Ability Costs Cooldowns

Ability Costs and Cooldowns

Resource Regeneration System

Basic Regeneration Implementation

Set up automatic regeneration for health, mana, and stamina to create resource management gameplay:

Master Character Regeneration

Create timer events for each resource type:

// Resource Regeneration Timers
OnEventBeginPlay() {
// Health regeneration every 5 seconds
Timer_Health_Regen = CreateTimer(5.0, true);

// Mana regeneration every 2.5 seconds
Timer_Mana_Regen = CreateTimer(2.5, true);

// Stamina regeneration every 1 second
Timer_Stamina_Regen = CreateTimer(1.0, true);
}

Regeneration Variables

• Health_Regeneration: Default 50 points per tick
• Mana_Regeneration: Default 5 points per tick
• Stamina_Regeneration: Default 5 points per tick
• Death State Check: No regeneration while dead

Regeneration Integration

Connect regeneration to existing resource modification systems:

• Interface Functions: Use Health_Modify, Mana_Modify, Stamina_Modify
• Math Operation: Set to Add for resource restoration
• Configurable Values: Adjust regeneration rates for game balance

Resource Cost System

Cost Validation Functions

Create functions to check and consume resources before ability use:

F_Health_Cost Function

// Health Cost Implementation
F_Health_Cost(Cost) -> Bool {
if (Health_Current > Cost) {
Interface_Health_Modify(Self, Subtract, Cost);
return true; // Sufficient resources
} else {
F_Player_Error('Not enough health');
return false; // Insufficient resources
}
}

F_Mana_Cost and F_Stamina_Cost Functions

Similar implementation for mana and stamina:

• Resource Check: Greater than or equal to cost amount
• Resource Consumption: Subtract cost if sufficient
• Error Feedback: Display error message if insufficient
• Return Value: Boolean success/failure state

Player Error System

Error Message Widget

Create user-friendly resource shortage notifications:

W_Player_Error Widget

• Simple Design: Single text widget with bright, noticeable color
• Animation: 1-second display, 1-second fade-out
• Visibility Control: Hidden by default, shown during errors
• Positioning: Centered horizontally, positioned above ability bar

Error Message Interface

// Player Error Communication
Interface_Player_Error(ErrorText) {
TextBlock_Error.SetText(ErrorText);
SetVisibility(NotHitTestable_SelfOnly);
PlayAnimation(Error_Start);

// Auto-hide after animation completes
OnAnimationFinished(Error_Start) {
SetVisibility(Hidden);
}
}

Resource-Specific Error Messages

• Health: “Not enough health”
• Mana: “Not enough mana”
• Stamina: “Not enough stamina”

Ability Cost Integration

Stamina Costs

Apply stamina costs to physical abilities:

• Sprint: 40 stamina cost with validation check
• Dodge Roll: Stamina cost prevents spam usage
• Physical Abilities: Melee attacks may or may not require stamina

Mana Costs

Apply mana costs to magical abilities:

• Magic Attacks: All magic abilities require mana
• Area Effects: Higher mana costs for area damage abilities
• Projectiles: Magical projectiles consume mana per cast

Cost Implementation Pattern

// Ability Cost Integration Example
OnAbilityActivation() {
if (F_Stamina_Cost(40)) {
// Sufficient stamina - proceed with ability
ExecuteAbility();
}
// If insufficient, F_Stamina_Cost handles error message
}

Cooldown System Implementation

Cooldown Timer Management

Create individual cooldown timers for each ability:

Per-Ability Cooldown Variables

• Timer_Cooldown_Ability_001 through Timer_Cooldown_Ability_006
• Individual Control: Each ability has separate cooldown duration
• Flexible Timing: Different abilities can have different cooldown lengths

Cooldown Implementation

// Ability Cooldown System
OnAbilityUse(AbilityNumber) {
if (!IsTimerActive(Timer_Cooldown_Ability[AbilityNumber])) {
// Ability not on cooldown
ExecuteAbility();
StartCooldownTimer(AbilityNumber, CooldownDuration);
} else {
// Ability on cooldown
F_Player_Error('Ability on cooldown');
}
}

Cooldown Functions

• F_Cooldown_Ability_### Functions: Start cooldown timer for specific ability
• F_Cooldown_Ability_###_End Functions: Reset cooldown when timer completes
• Configurable Duration: Each ability accepts different cooldown lengths

UI Integration

Icon Cooldown Display

Implement visual cooldown feedback on ability bar:

Icon Widget Enhancement

Add cooldown display to icon template widget:

• Cooldown Canvas Panel: Overlay for cooldown display
• Cooldown Text: Countdown number display
• Background: Dark overlay during cooldown
• Visibility: Hidden when not on cooldown

Cooldown Communication

// Ability Bar Cooldown Integration
Interface_Ability_Bar_Cooldown(Index, Duration) {
target_icon = GetIconByIndex(Index);
target_icon.CE_Cooldown(Duration);
}

// Called from player character on ability use
OnAbilityActivation(AbilityIndex) {
Widget_Ability_Bar.Interface_Ability_Bar_Cooldown(AbilityIndex, CooldownDuration);
}

Enhanced Input Integration

Ensure abilities trigger on proper input events:

• Started Trigger: Use “Started” pin for immediate response
• Combat State: Attack abilities (1,2,3,4) trigger combat state
• Utility Abilities: Sprint and stealth don’t trigger combat

The ability costs and cooldowns system creates resource management gameplay while providing clear feedback about ability availability and usage constraints.