WDT main file

The main .wdt file holds the map-wide header (MPHD), the 64 × 64 tile table (MAIN) saying which tiles have terrain, since 8.1 the per-tile FileDataID table (MAID), and — for WMO-only maps — the single global map object (MWMO/MODF). It is version-parametric: the layout differs by client version, which wowlib models as one WDTRoot<version> per expansion (Python: WDTRootVanillaToLegion, WDTRootBfa, WDTRootShadowlandsPlus). This page documents the generic model, shown as WDTRoot⟨version⟩.

Each field carries its chunk FourCC (linking to wowdev.wiki). A field whose availability is version-restricted also carries an expansion badge (both ends inclusive); a field with no badge exists in every supported version. The badges are generated from the C++ sources, so they cannot drift.

Expansions:VanillaTBCWotLKCataMoPWoDLegionBfASLDFTWW

The WDTRoot base

WDTRoot

WDTRoot()

A WDT main file, abstract over the client version. The main file says which map tiles exist (and, since 8.1, which FileDataIDs serve them), or references the one global WMO of an object-only map. Construct a concrete version with WDTRoot.for_version(expansion); the per-version WDTRoot* classes are subclasses. See https://wowdev.wiki/WDT.

for_version staticmethod

for_version(expansion: Expansion) -> WDTRoot⟨version⟩

Construct the concrete WDTRoot for a client version — the abstract WDTRoot is never instantiated directly. The return type narrows per expansion (a typed overload per Expansion member), so for_version(Expansion.Wotlk) returns a WDTRootWotlk; a runtime Expansion value yields the AnyWDTRoot union.

validate

validate() -> ValidationReport

Check the logical integrity contracts this file must satisfy to LOAD in the client, which write() deliberately never enforces. Call it before writing when you want to know the result will load. A file read from a client and left unmodified reports no errors; warnings mark states real client files ship.

Returns:

Type	Description
ValidationReport	every violated contract, each with its member path

ensure_valid

ensure_valid() -> None

Validate and raise on the first error instead of returning a report — the assert-style face of validate().

Returns:

Type	Description
None	nothing; raises when validate() finds any error

Fields

Header

The file version, the map-wide header and the Shadowlands anima paths.

mver property writable MVER

mver: Annotated[int, uint32]

The WDT format version; 18 for every supported client.

header property writable MPHD

header: WDTHeader⟨version⟩

The map header (MPHD): flags and, since 8.1, the satellite FileDataIDs.

Tile table

Which of the 64 x 64 map tiles exist, and (since 8.1) the FileDataIDs serving each.

tiles property MAIN

tiles: list[SMAreaInfo]

The tile table (MAIN): 64 x 64 records in row-major order (y outer, x inner), flagging which tiles have an ADT.