Techtree Contest #12 - Evolution

[Riki]

Yes, I think I'll post my concept there as soon as I fix the problem I've with my computer.

 

[EternalOne]

You can always post the race in Advanced Tech-Tree Development. That forum was made for it

I've been wondering, since that's kind of our "Techtree Resource" location, should we be reuploading our techtree contest maps there, or perhaps making a thread there that links to each of the techtree contests? Goodness knows ATTD needs more love than it's getting right now.

 

[Yours Truly]

Really have no more ideas to make a change. I'm just lurking around and waiting patiently for the poll.

 

[Spellbound]

I've been wondering, since that's kind of our "Techtree Resource" location, should we be reuploading our techtree contest maps there, or perhaps making a thread there that links to each of the techtree contests? Goodness knows ATTD needs more love than it's getting right now.

That's an interesting idea. We could have a general Techtree Contest #12 with all the sumissions in it. @Kam do you think this would be a judicious use of the ATTC forum?

 

[Kam]

Absolutely!

 

[KILLCIDE]

I have been thinking of making that a rule (similar to how other contests require submissions to be uploaded in their sections), but I was going to bring it up for the next contest

 

[Spellbound]

Well my prognostic of 1-more-day might have been a bit optimistic. Seems I might need one more.

 

[KILLCIDE]

Okay Im making August 12 the final extension. Extra malus will have to be added for anyone who hasnt turned in their entry since the last extension.

 

[Retera]

Just to be clear for my own personal understanding, will entries submitted before August 12 still have a non-extra malus? I was discussing this with Spellbound and realized that we were not quite certain in our understanding, or at least I was not. (To the best understanding I could reach, there *would* be?)

 

[KILLCIDE]

Any entry that was submitted "on time" from this extension will have one malus. Entries that are submitted during the current extension (here) will have an additonal.

 

[Retera]

Okay, seems logical. Thanks!

 

[Spellbound]

Description:

The Dreamspawn is collectively a faction of dream-weaving spirits. Brought forth into the world by a cult of fanatics, these enigmatic entities will spin figments into real, tangibles things.


Play Style:

The Dreamcatcher is central to how the Dreamspawn operate and expand. Lunatic cultists are blessed with the power to open Dream Rifts, but it is by consuming the ectoplasmic strands known as Figments that allow Reveries to materialise through these rifts.

Both units and building will be called forth from Dream Rifts. Ensure a Dreamcatcher or Monolith is nearby so that the Figments they generate will be consumed by the Rifts and thus allow Reveries to complete.


Videos:

Screenshots:

[Coming Soon]


Note(s):

Rally points are refusing to show up for some reason so blame Blizzard if you can't rally your upgrading units to your hero.

Rally points are using the Undead rally because on buildings of the Undead race can be Unsummoned :'(


The Map:

THW.TC12.Dreamspawn.w3x


Credits:

Hidden

    -------------------------
    UNITS / HEROES
    -------------------------

    Spook                Icon:    Sin'dorei300    -    https://www.hiveworkshop.com/resources/bluecreature.72448/
                        Model:    Dionesiist        -    https://www.hiveworkshop.com/threads/phaseling-and-phasebat.202913/#resource-31911

    Incubus                Icon:    Mad                -    https://www.hiveworkshop.com/threads/btnvoidwalker.249602/#resource-64326
                        Model:    Retera

    Phantasm            Icon:    PeeKay            -    https://www.hiveworkshop.com/threads/btnmoonsight.202075/#resource-61313
                        Model:    judash            -     https://xgm.guru/p/wc3/cosmos-eye

    Stone Wraith        Icon:    Mad                -    https://www.hiveworkshop.com/threads/btnlightningelemental.249864/#resource-64338
                        Model:    Alpain            -    https://www.hiveworkshop.com/threads/rune-golem.238371/#resource-34764

    Mindstone            Icon:    n/a
                        Model:    Retera
        
    Spirit Cauldron        Icon:    n/a
                        Model:    Kenntaur        -    (EDITED) https://www.hiveworkshop.com/threads/obsidian-golem.244595/#resource-35203

    Dreamcatcher        Icon:    n/a
                        Model:    Retera

    Soulspinner            Icon:    Peekay            -    https://www.hiveworkshop.com/threads/btnnerubiansniper.232815/#resource-63416
                        Model:    Retera
        
    Veilripper            Icon:    Marcos DAB        -    https://www.hiveworkshop.com/threads/btnwaterelemental.197665/#resource-60995
                        Model:    Retera

