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Attack-damage detection engine (JASS)

Level 11
Joined
Jul 12, 2005
Messages
764
Attack-damage detection engine

This system uses Kattana's Handle Vars!

This system is supposed to detect when an attack hits the target unit. It is important, that this system detects only damage coming from attack, so it’s not the same as the WEU trigger ‘Any unit damaged’! (I just heared about it, I don’t use WEU on purpose)

Advantages of this system (over ‘Any unit is attacked’ triggers):
-Detects when the attack HITS the target. Noticable on ranged attacks.
-Does care about “missed” attacks.
-We can get the exact value of the damage!

How it works:

1. First we create a trigger that detects when a unit is attacked (let’s call this the “AttackTrigger” - AT)
JASS:
 function AttackTrigger_Conditions takes nothing returns boolean
    //Conditions will be put here later.
endfunction

function AttackTrigger_Actions takes nothing returns nothing
    local unit AttackingUnit = GetAttacker()       //We store the attacking unit
    local unit AttackedUnit = GetTriggerUnit()    //We store the attacked unit - this one will take the damage
endfunction

function InitTrig_AttackDamageDetection takes nothing returns nothing
    local trigger AttackTrigger = CreateTrigger()
    call TriggerRegisterAnyUnitEventBJ(AttackTrigger, EVENT_PLAYER_UNIT_ATTACKED)
    call TriggerAddCondition(AttackTrigger, Condition( function AttackTrigger_Conditions))
    call TriggerAddAction(AttackTrigger, function AttackTrigger_Actions)
    set AttackTrigger = null
endfunction
From now on, I’ll illuminate the function(s) only that need to be refreshed/completed!

2. The AT creates a new (local) trigger that fires when the attacked unit takes damage. Let’s call this the “DamageTrigger” – DT.
JASS:
 function DamageTrigger_Conditions takes nothing returns boolean
endfunction

function DamageTrigger_Actions takes nothing returns nothing
endfunction

function AttackTrigger_Actions takes nothing returns nothing
    local unit AttackingUnit = GetAttacker()       //We store the attacking unit
    local unit AttackedUnit = GetTriggerUnit()    //We store the attacked unit - this one will take the damage
    local trigger DamageTrigger = CreateTrigger()  //We create the damage trigger
    call TriggerRegisterUnitEvent(DamageTrigger, AttackedUnit, EVENT_UNIT_DAMAGED)
    call TriggerAddCondition(DamageTrigger, Condition(function DamageTrigger_Conditions))
    call TriggerAddAction(DamageTrigger, function DamageTrigger_Actions)
endfunction

3. Note that there is duration between the attack and the hit (damage)! Think of ranged attacks as an example. In this period, the attacked unit can take damage from other units, so we must filter the one that’s caused by the attacking unit. For this, we must attach/store the attacker onto the DT, and make a check in the condition.
JASS:
 function DamageTrigger_Conditions takes nothing returns boolean
    return GetEventDamageSource() == GetHandleUnit(GetTriggeringTrigger(), "Attacker")
endfunction

function DamageTrigger_Actions takes nothing returns nothing
endfunction

function AttackTrigger_Actions takes nothing returns nothing
    local unit AttackingUnit = GetAttacker()       //We store the attacking unit
    local unit AttackedUnit = GetTriggerUnit()    //We store the attacked unit - this one will take the damage
    local trigger DamageTrigger = CreateTrigger()  //We create the damage trigger
    
    call SetHandleHandle(DamageTrigger, "Attacker", AttackingUnit)
    
    call TriggerRegisterUnitEvent(DamageTrigger, AttackedUnit, EVENT_UNIT_DAMAGED)
    call TriggerAddCondition(DamageTrigger, Condition(function DamageTrigger_Conditions))
    call TriggerAddAction(DamageTrigger, function DamageTrigger_Actions)
endfunction
I hope it’s clearer now…

4. Now that we filtered the attacker, we can go on to the DT. We have to identify which unit is which. Here it goes:
JASS:
 function DamageTrigger_Actions takes nothing returns nothing
    local unit AttackedUnit = GetTriggerUnit()
    local unit AttackingUnit = GetEventDamageSource()
    local trigger DamageTrigger = GetTriggeringTrigger()
    call FlushHandleLocals(DamageTrigger)
    call DestroyTrigger(DamageTrigger)
    //Here come the actions you want originally with the attacked/attacking unit.
    set DamageTrigger = null
    set AttackingUnit = null
    set AttackedUnit = null
endfunction

