[Tutorial] Updated NPC Summoning

[Lunam]

This system is a bit more complex than the Original, and may not fit the needs of everyone, but If you want PvP Summons right now, this is the way to do it.

 

Credit goes to OP for the concept and basic system, this is just an fix. Original here:

***Known Issues: when casting a ward AFTER summoning, the summon may get a little confused and try to attack you randomly. Dont worry, it doesnt hurt you.(hasnt yet anyways lol)

 

 

How It Works:

Spoiler

Instead of Variable based identification which doesnt seem to work properly for this system, we will be using as Spell/Item based identification system.

Until we are able to use Conditional Branches to determine a player/NPCs active status(Blind, Stunned, Taunted, etc[or create our own Status' via an editor]) this is a pseudo roundabout way of doing it with Spells. It works, so...

 

In-Game Function:

1. You will cast a Ward Spell of a particular strength and type(E.G: Ward: Void Weak)
2. The Spell will spawn a Ward Item and auto-equip it for 30 seconds, and then remove it from inventory
3. While the Ward is active in your Ward slot, Summons of that type and strength will not attack you.(E.G; Ward: Void Weak will prevent a Level 1 Void Spirit Summon from attacking you, no matter who summoned it.)(You will need to ward yourself when summoning or else your summon will attack you, too!), Obviously you can tailor this to fit your game.

 

You can use items or spells, or a combination of both as I have done here in this tutorial.

First you will need to create a new Equipment Slot by modifying the Server Config File and then make it visible within CharacterWindow.json(I wont go into that here, there are other tuts for that)

For sake of demonstration, we will call this equipment slot "Ward"

 

What You Need:

Spoiler

***A New Equipment Slot we will call "Ward"***   Not shown here, check another tutorial

• Variables:
  • Only one, which you likely already have if, for a login system. We make a "FirstVisit" boolean player variable that is set to true after we spawn for the first time.
• Items:
  • Any Wards you want; Make sure they cant be Traded, Dropped, Sold, Etc. Uncheck ALL of those boxes. Make a cooldown timer if you wish, make the drop chance 100% and despawn timer 1ms(this is so if the player dies somehow there is no possible way anyone else could pick it up as it will vanish instantly. Make sure these are Equipments and equip in the newly created Ward slot. (Remember, we are kind faking a "spell effect" here using equipment as magical wards)
• Spells:
  • A Spell for every Summon and Ward. Attach the Summon Spells to your Summon Events and your Ward Spells to your Ward Events. Obviously, make sure they are Event Spells.
• NPCs:
  • Any Summons you want. I reccomend having all sorts of summons, because I mean, you have summons, why not have all kinds, amiright? Spice it up, ya know? This also makes it more difficult for players to be prepared for any particular summon. Make sure they have a condition in their Friendly/Protector condition that says "has X item equipped..." and choose which Ward you want with this summon.
• Common Events:
  • 1 Common Event for every Ward Spell to spawn that particular Ward Item in your inventory, equip it, wait like 30 seconds or so, and unequip and remove it from inventory
  • 1 Common Event for every Summon Spell, to... well, summon the NPC. Follow the Original post, minus the variables. This tutorial uses only one Player Variable for a login system.
  • 1 Common Event on Login to remove any equiped wards or wards sitting in inventory. This prevents players from casting a Ward spell, force logging out, logging back in a minute later with an eternal Ward, as they werent present for the event to remove the ward from inventory.

 

 

Screenshots and Video:

Spoiler

 

 

Video:

 

 

[Ainz Ooal Gown]

Cool way of doing this! Must better than my system.

 

I was planning on re-doing summoning, as it was some time ago I did it, and with new features events has now.

[Lunam]

1 hour ago, Ainz Ooal Gown said:

Cool way of doing this! Must better than my system.

 

I was planning on re-doing summoning, as it was some time ago I did it, and with new features events has now.

Thanks for the idea, man. I started playing with it yesterday and really wanted to get it working and figured others might too lol. If you do find a better way by all means take the spotlight!

[Lunam]

On 4/17/2023 at 4:50 AM, Ainz Ooal Gown said:

Cool way of doing this! Must better than my system.

 

I was planning on re-doing summoning, as it was some time ago I did it, and with new features events has now.

So im not sure why i completely overlooked an extremely simple fix to your original system. Its much simpler than what Ive posted above. I feel dumb lol

 

Just make a single integer player variable called "Ward Level" or something like that that gets set when you cast a ward spell. Strength of ward spell determines the number(stronger wards give higher numbers) and in the summon have it check to see if the players "Ward Level" is high enough.

 

And boom, no need for a ward item or ward slot

 

Or set the "ward level" automatically whenever you summon and forgo ward spells alltogether

 

Havent implemented this yet but I dont see why it wouldnt work.

[Ainz Ooal Gown]

6 hours ago, Lunam said:

So im not sure why i completely overlooked an extremely simple fix to your original system. Its much simpler than what Ive posted above. I feel dumb lol

 

Just make a single integer player variable called "Ward Level" or something like that that gets set when you cast a ward spell. Strength of ward spell determines the number(stronger wards give higher numbers) and in the summon have it check to see if the players "Ward Level" is high enough.

 

And boom, no need for a ward item or ward slot

 

Or set the "ward level" automatically whenever you summon and forgo ward spells alltogether

 

Havent implemented this yet but I dont see why it wouldnt work.

 

Yeah that's a good idea and it will work.