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The different newline conventions often cause text files that have been transferred between systems of different types to be displayed incorrectly. For example, files originating on Unix or Apple Macintosh systems may appear as a single long line on some programs running on Microsoft Windows. Conversely, when viewing a file originating from a Windows computer on a Unix system, the extra CR may be displayed as ^M or <cr> at the end of each line or as a second line break.

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FriendOfGunnar said:

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That's just the thing Dimi, after the game has started the secondary skill selection is not random.  At the beginning of every game, HOMM3.exe randomly creates a list of secondary skills (which I suspect is exactly 112 skills long).  HOMM3.exe then uses an algorithm to decide which skill to offer you depending on how whether or not you take an upgrade or a fresh skill.  (in other words HOMM3.exe is kind of jumping back and forth on the list according to a prearranged set of rules).  I'd peek at  the list but like I already said the H3 save files are encrypted (and I believe it's against the CoC here to even suggest ways of cracking it...dunno)

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Maurice said:

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The 112 is misunderstood, if you ask me.

Yes, the total weight across all possible Skills for each Hero is 112, that's true. What the game does, is determine a random number between 1 and 112 and relates that to a specific Skill based on that number and offers it up for skilling up.

The random number generator uses a specific seed number, which is determined at the start of the game. It used that seed to draw numbers from for anything that requires a random number - like skilling up. That seed number is saved with the game, too, which immediately explains why loading and then skilling up again yields the same results.

There's an algorithm that manipulates it, though, as the game forcibly offers the Wisdom skill and any of the four Magic (Earth, Fire, Air, Water) after it hasn't offered those a certain number of levels, depending on Hero class.

I once made an analysis of that algorithm as it is within the game code and posted it here on the forums somewhere. Would need to look for it, haven't got the time right now, though.

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Targens said:

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I see, thank you for response! I've probably seen the analysis of that algorithm here. Just that there is only described part of it as RndNew(); but not how the RndNew(); is calculated. Anyway - thanks. I just need to live with Navigation or Scholar. I'll probably choose Scholar, because there is no water on my random map .

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Targens said:

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...
I've probably seen the analysis of that algorithm here. Just that there is only described part of it as RndNew(); but not how the RndNew(); is calculated.
...

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maretti said:

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I think it works like this:

About new skills that you are offered:

You are offered wisdom at lvl 6 if not earlier. Earlier than lvl 6 the chance of getting wisdom is the same as for other skills (means it depends on the number each heroclass has in wisdom, for example knights 3, barbarians 2). If you do not choose wisdom it will be offered again 6 levels later if not earlier.

You are offered a magic skill at lvl 4 if not earlier. Which of the magic skills you will be offered depends on your numbers in the diffrent magic skills). Earlier than lvl 4 the chance of getting magic is the same as for other skills.
If you do not choose the magic skill offered you will be offered magic again 4 levels later if not earlier.
If you choose the first magic skill offered I dont know when you can be sure to  be offered magic again but I have had games where it was as late as 12-13 levels later.

About improving skills you allready have:

I have heard it mentioned that you have a bigger chance of being offered adv or exp in skills where you have high numbers compared to skills where you have lower numbers but I dont know exactly how it works.

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AlHazin said:

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This?

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AlexSpl said:

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There are only 255 different skill trees for any hero for PARTICULAR set of allowed skills. A tree number (1 <= N <= 255) is selected in a random way for each hero when a new game is generated or an old one is restarted. Nevertheless, it's possible to change a current skill tree e.g. having visited a Witch's Hut. The new version (3.80) of LMOracle shows a current skill tree number (N).

So, what do you need to know in order to be able to predict which skills will be offered on the next level-up?

The first way.
You can create a database including 156*255 = 39780 different skill trees. Then you may compare your current secondary skill development with skill trees from the database (255 skill trees aren't too many). It's a good way because there is no cheating at all! Though you cannot predict your hero's development from the very beginning because of existence of similar trees.

For example, there is only one skill tree for Crag Hack when he offered Diplomacy at lvl2 (skill tree #112) for the full set of skills. And what? If it happens it's guaranteed your Crag Hack gets Expert Logistics at lvl4: Offense 3, Logistics 1, Logistics 2, Logistics 3 and Expert Tactics at lvl7 provided that all skills are allowed on a map of course.

The big lack of this method is a dependence on a set of the allowed skills.

The second way.
This way supposes you know your hero's skill tree number and also which skills are forbidden on a map. You cannot see a skill tree number unless you use special tools (LMOracle, or WinHex at last ). Also you need the map editor (or something else) to see which skills are restricted on the map from which your game is generated.

I Prologue
Let's assume that all skills are allowed on the map we are playing (at least for a while). Every secondary skill has an internal game number:
0 - Pathfinding
1 - Archery
2 - Logistics
3 - Scouting
4 - Diplomacy
5 - Navigation
6 - Leadership
7 - Wisdom
8 - Mysticism
9 - Luck
10 - Ballisctics
11 - Eagle Eye
12 - Necromancy
13 - Estates
14 - Fire Magic
15 - Air Magic
16 - Water Magic
17 - Earth Magic
18 - Scholar
19 - Tactics
20 - Artillery
21 - Learning
22 - Offense
23 - Armorer
24 - Intellegence
25 - Sorcery
26 - Resistance
27 - First Aid

28 secondary skills in total.
There is an algorithm which allows you to predict skill offer when leveling-up a hero.

II The algorithm. Part I
1. Hero_Level = Hero_Level + 1;
2. Seed = 214013 * Hero_Level + 156823 * N + 154079 (N is a skill tree number);
3. Let's define the procedure _rand that generates randomness:

procedure _rand(ROld: DWORD; var RNew, Q: DWORD);
var R1, R2, R3: DWORD;
begin
 R1 := ROld;
 asm
   mov   eax, R1
   imul  eax, 343FDh
   add   eax, 269EC3h
   mov   R2, eax
   shr   eax, 10h
   and   eax, 7FFFh
   mov   R3, eax
 end;
 RNew := R2;
 Q := R3
end;

_rand(Seed, SEC, PRI);

In other words, SEC = 214013 * Seed + 2531011 (Leave only 4 bytes as a result), PRI = SEC div 65536 (Leave only 15 bits as a result, so PRI cannot exceed 32767).
PRI value is used in calculations to determine which PRIMARY skill will be increased.
SEC value is used for secondary skills prediction.

Now let us roll 100-sided dice!
4. Q = PRI mod 100 + 1.

To be continued...

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