[General] Learning to script a boss fight

[Beviah]

Hi guys, kind of new here,


Recently I had an urge to begin modding in WCIII, just for fun and personal projects, and recently I had the idea to begin scripting boss fights,


That being said, I've tried doing a bit of research and I haven't been able to dig up much, I even checked tutorials and didn't see anything, however if I missed something then I apologize


Could someone help me understand how to do so?


I know how to create custom abilities, and items, but the main thing I'm struggling with is the scripting/programming side of it, I've always struggled a bit with programming,


Thank you for reading and any help in advance

 

[Yugata]

That depends on what kind of spells you are looking to use. Vanilla spells like chain lightning and mirror image would automatically be used by the boss when they are in combat.

More custom spells would probably be triggered to occur at a specific time. A couple of examples.

1) run a trigger every x seconds (somewhere between 1 and 2 seconds maybe) and check for enemy units near the boss. If certain conditions are met (such as having enough mana) then force the boss to cast the spell.

2) run a trigger that happens whenever the boss attacks.
Event - A unit is attacked
Condition - Unit Type is equal to yourboss
Mana of yourboss is greater than or equal to x
Action - custom spell stuff here.

These are the 2 variations that I typically use for boss fights. To add phases to a boss (such as rage mode when they drop to 50%) you could add a trigger to check for their HP percentage. If it's below 50%, then turn on or off certain spells.

 

[Lord_Earthfire]

It would be good to understand first how far you are considering triggering knowledge. Examples are: Do you know how to trigger spells MUI and leakless? Are you using Jass? Which systems are you fine with using?

To know what triggering skills you are fine using with would determinate if xou need o know how to trigger the spells at all or you just need a good concept on how the trigger logic needs to be build up.

The skills needed for triggering boss fights are not that far away from triggering spells. They only demand a special way of chaining triggers together to get a wellrounded, pacing bossfight. Of course you can get away without much triggering at all, but enhanced boss fights make things really engaging.

 

[Beviah]

That depends on what kind of spells you are looking to use. Vanilla spells like chain lightning and mirror image would automatically be used by the boss when they are in combat.

More custom spells would probably be triggered to occur at a specific time. A couple of examples.

1) run a trigger every x seconds (somewhere between 1 and 2 seconds maybe) and check for enemy units near the boss. If certain conditions are met (such as having enough mana) then force the boss to cast the spell.

2) run a trigger that happens whenever the boss attacks.
Event - A unit is attacked
Condition - Unit Type is equal to yourboss
Mana of yourboss is greater than or equal to x
Action - custom spell stuff here.

These are the 2 variations that I typically use for boss fights. To add phases to a boss (such as rage mode when they drop to 50%) you could add a trigger to check for their HP percentage. If it's below 50%, then turn on or off certain spells.

I appreciate that, that's extremely helpful and I'm definitely going to hold onto this info until I can remember it myself. Thank you.

It would be good to understand first how far you are considering triggering knowledge. Examples are: Do you know how to trigger spells MUI and leakless? Are you using Jass? Which systems are you fine with using?

To know what triggering skills you are fine using with would determinate if xou need o know how to trigger the spells at all or you just need a good concept on how the trigger logic needs to be build up.

The skills needed for triggering boss fights are not that far away from triggering spells. They only demand a special way of chaining triggers together to get a wellrounded, pacing bossfight. Of course you can get away without much triggering at all, but enhanced boss fights make things really engaging.

My knowledge on triggers are very minimal, so I don't. I am trying to get into learning Jass a bit but I'm not doing a good job teaching myself. Any insight is appreciated.

 

[Lord_Earthfire]

Well, Jass isn't really needed for the proper skripting (i know, some people would like to crucify me for saying this). For example i made my current survival map with scripted bossfights and ai alsomst completely in gui.

But i would take a look at these tutorials, they give you some good insight about what is coming at you when making proper bossfights (or spells in general):

Basics of Trigger Enhancing Spells

My favorite tutorial when talking about spells. It hits a nice spot between technically and acessability. Can highly recommand.

Hashtables and MUI
[GUI] Efficient Arrays - Multiinstanceabilty for Timers, Custom Values, and more

These two are my go to tutorials when talking about ways to make MUI spells. I used these some years ago to learning creating mui spells on myself. I prefer hashtables over dynamic indexing, but you can be good to go with both methods

Things You Should Know When Using Triggers / GUI

This is a good catch-all and cheatcheet tutorial when thinking about leaks, indexing and other methods to enhance and optify triggers. it catches a bunch of common mistakes, too.

Creating a Bossfight

A conceptual tutorial on how you can design your bossfights. I kinda like that one to add.



I believe that we are currently at a far too vague space. Because of this i recommend these tutorials, since they already help with a bunch of triggering basics. Else, any help would be vague either, which i belive won't help you.
When you got an idea about a certain concept we could talk on what you really need and how you could trigger it

 

[Beviah]

Well, Jass isn't really needed for the proper skripting (i know, some people would like to crucify me for saying this). For example i made my current survival map with scripted bossfights and ai alsomst completely in gui.

But i would take a look at these tutorials, they give you some good insight about what is coming at you when making proper bossfights (or spells in general):

Basics of Trigger Enhancing Spells

My favorite tutorial when talking about spells. It hits a nice spot between technically and acessability. Can highly recommand.

Hashtables and MUI
[GUI] Efficient Arrays - Multiinstanceabilty for Timers, Custom Values, and more

These two are my go to tutorials when talking about ways to make MUI spells. I used these some years ago to learning creating mui spells on myself. I prefer hashtables over dynamic indexing, but you can be good to go with both methods

Things You Should Know When Using Triggers / GUI

This is a good catch-all and cheatcheet tutorial when thinking about leaks, indexing and other methods to enhance and optify triggers. it catches a bunch of common mistakes, too.

Creating a Bossfight

A conceptual tutorial on how you can design your bossfights. I kinda like that one to add.



I believe that we are currently at a far too vague space. Because of this i recommend these tutorials, since they already help with a bunch of triggering basics. Else, any help would be vague either, which i belive won't help you.
When you got an idea about a certain concept we could talk on what you really need and how you could trigger it

Thank you, this is exactly what I needed. I appreciate it your help.

 

[NightStalker]

@Lord_Earthfire and @Yugata mentioned good points.

I can help with further questions if you need any on PM. I created some bossfights back then.

Here's something that might come in handy too.

Boss Ultimates Spellpack V1.02

 

[Beviah]

@Lord_Earthfire and @Yugata mentioned good points.

I can help with further questions if you need any on PM. I created some bossfights back then.

Here's something that might come in handy too.

Boss Ultimates Spellpack V1.02

I'll definitely check that out, thank you. It looks like a lot more time went into this than I have been even messing around with WorldEdit lmao. This is very helpful, I appreciate your help and I'll definitely keep that in mind.