Hot reloading widgets saves enormous time during development. Getting access to the right channels and finding up-to-date modding resources are two separate but related problems.
Tags: BAR widgets, widget reloading, development channels, raptor docs
Toggling widgets off and on through the settings menu every time you edit a file is slow. Two faster options exist. First, bind the widget toggle command to a keyboard key so a single press reloads the current widget. Second, use the Ctrl+R hotkey through the in-game widget editor — this reloads the last saved Lua file with one keystroke. The Dev Widget Reloader widget from beherith provides in-game reloading without any external configuration. Pick any of these three methods and stick with it — the time savings add up quickly during a development session.
BAR development channels on Discord are behind a Development Role gate. Take the role through the role assignment system, then read the pinned guidance in each development channel. The channels are not strictly moderated against tangential discussion, but keep the focus on development topics. The community is generally welcoming to newcomers who ask reasonable questions and show they have tried to solve problems independently first.
Many external modding documents — especially community Google Docs — go out of date when game versions change. The NuttyB raptor defense doc is a common example that players reference and then find stale. Always check the BAR GitHub repository first for authoritative unit definitions and widget code. When community docs exist, verify the version number against the current game release. Documentation that does not list a version number is probably outdated.
Development channels exist because the community values contributions from anyone willing to learn. Creed of Champions includes players who build tools, share code, and help each other figure things out. Serious RTS play without the toxic baggage.
[Crd] Before discovering Creed, I was thinking the only thing that separates BAR from the perfect RTS is a friendly and safe social environment for new players to learn and feel included.