Custom Battle Endings Question

[Rodak]

OK, it seems the more I try to avoid customizing my the battle system, the more I can't avoid it.

This question almost went into my traits thread because it involves traits. But since it is only peripherally involving traits I am starting this thread!

Anyway... to the point : I made a "custom ability" which is used in my trait script. I also made a custom enemy action to use as a reaction. This ability and reaction are supposed to end the battle. I have managed to cause the enemy reaction at the right time in an enemy trait script, and have him fight effectively otherwise, but I can not cause the battle to end! I can trigger the death action and end the battle by scripting the "death" enemy action. But I am trying for an alternate way of ending the battle!

I tried tracing the "Enemy Flee" Direct Effect through it's scripts and events to see how it works, but when trashing things to see where they are used I ran into "used by Game System" and could not go further.

If I could find how this works I could adapt it to my purposes. But I really expected a flag or battle command for simply ending the battle prematurely. I could not find such in Dungeon Warden's FAQ (or anybody else's... unless I missed something!).

Exp. given or not really does not matter. The main thing is to end the battle.

If you need more information I'll post a full explanation like I did in the other thread. I suspect I am "barking up the wrong tree" again!

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For the record: I have tried tripping the Always Win flag (and then resetting it), but I guess it only checks this at the start of a battle. I have tried calling the enemy flee script but only got the text. I then had to go to work (I do my best work early in the morning before conciousness has contaminated my brain!), but thought if I was completely on the wrong track someone here may know.

Peace.

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Oh yeah, I also played with the "Battle end defaults" check box for event battles (in conjunction with the above) with no luck.
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[Deleted]

You can change the 'Death' 'Enemy Action' so that he yells or something instead of dying (I've done this before and it works nicely). Would this solve the problem?

edit: And if scripting for the death is too lengthy you can just overwrite his HP to 0 or apply the KO status effect: Target: Data: Apply KO alone I think will do it. Gl

[Dungeon Warden]

You did miss one other option, Var23: Lose Turn Count

This variable stores the number of turns until the battle ends and the party loses. If set to zero (the default), battles have no set length. Note that this does not kill the party (although Party Dead will equal ON), but simply ends the battle early. However, Script 28: Battle Exit only runs if Party Dead is Off. Use Var17 (which will equal 0) to check if the battle ended due to this variable and to reset the screen color and Sound.

I have only tested this variable at the begining of combat so I don't know if you can change the count in the middle of battle. However, if you scripted the battle to last a certain number of turns within the enemy trait script (i.e. the custom ability always happens on the same turn) this will work. Otherwise you'll have to test it out and see what happens.

[Rodak]

Thanks for the ideas. They will come in very handy.

In fact their usefulness makes me feel a little better about what I have to say next, but honesty compells...

I had it right the first time. When I was modifying scripts I somehow switched the one that was being applied in the trait! No wonder so many things had no effect!!!!

I was going to apologize for wasting bandwidth needlessly, but the suggestions you made will be applied elsewhere so it was not a total waste. WilliamKirk's "alternate death" was an idea I was using early on and forgot to get back to working on finishing. Thanks for the reminder. And Dungeon Warden's pointing out the lose turn count gave me a silly idea with which to experiment. My thanks to both of you (again!).

Am I the only one who does such stupid things and can I really blame it on lack of experience programming for sfiles? I do not know. Fortunately I can laugh at myself (why not... everybody else does) so it is not so bad.

This must be because I said something about doing my best work in the early morning... I guess I make my biggest blunders then too!

[Dungeon Warden]

I didn't get good at using the Default Battle System without making a lot of blunders along the way. Unfortunately for me, there was no one I could ask for help. All I could do was keep testing things, looking over what I did that worked and seeing what didn't and then getting fustrated when something that should work, doesn't (stupid graphical gliches ).

Anyway, I'm glad you could figure it out. I'm here if you run into any of the other quirks in the battle system.

[Rodak]

You, sir, are a gentleman and a scholar!

It is good to know that you are around for those of us who would otherwise take far, far longer to reach their goals with this system.

I am sure I'll have more inquiries as I wind down the "polishing off" of this game on which I am working. I hope that someday I can answer a question for you in return (I tutor Chemistry and Physics if you need any help with that!).

Back to the world of dreams...

[Dungeon Warden]

After two years of Organic Chemistry, I don't need any more help in chemistry (where were you three years ago? ). I haven't studied Physics since high school, although I know enough to get by. I'm an visual arts major now (Graphic Design), but thank's for the offer.

[Rodak]

Aint irony ironic?

It sounds like your education went from science to art, while mine went from art to science!

I wanted to do art for a living but I had to sturggle with creating. Drawing and sculpting were fun but I could not produce finished work I liked. Science just came easily to me, and I was very good at it, so I went with it. Don't get the wrong idea though, I love science stuff too. I just wanted to stick with my strengths for a new career (I went back to school after fifteen years of running my own business).