    Dream Seer            Icon:    UgoUgo            -    https://www.hiveworkshop.com/threads/btnblackpyrotyrant.232008/#resource-63376
                        Model:    Retera
        
    Mindbender            Icon:    n/a
                        Model:    Retera

    Chimeric Spawn        Icon:    The Panda        -    https://www.hiveworkshop.com/threads/btnsoularmor.306723/#resource-79223
                        Model:    Retera

    Evil Eye            Icon:    Darkfang        -    https://www.hiveworkshop.com/threads/storm-sight.306030/
                        Model:    Retera

    Ghostly Sentry        Icon:    n/a
                        Model:    icewolf055        -    https://www.hiveworkshop.com/threads/shadowelemental.229072/#resource-34076

    Dominion Incarnate    Icon:    n/a
                        Model:    SuPa-            -    (EDITED) https://www.hiveworkshop.com/threads/magma-elemental.232885/#resource-34393

 
    -------------------------
    BUILDINGS
    -------------------------

    Dream Rift            Icon:    The Panda        -    https://www.hiveworkshop.com/threads/btnwarpportal.307415/#resource-79659
                        Model:    Retera

    Dream Rift (Unit)    Icon:    bigapple90        -     https://www.hiveworkshop.com/threads/3_wc3.294363/#resource-72981
                        Model:    Retera

    Dream Rift (Build)    Icon:    Darkfang        -     https://www.hiveworkshop.com/threads/ravagemagic.302059/#resource-76394
                        Model:    Retera


    -------------------------
    ABILITIES
    -------------------------

    Figment                Icon:    n/a
                        Model:    // 00110000        -    (EDITED) https://www.hiveworkshop.com/threads/mini-comet.222024/#resource-33268

    Haunt                Icon:    PeeKay            -    https://www.hiveworkshop.com/threads/btndarkritual.202077/
                        Model:    Empyreal        -    https://xgm.guru/p/wc3/random-fx-pt3

    Healing Fables        Icon:    PeeKay            -    https://www.hiveworkshop.com/threads/btnlifeintomana.202074/#resource-61312
                        Model:    n/a

    Psychic Noise (on)    Icon:    The Panda        -    https://www.hiveworkshop.com/threads/btnlightningorb.305956/
                        Model:    Empyreal        -    https://xgm.guru/p/wc3/eternal-sorcery

    Psychic Noise (off)    Icon:    The Panda        -    https://www.hiveworkshop.com/threads/btnlightningorb.305956/
                        Model:    n/a

    Third Eye            Icon:    PeeKay            -    https://www.hiveworkshop.com/threads/btnincreaseconcentration.199284/#resource-61126
                        Model:    CeDiL            -    https://www.hiveworkshop.com/threads/dalaran-brilliance.187797/#resource-30793

    Dying Wish            Icon:    ~Nightmare        -    https://www.hiveworkshop.com/threads/btnguardianwispspirits.263966/#resource-65134
                        Model:

    Spectral Bleed        Icon:    San                -    https://www.hiveworkshop.com/threads/ic16-heart-freezer.298968/#resource-74694
                        Model:    n/a

    Runed Stones        Icon:    PeeKay            -    https://www.hiveworkshop.com/threads/btncrnightmaresurge.206672/#resource-61679
                        Model:    n/a

    Invocation            Icon:    morbent            -    https://www.hiveworkshop.com/threads/btnmaievburn.255968/#resource-64639
                        Model:    n/a

    Spirit Flare        Icon:    Blizzard        -    https://www.hiveworkshop.com/threads/btnjar.223847/#resource-62853
                        Model:    n/a

    Nightmare            Icon:    CRAZZYRUSSIAN    -    https://www.hiveworkshop.com/threads/btnsoulrune.210027/#resource-61924
                        Model:    Empyreal        -    https://xgm.guru/p/heavens-gallery/recolor

    Blur                Icon:    APproject        -    https://www.hiveworkshop.com/threads/btnarcaneeye.237916/#resource-63700
                        Model:    n/a        

    Hallucination        Icon:    PeeKay            -    https://www.hiveworkshop.com/threads/btnchrm.234736/#resource-63552
                        Model:    n/a

    Confusion            Icon:    JollyD            -    https://www.hiveworkshop.com/threads/btnforbiddenmagicdemasqued.222201/#resource-62759
                        Model:    n/a

