NobodyNobody
I have received a plethora or PM's on epvp that all seem to say the same thing; "Oh great and powerful Bishop, how do we as modders know whether or not a function or edit will be checked by the server?". Ok so they didn't exactly say that first part, but they do ask how we can, as modders make an educated guess as to the viability of a mod based on it being server sided, or client sided. So in response I present to you a quick guide about the servers functionality and 3 quick checks that are more or less the basis for all judgments that I make on the serversidedness of an edit. Although I have been proven wrong a few time using this methodology, as a whole it seems to work quite well. As with all my other releases, don't take this guide as an end all, but look at it as a simple introduction to the ways of the server check. So, without any further ado, a guide to determining serversidedness.
Before we can determine whether or not an edit is controlled and verified by the server, we must first understand what the actual job of the server is. So what does the server do? Is it an all powerful entity that monitors and locks all aspects of the game? Is it an empty box that nexon claims is a computer cluster? Is it a buttery buscuit?
The answer to all those preceding questions is, NO.
In short the server's purpose is to maintain state information about the game that is either integral to the functioning of the game such as enemy spawns, item generation, gold generation, equipment of individuals and status of NPC's etc. Or to hold global variables and checks in place that are used by either the individuals character profile, or by all human controlled characters, such as experience, ages, skill ranks and training, as well locations and quests of said human characters.
The server does not render graphics, it simply holds the code for what the client should render.
The server does not check all game components, only those that are deemed game breaking and patched by the company, or those that are shared by multiple parties, such as the deterioration of props or the skills that you have the ability to use.
That quick explanation may not make too much sense at this point in time, but as the checks are presented hopefully you will look back and be able to understand it a little but better.
With the intro to the server out of the way lets move on to our serversidedness checks.
Check 1;
Is the edit graphical?
If the answer is yes, then the edit is almost 99% feasible. Why is this you ask? Simple, because the server does not render your graphics, it simply send you the commands to pull and render them from the files contained on your hard drive. So as long as you have a data packer or a data folder usable in your Mabi folder, you can make almost any if not all graphical modifications.
This includes but is not limited to;
fonts, interfaces, character models, names, texts, colours, maps...etc
But, because this is simply held by your client and no one elses (unless they have the same exact modified client as you) these edits will only be observable by you and as such tend to be safer then high visibility mods.
Check 2;
Are you trying to modify a universal data point?
A universal data point, or variable is something that server uses as a global comparison across all players when they would be using an item or executing a command. These cannot be changed because these bits of data are stored by the server and kept updated by the server, with all access data to these being checked and discarded if its been modified on the client. Some areas that are contained by this field;
Skill Ranks and Related Information
Skill ranks are saved and tracked by the server, you cannot modify the rank or existing skills or the traits that come with rank.
This includes but is not limited to;
AP required to rank a skill.
Training to advance a skill.
Usable distance of a skill (If that changes rank to rank).
Traits of particular ranks such as barrier spikes reflectivity or ice spears explosion radius.
Mana costs for spells.
Any other traits that change upon ranking a skill.
Level Related Information.
The amount of experience required to advance a level and the amount of AP earned by doing such is check by the server, the charts contained in the data packs are simply called for display purposes only.
Items
Because items are trade able and must be able to be seen and used by other players at any time, the traits of these must be maintained on a server database. This means that item durability, damage, crit rates etc, cannot be manipulated unless a method is found that universally changes the state of said item, such as an item that restores durability. These traits cannot however be edited just through client modification.
Also, as a general rule, if any other character, Human or NPC needs to use the same set of information as you to make the appropriate calls, it's most likely server sided in effort to control and even out the playing field as well as to protect the information from being modified.
Check 3;
Does Editing that section of code do anything?
If you are ever in doubt, simply try to edit something that is contained in the general area of the edit you want to try, that is to say in the same subsection or header space of code. If the edit that you make does nothing at all, that means that the clients bit of code is simply being overlooked. If a change is made or if the client crashes, this would lead you to believe that the section of code is being read by your client and as such may be a viable mod.
In finality, ask yourself these questions;
Is it too good to be true?
99.9% of the time, if it sounds too good to be true it most likely is.
Who says it's possible?
If an experienced modder says no, but a newer member says yes, don't be an idiot XD.
Have you seen it?
If yes, provide proof, it's easier to make a change when you know it exists.
If all else fails... Try it!
Hope this helps to introduce you to the idea of server verification.
As always if you have any questions, comments or criticisms, you know how to reach me.
Peace.
~Bishop
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