Gaming How to "hack" an AR cheat code (DS)?

[Nazosan]

Ok, so I rolled a character all wrong in The Dark Spire, but absolutely couldn't get it to roll right even after spending probably a good thirty minutes at it. I'm trying to create a certain type, so the stats are important and there's no reasonable way to "buy" enough stats later on. So I decided I'd at least take a look into cheats even as much as I hate cheating. Basically I want to just give this character enough EP to buy stats just high enough to be where I want them and then leave it at that. Unfortunately, it seems to be an all or nothing thing. I thought, no big deal, I'll just use the "max EP" option, update the stats appropriately, then turn it off. Unfortunately, it doesn't go away. The game remembers the amount of EP when saved even with the cheat, so I end up with WAY too much EP. So, my thought is to maybe modify the cheat to set the EP to 0. Unfortunately, it doesn't seem to be working.

Here is the original cheat:
0202E130 E584004C
0202E134 E594104C
This seems to set the EP to 999,999,999. My guess is that it is going over because the hex value for that would be 3B9A,C9FF. Even assuming different endianness, those numbers aren't in there in that form.

From what I read on a guide, the syntax for this sort of AR code is:

Type 0x00
32-bit
0XXXXXXX YYYYYYYY - Writes word YYYYYYYY to [XXXXXXX+offset].

This would seem to be consistent with other mentions of the syntax I've found through googling. So, my thought is just to write all zeros to both of those locations like so:
0202E130 00000000
0202E134 00000000

Well, this doesn't work right at all. I also tried putting a 1 at the end in case something has a problem with all zeros, but still no good. In fact, the value once again locks at 999,999,999 with this code! I saved it with a bit less than 999,999,999 EP and if I load the savegame with no cheats enabled, it shows the lower value, but if I use the modified "minimum EP" cheat, it goes back to 999,999,999...

Does anyone with perhaps a bit more code "hacking" knowledge have any idea what to do here? It doesn't even have to be zero or one or something. Just really low. For example, 100 would do. Heck, 1000 would be ok. I want to keep this character otherwise right with the rest of the party or at least as close as is reasonably possible. (I'm not setting the stats all at max or something, just increasing a couple a few points to be within reason.)

 

[elixirdream]

Here is the original cheat:
0202E130 E584004C
0202E134 E594104C
This seems to set the EP to 999,999,999. My guess is that it is going over because the hex value for that would be 3B9A,C9FF. Even assuming different endianness, those numbers aren't in there in that form.

NO! that is an ASM code! changing the value without any knowledge will FREEZE the game or have no effect at all

Without explaining things in detail, this is the my simple explaination of ASM code and AR code:-
ASM changes the game behaviour
AR code changes the surface

seriously, before you think of changing anything
go to this thread learn the basics yourself! LEARN THE BASIC HERE
any question post there and i will answer to your question personally

 

[Nazosan]

That would explain a few things. However, I REALLY do not want to have to create a whole new code if I can help it. Someone has already done all of the grunt work and found the applicable address and everything needed. The only thing missing is the correct value. Rather than reinventing the wheel just because I want a smaller one, surely it is possible to reuse the existing design?

 

[elixirdream]

When you are talking about ASM
i would say it is possible as long you know the game mechanics/engine and good knowledge of ASM

anyway, i remember i have an AR code for the MAX EP

!All Character Stats Related Codes

 

[Nazosan]

Ah, so that code simply writes a direct value where the other uses more complex means then? I'll give this one a shot.

 

[elixirdream]

YES

just make sure you off the ASM code while using this and it should be fine
you can change to any values as you like but it affects the whole party (4 of them)

 

[Nazosan]

So far it's not working. In fact, I tried the original unmodified code and it didn't work either. Basically nothing seems to happen. Is this for the US version of the game? I don't have the European version so the code may differ.

Unfortunately, the only place I had to get the codes has only a code for max EP on status screen rather than on select so I don't have the US version atm.

 

[elixirdream]

this is for the US version
did you press "SELECT"

what is the flash card you are using?
well if thats the case try use the modified code via an emulator
then convert the save back to suit your flash card

http://gbatemp.net/index.php?showtopic=154076

 

[Nazosan]

did you press "SELECT"
Many times in many different menus just to be sure.

what is the flash card you are using?
CycloDS Evolution, Firmware 1.54 final.

well if thats the case try use the modified code via an emulator
then convert the save back to suit your flash card

In such a case, how would I convert it in the first place? I'm pretty sure CycloDS's cheat function works without a problem though, so it may be something else going wrong somewhere in there?

