WEST81 Redux (1.063.0)
Personal Tweaks of WEST81
WEST81 Build – 29 May @ 2:14pm
TLDR: A range-tuning mod that scales real-world weapon data (1/2 for small arms, 1/5 for cannons, 1/10 for artillery) to fit Gates of Hell’s gameplay. Inherits GOH Redux’s AI deployment, vision logic, and battle pacing while keeping WEST81’s target selection and HOTMOD’s damage values. Poland disabled per original author. Load order:
WEST81 > WEST81 REDUX.
⚠️ IMPORTANT NOTICE
Poland faction is currently disabled.
The original WEST81 author has advised players not to use this faction for now.
This is a personal refinement of the excellent WEST81 mod, focused entirely on reworking weapon engagement ranges to strike a balance between real-world data and what actually feels good in the game engine.
Instead of arbitrary numbers, I’ve developed a scaling system based on real weapon capabilities:
- Small arms – Scaled to 1/2 real-world effective range
- Cannons & autocannons – Scaled to 1/5 real-world effective range
- Artillery & ATGMs – Scaled to 1/10 real-world effective range
Why? Because a 1:1 translation of real range would break the game’s map design and pacing. This approach keeps engagements believable while maintaining the flow Gates of Hell is known for.
Here’s where things currently stand. Keep in mind this is a work in progress, and I’m actively tweaking based on feedback and testing.
Note: Some weapons now have minimum range restrictions – get too close and they can’t engage.
Unchanged.
The damage and penetration values from HOTMOD/WEST81 are already top-tier.
This mod inherits two key systems from my GOH Redux project (linked below):
🤖 Custom AI Engine
WEST81 REDUX uses the same refined AI deployment and strategic decision-making developed for GOH Redux. This governs the overall pacing of battles – how units move, when they push, where they position, and how they respond to the flow of combat. It’s the brain that dictates the rhythm of the fight.
🎯 Target Selection
While the AI engine handles strategy, the actual target selection logic comes directly from WEST81. Units prioritize threats based on weapon types, distance, and danger level – just as the original WEST81 intended.
👁️ Vision & Spotting Logic
I’ve also ported over the infantry sight lines and unit awareness systems from GOH Redux. This governs what units can see, how far they can see, and how they detect enemies – creating more realistic spotting behavior without giving units magical omnipotence. Line of sight now matters more, concealment works as intended, and units actually need to expose themselves to acquire targets.
💸 Command Point (CP) rework
Remapped (almost) all unit into a data matrix then properly scales the command points to reflect their values based on each faction doctrine during the era — made possible with AI assistance.
The Result?
By combining GOH Redux’s strategic AI + WEST81’s target logic + refined vision systems, you get battles that feel smarter, flow better, and behave more realistically than either mod could achieve alone.
⚠️ Critical: Incorrect load order will break things. Use a mod manager or edit options.set manually.
- Launch the game and enable WEST81 in the Extras menu.
- Exit the game completely.
[]Navigate to your options.set file:C:UsersYourUsernameDocumentsMy Gamesgates of hellprofilesYourProfileIDoptions.set[]Open the file with Notepad and find the {mods} section at the bottom.
[]Make sure you’re subscribed to all three required mods on the Workshop:- []WEST81[]WEST81 REDUX
- Replace the entire mods section with this:
{mods "mod_2897299509:0" "mod_3418043870:0" }
- Save the file and launch the game.
That’s it. You’re in.
If you like this approach, check out my other range-tuning mods:
GOH Redux
Improvement package for vanilla
👉 Workshop Page
MACE Redux
Range tuning for MACE mod
👉 Workshop Page
CreditsNone of this would exist without the giants whose shoulders I’m standing on.
Massive thanks to the creators of HOTMOD and WEST81.
Long live HOTMOD 👑
