I've been spending a lot of time trying to create a cloaking field ability that is cast to a point on the map (like Psi Storm), but as this is my first serious time meddling with Behaviors, Effects, and Actors, I'm a bit lost. So far I have been able to create the Button and Ability and attach it to the unit's command card. When I select the button to use the ability in-game, targeting is available, but selecting a unit (all I can currently do) doesn't do anything.
My plan was essentially this:
Cast ability to a point on the map
-> Apply visual circle around radius of the cloaking field to indicate where it begins and ends (only friendly players can see)
-> Search area for friendly units
-> -> Apply cloaking effect to units
I think this is the right mindset, but I'm not entirely sure what I would be missing in this setup.
1. The ability needs to be able to target a point on the ground rather than a unit like Psi Storm. I can't seem to find where this is set.
2. Once cast, it's need to apply the cloaking field for a given time (say 40 seconds) to friendly units underneath.
3. A visual circle marking the ability's border so friendly players know where the effect is applied.
you are using the basic affect target ability if it insists on targeting a unit, change it to search area.
tbh Im no familiar enough to give you a detailed explanation
I would use psi storm as a template- the area of effect is alreadty implemented and modify the storm model/animation to fit your circle thing
Thanks for the feedback. I did look at both the Mothership and Oracle cloak abilities for some insight, and I have been trying to mimic the settings as best as possible, but it's tough to get right without a lot of experience/practice in the editor.
After a bit of meddling, I finally figured out where the cloaking effect is actually applied. Though the rest of the ability is pretty messed up at the moment. Here's what happens so far:
Cast ability for 75 energy
Target unit (still can't figure out how to make this target a point on the map)
Cloaking effect is applied to allied units and structures in the set radius
Cloaking effect then spreads to ALL allied units and structures with seemingly limitless range
Cloaking effect remains on the entire game
Numbers 2, 4, and 5 are still issues I'm having and that's only one less issue than yesterday.
My search effect is set to a radius of 5 so I'm not sure why it just spreads to everything. My behavior is set to have a Duration of 40 which I presume to mean 40 seconds, but it does last a lot longer than that.
I found that even though the ability is cool, just looking at the data doesn't really help me to understand how everything is related or what each setting does. I've spent hours looking at the Mothership and Oracle cloaking abilities and only making a bit of progress.
The concept is essentially the same as like a healing fountain. The target effect selects a position that the persistent uses to determine its "casting" location. The persistent is basically a loop; its repeats many times and extremely quickly. Every iteration it runs a search and applies a buff with the cloak modifier. The buff however is setup with a slightly longer duration than the speed of the persistent/loop. In this manner if the units moves out of the search area, the buffs times out very quickly and is not continuously applied. If the unit is instead inside the target area, each time the persistent will "renew" the buff because it reapplied it just before it would normally wear off.
I'm guessing from your above numbers you have not get the ability to target point instead of target unit, are running the search from the buff instead of the persistent, and the buff duration is far too long.
I created a persistent effect and applied that to the ability and I can now target a point on the ground as I want. I also found that the cloak was spreading indefinitely because I had the behavior's periodic effect set to the search effect. My ability now cloaks units and remains in the specified search range.
All I need to fix now is the fact that the timing is off so units constantly lose and gain cloak for the duration of the ability. Then I can just add some models and I think I would be good to go.
I've been spending a lot of time trying to create a cloaking field ability that is cast to a point on the map (like Psi Storm), but as this is my first serious time meddling with Behaviors, Effects, and Actors, I'm a bit lost. So far I have been able to create the Button and Ability and attach it to the unit's command card. When I select the button to use the ability in-game, targeting is available, but selecting a unit (all I can currently do) doesn't do anything.
My plan was essentially this:
I think this is the right mindset, but I'm not entirely sure what I would be missing in this setup.
If you would like to take look at what I have so far, here's the mod file: http://www.mediafire.com/download/as7eb2ui3tjy9mm/Lazer's_Custom_Balance.SC2Mod
Just search for Twilight Shroud and you'll see all the relevant objects.
Any input is greatly appreciated!
you are using the basic affect target ability if it insists on targeting a unit, change it to search area. tbh Im no familiar enough to give you a detailed explanation
I would use psi storm as a template- the area of effect is alreadty implemented and modify the storm model/animation to fit your circle thing
I bet some of those mothership abilities would be good templates too. I imagine that slow effect one probably uses a behavior.
Attached is map demonstrating a Smoke Screen Grenade ability matching your parameters.
Ability Effect Structure:
Launch Missile (Impact Effect) > Create Persistent (Periodic Effect) > Search Area (Search Effect) > Apply Behavior > Cloak Behavior
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@MaskedImposter: Go
Thanks for the feedback. I did look at both the Mothership and Oracle cloak abilities for some insight, and I have been trying to mimic the settings as best as possible, but it's tough to get right without a lot of experience/practice in the editor.
@greythepirate: Go
I will definitely take a look at that to see how it works.
After a bit of meddling, I finally figured out where the cloaking effect is actually applied. Though the rest of the ability is pretty messed up at the moment. Here's what happens so far:
Numbers 2, 4, and 5 are still issues I'm having and that's only one less issue than yesterday.
My search effect is set to a radius of 5 so I'm not sure why it just spreads to everything. My behavior is set to have a Duration of 40 which I presume to mean 40 seconds, but it does last a lot longer than that.
@greythepirate: Go
I found that even though the ability is cool, just looking at the data doesn't really help me to understand how everything is related or what each setting does. I've spent hours looking at the Mothership and Oracle cloaking abilities and only making a bit of progress.
@Lazernerd: Go
The concept is essentially the same as like a healing fountain. The target effect selects a position that the persistent uses to determine its "casting" location. The persistent is basically a loop; its repeats many times and extremely quickly. Every iteration it runs a search and applies a buff with the cloak modifier. The buff however is setup with a slightly longer duration than the speed of the persistent/loop. In this manner if the units moves out of the search area, the buffs times out very quickly and is not continuously applied. If the unit is instead inside the target area, each time the persistent will "renew" the buff because it reapplied it just before it would normally wear off.
I'm guessing from your above numbers you have not get the ability to target point instead of target unit, are running the search from the buff instead of the persistent, and the buff duration is far too long.
I'm finally making some good progress!
I created a persistent effect and applied that to the ability and I can now target a point on the ground as I want. I also found that the cloak was spreading indefinitely because I had the behavior's periodic effect set to the search effect. My ability now cloaks units and remains in the specified search range.
All I need to fix now is the fact that the timing is off so units constantly lose and gain cloak for the duration of the ability. Then I can just add some models and I think I would be good to go.
Try and have at least a 0.032 sec difference.
Use a Model type actor for that. The psi storm one should be a good basis.
Contribute to the wiki (Wiki button at top of page) Considered easy altering of the unit textures?
https://www.sc2mapster.com/forums/resources/tutorials/179654-data-actor-events-message-texture-select-by-id
https://media.forgecdn.net/attachments/187/40/Screenshot2011-04-17_09_16_21.jpg
I got the model and effects working perfectly now. =]
The only thing I have left to do is the cursor splat, but I should be able to figure that out. Thanks for the help everyone!
If in doubt just use a Model type actor for the splat and a retextured zergaoecursor model.
Contribute to the wiki (Wiki button at top of page) Considered easy altering of the unit textures?
https://www.sc2mapster.com/forums/resources/tutorials/179654-data-actor-events-message-texture-select-by-id
https://media.forgecdn.net/attachments/187/40/Screenshot2011-04-17_09_16_21.jpg