QUOTE

http://gbatemp.net/index.php?showtopic=154076

 

[elixirdream]

cheats.gbatemp.net is down
the latest is 5/5/2009

for your info, cycloDS cheat engine ain't the best

go to SD card just look for dark spire .sav
if you are using no$gba put it inside the battery folder
make sure .nds and .sav has the same name
after playing it just save as usual
go to the battery folder retrieve the save and go to this site to convert your save back to cycloDS version -> http://www.shunyweb.info/

EDIT: i just tested it on r4+yasumenu, it works

! where did i press select?
i press select in the guide itself! where you see the menu for CREATE STATUS PARTY LEARN INFO LEAVE


These are the codes i got from the 5/5/2009 database
CODE
!!!Dark Spire, The (U)
!!YEAE 73BBDDC0

!Misc Codes

::Max Money
02202E68 0098967F

::EP Max on Stats Menu
0202E130 E584004C
0202E134 E594104C

!Battle Codes

::HP Never Decrease
520DFE3C E8BD80F8
120CBB5A 0000EA00
020DFE40 E1A00000
D0000000 00000000

::1 Hit Kill
520E0174 E1500003
020E0178 E1A00000
D0000000 00000000

::Infinite Magic
520D465C E7D20001
020D4660 E1A00000
D0000000 00000000

!Character Creation

::Max HP
520BD20C E3A03001
020BD210 E59F1004
020BD21C 0000270F
020BD224 E1A00001
D0000000 00000000

::Max Stats
520BFF94 E5922000
020BFF98 E3A02063
020C004C E3A02063
020C0104 E3A02063
020C01BC E3A02063
020C0270 E3A02063
D0000000 00000000

::Max Skill Stats
520BD0D0 908FF106
020BD130 E3A03063
020BD138 E3A02063
120BD0D4 00000014
E20BD0D8 00000010
EA000013 EA000012
EA000011 EA000010
D0000000 00000000

:Experience Multiplier

::x2
520C6E34 E59A1C10
120C6E38 00004080
D0000000 00000000

::x4
520C6E34 E59A1C10
120C6E38 00004100
D0000000 00000000

::x8
520C6E34 E59A1C10
120C6E38 00004180
D0000000 00000000

::x16
520C6E34 E59A1C10
120C6E38 00004200
D0000000 00000000

::x32
520C6E34 E59A1C10
120C6E38 00004280
D0000000 00000000

::x64
520C6E34 E59A1C10
120C6E38 00004300
D0000000 00000000

::x128
520C6E34 E59A1C10
120C6E38 00004380
D0000000 00000000

::x256
520C6E34 E59A1C10
120C6E38 00004400
D0000000 00000000

!Gallery Codes (Select)
:::USE EITHER READ OR NOT READ!

::Monster Gallery as Not Read
94000130 FFFB0000
C0000000 00000008
022149C0 AAAAAAAA
DC000000 00000004
D2000000 00000000
94000130 FFFB0000
222149D0 000000AA
D2000000 00000000

::Monster Gallery as Read
94000130 FFFB0000
C0000000 00000008
022149C0 FFFFFFFF
DC000000 00000004
D2000000 00000000
94000130 FFFB0000
222149D0 000000FF
D2000000 00000000

::Item Gallery as Not Read
94000130 FFFB0000
C0000000 0000000A
022036B8 AAAAAAAA
DC000000 00000004
D2000000 00000000

::Item Gallery as Read
94000130 FFFB0000
C0000000 0000000A
022036B8 FFFFFFFF
DC000000 00000004
D2000000 00000000

!All Character Stats Related Codes

::Max AC v1 (Select)
:::Credit mrfatso
94000130 FFFB0000
C0000000 00000003
022404B0 63630063
022404B0 63636363
DC000000 000000C0
D2000000 00000000

::Max HP (Select)
94000130 FFFB0000
C0000000 00000003
12240482 0000270F
DC000000 000000C0
D2000000 00000000
94000130 FFFB0000
C0000000 00000003
12240484 0000270F
DC000000 000000C0
D2000000 00000000

::Max HP Always On
C0000000 00000003
12240482 0000270F
DC000000 000000C0
D2000000 00000000
C0000000 00000003
12240484 0000270F
DC000000 000000C0
D2000000 00000000

::Max Stats (Select)
94000130 FFFB0000
C0000000 00000003
022404B0 63630063
DC000000 000000C0
D2000000 00000000
94000130 FFFB0000
C0000000 00000003
122404B4 00006363
DC000000 000000C0
D2000000 00000000

::Max EP (Select)
94000130 FFFB0000
C0000000 00000003
022404AC 3B9AC9FF
DC000000 000000C0
D2000000 00000000

:Backlight Codes

:

