Does anyone know which file dictates the default faction starting abilities.

i.e. Altarian start with Ancient and Certain.

I thought it was the FactionDefs.xml, but editing has no effect. In fact you can delete it and it still works.

I don't want to change it, I just need to know which file to parse for my Tech Tree Viewer.

Edit:

Ok it seems the FactionDefs.xml is responsible for the default abilities with the following caveats,

1) It doesn't update even after a reboot, I got it to update after messing around in the faction editor. I gave the Altarians the Conqueror ability just to test my theory.

I then changed it back and could only get it to update after doing a 'verify local files'.  It must be cached somewhere, but for the life of me I can't find it.

2) The Snathi Revenge are not listed in the main FactionDefs.xml, they have their own FactionDefs.xml in a separate DLC folder.

I cannot make my Tech Tree Viewer dynamic. There are other DLC xmls that have the FationList root that have a completely different format.

This is really annoying as there is no consistency with the xmls.

What I am trying to achieve.

In GC3 you had individual tech trees. I Scan the xmls for TechList root node, parse and display.

In Crusade you have Factions that have traits.

Plan was to scan FactionDefs.xml for Factions, parse traits, parse MasterTechDefs.xml, filter by trait and display.

But the file doesn't seem to have any direct bearing on the actual default factions.

Am I missing something obvious?

Any Devs or modders want to shed some light on this please.