[Solved] Finding an AOE attack center location

[Axis.Highpriest]

I'm trying to create a passive ability that works similar to Burning Oil. When an artillery unit with it attacks I want it to create an area that slows units which pass through it. To achieve that I thought that I should create a dummy unit upon missile impact and give that dummy a modified tornado slow aura. Now the problem I'm facing is that I don't know where to create that dummy, or more specifically: How do I find the center point of the artillery AOE, so I can spawn the dummy there. Since I don't want missile homing enabled for this and I want it to create the area even without any units being hit (just like burning oil), I can't just use the position of an attacked unit (or at least I can't think of a way to use it).

I'm using Damage Engine for some other things in the map. Maybe that can be used for a solution.

This is my first post, so if I forgot anything please tell me.

 

[Cheshire]

why not just give the artillery unit a modified 'frost arrows'?

 

[Axis.Highpriest]

why not just give the artillery unit a modified 'frost arrows'?

Unfortunately that wouldn't work, as that would not create an area in which all units in it are slowed. Imagine the following situation: the artillery unit fires and upon impact the units in the impact area are slowed. Now a unit, which was not hit by the attack, enters the area. It would not be slowed. However, that is exactly what I want and what makes the whole thing so difficult. I want this to work just like Burning Oil, but instead of dealing damage it want it to slow units.

I appreciate the idea though

Edit: since my account is new my answers need moderation and take time until they are posted.

 

[Uncle]

It's tough because you can't detect when an attack is launched.

You can detect when an attack starts (Event: A unit is attacked) and when damage is dealt (Damage Engine), but that doesn't really help much.

One method that might work is to make the unit's attack get replaced with an order to cast a hidden targeted ability. This would allow you to create the Dummy in response to the Event: A unit starts the effect of an ability, which would either be at the target point of ability being cast (in response to Attack Ground) or at the position of target unit of ability being cast (in response to a standard Attack).

Something like that could work but I'm not 100% sure.

 

[Axis.Highpriest]

It's tough because you can't detect when an attack is launched.

You can detect when an attack starts (Event: A unit is attacked) and when damage is dealt (Damage Engine), but that doesn't really help much.

One method that might work is to make the unit's attack get replaced with an order to cast a hidden targeted ability. This would allow you to create the Dummy in response to the Event: A unit starts the effect of an ability, which would either be at the target point of ability being cast (in response to Attack Ground) or at the position of target unit of ability being cast (in response to a standard Attack).

Something like that could work but I'm not 100% sure.

This is a very interresting approach. Never would have thought of that. I think this could work (if I can manage to code it). The one problem I see though is, that for the spell which replaces the attack, the damage would have to be calculated the exact same way, the actual attack damage would be calculated, or I would have to get that information from the unit dynamically (if that is even possible). And I don't know how to do either. I'm also not sure how to replace the attack order. Will have to do some searching and see if I can come up with anything. I love to idea though. Thanks for that!

 

[Daffa]

Disease Cloud?

 

[Uncle]

Oh duh, the meatwagon's disease cloud does exactly that. That's convenient. So you'd just remove the damage per second from it and replace the cloud's ability with your Slow Aura.

 

[Axis.Highpriest]

Disease Cloud?

Oh my god. That is so good. Thank you!

Oh duh, the meatwagon's disease cloud does exactly that. That's convenient. So you'd just remove the damage per second from it and replace the cloud's ability with your Slow Aura.

This is the solution to my question. Thank you for explaining it