S Lite Backlight Control
:::Hold L+R+SELECT then press UP to increase brightness or DOWN to decrease brightness
94000130 FCFB0000
023FE074 012FFF11
E0000000 000000A8
E28F0001 E12FFF10
A21AB5F0 88234C24
80138811 D02A428B
25803490 F0002000
1C06F82A F0002004
2703F826 21404007
D003420B 420B2180
E018D00C 4231210C
2F03D006 1C79D013
F0002004 E00EF816
E0094331 438E210C
2F001C31 1E79D004
F0002004 E002F80A
F0002000 BCF0F806
4718BC08 30800000
88222100 D1FC422A
80224A08 88208060
D1FC4228 80220C12
88228061 D1FC422A
21FF8860 47704008
04000130 80028802
023FE074 E3520003
D2000000 00000000

 

[Nazosan]

cheats.gbatemp.net is down
the latest is 5/5/2009

Yeah, that's the one I'm using. I guess whoever converts it to the CycloDS code list in that pack didn't include the codes or something then since I still don't see many of those codes for this game in there even in that file you linked to. Well, I just needed the code itself so it's fine.

for your info, cycloDS cheat engine ain't the best

Didn't say it was, just that it works well enough.

go to SD card just look for dark spire .sav
if you are using no$gba put it inside the battery folder
make sure .nds and .sav has the same name
after playing it just save as usual
go to the battery folder retrieve the save and go to this site to convert your save back to cycloDS version -> http://www.shunyweb.info/

Well, I just tried all that. It took me a while even to get No$GBA to even accept the save file and when it finally did, it still corrupted enough to loose the data in save slot 1 (though the particular savegame I'm working with is in slot 2 anyway.) However, the code still didn't work in No$GBA.

QUOTE

EDIT: i just tested it on r4+yasumenu, it works

! where did i press select?
i press select in the guide itself! where you see the menu for CREATE STATUS PARTY LEARN INFO LEAVE

That's one of the many places I pressed select, yes. Still doesn't work in No$GBA or my DS.

 

[elixirdream]

arghhhhhhh
i will do both of us a favour
SEND ME YOUR SAV! i will take a in depth look
tell me whats the value you wish for all your characters

EDIT: i might come back to you later~@ right now am a little busy

 

[Nazosan]

Yeah, I suppose that would be just fine. I don't care much about the value. 0 is fine for this purpose. If you really really wanted it all to be as perfect as possible, the original values are in save slot 1. It's save slot 2 I'm trying to fix (though if you do successfully modify it, please put the new one in save slot 3.)

Here's my current save: http://www.sendspace.com/file/wrq3w2

Let me know if you figure out whatever's going on btw. I have to admit it's odd.

PS. Thanks for all of your help in this btw. I must admit that I try to stay away from AR as much as I can really. In fact, there's only one other game I've ever used AR in...

 

[elixirdream]

How about the rest of the character?
do you want me to reset their EXP to 0?

EDIT: i will fix it back to the value on your slot1

http://www.savefile.com/files/2101418

EDIT2: save file tested on cyclo is working

as per why codes aren't working! i will take a further study and fix it

THANKS alot

 

[Nazosan]

Looks like that's working.

BTW, it's not possible that the ROM image being trimmed could be related is it? I don't even have my original backup atm and really don't want to deal with getting the original untrimmed image just to test that. I don't really think that could be it anyway though since I really don't think it should be possible. (Just, it's the only thing I can think of unless this is one of those games that had multiple releases in the same region or something... Otherwise they should be exactly the same.)

Oh, and for the record, before you wonder if that's the problem, I noticed right away that one 0 was missing from the very end of the originally pasted code (and even if I hadn't I would have noticed when adding it since the CycloDS cheat editor won't accept an incomplete line.) I compared the code you originally pasted and that in the quote and that one zero is the only single difference I could see.

 

[elixirdream]

Nazosan,
it is not the problem! i think the game uses pointer code! although this is a little pain in ass to fix but i will still fix it

the problem is i didn't know this until you told me codes not working on no$gba!

before these codes were added to the database, i had tested it more than 10 times on the following cards ak2i, DSTT and r4!

seriously, thanks for highlighting this issue to me

EDIT: just tried it on my cycloDS, it is working

 

[Nazosan]

Np and good luck. Let me know when/if you fix it and I'll test the fix for you if you'd like. In the meantime, thanks for your help. I'm completely set on this game now with the party right where I want it to play the rest of the way through without cheats.

 

[elixirdream]

I will see whether i can fix it by today, if not would be weekend

like i said it is a little pain in ass

i even get those codes work on my CycloDS but your report is valid for sure
lol

 

[elixirdream]

http://gbatemp.net/index.php?showtopic=151...05#entry1975692

i had fix the codes

basically you can only use it right after the battle!