A few questions about altering an ability.

Basis: I'm using Mana Shield as a "dummy" spell for a custom ability I'd like to try. But there are a few annoying problems I can't figure out a way to fix.

I tried the search function for replaceable textures for the first problem, and really found no useful information. Basically.. I want the physical mana shield model to NOT appear at all on the unit using the ability. I've tried to edit out the calls for the model application in the abilitydata file and this didn't change anything.

Edit: I found a much more suitable ability to use as a base for mine, the Footman's Defend ability. It has a model assigned for the caster art right in the object editor and I just deleted the entry. So this issue is temporarily solved for me, but the information requested would still be invaluable =) Wish I would have thought to use this ability in the first place, would have saved much headache.

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Another problem is that since I've edited the ability the tooltip no longer displays, and just says in a very small rectangle "<MyNewAbilityName>" which is not such a terrible problem but.. I've never had the problem before when editing an ability so I'm boggled. All I did was change the old tooltip text to my own tooltip text.

Edit: This problem still persists. When I alter the tooltips and extended tooltips it is clearing ALL entries for the "TurnOff" section, so when the ability is active there is just a squished blank frame for the hover text and only the ability name is present in the "TurnOn" section. This is now the second ability that has given me this problem... When I tried to edit the NeutralAbilityStrings.txt for Mana Shield is corrupted my map before if that is of any relevance.

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The last problem is trivial at the moment but later on I'll want to change it. When the unit is selected, the tiny icon with the hover description of the ability I am using remains unchanged, and still reports that my unit is using mana shield and shows the tiny mana shield graphic :(.

Edit: I solved the text part of this problem by changing the Bufftip and Uberbuff tip texts in the AbilityData.txt - still unsure about the small icon.

Edit2: This problem is trivial using the Defend ability but again the information would be useful.

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So there you have it. The first problem is what is really preventing me from moving on though, and if I could solve that I would be extremely happy. I first thought to put this in the modeling or art forums but I had a feeling it was something that wouldn't require any creating/importing except for perhaps the ability data files. I hope that this is the case. ;)

Edit: I forgot to add this - I know a possible solution is to use a dummy spell with no art at all, but I need the spell to be a toggle, just like Mana Shield or Corporeal Form/Ethereal Form. And those 2 were the only ones I could think of to base the ability from. And believe me when I tell you Corporeal Form/Ethereal Form spells are frustrating to mess with! ><

Edit2: Ignore above edit ;)

imolation has a toggle but it also has art... you could try changing the attackment point to below ground so it doesn't show up but I'm not sure that would work...

I think you can make any spell toggle though by adding a turn off icon... I can check on this this afternoon if you haven't gotten it by then.

I'm moving on the the next step of the ability now, creating a trigger that forces the unit using the ability to perform it's death animation. This is like alien to me so I'll probably add in some edits here on this post with my problems if/when they come up. In case nobody has guessed yet, I am attempting to create a "Feign Death" ability. (The next step will be to make all enemy units non-hostile to the unit while the ability is in effect - will probably make a new post in this thread when I get there.)

Edit: Okay. This sucks ;) - I cannot make a trigger to recognize my new ability for "Unit begins casting an ability" commands. My progress is temporarily at a standstill :( I imagine it has something to do with the Defend ability in general, but that is just my guess. As for now, I may just try a different ability altogether to test the animation trigger.