New Variant Help

[bpleshek]

I would like to modify vanilla to my own specifications. Is there a guide out there someone can point me to? Short of that, a few questions:

I notice that something as "simple" as the .txt files in the edit directory has a message stating to beware or you can screw things up. Can simply adding another creature to the bottom of the list screw anything up? I am using the monster creator found here: http://www.thangorodrim.net/tools/monster_creator.html so as to not screw up the values.

Do I need to use the next sequential number for my new creatures or can I start my creatures at 900?

Do I need to raise a constant somewhere that tells the max number of creatures?

Do the effects take place immediately if i delete the raw files or do i have to wait for the creation of a new character?

The same questions would apply to the item and artifact .txt files as well.

Brian