NS's Decorate Resource: Using Arc of Death from a Monster

[NeuralStunner]

Using Arc of Death from a Monster:
I've made this incredible discovery today. I figured it could in handy to someone else...

Sure, you can do this:

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		MAGE F 0 A_CustomMissile ("LightningCeiling", 48, 0, 0, CMF_TRACKOWNER, 0)
		MAGE F 6 A_CustomMissile ("LightningFloor", 48, 0, 0, CMF_TRACKOWNER, 0)

But it just doesn't work quite right - the arc tends to pass right through enemies, and the two parts don't work together like they should. So how do you make it work?

The only codepointer that can pass the needed information is native to [wiki=Classes:MWeapLightning]MWeapLightning[/wiki]. But that's a hint: It doesn't necessarily have to be used from a weapon's Fire state. Let's inherit from that and make a new actor... but we add a twist:

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Actor ShotLightning : MWeapLightning
{
	+WEAPON.CHEATNOTWEAPON
	+WEAPON.NO_AUTO_SWITCH
	Weapon.AmmoGive 0
	Projectile
	Speed 32
	States
	{
	Spawn:
	Death:
		TNT1 A 0
		TNT1 A 1 A_MLightningAttack
		Stop
	}
}

That's right, it's a projectile. Now, to use the attack you simply add this wherever the monster would attack:

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		MAGE F 6 A_CustomMissile ("ShotLightning", 48, 0, 0, CMF_TRACKOWNER, 0)

Now as soon as the weapon/missile is fired, it fires a properly linked lightning pillar. Zap! Just don't get in the way.

Note that this trick does not work with Frost Shards, about the only other weapon you'd want this trick for. That, however, could be simulated if you know all the angles/offsets for the fired FrostMissiles. (Incidentally, if anyone knows those, I would greatly appreciate having that info as well. )

I may have some other tidbits later on. Enjoy!

[Gez]

(Incidentally, if anyone knows those, I would greatly appreciate having that info as well. )

It'll be in the wiki eventually. But before documenting them, I'll finish the last [wiki=Classes:Beak]missing[/wiki] [wiki=Classes:BeakPowered]Heretic[/wiki] [wiki=Classes:Volcano]codepointers[/wiki]. Then it'll be Hexen's turn; and finally Strife's.