rules.xml is a game file which dictates the values of a significant number of game parameters, ranging from nation powers and government effects to game setup options and population caps.
For vanilla Rise of Nations, it is located in the \data\ subfolder. With the expansion installed, a new file is used, located in the \data\ of where the expansion is installed to. In the Extended Edition, the file is in the \Data\ subfolder.
Editing the file[]
The file can be edited with any text editor, like Windows' built-in Notepad, or a more specialised text editor such as Notepad++.
Warning: Back up the file before editing! Also be aware that in multiplayer games, all users must use the same version of data files, otherwise the session will abort due to loss of synchronization.
Contents overview[]
Note: This list is a brief and incomplete overview and is based on the T&P/EE version of the file.
The first ~175 entries are general game parameters and misc building/tech parameters, such as flanking damage bonuses, the maximum number of aircraft in an airbase, the base gather rate of certain structures, and how plunder bonuses are calculated.
After that are parameters for Wonders, followed by Nation powers, rare resources, Governments, Conquer the World campaigns, special units (such as Patriots and Generals), and some additional misc things including the Armageddon Clock.
Following that are a number of tooltips for technologies and governments.