Learn How to Use Cheat Engine!

GuidedHacking
11 min readFeb 19, 2024

Getting Started

Before we dive in we need to grab the latest version of Cheat Engine from the official website and get it up and running on our computer. Its a straightforward process that involves downloading installing and then launching the application to start tweaking our favorite games.

Downloading Cheat Engine

First things first we’ll need to download Cheat Engine. Heres how we get our hands on it:

  1. Visit the official Cheat Engine website: https://www.cheatengine.org/
  2. Look for the ‘Downloads’ section.
  3. Click on the link for the latest version of Cheat Engine.
  4. Choose the version compatible with ur operating system — Windows or macOS.

Installation Process

Once we’ve downloaded Cheat Engine its time to install it. Heres what we need to do:

  1. Locate and open the downloaded installer file.
  2. Follow the on-screen instructions. Pay attention to each step to avoid installing unwanted programs — these can sometimes be bundled in.
    StepActionLicenseRead and accept the license agreement.ComponentsChoose the components you wish to install.InstallChoose the installation directory and proceed with the installation.

Opening Ur First Game

Now that Cheat Engine is installed let’s open our first game:

  1. Launch Cheat Engine from the desktop shortcut or start menu.
  2. Click on the ‘Open Process’ button (the computer icon).
  3. Select the game process from the list. This is usually the games executable name.
  4. Click ‘Open’ and wait for the Cheat Engine to connect to the game.

Remember when using Cheat Engine we do so responsibly and with the understanding that it can significantly alter our gaming experience. Happy tweaking!

Attaching Cheat Engine to a Process

Before we get started its crucial to understand that Cheat Engine works by altering the game’s memory. To do so we first need to attach it successfully to the games process.

Locating the Game Process

When you load up Cheat Engine the first step is to find the game process. Here’s how we do it:

  1. Click on the computer icon in the top-left corner of Cheat Engine. This is the “Process List” button.
  2. A list of processes will appear. They are usually labeled with the executable files name (.exe) which makes it easier to locate our game.
  3. Sometimes the game’s process might not be obvious. In that case we can use the game title or the developers name to narrow down our search.

Tipperinos:

  • If the games process name is different from the game title a quick online search might tell us the exact process name we should look for.
  • Some games might have multiple processes. We should attach to the primary one usually the largest or the one that appears first.

Attaching to the Process

Once we’ve identified the correct game process heres how we attach Cheat Engine to it:

  1. Select the process from the list by clicking on it once.
  2. Click ‘Open’ or simply double-click the process to attach it to Cheat Engine.
  3. Check for confirmation: Look for any changes in Cheat Engine indicating that the games process is now attached often seen at the bottom of the window displaying the processs name.

Keep in Mind:

  • Make sure the game is running in the background before we try to attach Cheat Engine to it.
  • After attaching Cheat Engine will now be able to detect the game’s values we want to change.
  • If the game is protected or detects Cheat Engine attaching to the process may be more complicated and we might need to employ additional steps or methods to bypass these protections.

Basic Memory Scanning

Memory scanning is a core function in Cheat Engine that lets us find and manipulate values within a game. By understanding how to perform a basic memory scan we can start tweaking games to our liking.

First Scan for Values

When we launch Cheat Engine the first thing we do is select the games process. After that we’re set to perform our first scan. We usually have a specific value in mind like the number of lives or coins. If its a known value we input it into the ‘Value’ field. But if its unknown we can start with an ‘Unknown initial value’ scan.

  • Exact Value: If we know the exact number we want to change we choose an ‘Exact Value’ scan.
  • Value Type: It’s crucial to select the correct ‘value type’ — whether it’s an integer float binary etc. — to get accurate results.

Understanding Scan Types

Cheat Engine offers various scan types to help us pinpoint the exact value we’re after. Knowing which scan type to use is key.

  • Exact Value: Used when the exact number is known.
  • Unknown Initial Value: When we don’t know what we’re looking for.
  • Increased/Decreased Value: Useful after a value has changed and we know the direction of that change.

