[GUI] How to reset cooldown for one ability

[rulerofiron99]

Introduction
You've probably already worked with

• Unit - Reset ability cooldowns for unit

or at least seen it in action in maps like DotA.

If you haven't, there is a nasty side to this action: since it affects all cooldowns for the unit, you cannot refresh only a chosen spell.

Method, GUI
Look at the following code:

• Set ResetUnit = Paladin 0001 //unit that needs a cooldown reset
• Set ResetAbility = Holy Light //ability that must be reset
• Set AbilityLevel = (Level of ResetAbility for ResetUnit)
• Unit - Remove ResetAbility from ResetUnit
• Unit - Add ResetAbility to ResetUnit
• Unit - Set level of ResetAbility for ResetUnit to AbilityLevel

Without using the aforementioned action, we can reset the cooldown for our chosen ability by simply removing and re-adding it to our unit.

As another example, let's make a spell that has a chance to reset itself.

I'll use Archmage's Water Elemental.

• Reset Water Elemental
  • Events
    • Unit - A unit Finishes casting an ability
  • Conditions
    • (Ability being cast) Equal to Summon Water Elemental
  • Actions
    • If (All Conditions are True) then do (Then Actions) else do (Else Actions)
      • If - Conditions
        • (Random percentage) Less than or equal to 50.00
      • Then - Actions
        • Set ResetUnit = (Triggering unit)
        • Set ResetAbility = Summon Water Elemental
        • Set AbilityLevel = (Level of ResetAbility for ResetUnit)
        • Unit - Remove ResetAbility from ResetUnit
        • Unit - Add ResetAbility to ResetUnit
        • Unit - Set level of ResetAbility for ResetUnit to AbilityLevel
      • Else - Actions

Some things to note:

• Removing the ability on
  
  • Unit - A unit Starts the effect of an ability
  causes the ability to not cast, but still drain the caster's mana.
• Reseting on
  
  • Unit - A unit Finishes casting an ability
  Only triggers when the unit finishes its
  Art - Animation - Cast Backswing time.
  In the Archmage example, if you animation cancel (order him to do something before he's finished animating, but after the unit has been summoned), the event won't trigger.
• Reseting a transformation ability reverts the unit to its normal form. Works for hero transformations.

JASS
The JASS code is even smaller and simpler.

function ResetUnitAbilityCooldown takes unit u, integer abil returns nothing
    local integer l = GetUnitAbilityLevel( u, abil )
    if UnitRemoveAbility( u, abil ) then
        call UnitAddAbility( u, abil )
        call SetUnitAbilityLevel( u, abil, l )
    endif
endfunction

Credits to Troll-Brain for the "if UnitRemoveAbility( u, abil )" fix.

I suggest using this for GUI users as well. Using it is easy:

• Set ResetUnit = Demon Hunter 0005
• Set ResetAbility = Metamorphosis
• Custom script: call ResetUnitAbilityCooldown(udg_ResetUnit, udg_ResetAbility)

 

[Chaosy]

I could explain this in one row of text aint it too simple to be a tutorial? but it's indeed a useful trick

 

[rulerofiron99]

You're right, it is probably too simple.

I like it here since it's more accessible and easier to find than if it is in WEHZ/Triggers & Scripts.

 

[edo494]

the GUI custom script and Jass functions have different names, just so you know

 

[rulerofiron99]

the GUI custom script and Jass functions have different names, just so you know

Whoops. Thanks!

 

[Almia]

This can be worth as a vJASS snippet

 

[rulerofiron99]

This can be worth as a vJASS snippet

IMO it's better as a JASS script, for compatibility and all.

 

[Almia]

[jass=]if UnitRemoveAbility(u,abil) and UnitAddAbility(u,abil) then
call SetUnitAbilityLevel(u,abil,l)
endif[/code]
much shorter

 

[edo494]

its actually only 1 letter shorter (call -> and)

 

[Sunchips]

Can you do this with abilities in a spellbook?

 

[Almia]

Reseting spell book also resets the abilities inside it.
Well,it cant

 

[Sunchips]

I figured out a way to reset the cooldown of one ability inside a spellbook.
Here is how I did it: I have one spellbook with my spells in. Let's call this spellbook A. The spell I want to reset is Spell A in spellbook A. I have to make a hidden Spellbook. Spellbook B. This hidden spellbook must contain yet another Spellbook (Spellbook C) which also contains Spell A. Spellbook C must share Order ID with Spellbook A. Spellbook C must have a unique ID. When I want to reset the Cooldown on spell A I must remove Spell A from the hero and then Add Spellbook C to the hero. He will now get the ability back, ready to be cast.

However this closes the spellbook but it can be forced to be opened by forcing a keyboard action through triggers but the function will be crude. Also I guess the spellbooks, despite being hidden will get duplicated forever since you never remove them and this probably can lead to a leak and a crash. However, it works.

 

[Xonok]

I figured out a way to reset the cooldown of one ability inside a spellbook.
Here is how I did it: I have one spellbook with my spells in. Let's call this spellbook A. The spell I want to reset is Spell A in spellbook A. I have to make a hidden Spellbook. Spellbook B. This hidden spellbook must contain yet another Spellbook (Spellbook C) which also contains Spell A. Spellbook C must share Order ID with Spellbook A. Spellbook C must have a unique ID. When I want to reset the Cooldown on spell A I must remove Spell A from the hero and then Add Spellbook C to the hero. He will now get the ability back, ready to be cast.

However this closes the spellbook but it can be forced to be opened by forcing a keyboard action through triggers but the function will be crude. Also I guess the spellbooks, despite being hidden will get duplicated forever since you never remove them and this probably can lead to a leak and a crash. However, it works.

And if you remove the spellbook instead of the ability it contains, then it will be perfect. In case the command card doesn't update you can also force a spellbook open and close.

 

[Sunchips]

Tho removing the spellbook with the came ID will remove them both sadly

 

[Xonok]

Tho removing the spellbook with the came ID will remove them both sadly

Have you tried? As far as I know each spellbook keeps their abilities separate on the unit.

 

[Chaosy]

I can confirm that when removing a spelbook it removes every spellbook with that id

 

[PurgeandFire]

I think this is a bit too simple. It is still very useful as a linkback, but it is more of a snippet than something that warrants a tutorial.

If you think otherwise, send me a PM. For now, I'm graveyarding it since I don't think there is much room for expansion.

It is a good post, just a bit too simple.