> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://axiomemu.gitbook.io/docs/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://axiomemu.gitbook.io/docs/data/customdeathmessage.md).

# CustomDeathMessage.txt

Maps a monster class (monster type id) to a custom taunt delivered to the killed player in chat. Overrides the vanilla death message for that monster class. Gated by [Custom.dat](/docs/gameserver/custom-dat.md#custom-death-message) `CustomDeathMessageSwitch`.

## File Location

```
Data/Custom/CustomDeathMessage.txt
```

Loaded once at GameServer startup. Changes require a restart.

## Format

Plain text, whitespace-delimited. The first comment line names the columns; each following row is `<index> "<text>"`. The file is terminated by the literal `end` on its own line or by end-of-file.

```
//index text
1 "Hihihih I'm Very Strong Monster"
2 "Hihihih I'm Very Strong Monster"
...
end
```

## Columns

| Column  | Type          | Effect                                                                                                                                       |
| ------- | ------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `index` | int           | Monster class (the monster's type id). Same numbering as [Monster.txt](/docs/data/monster/monster.md) entries                                |
| `text`  | quoted string | Taunt sent to the player's chat when a monster of this class kills them. Stored in a 128-byte buffer (127 usable chars plus null terminator) |

## Important Behavior

* Enabled by [Custom.dat](/docs/gameserver/custom-dat.md#custom-death-message) `CustomDeathMessageSwitch = 1`. Setting it to `0` disables the feature entirely; no replacement message is sent
* Only triggers when a monster kills a player. Player-on-player kills are unaffected
* The taunt is delivered to the killed player only, shown as chat originating from the killing monster. It is NOT broadcast to nearby players
* Monster classes not listed here produce no custom taunt; there is no fallback vanilla death-line system - the field is simply silent
* Duplicate indices: the last occurrence wins silently
* Rows beyond the 127-char text limit are truncated when loaded; the chat send path truncates further at 255 bytes

## Examples

{% code title="CustomDeathMessage.txt fragment" %}

```
//index text
34 "Are You crazy !! You attack me"
131 "You cannot defeat me!"
200 "Bow before Kundun."
426 "Ashes to ashes."
end
```

{% endcode %}

## Cross-File Dependencies

| Value         | Related in                                                                                   |
| ------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `index`       | Must match a monster class id in [Monster.txt](/docs/data/monster/monster.md)                |
| Master toggle | [Custom.dat](/docs/gameserver/custom-dat.md#custom-death-message) `CustomDeathMessageSwitch` |

## Common Issues

* **Messages not appearing** - `CustomDeathMessageSwitch = 0` in Custom.dat, or the killing monster's class is not listed here
* **Wrong monster says the wrong line** - index mismatch with the monster class table; verify the shipped monster list
* **Text cut off mid-sentence** - message exceeded the 127-char text buffer or the 255-byte chat send cap; shorten it
* **Special characters mangled** - file encoding is ANSI; multibyte characters may garble. Use plain ASCII where possible