Rate Your RO Server Higher: Client-Side Fix for Blindness Visuals

Are you experiencing visual glitches with the blindness effect in Ragnarok Online and feel it impacts your server enjoyment? Many players consider visual clarity and smooth gameplay when they rate their servers. If you’re looking to enhance your personal gaming experience and potentially rate your server even higher, this guide is for you. We’ll show you how to easily remove the distracting visual effects of blindness client-side, improving your visibility and overall gameplay.

This modification will eliminate the visual effects of Blindness from several sources in Ragnarok Online, including:

• Demon of the Sun, Moon and Stars: A Star Gladiator skill known for permanently reducing visibility.
• Wall of Fog: A spell that obstructs vision.
• Blind Attack/Darkness Attack: Skills used by monsters like Anubis, Marc, and Familiar.
• Blind Status: Inflicted by cards like Familiar cards.

Here’s how to implement this client-side fix:

1. Install a File Extraction Program: If you don’t already have one, download and install a program to extract .zip files. 7-Zip is a free and effective option available at http://www.7-zip.org/.

2. Download Necessary Files: Obtain the essential files (fullb.tga and white02.bmp) from the attachment section. These files are provided in either a .zip archive or a .grf archive.

   • For the .zip archive, simply extract it. It will open into a data/ folder containing the two files.
   • The .grf.rename.rar file is actually a .grf file. Rename it back to .grf, place it in your Ragnarok Online directory, and ensure it’s included in your data.ini file.

3. Create Directory: This step is CRITICAL. Navigate to your Ragnarok Online installation directory and create the following folder path: datatextureeffect. For example, if your RO is installed in C:Program FilesRagray, you should create the folder at C:Program FilesRagraydatatextureeffect.

4. Copy and Paste Files: Copy the extracted fullb.tga and white02.bmp files and paste them into the newly created effect folder.

These files are intentionally blank “hot pink” images. The color “hot pink” (RGB: 255, 0, 255) is designed to render as transparent within the game engine. By replacing the original blindness effect textures with these transparent images, we effectively make the visual effects invisible. Your screen will no longer be obscured by the dark overlay when blindness is applied.

5. Run Ragnarok Online: Launch your Ragnarok Online client. With these modifications in place, you will now be immune to the visual effects of blindness. It’s important to note that while the screen effect is removed, the functional effects of blindness, such as reduced HIT and FLEE rates by 25%, will still be in effect. Your combat stats will be affected, but your vision will remain clear.

Troubleshooting:

Click here for troubleshooting steps if you encounter issues

For TYPE III Servers: A pre-made blind.grf file is available for download in the attachments. To use this, simply edit your data.ini file to prioritize blind.grf over other .grf files. This ensures the custom effects are loaded correctly.

Disclaimer:

Before implementing client-side modifications, always verify with your server administrators whether such edits are permitted. Some servers have policies against client modifications.

Note:

This client edit may potentially disable visual timer indicators that appear next to effect icons on the top right of the screen on certain servers.

Edit 2015-04: Links updated.

By implementing this simple client-side modification, you can significantly enhance your visual experience in Ragnarok Online. Consider how server responsiveness to player experience and providing options for customization contribute to a positive server environment, and how these factors play into your server ratings. Enjoy the improved clarity and happy gaming!