Introduction

Hello! This guide will show you how to create new uniques items and how to make them available in the game (to be dropped and found in chests.) I'll use a sword for this example, but any other item type would work just the same way.

I may assume you have some basic knowledge and overlook some manipulations. Feel free to tell me if anything is unclear.

I. Copy and recolor an item

This step will require:

• ARC Explorer
  Used to extract files from the archives of the game.
  Download it here : https://www.kirmiziperfect.com/titan-quest-immortal-throne-arc-explorer-tool/
• TEX Viewer
  Used to convert game's textures into an editable format.
  Download it here : https://www.kirmiziperfect.com/titan-quest-immortal-throne-texture-viewer-tool/
• Software for image-editing
  Used to edit textures and give new looks to our items. To do so, you will need a software that edit images, such as Photoshop. If you don't own it, GIMP is a free software that will suffice for this task. MS Paint just won't cut it.

I. Gather ressources:
The plan is to start from an existing item, take its textures and give it a new hue. Start by opening your Art Manager and open your mod. Click on Database > Import Record... and browse to an item you want to work from. For this tutorial, I will make a new blade. Here's where the swords are stored.

records\item\equipmentweapon\sword
records\xpack\item\equipmentweapons\sword
records\xpack2\item\equipmentweapons\sword

Pick the one of your choice. For this tutorial, I'll pick the sword Silence.

records\item\equipmentweapon\sword\u_e_silence.dbr

Select it and press OK. The original sword is now loaded in your mod for consultation. Open the file and go to Actor Variables. Look at the file path that is set at "baseTexture". For Silence, it's this :

Items\EquipmentWeapon\Sword\Default\RSword05C.tex

Now this is where ARC Explorer comes in. Open it, press File > Open and go to this directory : C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Titan Quest Anniversary Edition\Resources

When you get there, you will notice a bunch of .arc files. That's where the game's assets are stored. Now, open Items.arc, or choose the one located in the XPack/XPack2 folder if you chose an item from an expansion.

You will see a bunch of folders appear. Browse to find the texture file as seen in the "baseTexture". Double click on it, and save it where you wish. This is the texture applied to item in a 3D environment. Also, go to the Item Parameters tab, and also import the texture that's specified on the "bitmap" field. It's the texture used to represent the item in your inventory.

II. Edit the textures:
When the two textures have been exported, launch TEX Viewer. Open one of the newly imported textures. Once opened, all you have to do File > Export, and save it under another name. Make sure to add the ".tga" extension at the end, or you will receive an error message.

Now, open your image-editing software. Open your .tga files and edit them as you please. I simply changed their color, turning the green of the blade with a red and the yellow handle was turned into gray.

Texture:
UI Bitmap:

Save your work, still in .tga format.

III. Import your texture into your mod:
Open the Art Manager and select your mod. It will now be time to import your texture into your mod. Before importing it, I'd recommend creating a folder specifically for your custom textures. To do so, right-click on "name_of_your_mod/source > Create New Directory".

Now, select the matching folder, right-click, and select "Import...". Find your texture and select it. It should appear in the menu. Right-click it and choose Auto-Create Asset. You will be prompted to choose between Texture or Bitmap. Choose Bitmap, and proceed by pressing OK.


IV. Build your texture:
Your texture isn't quite in your mod yet. You will need to visit the "Assets" tab, and seek your texture in the folder structure, wich should be the same as in your "Source" tab. Right-click on it and choose "Build". When that is done, build your mod by pressing F7. Your texture will now become usable in your mod.


II. Create your new item

I. Copy an item:
Right-click on the .dbr of the item and copy it. Paste it where you like (I did in a custom directory) to create a new instance. Rename it, then right-click > Build.


II. Edit your new item:
Open your new item. There is a few parameters that you are going to be interested in editing. See the Spoiler below for details. Irrelevant parameters are omitted.

General parameters

Item Parameters (the actual stats of your item)

Give the item the stats of your choosing. When you are done, right-click on it and build your .dbr.

Well, I won't hide it. I'm trying to grab items and divide by 2 (or reduce by 50%) every single parameter, that includes Armor Rating, Base Damage, bonus stats, etc. That would exclude stuff like Level requirement, Item cost, Scaling and all booleans.

You can see why I had no intention to do all of this by hand >.>

Does anyone know how to add a custom texture to a .pfx ? I can't seem to find the directory used by the Pick Texture button in the PSE (old one from Iron Lore).
My .pfx are in Docs\My Games\Titan Quest - Immortal Throne\Working\source directory, but the Pick Texture button doesn't use "Working\source\Effects\textures" directory...

I can't tell for sure, but I think it takes the textures from this file :

C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Titan Quest Anniversary Edition\Resources\Effects.arc

Bear rider MIs have no bonus whatsoever.

Wild Hunt has a blank Grants Skill.

It's a shame  I never encountered this bug in the time I spent trying your mod so it feels really weird, random and frustrating.

I hope you can find good balance and make up for this issue. But I'm not worried, everything you've delivered so far is of excellent quality. Never give up (at least not entirely) 

It's mastery guides, not class guides.

And as botebote mentionned it, it's mostly meant for starters.

Uhm, that makes more sense now does it... >~>