the top left.

Start Kenshi (All this can even be done while Kenshi is running)
Load "Target"


That should be all!

Tell me if it worked and feel free to ask if there was something you didn't understand.
(Or if I messed up the instructions and something went wrong for you)

[General Butt Naked]

Thanks for this guide. If youre doing a super modded overly difficult play-through like UWE+Living World this is a life saver. Toss in 2-3 mid level characters and it will feel a bit more balanced while still letting you enjoy all the additions to the game.

[Xiyoth]

Yo thanks alot!

[Vicky]

@Jet It's probably easier to make a mod.
I think you can grab the character from the save file and put him in a mod but how you would do that I don't know.
Maybe download a mod that adds 1 recruitable character and replace the character with your own?

[Jet]

can I use this to make my main character and make him appear as an npc i can recruit in a new save?

[Drake Ravenwolf]

Just wanted to add that this worked to restore some dead bounties that had disappeared from my character's shoulders - had to "dismiss" them and they became "Tech hunters" afterwards but much better than loading a save and having your bounties just disappear :D

[Vicky]

@Uding Sounds like a full on mod at that point.
I don't remember how the squads are handeled but if you change the faction name of the squad's file I feel like it should add the squad to that faction.
Check some mods that add squads and see if you can copy their method or simply replace the squad with your own.

Start by saving the game with the squad at the location you want them. (Character position is saved in their file, right? Can't remember...)

Check the "Shady Merchant" mod on the nexus, maybe you can replace the merchant's squad with your own.
(I feel like squads get unloaded if they are too far away from the players vision for too long, which is why I'm suggesting making a mod, I could be wrong tho)

[Uding]

Hello Vicky! Can you help me with this scenario?
Say I want to make my squad in UDING save file transfer to my NEW save file. But make them as NPC(hence uncontrollable and they just stand there) in any particular bar(Ex. BAR at HEFT). I just want my brother to meet my squad and try to fight them.
Thank you!

[RingoDingo]

Thanks a lot

[Vicky]

@lemzkie666 I'm glad it worked out!

[COMRADE KALEM]

@Vicky Thanks Forgot I even commented, Tried this earlier again I was making it from squads Nameless_18 and Nameless_30+ up I forgot I used a Mod for more squads and tried It using Nameless_1 and It worked. Thanks Again.