    Chimeric Spawn        Icon:    The Panda        -    https://www.hiveworkshop.com/threads/btnsoularmor.306723/#resource-79223
                        Model:    Retera

    Hysteria            Icon:    Paladon            -    https://www.hiveworkshop.com/threads/btnpincantatedemonicspirit.142806/#resource-55973
                        Model:    JesusHipster    -    https://www.hiveworkshop.com/threads/gathersouls.241449/#resource-34983


    (HEROES)

    Broker of Illusions

    Malignant Chains    Icon:    Darkfang        -    https://www.hiveworkshop.com/threads/chain-lightning.305783/#resource-78790
                        Model:    n/a

    Mirage                Icon:    TheKaldorei        -    https://www.hiveworkshop.com/threads/btnshadowstalk.277445/#resource-66028
                        Model:    n/a

    Illusory Lash        Icon:    The Panda        -    https://www.hiveworkshop.com/threads/btnmanabeam.307666/
                        Model:    n/a


    Eater of Nigtmares

    Writing Assault        Icon:    CRAZYRUSSIAN    -    https://www.hiveworkshop.com/threads/btncrfacelessfrenzy.208694/#resource-61826
                        Model:    n/a

    Evil Eye            Icon:    Darkfang        -    https://www.hiveworkshop.com/threads/storm-sight.306030/
                        Model:    Retera

    Nightmare Aura        Icon:    Darkfang        -    https://www.hiveworkshop.com/threads/void-curse.94360/#resource-72994
                        Model:    Darky29            -    (EDITED) https://www.hiveworkshop.com/threads/voodooaura.49203/#resource-22290

    Scourging Slumber    Icon:    San                -    https://www.hiveworkshop.com/threads/cthulhus-call.288068/#resource-68761
                        Model:    n/a


    Dominion Incarnate

    Wave of Fear        Icon:    Darkfang        -    https://www.hiveworkshop.com/threads/time-rift.288281/#resource-68855
                        Model:    n/a

    Mind Over Matter    Icon:    PeeKay            -    https://www.hiveworkshop.com/threads/btnmind.235936/#resource-63610
                        Model:    Empyreal        -

    Dominate Essence    Icon:    4eNNightmare    -    https://www.hiveworkshop.com/threads/btnsoulsteal.160811/#resource-57988
                        Model:

    Tears of Madness    Icon:    The Panda        -    https://www.hiveworkshop.com/threads/btncrystalshower.307707/
                        Model:    Retera


    -------------------------
    UPGRADES / RESEARCH
    -------------------------

    Haunt                        -    PeeKay                -    https://www.hiveworkshop.com/threads/btndarkritual.202077/
    Invocation                    -    morbent                -    https://www.hiveworkshop.com/threads/btnmaievburn.255968/#resource-64639
    Soul-Etching                -    zbc                    -    https://www.hiveworkshop.com/threads/btnphilosophersstone.224420/#resource-62936

    Greater Possessions            -    ~Nightmare            -    https://www.hiveworkshop.com/threads/btnmaskoftheforestmadness.299007/
    Potent Possessions            -    kola                -    https://www.hiveworkshop.com/threads/btnlightningcurse.229423/#resource-63211
    Violent Possessions            -    ~Nightmare            -    https://www.hiveworkshop.com/threads/btnshatteringwrath.286206/

    Cruel Delusions                -    UgoUgo                -    https://www.hiveworkshop.com/threads/btnfrostrevenant.230942/#resource-63323
    Scathing Delusions            -    bigapple90            -    https://www.hiveworkshop.com/threads/btnreddemon.134492/#resource-55212
    Maddening Delusions            -    Mr.Goblin            -    https://www.hiveworkshop.com/threads/btninferno.127000/#resource-54611

    Dreamwrought Armour            -    Darkfang            -    https://www.hiveworkshop.com/threads/monstrous-armor.288775/#resource-69020
    Dreamwforged Armour            -    Darkfang            -    https://www.hiveworkshop.com/threads/monstrous-armor.288775/#resource-69098
    Dreamwfused Armour            -    BlackRockClan        -    https://www.hiveworkshop.com/threads/btninv_shoulder_32.57550/#resource-50694

    Enduring Dreams                -    PeeKay                -    https://www.hiveworkshop.com/threads/btnweaver.213963/#resource-62274
    Hauntin Dreams                -    PeeKay                -    https://www.hiveworkshop.com/threads/btnweaver02.213964/#resource-62275
    Waking Dreams                -    PeeKay                -    https://www.hiveworkshop.com/threads/btnweaver03.213965/#resource-62276

