I totally forgot to mention that, if you do use my stats file, it is basically non-feasible to start a new game and survive. At all. There may be a few exceptions to this by use of super strong starting teams, if you have certain mod-characters installed, but even then...
My basic ideology is to have a fair, fun game. Using my altered npcstats, fair means having all of your powers and stats from the beginning (not hacked versions, just what you would have if you legitimately got to 99 via repetitive crowd slaying). Because the famous "all characters to level 99" code does not work on most PC versions of the game, I thought I would save anybody who wants to use EXTREME difficulty mode the trouble they might have in safely finding a easy-to-use and effective trainer. I discuss the purpose of this further down.
http://www.mediafire.com/download/zy5u4avevd3t4py/XMEN.LEGENDS.2.APACHE.TRAINER.ZIPhttp://www.mediafire.com/download/6y8zn86s4g6i1no/apache-xml2.exe{above is the original zip file with everything the author of Apache +10TRainer included, and the single apache-xml2.exe, which is the trainer itself and the only thing you need to run/place in your XML2 install directory; I separated this for those who may have trouble unzipping}.
*Note: depending on your operating system, it may be necessary to right click apache-xml2.exe and select "run as administrator" for the trainer to do its thing. You DO NOT need to start X-men legends 2 with the "run game" option the apache trainer gives you (on my system I have to right-click/run-as-admin both programs separately if I want it to work).
All you have to do is put (cut or copy and paste) this thing:
http://www.mediafire.com/download/6y8zn86s4g6i1no/apache-xml2.exe in your install directory (Activision/X-men Legends 2), where you find the xmen2.exe launch icon, and run it before you open the game, or after if you want to minimize (some PCs don't take kindly to minimizing).
As long as it is open, it is stupidly easy to operate. there are notes written on the thing, but the F7 function (the one we are interested in most) is not clear, so I took the liberty of clarifying. It works this way: you activate it in-game (there is an obvious beep), and the next thing you kill will take all of your characters to level 99. Unlike the trainer's other functions, this can't be turned off-and-on in game, but it doesn't matter; it does nothing once your toons are all 99.
*Note: if you want to use this and avoid all of your characters having their stats auto-assigned, make sure to get to the first x-station (way point, game-saving thing) outside of town (after the first mini-level).
When you are at the first area with both enemies and a station, make certain you select everybody once (I had to write the 20 names down on paper and put them in five teams I checked off). Be sure to stay away from enemies once you have the F7 function active until you have had everybody in your control (you don't need to do anything but select them and move on until everyone is done). again, WITHOUT leaving the area, once they have all been selected, activate the trainer's F7 command and kill something. BooM. everybody is 99 and no stats have been assigned.
Personally, I want my hero's hp around 950, and auto-assign gives some toons way more than this (based on their fight-style, I think). I also want focus and strike both maxed, so I also use the Apache trainer's F5 function, which simply gives far more stat points and skill points than is possible to use (1000 of each, I think).
For the purpose of my specefic alterations, I also use more skill points than I would really have(without sticking with the same save data and re-doing danger-room missions with +skillpoint reward hundreds of times) for the sake of getting right to the game.
The npcstat alterations I have made are not for gamers who are into level-progression (unless they are at least willing to drop that interest in regards to this special XML2 difficulty mode). This is not about getting more and more powerful, but rather finding your favorite and most powerful character and starting right off with a decent challenge that lasts all the way through. I made the stat changes I made, and used the trainer the way I did, in order to be as powerful as possible from the beginning (in a semi-legitimate sense), but having to deal with a decent challenge for the game's entire duration.
Oh, and if you do use Heroic Mode's npcstats, EPIC prefix gear is your new best friend. The hunt for +100 damage gloves, shield, and belt is critical.
As an aside, I should put a little emphasis on the fact that I refer to my npcstats file as "heroic" or "extreme" for a reason: it will actually make the game hard. For realsies. I have personally used every single mod available at marvelmods.com for xml2, and ran through the list of which toons can hack it using their most powerful builds. The verdict? Most toons can not hack it (in which case, if I love them anyhow, they may be reserved for team-only play).
If anybody is actually reading this and wants my personal insight on the matter, add to this post with your request. Otherwise, to volunteer such information without being prompted would be much too geeky and involved. Even for me.
*Note: the following is for people who are already comfortable with decompiling/editing .engb and .xml files using XMLBCUI or (I think?) HeroSelect.
I just realized I neglected something semi-crucial. If you are using my stats file, it is very easy to change the damage the average enemy takes before K.O.
Changing the boss's and a couple of special enemy's values is a little more involved, but if you want to raise or lower the damage capacity for most enemies in the game, simply decompile and open up (edit) npcstats.engb (not the original game's, the "HEROIC" one I provided, which I think needs to be renamed to it's proper title, 'npcstats.engb' before you can successfully edit it). and do the following:
select (in notepad) at the top taskbar the 'Edit' tab, and then, from its list of options, 'Replace'.
in the 'Replace' window's search-field ('find what' ____:), type exactly this (without the "" ):
"specific_health = 3500" *use 'find next' to make sure you typed it right. notepad should find alot of them.
in the 'Replace with' field, type the exact same thing, only change the number 3500 to whatever you like.
Obviously, a higher number means enemies take more damage, a lower one means they take less.
Choose 'replace all' with your new value, or just click 'find next' and 'replace' a bunch of times (doesn't take that long, and I like to see each change).
Because I went through the trouble of making the vast majority of enemies share the same initial health value, this is a great way to change to whole feel of the game quickly and easily at will.
Experiment. Have a good old time while you're at it.
I am pleasantly surprised anybody has looked at my post at all, as I was afraid of being years too late to do anything fresh with this classic game ( I really wanted to offer something to the people who made one of my favorite games exponentially greater). I'm happy to talk strategy with anyone who's interested, and would love to know what anyone finds if they do change out their npcstats.engb file with the altered version available at mediafire.
Keep the faith, true believers.
