I'll continue using 05a_deltaapproach as an example.
To change the AI character skin, such as an ODST to an Elite, got to the 'scnr' tag,
Open it up and using the search menu inside of 'scnr' type 'Squads',
Your screen should look like this -
https://gyazo.com/40188e3344db53b2fe5757d8805543f9 -
Now see where character index is? It should say '6' this represents Marine ODST. Changing this character index will change the ODST into whatever you want, for the sake of giving an example, changing it to '1' will make it an Elite. Make sure you change the Team to Player to avoid a nasty TK surprise.
Scroll down to 'Starting Locations' which appears right below the 'Squads' drop box.
-
https://gyazo.com/4b698198f7dd188df04b0ebdfcafa89d -
Here is where you can change the actor variant of the Elite, the actor variant has to be in the maps file, so to see your available variants go to the 'char' tag and select any character to see their variant code, for example an Elite Major 'actor variant' code is 'Major_scl' -
https://gyazo.com/3cfdda716374cc69e4e4d8d79bc1579c - You will also want to change the Character Index in 'Starting Positions' to the same one as you have in 'Squads'
You may also want to change the starting weapons and etc, I've inboxed you a link to all the 'Default Variables'.
You'll see at the top of 'Starting Locations' there'll be a little drop down tab saying 0 - 2 (3), you'll need to go through all these dropboxes and change the Character Index's/Starting Weapons/Actor Variants. You can mix and match, this allows for diverse squads.
HIT SAVE.
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Please keep in mind that this only changes the ODST setting in this one squad, so you'll have to scroll through and find each of the ODST starting locations and change them to your liking!