5. We are nearly(!) ready. We still have to deals with bugs that could occur:
The unit attacks, the DT is created, but the attacker misses. The DT remains forever. To eliminate this bug, we have to destroy the DT in the AT after a time period. After that, it’s time to null the locals.
JASS:
 function AttackTrigger_Actions takes nothing returns nothing
    local unit AttackingUnit = GetAttacker()       //We store the attacking unit
    local unit AttackedUnit = GetTriggerUnit()    //We store the attacked unit - this one will take the damage
    local trigger DamageTrigger = CreateTrigger()  //We create the damage trigger
    
    call SetHandleHandle(DamageTrigger, "Attacker", AttackingUnit)
    
    call TriggerRegisterUnitEvent(DamageTrigger, AttackedUnit, EVENT_UNIT_DAMAGED)
    call TriggerAddCondition(DamageTrigger, Condition(function DamageTrigger_Conditions))
    call TriggerAddAction(DamageTrigger, function DamageTrigger_Actions)
    
    call TriggerSleepAction(1.5)
    call FlushHandleLocals(DamageTrigger)
    call DestroyTrigger(DamageTrigger)
    
    set DamageTrigger = null
    set AttackingUnit = null
    set AttackingUnit = null
endfunction
“BUG”
And here, I have to mention something, because this is the only point where this system is not (it can’t be) 100% accurate. Because of that wait time. Let’s see some situations. Ideally Hunter attacks the Wild with an axe (melee). The DT is created, the damage is taken, the DT is destroyed, everything is just fine. Bug situations:
1) Hunter attacks the Wild with a bow (ranged). Same happens, but let’s say that the arrow does not reach Wild in 1.5 seconds! The DT is already destroyed, so no effect will go off…
2) Hunter attacks, but misses! The DT remains for 1.5 seconds, but what if Hunter’s attack-rate is less than 1.5 (0.8 for instance). He attacks again, creates a new DT, but the other one is still active, so double effect will go off…
For the first bug there’s no solution.

6. Let’s solve bug #2. For this, we must store the DT on the attacker, and make a check in the AT’s condition if there’s an active DT already. I’ll highlight newly needed lines only:
JASS:
 function AttackTrigger_Conditions takes nothing returns boolean

    return GetHandleTrigger(GetAttacker(), "DamageTrig") == null
    
endfunction

function DamageTrigger_Conditions takes nothing returns boolean
//  return GetEventDamageSource() == GetHandleUnit(GetTriggeringTrigger(), "Attacker")
endfunction

function DamageTrigger_Actions takes nothing returns nothing
//  local unit AttackedUnit = GetTriggerUnit()
//  local unit AttackingUnit = GetEventDamageSource()
//  local trigger DamageTrigger = GetTriggeringTrigger()
//  call FlushHandleLocals(DamageTrigger)
//  call DestroyTrigger(DamageTrigger)
    
    call SetHandleHandle(AttackingUnit, "DamageTrig", null)
    
//  set DamageTrigger = null
//  set AttackingUnit = null
//  set AttackedUnit = null
endfunction
//
//function AttackTrigger_Actions takes nothing returns nothing
//  local unit AttackingUnit = GetAttacker()       //We store the attacking unit
//  local unit AttackedUnit = GetTriggerUnit()    //We store the attacked unit - this one will take the damage
//  local trigger DamageTrigger = CreateTrigger()  //We create the damage trigger

    call SetHandleHandle(AttackingUnit, "DamageTrig", DamageTrigger)
    
//  call SetHandleHandle(DamageTrigger, "Attacker", AttackingUnit)
//  call TriggerRegisterUnitEvent(DamageTrigger, AttackedUnit, EVENT_UNIT_DAMAGED)
//  call TriggerAddCondition(DamageTrigger, Condition(function DamageTrigger_Conditions))
//  call TriggerAddAction(DamageTrigger, function DamageTrigger_Actions)
//  call TriggerSleepAction(2)
//  call FlushHandleLocals(DamageTrigger)
//  call DestroyTrigger(DamageTrigger)

    call SetHandleHandle(AttackingUnit, "DamageTrig", null)  
    
//  set DamageTrigger = null
//  set AttackingUnit = null
//  set AttackingUnit = null
endfunction

function InitTrig_AttackDamageDetection takes nothing returns nothing
//  local trigger AttackTrigger = CreateTrigger()
//  call TriggerRegisterAnyUnitEventBJ(AttackTrigger, EVENT_PLAYER_UNIT_ATTACKED)
//  call TriggerAddCondition(AttackTrigger, Condition( function AttackTrigger_Conditions))
//  call TriggerAddAction(AttackTrigger, function AttackTrigger_Actions)
//  set AttackTrigger = null
endfunction



7. The final code should look like this:
This is an “artificial” critical strike (100% chance, 2x damage, without damage display just to keep the code clean).
JASS:
 function AttackTrigger_Conditions takes nothing returns boolean
    return GetHandleTrigger(GetAttacker(), "DamageTrig") == null and GetUnitAbilityLevel(GetAttacker(), 'A000') > 0
endfunction

function DamageTrigger_Conditions takes nothing returns boolean
    return GetEventDamageSource() == GetHandleUnit(GetTriggeringTrigger(), "Attacker")
endfunction

function DamageTrigger_Actions takes nothing returns nothing
    local unit AttackedUnit = GetTriggerUnit()
    local unit AttackingUnit = GetEventDamageSource()
    local trigger DamageTrigger = GetTriggeringTrigger()
    call FlushHandleLocals(DamageTrigger)
    call DestroyTrigger(DamageTrigger)
    call SetHandleHandle(AttackingUnit, "DamageTrig", null)
    //Here come the actions you want originally with the attacked/attacking unit.
    call UnitDamageTarget(AttackingUnit, AttackedUnit, GetEventDamage(), true, false, ATTACK_TYPE_CHAOS, DAMAGE_TYPE_UNIVERSAL, null)
    set DamageTrigger = null
    set AttackingUnit = null
    set AttackedUnit = null
endfunction

