Random Number of Traits

[jeeree]

Hi,

Is there a way to randomize the number of traits a race can have? I want the units built by a certain race have different numbers of traits. so some units may have only 1 while some may have 3. I tried num_traits={RANDOM 1..3} but it doesn't seem to work. Is it possible? Or is it just using a different syntax?

[zookeeper]

Not possible directly.

What you can easily do is to make the race get 3 traits, but then make a recruit event which does a {RANDOM 1..3} and removes the third trait if the result is 2, and removes both the third and second traits if the result is 1. You'd have to [fire_event] that event manually for every unit created by the scenario, though, which might or might not be possible in your case.

[jeeree]

Thanks for the help. But how do I remove an arbitrary trait? There doesn't seem to be a command for removing just 1 or 2 traits and the trait's effects.

[zookeeper]

Store the unit, then [clear_variable] with name=storedunitvar.modifications.trait[2] to remove the second trait, then unstore. The changes to for example the unit's max moves might not get reflected in the unit immediately, so you might also need to clear whatever properties of the unit the traits might affect (moves, experience, hitpoints, attacks...) so that they'll get recalculated on unstore, or you might be able to do all of that automatically by using [transform_unit] after unstoring. I've never tried the latter myself, but it looks like it should do the job.

[ChaosRider]

Isnt it better to use recruit event, and for just recruited unit randomly choose from 1 to 3 and then in switch set effects ?

[jeeree]

I was thinking about using prerecruit event, which hopefully generated the unit without applying any of the stat changes. but there doesn't seem to be an easy way to randomly assign traits to a new unit. If I can assign a random trait to any unit recruited, I can set the num_traits=0, and use the {RANDOM 0..3} to add a random number (0-3) of traits to the new unit. This will also avoid the issue of changing stats already made to the unit by existing traits. So does anyone know how to assign random traits to a newly created unit?

[Wussel]

Maybe if you use versions like the zombie/undead you could manage more easily different amount of traits. Nice idea anyway. There will be no real easy way since you breaking with the general logic of the game. Good luck.

[beetlenaut]

So does anyone know how to assign random traits to a newly created unit?

You can modify the traits of a stored unit like zookeeper said (though traits are numbered starting at [0], so trait[2] would be the third one). Pick a random number between 1 and 4 (or however many traits you are using). Use a [switch] statement to check the variable, and add {TRAIT_STRONG} for 1, {TRAIT_QUICK} for 2, and so on. The second trait is the same, but this time you need to keep picking random numbers with [while] until you get a different one than you got the first time.

If you have problems while you are working on this, you can use the debug command :inspect to check the unit's variables and see what's happening.

[jeeree]

Thanks guys. I finally figured it out. I had to put all the traits into an array and use modify unit to assign traits to each unit created. I could never figure out the debug mode for this game though.

[beetlenaut]

For the debug mode, hit a colon (:) to turn on the BfW command line, then type "debug". Type "help" for a list of commands. The command line is useful for other things as well, so give it a try.