[DECORATE] Make monster 'know' if it hits target.

[Ravick]

Hi there.

I'd like some melee monsters to start their attack animation, but then choose from one of two possible ends of the animation depending on if they successful hit their target or not. Is it possible? I'm guessing it might be based on the fact that it could be done with the sound, just like in the revenant's punch (it is 'hard-code' side, but still...).

Thanks in advance!

[Matt]

Does it have to be DECORATE? This seems to be exactly the sort of thing we have ZScript (and pointers and custom functions with returns and thinkers, etc.) for...

Use of +HITTRACER, A_GiveToTarget, A_RearrangePointers, etc. can help you transfer this information using inventory items and pointers even without ZS, but it will only be able to tell if an actor had been hit (not necessarily the target).

[Arctangent]

Use of +HITTRACER, A_GiveToTarget, A_RearrangePointers, etc. can help you transfer this information using inventory items and pointers even without ZS, but it will only be able to tell if an actor had been hit (not necessarily the target).

Actually, monster melee attacks don't use hitscans. If it's possible to hit the target ( i.e. they're in range and there's no line of sight blockers between them and the monster, keeping in mind that other actors don't block line of sight ) then they hit the target. That's why it's impossible to cause infighting between melee monsters.

[Ravick]

I like to share some stuff with some zandronum modder friends, thats why I usually use DECORATE (well, that and the fact I'm still TOO MUCH noob in ZScript). I wouldn't even know where to start.

I guess I'll try a distance check them. But it'd bug when its target is behind a line that is suposed to be glass or so.

[Arctangent]

I guess I'll try a distance check them. But it'd bug when its target is behind a line that is suposed to be glass or so.

It'd also bug if the target is behind any line of sight blocker that is thin enough to still leave the target in range. This is why something like [wiki]A_JumpIfTargetInLOS[/wiki] is important.

[Ravick]

Good thinking! I'll use that. Thanks!

[Matt]

Actually, monster melee attacks

No one is required to use that, though. In fact, my first instinct is typically to use a short-range invisible projectile, just because it's so much simpler to add more complex behaviours (blocking, etc.) if desired.


(and beyond that I'm pretty sure there is actually a line check involved even if no puff is necessarily generated... and I'm not sure that there is no no puff without looking it up)

[Arctangent]

(and beyond that I'm pretty sure there is actually a line check involved even if no puff is necessarily generated... and I'm not sure that there is no no puff without looking it up)

I think there technically is ... but not for determining whether or not the attack hits, but rather for determining where blood decals spray. Check the definition of a typical monster attack function - it's nothing more than a check if the target is in range, and if so, deal damage, play a sound, and cause it to bleed. Otherwise, do the projectile attack instead. Even dedicated melee attack functions, like the pinkies', work the same way.

And yes, CheckMeleeRange() doesn't have line trace snuck in.

And sure, all of this means that standard monster melee attacks aren't suited for things like making that barriers and barricades block 'em ... but I feel like you're overestimating the amount of mods that do stuff like that, especially considering this is about basically doing what the vanilla revenant does, but with more flare and polish.