function AttackTrigger_Actions takes nothing returns nothing
    local unit AttackingUnit = GetAttacker()       //We store the attacking unit
    local unit AttackedUnit = GetTriggerUnit()    //We store the attacked unit - this one will take the damage
    local trigger DamageTrigger = CreateTrigger()  //We create the damage trigger
    call SetHandleHandle(AttackingUnit, "DamageTrig", DamageTrigger)
    call SetHandleHandle(DamageTrigger, "Attacker", AttackingUnit)
    call TriggerRegisterUnitEvent(DamageTrigger, AttackedUnit, EVENT_UNIT_DAMAGED)
    call TriggerAddCondition(DamageTrigger, Condition(function DamageTrigger_Conditions))
    call TriggerAddAction(DamageTrigger, function DamageTrigger_Actions)
    call TriggerSleepAction(2)
    call FlushHandleLocals(DamageTrigger)
    call DestroyTrigger(DamageTrigger)
    call SetHandleHandle(AttackingUnit, "DamageTrig", null)
    set DamageTrigger = null
    set AttackingUnit = null
    set AttackingUnit = null
endfunction

function InitTrig_AttackDamageDetection takes nothing returns nothing
    local trigger AttackTrigger = CreateTrigger()
    call TriggerRegisterAnyUnitEventBJ(AttackTrigger, EVENT_PLAYER_UNIT_ATTACKED)
    call TriggerAddCondition(AttackTrigger, Condition( function AttackTrigger_Conditions))
    call TriggerAddAction(AttackTrigger, function AttackTrigger_Actions)
    set AttackTrigger = null
endfunction
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Level 10
Joined
Nov 10, 2004
Messages
351
acording to Vexorian boolexpr's doesent leak when you use Condtition() I think it actually is risky destroying them.
Easy to make a local trigger leakless.
JASS:
call SetHandleHandle(DamageTrigger,TriggerAddAction)(DamageTrigger, function DamageTrigger_Actions,"Action")
call SetHandleHandle(DamageTrigger,TriggerAddCondition(DamageTrigger, Condition(function DamageTrigger_Conditions)),"Cond") 
// to destroy:
call TriggerRemoveAction(GetHandleTriggerAction(DamageTrigger,"Action"))
call TriggerRemoveCondition(GetHandleCondition(DamageTrigger,"Cond")) //not 100% sure on if this one should be removed. i guess it should.
call DestroyTrigger(DamageTrigger)
 

Dr Super Good

Spell Reviewer
Level 63
Joined
Jan 18, 2005
Messages
27,191
All handles leak, and I believe that includeds boolexpr since why should it be an exception, but I believe in the common use for it it does not leak and thus it does not leak but if you make triggers constantly as part of a spell it probably will leak.

JASS:
native TriggerAddAction takes trigger whichTrigger,code actionFunc returns triggeraction
native TriggerAddCondition takes trigger whichTrigger,boolexpr condition returns triggercondition
//BLANK LINE
This is the specification of the functions we are talking about.

JASS:
native TriggerRemoveAction takes trigger whichTrigger,triggeraction whichAction returns nothing
native TriggerRemoveCondition takes trigger whichTrigger,triggercondition whichCondition returns nothing
//BLANK LINE
These are the functions that diablo recomended to remove the leak, notice that they require the storing of the handles of triggeraction and triggercondition when you make them to use them and thus it would require more handle opperations making it inconveinent to use and could result overall lower map preformance on slow computers. These seem too inconvinent to really try and use alot.

JASS:
native TriggerClearActions takes trigger whichTrigger returns nothing
native TriggerClearConditions takes trigger whichTrigger returns nothing
//BLANK LINE
Now correct me if I am wrong but do these not do exactly the same as the ones diablo recommended but better since it requires nothing but the trigger and it removes all the conditions/actions from the trigger? If so you couldeasily fix it via adding these onto the trigger destruction section to help flush it and much more efficently than Diablo's idea.

So I say this should be approved once this minor action/condition leak is fixed and who really cares if the removing of the boolexpr is not necescary but it is better to be safe than sorry (ruin others maps with leaks).

You may also concider submiting a version of this to the JASS functions section if you have not already.

You may also like to add how to make it single unit specfic (or include the code for that) since some people may not want it to trigger when every unit attacks especially if it is for just 1 heroes ability.

I would like to remind members that vexorian is not part of this site and thus do not yell for him when some of our trigger moderators have no idea about something.
 
Last edited:

Dr Super Good

Spell Reviewer
Level 63
Joined
Jan 18, 2005
Messages
27,191
Do not re-invent the wheel. This has fewer features than modern DDS systems which I suggest you study instead of using this as a baseline to make your own. Of course, you do pay a size-tax for that, but that's hardly an issue for 99.9% of people.
Of course it is out dated. This system was made over 14 years ago. Some WC3 players were not even born when the author was making it...
 
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