look at the abilities for Vasari Assiliants and Sentinels

they have something similar, the only thing you would have to add would be the reduction in shields

what would be the Buffs for increasing the range and power of the beam? would i need to make them myself?

also, what is passiveWeaponEffectChance?

found in BuffChargedMissilesSelf

entityModifier
    buffEntityModifierType "WeaponRange"
    value
        Level:0 0.250000
        Level:1 0.000000
        Level:2 0.000000

found in BuffChargedMissilesDoDamage

instantAction
    buffInstantActionType "DoDamage"
    instantActionTriggerType "OnDelay"
    delayTime 0.000000
    damage
        Level:0 15.000000
        Level:1 0.000000
        Level:2 0.000000
    damageAffectType "AFFECTS_SHIELDS_AND_HULL"
    damageType "PHYSICAL"

this kind of buff that you are looking for/at is fairly complicated using about 4 different files so make sure you keep track of what is pointed where

not sure as to what that last one means, maybe something to the fact of how often the ability affects the weapon

thanks

ok here's what i have so far on the Buff

what else do i need in it?

a serious restudy in the charged missile ability

you are trying to cram three different occurrences into one file, it will fail (trust me I've tried it)

instead copy and rename the charged missile ability files (there are four of them) then modify them

I think you will have to put the restore shields effect into BuffChargedMissilesSelf entity file

A couple of comments:

1) RestoreShields probably won't work with a negative value. You could use DoDamage and use a damageAffectType of AFFECT_ONLY_SHIELDS to accomplish the same thing. (http://code.google.com/p/soaseplugin/wiki/buffOverTimeActionType)

2) This ability isn't really setup right. The first instant action needs to have a buffType for doing the damage instead of the second instantAction. You'll also need a targetFilter. As stated previously, look at BuffChargedMissilesSelf.entity for an example.

3) Disabling angular engines is probably not a real great thing for targeting. Are you sure you want this? The BuffChargedMissiles uses AngularThrust to decrease the turn rate which is probably better.

BuffChargeBeamSelf, modified from BuffChargedMissilesSelf:

does allowFirstSpawnerToStack determine whether multiple units using the ability will stack in power?

BuffChargeBeamDoDamage

i didn't bother with BuffChargedMissilesSpawnDamage because it is the aoe effect, which i don't want in the new ability

Just in case you missed my second point. You MUST have a buffType and targetFilter for ApplyBuffToTargetOnWeaponFired.

Also, look at point 1 about RestoreShields. I don't think it will work with a negative value.

yeah, sorry i posted before seeing your post

what buffType that will increase its weapon damage, and how do i make DoDamage affect itself as the target?

Your second buff BuffChargeBeamDoDamage looks fine. What you are missing is this in the BuffChargeBeamSelf after the passive weapon affect line.

buffType "BuffChargeBeamDoDamage"
targetFilter
 numOwnerships 1
  ownership "Enemy"
 numObjects 4
  object "CapitalShip"
  object "Frigate"
  object "PlanetModule"
  object "StarBase"
 numSpaces 1
  space "Normal"
 numConstraints 0

DoDamage also works as an over time action. Having this in BuffChargeBeamSelf should work the same as the weapon cooldown and angular thrust change.

thanks a lot

new BuffChargeBeamSelf:

will this work?

also, the length of the buff is determined by the ability file (which i haven't started on) right?

visually it looks ok.

I think the Charged Missiles approach as a toggle type ability is the way to go here still.

yeah, that's what i was planning on too

i'll start on it later today, thanks for the help

ok, i am now about to embark on the ability, string, and research files for this ability, how do i set them up so that it replaces the deceptive illusion ability?

ok,

AbilityChargeBeam:

RESEARCHSUBJECT_ABILITYACCESS_CHARGEBEAM:

i've replaced the IllusionSelfCopy string and entity.manifest lines with the ChargeBeam ones

does everything look ok? i can't test it out now

thanks