Item ability hack

[Xonok]

Some time ago I found a bug with items, that can essentially be summed up as:
If an item is removed upon being sold, then its abilities still apply to the unit.

Removing abilities added in this way is done in exactly the same way as usual. Note that doing so will remove all copies of the ability.

Reason

The order of operations is slightly wrong in the case of sold items. First the item's abilities are applied, then the "item is sold" event launches and only then is that item actually added to the unit.
This means that removing an item upon this event will make the system try to add a null item to the unit, which is impossible and fails silently.
Since the item is never added to the unit, then it can't trigger "lose item" events either and thus, its abilities are not removed.

Possible uses:
1. Tomes that don't leak items (normal ones kill the item, but never remove it).
2. Adding invisible abilities to a unit without using spellbooks and thus, without any chance of spellbook collisions revealing them.
3. Adding multiples of the same ability to a unit (why?)

 

[Frotty]

2. Adding invisible abilities to a unit without using spellbooks and thus, without any chance of spellbook collisions revealing them.

Does this work for any ability?
(The one for me in question would be Rally)

 

[Xonok]

Does this work for any ability?
(The one for me in question would be Rally)

Any ability that you can add to an item really. If the ability doesn't work on an item, then it won't work with this method either.

 

[Tal'Rarity]

I don't see how this works. Bash didn't work, any more info on this?

 

[Xonok]

It only works with the sold event. If you remove the item at any other time, then its abilities are removed without glitches.

In the testmap say -mode 2 to try it out.

 

[Tal'Rarity]

Thanks for finding this out, this makes those other systems such as bonusmod and whatever pretty useless if you can use this method. No need for 200+ abilities =P

Sadly still need them for full-screen stuff and stuff similar to that. Good job though.

 

[Xonok]

I think currently a bonusmod is still better for various reasons:

1. This trick only works with sold items.
2. Spamming item abilities on a unit might cause the game to lag or use excessive memory.
3. You still need the abilities for stats and in addition you'll need items, so there is actually more need for object editor.

This trick here can be an alternative though in some cases. One of the reasons being that it requires only 1 trigger and everything else is just object editor - More GUI-friendly than any bonusmod.

 

[Tal'Rarity]

Any way to remove the added data or identify any info?

 

[Xonok]

Removing is done the same way that you normally remove an ability. It will remove all abilities of the same type.
Getting the data isn't so easy though. That should be kept track of.

 

[WaterKnight]

The bug is long known but you still would not want it for BonusMod since it's unhandy to use and more iteration would be unperformant to execute ingame, especially here where you create new items and have to go more roundabout ways.

 

[Zeatherann]

The tome issue doesn't matter either, as it is usually better to just call set functions for strength, intelligence, and agility. Even if not, then we still use a trigger to catch the sale of a tome (or its use) and remove it anyways.

 

[Xonok]

This works with more than just tomes and also might give knowledge on how to remove the effects of a tome. (Remove the ability it gives the unit)

 

[Zeatherann]

Do tomes actually give an ability to the unit/hero? Maybe in the case of damage and health...

 

[Xonok]

It's certainly a possibility.

 

[Vinz]

Might prove useful in some cases.