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[VScript] Custom Survivor Takeover (CST)

(This mod is not for spawning survivors)
(All the required items are actually completely optional)

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This vscript can be customized to change the name and model of any survivor to your own custom ones in game (at the start of the map or manually via chat commands)

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I included the 4 Arcade survivors' custom models to use with this script to test. (with small edits to their qc files)
Blake, Yusuke, Sara, and Haruka. (Ports by Tiny King Trashmouth, AvengedDeathAlert, and FallFox)
But need to restart the game to avoid ERROR.mdl

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Profiles:

• "nick.cfg"
  
• "rochelle.cfg"
  
• "coach.cfg"
  
• "ellis.cfg"
  
  
• "bill.cfg"
  
• "zoey.cfg"
  
• "louis.cfg"
  
• "francis.cfg"
  
  
• "yusuke.cfg"
  
• "sara.cfg"
  
• "haruka.cfg"
  
• "blake.cfg"

Models:

• "models/survivors/survivor_yusuke.mdl"
  
• "models/survivors/survivor_sara.mdl"
  
• "models/survivors/survivor_haruka.mdl"
  
• "models/survivors/survivor_blake.mdl"

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In the default settings, the arcade survivors are currently trying to takeover random survivors at the start.
But you can change that in their profile settings. You can set them to takeover clones or specific survivors.
More info here:
https://gtm.steamproxy.vip/workshop/filedetails/discussion/3521730239/598534283538474312/
https://gtm.steamproxy.vip/workshop/filedetails/discussion/3521730239/592902428426243132/

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Default chat commands:

!takeover or /takeover

• Mainly for if auto_start_takeover is false
  
• Or auto_start_takeover failed for some reason, happens in some custom campaigns
  
• Only can takeover on the first time, when no custom survivors are around

!skinswap {name} or /skinswap {name}

• Find for a survivor with this name and swap their character with yours
  
• Can't swap with survivors who spawned in the middle of the round, like Mike in Cold Front Campaign

Can be changed at "\Left 4 Dead 2\left4dead2\ems\custom_survivor_takeover\chat_commands_settings.cfg"

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If you want to play as a custom survivor, first person viewmodel arms will be invisible,

So optionally, you can use this for a limited number of custom arms (host only):
https://gtm.steamproxy.vip/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3551304724

Or you can use this for only css arms:
https://gtm.steamproxy.vip/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3546580446

Or if you want accurate arms, use Immersive First Person by Shadowysn:
https://gtm.steamproxy.vip/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2981298610

Or you could just play in third person:
bind f5 "thirdpersonshoulder; cam_idealyaw -5.3; cam_idealpitch -5.3;"
or
https://gtm.steamproxy.vip/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1851956267

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Optionally, if you want to spawn survivors:

In singleplayer:
VScript Survivor Manager (VSSM) by Shadowysn is recommended.
https://gtm.steamproxy.vip/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3006216183

It also fixes many bugs (for example: fixUpgradePacks, restoreExtraSurvsItemsOnTransition, fixDefibrillator, etc...)
I found that VSSM Defib fix sometimes work, sometimes doesn't. I think it starts to fail when progressing more into the chapters of a campaign.

VSSM settings:
https://gtm.steamproxy.vip/workshop/filedetails/discussion/3006216183/7222135514705252606/

For 12 survivors, if you want the arcade survivors alongside the original 8 survivors without any duplicates, you have to change the arcade survivors' profile settings in the ems folder from "@random" to "@clone"

Not recommended for multiplayer yet, because of a bug.

For multiplayer:
You can use sourcemod plugins like ABM or Superversus. Maybe need to disable identity fix? Idk needs more testing.
Also recommend defib fix plugin

Just keep in mind that other players without the custom assets will just see ERROR.mdl.

Going idle may move players into spectator team, and need to do "jointeam 2" in console to join back in. The ABM plugin helps to prevent this, I think

BigFellaBubsy found that the sourcemod "[L4D2] Vocalize Based Model.smx" plugin makes some custom survivors use wrong voice.
SPSick says that the plugin works by finding the 4th letter after survivor_. Example: Louis is called survivor_manager (his model name), it would play his voice as the 4th letter is a. Sara's file name is survivor_sara. The 4th letter is a, the same as Louis' so the plugin will make her voice use Louis.

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I'm just a beginner so there's gonna be a lot of problems
Issues that keep me up at night:

• Custom survivors have no portrait/vgui, emotions, gestures
  
• In l4d1 maps, l4d2 survivors have l4d1 names, arms, and vgui, so I decided to just leave em blank for them
  You can kinda fix it using this mod:
  https://gtm.steamproxy.vip/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2280765867
  Or a sourcemod version:
  https://forums.alliedmods.net/showthread.php?p=2614626
  
• When you play as a custom character, portrait wont update until the next chapter.
  
• Sometimes the HUD didn't update and they will have wrong portraits
  
• Sometimes their weapon is not at the right attachment point.
  
• Maybe the model will revert when a player joins, leaves, or goes idle. Couldn't test that by myself.
  
• Takeover would need to wait until cutscene is done before changing models, or else invisible bug
  
• VSSM !survswap does not recognize custom survivors
  
• If you are using VSSM !survswap or sourcemod pickbot plugin, and retry_restore_on_update is on, it would just keep setting you back to your first skin that you started with. To properly swap, you may also have to do !skinswap {name}
  
• Wrong fall scream voice like in the xbox version.
  
• If you have melee/jump grunts, rarely will hear wrong voice.
  
• The AI of those with non vanilla survivor slot will be more stupid after the first chapter, even with L4B2
  
• If using Survivor Legs script, some custom survivors with custom animations may have their legs fcked.
  
• Someone said that versus mode will crash
  
• Ragdoll mods on some custom survivors won't work and may crash

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You can also add more characters by editing other survivor replacer mods

• Not a good tutorial:
  https://gtm.steamproxy.vip/workshop/filedetails/discussion/3521730239/592902428426252787/
  
• If you got permission, you could upload them, and share here if you'd like:
  https://gtm.steamproxy.vip/workshop/filedetails/discussion/3521730239/586147117689619160/

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Credits:

• VSCode - IDE
  
• marcinbar - VSCode Squirrel Ext
  
• Cold Front Mike code reference
  
• devlos & chatgpt - ParseSettings code
  
• Taito - Arcade Survivors
  
• Theuaredead', 1cc - Arcade Survivor Assets
  
• Tiny King Trashmouth - Yusuke Port
  https://gtm.steamproxy.vip/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1674075695
  
• AvengedDeathAlert - Blake Port
  https://gtm.steamproxy.vip/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3344253189
  
• FallFox - Sara and Haruka Port
  https://gtm.steamproxy.vip/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2547756788
  https://gtm.steamproxy.vip/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2115272037

Special Thanks:

• Shadowysn - Advice, vssm fixes
  
• j I u N`` - Playtest
  
• BigFellaBubsy - Playtest, Screenshot
  
• SPSick - Playtest
  
• Meraru - Playtest, Screenshots