    Mindbender Adept Training    -    Peekay                -    https://www.hiveworkshop.com/threads/btnmentality.198268/#resource-61053
    Mindbender Master Training    -    Peekay                -    https://www.hiveworkshop.com/threads/btnmentalstrength.198255/#resource-61043

    Veilripper Adept Training    -    13lackDeath            -    https://www.hiveworkshop.com/threads/btndarkmatter.211526/#resource-62045
    Veilripper Master Training    -    Anachron            -    https://www.hiveworkshop.com/threads/btnmindsooth.99660/#resource-53007

 

[ISL]

Your Soulspinners remind me of something

 

[Kyrbi0]

Heckin' sick! What a collaboration.

 

[Spellbound]

Your Soulspinners remind me of something

It would seem we both played sc2

I was thinking of the Swarm Host when I made the Soulspinners though, not the Broodlord

 

[ISL]

I was thinking of the Swarm Host when I made the Soulspinners though, not the Broodlord

Realized it by the awesome model you have there

 

[EternalOne]

In the later patches, it is impossible to detect the resulting unit type of an upgrade, which completely breaks the Figment upgrade system.

Rally points are refusing to show up for some reason so blame Blizzard if you can't rally your upgrading units to your hero.

I just now made a test map in the latest patch, and my method of detecting the resulting unit of an upgrade still works. You might be doing something wrong.

Also, you can usually make a unit that otherwise wouldn't be able to place a rally point be able to place one by giving it the Rally ability. Rally points that are placed by that method won't always work, so sometimes you have to use a trigger after that to make the produced unit go to the rally point. I had to do that with my race.

I tried playing the Dreamspawn, but there was tons of lag, and the game crashed a few minutes in. I don't have enough experience with vJass to find out why, though. You're on your own for fixing that.

 

[Spellbound]

I just now made a test map in the latest patch, and my method of detecting the resulting unit of an upgrade still works. You might be doing something wrong.

I didn't really have time to find an alternate solution. All I know was that the system would not work on the later patches. It's possible it can be circumvented by using a timer, but (ironically) I had no time.

Also, you can usually make a unit that otherwise wouldn't be able to place a rally point be able to place one by giving it the Rally ability. Rally points that are placed by that method won't always work, so sometimes you have to use a trigger after that to make the produced unit go to the rally point. I had to do that with my race.

I tried everything. Nothing worked.

I tried playing the Dreamspawn, but there was tons of lag, and the game crashed a few minutes in. I don't have enough experience with vJass to find out why, though. You're on your own for fixing that.

What is your Warcraft version? I play tested it multiple times on 1.29.2 and it never crashed once. I've been told, however, that it crashes all the time on the 1.30 patch.

 

[EternalOne]

I've been told, however, that it crashes all the time on the 1.30 patch.

I said that I was on the latest patch, didn't I? Well, I guess they're still fixing bugs for the 1.30 patch, so maybe it isn't your fault. I'll cross my fingers that the judges test yours on 1.29 for you.

As for the upgrade thing, I guess I'll tell you the trick anyway, so that you'll know for next time:
The key here is that upgrading a unit causes two events. The first event is being issued an order with no target. The second event is beginning an upgrade. The useful data is in the "order with no target" event, because at this point you can get both of the relevant unit types. The unit's own unit type will, at this point, still be its original value (such as 1752461175 or 'htow' for a Town Hall,) but the order ID of the issued order will be the unit type of the unit being upgraded into (such as 1751868773 or 'hkee' for a Keep.) This is your chance to store them both as variables, perhaps in a hashtable. Then you just wait for the "begin an upgrade" event, use the data in the variables to do your thing, and you're good!

 

[Spellbound]

I said that I was on the latest patch, didn't I?

Map patch != game patch. What I'm talking about is the 'Game Data Set'. If set to Melee (Latest patch), it will cause problems. Given your workaround for the upgrade, it appears you are using Melee (Latest patch) for your map.

 

[EternalOne]

Map patch != game patch. What I'm talking about is the 'Game Data Set'. If set to Melee (Latest patch), it will cause problems. Given your workaround for the upgrade, it appears you are using Melee (Latest patch) for your map.