A cheat sheet for scan types can look like this:

Scan TypeUse CaseExact ValueWhen you know the precise value to modify.Unknown Initial ValueWhen starting without any specific value.Increased ValueIf the value has gone up since the last scan.Decreased ValueIf the value has dropped since the last scan.

Narrowing Down Results

After the initial scan we’ll likely have a long list of results. To narrow down these results to find our desired value we’ll do the following:

  1. Change the value in the game (e.g. lose a life spend some coins).
  2. Perform a “Next Scan” with ‘Increased/Decreased Value’ or the new exact value if known.

By repeating these steps and refining our search we eventually whittle down the list to a few or just one result. This is our target value which we can now modify to affect the game.

Manipulating Data and Cheats

When we use Cheat Engine we’re mainly looking to edit values like money or health to enhance our gameplay. Lets get into how we can alter these figures utilize cheat tables effectively and save our custom cheats for future use.

Editing Values

First up we need to locate the value we want to change which could be anything from coins to points. Heres a quick rundown:

  1. Open Cheat Engine and select the game process.
  2. Search for the specific value you want to alter say health.
  3. Once the addresses are listed change the value by double-clicking it under the Value column.
  4. Modify the number to ur desired amount like bumping up ur health points.

Its crucial to be cautious — drastic changes might crash the game or trigger anti-cheat mechanics.

Using Cheat Tables

Cheat tables (.CT files) are a huge time-saver since they often contain a collection of pre-configured cheats. Heres how we can put them to good use:

  • Load a cheat table: Click the folder icon in Cheat Engine and open ur desired .CT file.
  • With the cheat table active we’ll see a list of available cheats typically with check boxes.
  • To activate a cheat just tick its box which might give us infinite ammo or endless coins.

Bear in mind that cheat tables are game-specific and not all of them might work with the current version of ur game.

Creating and Saving Cheats

Why not create our own cheat and save it for later? Heres the gist:

  1. Find the value you want to create a cheat for like extra money.
  2. Change the value as we would when editing values.
  3. Add this address to ur address list by right-clicking and selecting ‘Add selected addresses to the address list.’
  4. Now that its in ur list you can toggle it on or off anytime during ur game.

To save ur cheats:

  • Click on the diskette icon to save ur table.
  • Give it a name and you’ve now got a custom cheat table for ur next session!

Keep in mind that saving cheats can be as intricate as the games themselves so patience is key to perfecting this art.

Advanced Cheat Engine Techniques

Before we get into the weeds remember that advanced techniques in Cheat Engine are powerful tools for manipulating games to our whim. We’ll explore how to control data structures inject code and alter game speed.

Pointers and Data Structures

When dealing with complex games finding the right pointers can be crucial. These are essentially signposts that tell Cheat Engine where certain variables are stored in memory. For instance lets say you are tracking down ur characters health value which is a float. A pointer will help you find this value even if the game reloads it in a different part of memory every time.

  1. Start with the Cheat Engine tutorial; it offers great hands-on practice with pointers.
  2. Use the Pointer Scan feature after you’ve found a static address for the value of interest.

Code Injection and Scripts

With code injection we can get really fancy. This technique allows us to alter the games actual code introducing our changes to game behavior.

  • AOBs (Array of Bytes) can be modified through scripts for custom cheats.
  • Lua scripts are common allowing for creating buttons hotkeys or complex mods.

Take this very seriously though as improper code injection can crash games or cause unpredictable effects.

Speedhacks and More

Sometimes we just want the game to get a move on. Speedhack is a feature that lets us increase or decrease the games speed.

  • Activate Speedhack in Cheat Engine and modify the speed settings.
  • This can speed up in-game processes or slow them down which is great for taking ur time in tight situations.

Speedhacks can give you an edge or just save time if you are grinding through slower parts of a game.

Troubleshooting and Tips

In our journey with Cheat Engine we often face hurdles like dealing with updates or evading detection. Lets tackle these challenges head-on.

