name: victoria3-mod-dev

description: Comprehensive Victoria 3 modding skill for creating, modifying, and debugging mods. Use when working with Victoria 3 mods for (1) Creating new mods from scratch, (2) Adding or modifying game content (decisions, events, buildings, laws, technologies, etc.), (3) Understanding mod file structure and syntax, (4) Debugging mod errors, (5) Creating localization files, (6) Working with .mod descriptor files, or any other Victoria 3 modding tasks.
metadata:
short-description: Create mod for the game victoria3

Victoria 3 Mod Development

Guide for creating and modifying Victoria 3 mods using Paradox's scripting language.

Quick Start

Mod Structure

Every Victoria 3 mod requires:

• .mod descriptor file in Documents/Paradox Interactive/Victoria 3/mod/
• Mod folder with content in subdirectories:
• common/ - Game logic (decisions, buildings, laws, technologies, etc.)
• events/ - Event files
• localization/ - Localization files (YAML format)
• gfx/ - Graphics assets
• gui/ - GUI modifications

Basic .mod File Format

version="1.0.0"
tags={
    "Gameplay"
}
name="My Mod"
supported_version="*"
path="mod/MyMod"
remote_file_id=""

Common Modding Tasks

Creating Decisions

Decisions go in common/decisions/. Format:

my_decision = {
    is_shown = {
        # Conditions for decision to appear
        is_ai = no
    }
    possible = {
        # Conditions for decision to be available
        bureaucracy > 100
    }
    when_taken = {
        # Effects when decision is taken
        add_modifier = {
            name = my_modifier
            days = 365
        }
    }
    ai_chance = {
        base = 0
    }
}

Creating Events

Events go in events/. Format:

namespace = mymod

mymod.1 = {
    type = country_event

    title = mymod.1.t
    desc = mymod.1.desc

    option = {
        name = mymod.1.a
        # Option effects
    }
}

Localization

Localization files go in localization/<language>/ as YAML:

l_english:
 mymod.1.t:0 "Event Title"
 mymod.1.desc:0 "Event description."
 mymod.1.a:0 "OK"

Common File Types

• Decisions: common/decisions/*.txt
• Events: events/*.txt
• Buildings: common/buildings/*.txt
• Laws: common/laws/*.txt - See Creating Laws for detailed guide
• Law Groups: common/law_groups/*.txt - Required for laws
• Technologies: common/technology/*.txt
• Cultures: common/cultures/*.txt
• Countries: common/country_definitions/*.txt
• Modifiers: common/static_modifiers/*.txt
• Scripted Effects: common/scripted_effects/*.txt
• Scripted Triggers: common/scripted_triggers/*.txt

Creating Laws

Quick example:

# 1. Create law group (common/law_groups/my_group.txt)
my_law_group = {
    law_group_category = economy
}

# 2. Create law (common/laws/my_law.txt)
my_custom_law = {
    group = my_law_group
    icon = "gfx/interface/icons/law_icons/my_law.dds"
    progressiveness = 50
    modifier = {
        country_construction_efficiency_add = 0.1
    }
}

# 3. Add localization (localization/english/my_law_l_english.yml)
# my_custom_law:0 "My Custom Law"

See Creating Laws for complete guide.

Syntax Guidelines

Scope Operators

• ROOT - Original scope
• THIS - Current scope
• FROM - Previous scope
• PREV - Previous scope in chain

Common Conditions

• is_ai = yes/no - Check if AI controlled
• has_modifier = <name> - Check for modifier
• has_technology_researched = <tech> - Check technology
• bureaucracy > <value> - Numeric comparisons
• owns_entire_state_region = <state> - State ownership

Common Effects

• add_modifier = { name = <name> days = <days> }
• set_variable = { name = <name> value = <value> }
• add_technology_researched = <tech>
• trigger_event = { id = <event_id> }

Reference Files

For detailed information on specific modding areas, see:

• File Structure - Complete directory structure
• Syntax Reference - Detailed syntax guide
• Common Patterns - Common modding patterns
• Examples - Real-world examples
• Glossary - Comprehensive terminology dictionary
• CWTools Guide - Using CWTools for validation and auto-completion
• Creating Laws - Complete guide for creating new laws

Debugging

Common issues:

1. Syntax errors: Check brackets, quotes, and indentation
2. Missing localization: Ensure all keys exist in localization files
3. Scope errors: Verify scope operators are correct
4. File paths: Ensure files are in correct directories

Use game's error log to identify issues. Check Documents/Paradox Interactive/Victoria 3/logs/ for error messages.