Bodyguards

I'm working on my singleplayer campaign, and I've been pondering over whether or not to do it "RPG"-style, where the camera is centered on the main character, or not.

Well, I'd like the main character to have a small squad with her sometimes, but the problem with this, is that you have no control over a character outside the bounds of the camera, and can issue no orders there either.

Question: Is it possible to change a unit's teamcolor without changing who controls the unit? (These APPEAR to be two different actions, but I don't know whether or not they overlap.)

The solution I thought of is making the bodyguards in the control of an allied computer player, and place them in a specific unit group. Then, I set up a series of triggers that detect when an order is issued to the main character, and assign that order to the unit group as well, barring, of course, her Hero abilities and such.

Question: Does anyone see any potential snags with this system?

Question: Do you think you would LIKE this feature in a single-player campaign map?

My campaign im working on has this feature as of now. I ran into a few snags...such as defending the main character. My allies kept running back and forth between enemies because i set it so they attack any enemy attacking the characters...I'm going to work on perfecting this so they dont go back and forth though. I think I know how to. Making them follow all the time by whenever you issue an order is good and bad, like...if you want to back off your main character then they will follow, making it harder to back away from battle. Another problem about this is that the heroes won't use their abilities and you cant use them to their fullest. The only way you can make them use it is if you hand make their AI (which is pretty much needed if you're making this system anyway). Making the system is more trouble but it gives more of an rpg feel imo. I implemented a character switching option in mine so you can use any of the chars and then the others would be your allies. The system is good if its made well cause it will eliminate any frustration with manipulating multiple hero units.

To change team color without changing the team use the Unit - Change Color or create the unit for that team then Unit - Change Owner of (X) and retain color.

It sounds like a good system, though certainly not easy. You might want to limit the # of units who can join your hero to like 3 or 4 max to prevent them getting bunched up and blocking your hero from retreating.

Or you can turn off collision for these bodyguard units. Not the most aesthetically pleasing solution, but it would keep them from getting in the way.

> Is it possible to change a unit's teamcolor without changing who controls the unit?

Yes. The action is "Unit - Change Color."


I don't normally like the RPG-style interface because I don't like being limited to only one unit. So I think this feature would be very cool.

Make a big location around your hero and make it move with the hero. Center camera on hero. Add some comp units which will always be ordered to attack to the location. Except make it so that the location centers on the center of the hero, and the units go to an edge of the location, not the center. This will prevent clumping and make them follow you, unless they are attacked.

you said "how can i change the color of the unit without changeing the team?" Answer: Easy double click on the placed unit and in the properties click the custom color drop down and pick a color. It shouldnt change the team its on i believe. correct me if im wrong.