(Solved) Best way to make sure the footman's defend ability is always toggled on and hidden

[KitsuneTailsPrower]

Hello hive,

I'm working on a deflection system that takes advantage of the gameplay constant that enables defend to deflect ranged piercing attacks. However I'm unsure of the best way to ensure that defend is both always active and hidden so it doesn't take up a button slot. Note that the item version of defend won't work for this since it can't reflect ranged piercing attacks. I already know that if a hero dies and then revives for example defend is toggled off even if its hidden. Advice is welcome.

edit: Solved: soution found here: Jedi Reflection (Missile reflection)

 

[Bribe]

I believe this is possible if you add the Defend ability by proxy via a hidden spellbook.

 

[Wrda]

You can also make the icon position at 0, -11. x, y wise.
It makes the ability permanently invisible without spell books, such things can have weird behaviors sooner or later that quite frankly, no one wants to deal with them.

 

[Uncle]

Unit enters map -> Issue defend order
Unit finishes reviving -> Issue defend order

Then hide it like Wrda suggested.

In the latest versions you can trigger deflect yourself using a Damage Engine + the natives to get a unit's weapon properties. No need to rely on the ability.

 

[Tasyen]

use Elune's grace as base of the ability. That is passive and can do most what defend can do then use the shown ways to hide the ability.