diff --git a/bigstuff.cpp b/bigstuff.cpp
index ef324d9a..f03b200d 100644
--- a/bigstuff.cpp
+++ b/bigstuff.cpp
@@ -133,6 +133,14 @@ EX bool grailWasFound(cell *c) {
   return c->master->alt->alt->emeraldval & GRAIL_FOUND;
   }
 
+EX int default_levs() {
+  if(IRREGULAR)
+    return 1;
+  if(S3 >= OINF)
+    return 1;
+  return S3-3;
+  }
+
 void hrmap::generateAlts(heptagon *h, int levs, bool link_cdata) {
   if(hybri) { PIU ( generateAlts(h, levs, link_cdata) ); }
   if(!h->alt) return;
diff --git a/cell.cpp b/cell.cpp
index 99e50614..daf9150f 100644
--- a/cell.cpp
+++ b/cell.cpp
@@ -11,6 +11,8 @@
 namespace hr {
 
 #if HDR
+extern int default_levs();
+
 struct hrmap {
   virtual heptagon *getOrigin() { return NULL; }
   virtual cell *gamestart() { return getOrigin()->c7; }
@@ -18,7 +20,7 @@ struct hrmap {
   virtual vector<cell*>& allcells();
   virtual void verify() { }
   virtual void link_alt(const cellwalker& hs) { }
-  virtual void generateAlts(heptagon *h, int levs = IRREGULAR ? 1 : S3 >= OINF ? 1 : S3-3, bool link_cdata = true);
+  virtual void generateAlts(heptagon *h, int levs = default_levs(), bool link_cdata = true);
   heptagon *may_create_step(heptagon *h, int direction) {
     if(h->move(direction)) return h->move(direction);
     return create_step(h, direction);