Exdeath

Exdeath is a patch compactor, a tool that applies multiple patches to a single target file. You will need the US version of the Gameboy Advance release, which you can find through your favourite search engine.

The program should have the following file layout:

• Exdeath.exe — the program itself.
• libgcc_s_seh-1.dll — base library for programs built with GCC for Windows.
• libstdc++-6.dll — base library for C++ programs.
• libwinpthread-1.dll — library for threaded execution.
• modes/ — This directory contains patches which alter Final Fantasy V Advance gameplay significantly.
• ned/ — This directory contains patches which replace Neo Exdeath graphics.
• platforms/qwindows.dll — Qt 6 platform library for Windows.
• Qt6Core.dll — Qt 6 core library.
• Qt6Gui.dll — Qt 6 GUI library.
• Qt6Widgets.dll — Qt 6 widgets library.
• readme.html — This document, which you are reading now.
• readme.balance.html — Documentation for Ian's Rebalance patch.
• readme.waddle.html — Documentation for The Great Waddler's Balance patch.

This version provides the following features:

Main

The real meat of the program: the patches. As of 0.10.0, only the base game is built in to Exdeath. You can add more modes by placing them in the modes/ directory. No support is provided for mode patches which did not come with Exdeath, however.

• Base:
  • None — The base game.
  • Custom Classes — A different remixed version by ludmeister.
  • Ian's Rebalance — A remixed version that has a more subtle touch than the other three.
  • Balance — A remixed version which adds the Hero Job and changes things up.
  • Waddler Rebalance — Yet another remixed version which aims to pump up some underwhelming Jobs without altering overall balance too much.
• Unlocked Jobs: Unlocks all jobs directly out of the gate. Half of wormsofcan's Fiesta patch.
• FFT-style Portraits: As the name implies, this option replaces the portraits with edited Final Fantasy Tactics portraits. (missing attribution, sorry.)
• Sound Restoration: The Sound Restoration hack modifies the soundfont and corrects some slow-down issues. It can cause artifacting, however. Older versions of VisualBoyAdvance will require the GBA BIOS file in order to run normally with this option.
• Save Config: Saves your current configuration, including the ROM location. This configuration will be automatically loaded on next run.

Randomization

Randomizable components. Note that, as of 0.10.0, you can add your own Neo Exdeath patches by placing them in the ned/ directory.

• Seed: A number used to set the random number generator to a known state. The range accepted is 0 through 2³¹ – 1, inclusive. Default value is the current time in seconds since 1 January 1970 00:00 UTC, divided by 3600.
• Neo ExDeath: Pick graphics for the final boss.
• Abilities: Shuffles abilities such that all Jobs learn five abilities and have a randomized command.

Innate abilities

Each checkbox applies the listed innate ability to all Jobs.

Multipliers

Multiply experience, ability point, or gil awards from battle. Experience and gil are hard-capped at 65,535 and ability points are hard-capped at 255, regardless of multiplier.

Notes

The 'Unlocked Jobs' patch includes a patch that allows !Combine ammo to drop prior to unlocking the sealed weapons. This alters the drop tables for the following enemies:

• Buckshot:
  • Black Flame
  • Birostris
  • Elm Gigas
• Blastshot:
  • Blood Slime
  • Executor
• Blitzshot:
  • Mummy

How to create your own Neo Exdeath graphics

You will need two things:

• An image editor that supports PNG. I suggest Krita, Aseprite, or similar.
• png2ned; read the instructions there.

png2ned does the hard work, but once the graphics are inserted in to the ROM, you will need to use a program like LunarIPS or RHDN's online patcher to create a patch by providing the unmodified ROM and the patched ROM.