Handling Cheat Engine Updates

Cheat Engine consistently evolves with versions like cheat engine 7.4 and cheat engine 7.5 bringing new features and changes that can impact how we manipulate game values. Sometimes an update can lead to issues if our tutorials are based on previous versions. To avoid getting stuck always review the official change logs. And if you are in a pinch reverting to a previous version that worked well with ur game might be ur best bet.

Quick Tips for Updates:

  • Check Compatibility: Ensure ur game hasn’t been patched to resist the new Cheat Engine version.
  • Backup Data: Always backup ur settings and tables before updating.

Avoiding Detection in Games

Online games come with anti-cheat systems that are constantly being updated to detect third-party tools like Cheat Engine. To stay under the radar its crucial to understand how these systems work. For instance many online games have a server-side check meaning they’re looking at the data on their end which you can’t manipulate without getting caught.

Effective Strategies for Avoidance:

  • Use Cheat Engine on games with less stringent online systems or those that don’t actively check for modifications.
  • If a game is server-side heavy focus on cosmetic changes that don’t involve critical game data.
  • Stay updated with discussions about anti-cheat updates GuidedHacking on Twitter is a good source.
  • Manipulate values that have minimal impact on the game’s economy or gameplay to avoid drawing attention.

By adhering to these guidelines and tips we can continue to enjoy using Cheat Engine while minimizing the risk of detection. Remember to handle updates with care and be conscious of anti-cheat mechanisms.

Community and Resources

In the world of game hacking communities play a pivotal role in fostering collaboration and advancement Whether you are just getting started or are seeking advanced techniques the collective wisdom found in these groups is invaluable.

Finding and Sharing Cheat Tables

We leverage forums and social platforms to find and share cheat tables. Sites like Reddits guidedhacking subreddit are hubs where enthusiasts contribute and seek assistance with cheat tables for various games. Moreover Guided Hacking provides dedicated sections for sharing cheats such as the Roblox Exploit Scripting Course where Roblox-specific cheat tables and scripts are compiled. By engaging with these platforms we can obtain pre-made cheats or even upload our own thus reinforcing the sharing cycle and helping us learn from each other

Learning from Tutorials on YouTube and Patreon

To learn the intricacies of Cheat Engine tutorials are our best friends. YouTube houses countless video walkthroughs that can guide us through various levels of Cheat Engine usage. Whether its for simple game modifications or complex hacking tutorial creators on YouTube help us navigate these processes. For those of us seeking to dig deeper educational content on Patreon often offers a more structured learning path with creators providing in-depth tutorials for a fee. For an organized and accessible course consider the Game Hacking with Cheat Engine Course which can take us from basics to advanced tactics. Meanwhile the Game Hacking Bible available at GuidedHacking offers a rich source of knowledge for those of us looking to expand our skills further

FAQ!!

Lets cover some of the most common queries about using Cheat Engine ranging from getting started to the specifics of how it works

How can get started using Cheat Engine for modifying games?

To begin with Cheat Engine download the latest version from the official website. Next run the program and select the game process. Start practicing with simple values like in-game currency to familiarize urself with the basic functions

What are the steps to use Cheat Engine on a PC?

First ensure ur PC runs the game you want to modify. Open Cheat Engine click on the computer icon and select the process of ur game. Input the value you wish to change in the ‘Value’ field scan for it and then alter the value as desired

Can you get banned for using Cheat Engine?

Yes using Cheat Engine on online games can lead to a banMost online games have cheat detection mechanisms and altering game data can be a violation of the terms of service

Is there a way to download and install Cheat Engine on Android devices?

Cheat Engine is primarily designed for Windows. While there isn’t an official Cheat Engine app for Android there are similar applications available designed specifically for Android devices

How does Cheat Engine actually modify a games parameters?

Cheat Engine works by scanning the games memory and allowing you to change data values. This can affect in-game parameters such as health money or experience points

What programming language is used to script for Cheat Engine?

Cheat Engine scripts are commonly written in Lua scripting language. Lua allows for complex cheats through scripts that can automate processes and change values dynamically.

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