Kallor
Level: Master Delver
Rank Points: 277
Registered: 04-02-2007
IP: Logged

Hello,

I'm trying to create my own special character monster, but I ran into some problems. My goal might just be impossible but I'm not really a programmer and it's been a while since I tried anything with DROD scripting language so maybe there's some hope.

I made the guy move like a roach by putting a "Imperative Flexible Beelining" at start, and then made a big "If ..."-tree checking in which direction he wants to move by using the (very useful new addition) "_X", "_Y", "_MyX" and "_MyY" default variables. Finally I use the "Move" command to take a single step to the desired direction, and loop back to start of the tree (no "Wait 0 turn(s)" command there, that would make they guy skip half of the turns for some reason, I don't exactly understand how that works). So OK, the guy moves like a roach.

The problem is that the turn always ends immediately after the step, and I wanted to check some extra stuff before Beethro's turn. I will need the characters new position which can't be predicted since he might do flexible beelining or just hit a wall without moving at all, and there's no way to check whether a tile is wall or not (actually with multiple monsters predictions would be impossible even if I could detect walls and floors). So is there a way to extend the character's turn a bit after the step until I'm ready to let Beethro move? Or do something entirely differently?


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Kallor

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[Last edited by Kallor at 11-28-2012 01:11 PM]

navithmastero
Level: Smitemaster

Rank Points: 626
Registered: 01-03-2012
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I'm honestly not too sure, but if you want some guaranteed help, ask Someone Else.

-nm

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Someone Else
Level: Smitemaster

Rank Points: 2358
Registered: 06-14-2005
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Well, that's a tricky one. There actually is a way to check what it is (but if you use obstacles or pit or anything else that isn't wall, you'll run into issues or have to make multiple checks) - use 'Wait for item'. Unfortunately, no, there isn't a way to extend the character's turn. You'll have to do everything before you move.

I assume your code looks like this:


The reason that you can't use wait 0 there is that it always ends execution for the turn. So it will move, stop execution, and then next turn see wait 0 and stop execution.

There is one other way to do it, if they aren't going to run into each other. If you place a character in between each of the monsters in the movement order, then have the monsters pass intended direction and location in variables to the other characters, those characters can find the monster and perform whatever action is required.

This reminds me; I have to add something to my list of things that the scripting engine is missing.

Kallor
Level: Master Delver
Rank Points: 277
Registered: 04-02-2007
IP: Logged

Oh I somehow missed "Wait for item", it's not like it's a new feature or anything... won't help me here though.

Thanks for explaining stuff, it looks like I'm gonna have to try your idea of extra characters next.

EDIT: Success! First thing a monster does each turn is checking whether or not it died on player's last turn. (I don't know if normal monsters actually behave like this in the game, that might be a decent way to keep things organized.) All that was needed was one extra character acting first and taking some notes on player's actions. My original question was a bit too general, surely one extra character doesn't help in most situations. I made a monster that can only be stabbed (not sliced), and the original approach of making it temporarily vulnerable if it moves in front of player's sword was all wrong.

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Kallor

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[Last edited by Kallor at 11-29-2012 11:05 AM]