...you're right about map patch not equaling game patch, but how are you supposed to tell if your race is balanced versus the other four if you're ignoring all of the balance changes that Blizzard has made to those other four races? In fact, I thought that setting your game data to Melee (latest patch) was mandatory for contests like this in order to determine balance. I'll have to check the contest archives on that, though, since it isn't listed in this particular contest's rules.

 

[Retera]

While Spellbound and I were working on the map, I set it to Melee (Latest patch) and this literally broke the upgrading system. When using this latest patch dataset, upgrading is handled differently by the game. The unit does not change unit type when it begins the upgrade. This was true on 1.29.2 when I tested before the release of 1.30.

So that we could undo the damage I did to the system Spellbound spent a very long time making, we had to set the game back to Custom, because it was impossible to determine what the resultant unit type id was of an upgrading unit on the Melee (Latest Patch) dataset. This might not actually be the dataset, but a Gameplay Constant setting that I did not find. It appeared that on this newer dataset, both the returned value of GetIssuedOrderId() and GetUnitTypeId() were constant between different upgrades into different unit types. This was different from the Custom dataset, where upgrading units instantly gain the Unit Type Id of the resultant unit type when they being upgrading.

This is also interesting because it impacts what model is displayed when upgrading between units with different models. So, Custom dataset units that upgrade into a unit with a different model will show the resultant unit type model's birth animation during the upgrade, while Melee dataset units that upgrade into a unit with a different model will show the starting unit type model's birth animation (with possible Required Animation Names applied from the resultant type).

Are you suggesting that you have found a different native that solves this problem, and that the native you found will provide information on what the resultant unit type id is on an upgrade event? Based on everything I just described, it seemed to be the case that the game engine could not tell us the resultant unit type during an upgrade when using Melee (Latest patch) data.

Edit: Having said this, it appears that I am incorrect, and GetUnitCurrentOrder() encodes this type information, even when GetIssuedOrderId() does not. We may try to amend our entry before the end of the August 12th day GTC in order to fix this bug.

 

[EternalOne]

Hearing that made me wonder if I didn't recreate the situation you were in correctly in my test map. I'm going to try again, making sure that my test map is set to Melee (Latest patch) and having triggers give me the issued order IDs, strings, unit types, etc as I test an upgrade. Maybe I was wrong earlier, but I'm not giving up just yet.

Edit: With the corrections to the test process, I found that the upgraded unit doesn't change its unit type on Melee (Latest patch) during the upgrading process, and the order strings for upgrades no longer work correctly. However, I was able to get the order ID during the "order with no target," and it was indeed the unit type of the unit being upgraded into. Using that, it is possible to know, right from the moment the order is issued, what the unit will be upgrading into. Also, I made a small test map to prove this concept, and I have attached it for those that are interested.

 

[Spellbound]

OKAY so I managed to make it work with the latest Game Data Set for 1.29.2. @KILLCIDE Do I still have time to update my entry?

EDIT: Hope it's ok, I updated it.

 

[KILLCIDE]

Thats fine! @MyPad are you not uploading your entry?

 

[MyPad]

As I said in an earlier post, I will be late in submitting the entry. This is to ensure quality in the race. (I hope by a maximum of 3 days)

 

[IcemanBo]

Don't make it perfect or high quality then. It's meant to use a clear time period for submitting something, instead of polishing more and more with ignoring time limit.

 

[Spellbound]

Had to update the map one more time because of a silly bug that was crashing the game. Sorry 'bout that.

 

[KILLCIDE]

What IcemanBo said.

@MyPad the time limit is supposed to be a part of the contest. Its 10:24 PM right now, so do what you can within an hour and a half. The contest has been ongoing for over 3 months, and a 4th extension is just too much.

 

[MyPad]

Yes, but I fear that I will not be able to submit on time, due to time zone issues that affect daily life (GMT +08:00) (classes starting).

I cannot directly upload my map now, but I'll upload it later.

 

[KILLCIDE]

That works.

 

[Spellbound]

Forgot to remove 2 Obisidian Statues from map. Updated again (also Rally points are working now)

 

[MyPad]

It's Blizzard-breaking bug styled! I might not be able to post it now, but I hope to do so within an hour and 17 minutes. (The map, that is)

Bug Report/s on my map:

• Missile library not working properly (Advanced Missile fix)
• Second Skill's effects feel awkward. (Requires fixing of Missile library.)

I will maintain this resource for a little while: (Heroes cannot be summoned (A great deal, if you ask me))

 

[Map Designer]

Where is the first tech tree contest every? the oldest one I could find was #5