How to do without dummy?

[Wing-Span]

A dummy unit does not allow, for example, to apply a corruption effect that takes away armor before damage is dealt.

The only solution is a custom ability that triggers with a pre-damage event. But how can I use the editor's capabilities to apply a debuff before damage is dealt? How can I draw red numbers minus armor? Is there at least some article that explains such subtleties? For as long as I've been editing, I've never seen such deep mechanics in custom abilities.

 

[ssbbssc2]

reduce armor with dummy number one, then damage with dummy 2? show us some code to understand

 

[Nichilus]

It is definitely possible to set up a dummy in a way that would allow it to apply corruption effect. Dummy unit is, at the end of the day, just a specifically configured standard unit. As long as the setup it correct to allow it to attack, it will apply corruption.

Other ways to reduce armor could be by giving target unit modified "Item armor bonus" that gives negative armor, or if you need to display a debuff as well, you can give it a modified Devotion Aura that gives negative armor and has "Targets allowed" field set to "Self" only.
But using custom abilities means you need to track duration yourself via triggers. Still, it is fairly straightforward if you ever made some MUI spell.

 

[Wing-Span]

It is definitely possible to set up a dummy in a way that would allow it to apply corruption effect. Dummy unit is, at the end of the day, just a specifically configured standard unit. As long as the setup it correct to allow it to attack, it will apply corruption.

Other ways to reduce armor could be by giving target unit modified "Item armor bonus" that gives negative armor, or if you need to display a debuff as well, you can give it a modified Devotion Aura that gives negative armor and has "Targets allowed" field set to "Self" only.
But using custom abilities means you need to track duration yourself via triggers. Still, it is fairly straightforward if you ever made some MUI spell.

I understand all this, but in Warcraft, the corruption is applied first, and then the hero's damage occurs. With a dummy, even an attacking one, the corruption will still be applied after the hero deals damage. I don't know how to get around this. Only an instant user ability, but it seems impossible to make one.

By the way, the idea with the aura of devotion is cool. Respect here! It will work. It's a pity, of course, that such crutches have to be used))

udg: I did some tests, unfortunately the ability is triggered after damage is dealt, meaning the first hit doesn't take into account the reduction in defense.

 

[ssbbssc2]

I understand all this, but in Warcraft, the corruption is applied first, and then the hero's damage occurs. With a dummy, even an attacking one, the corruption will still be applied after the hero deals damage. I don't know how to get around this. Only an instant user ability, but it seems impossible to make one.

By the way, the idea with the aura of devotion is cool. Respect here! It will work. It's a pity, of course, that such crutches have to be used))

udg: I did some tests, unfortunately the ability is triggered after damage is dealt, meaning the first hit doesn't take into account the reduction in defense.

okay. firstly, give us a description of your ability

 

[Wing-Span]

okay. firstly, give us a description of your ability

What abilities? I just need to remove the orb effect from the sphere of corruption. That is, imitate its ability with a trigger so that it works before damage is dealt.

 

[Duckfarter]

udg: I did some tests, unfortunately the ability is triggered after damage is dealt, meaning the first hit doesn't take into account the reduction in defense.

My tests have the opposite result. The armor reduction is applied before damage is dealt. Auras dont update immediately after changing levels though so I devised a way around that. The example trigger shows how to force update the aura.

• Armor Reduction Force Update
  • Events
    • Unit - A unit About to take damage
  • Conditions
    • (Unit-type of (Damage source)) Equal to Death Knight
  • Actions
    • Unit - Add Devotion Aura (Neutral Hostile) to (Damage Target)
    • Unit - Set level of Devotion Aura (Neutral Hostile) for (Damage Target) to 2
    • Unit - Remove Devotion Aura buff from (Damage Target)
    • Unit - For (Damage Target), Ability Devotion Aura (Neutral Hostile), Disable ability: True, Hide UI: False
    • Unit - For (Damage Target), Ability Devotion Aura (Neutral Hostile), Disable ability: False, Hide UI: False

 

[Wing-Span]

My tests have the opposite result. The armor reduction is applied before damage is dealt. Auras dont update immediately after changing levels though so I devised a way around that. The example trigger shows how to force update the aura.

• Armor Reduction Force Update
  • Events
    • Unit - A unit About to take damage
  • Conditions
    • (Unit-type of (Damage source)) Equal to Death Knight
  • Actions
    • Unit - Add Devotion Aura (Neutral Hostile) to (Damage Target)
    • Unit - Set level of Devotion Aura (Neutral Hostile) for (Damage Target) to 2
    • Unit - Remove Devotion Aura buff from (Damage Target)
    • Unit - For (Damage Target), Ability Devotion Aura (Neutral Hostile), Disable ability: True, Hide UI: False
    • Unit - For (Damage Target), Ability Devotion Aura (Neutral Hostile), Disable ability: False, Hide UI: False

So the damage happens later because of this clever trick?

 

[Duckfarter]

So the damage happens later because of this clever trick?

Thats not how I would describe it. The armor reduction could always be applied to the target before damage was dealt. This trick is specifically in regards to auras with levels because auras are very slow to update after changing levels. The trick forces the aura to update immediately after changing its level.

Though you could also have several abilities instead of using this trick. One for level 1, another for level 2 and so on. Then whats required is to add the new aura or if a lesser aura is active, remove that and the buff before adding the new aura.

Without trick:

With trick:

 

[Wing-Span]

Thats not how I would describe it. The armor reduction could always be applied to the target before damage was dealt. This trick is specifically in regards to auras with levels because auras are very slow to update after changing levels. The trick forces the aura to update immediately after changing its level.

Though you could also have several abilities instead of using this trick. One for level 1, another for level 2 and so on. Then whats required is to add the new aura or if a lesser aura is active, remove that and the buff before adding the new aura.

Without trick:

View attachment 543640
With trick:

View attachment 543641

It's funny, I added the unit's ability of the ring of protection - 1000 protection and it didn't work. What can I say about auras. It turns out that auras work even earlier with this trick, huge respect for the help!

 

[Duckfarter]

It's funny, I added the unit's ability of the ring of protection - 1000 protection and it didn't work. What can I say about auras. It turns out that auras work even earlier with this trick, huge respect for the help!

No worries. I found that Item Armor Bonus is applied just as well as Devotion Aura and doesnt have the aura update problem. Auras are used out of necessity or to display a buff icon.

 

[Wing-Span]

No worries. I found that Item Armor Bonus is applied just as well as Devotion Aura and doesnt have the aura update problem. Auras are used out of necessity or to display a buff icon.

Yeah, now I get it. I have too many triggers to attack this creature, which attacks 7 targets at once with lightning bolts that transform into physical damage. Now I understand.