***A Few Very Tough Questions***

Hello!
I'm working on a map, and I have a few questions:

1. Is there a way to read a units strength, agility, intelligence, etc, with a trigger? Even if I have to do custom text, that's fine..
Also, can I somehow read the extra stats, the +3, +6, +9, etc., that an item gives the unit? I'd like to be able to read the base stat, the bonus, and the total..

2. Is there a way to make the numbers pop up all the time, when a unit gets attacked? when you slam, it pops up red numbers, Death coil pops up blue or green, etc. saying how much a unit gets hit or cured, and there're probably others.. Can I customize this? Is this a special effect, or something else completely? it would be nice to be able to use this for text, numbers, anything, but even just numbers would help..

3. Is there any way to Create, read, and write to a file? I know the game cache, but that doesn't work in multiplayer.. I wonder if there's any way to do this, using custom text or otherwise?? Basically, I'm trying to do a multiplayer campaign, and I need a way to transfer data between maps..

4. If no to the 3rd question: I'll probably use a password, that'll include all the necessary info. I'm afraid it's going to be really long though, even if I use individual bits.. I'll probably need a really simple compression routine.. Any ideas?

5. Is there an easy way to transfer variables between maps, in the editor? Cut and Paste somehow? Every time I want to use a set of them, when I make a new map, I have to re-type them all..

I realize most of this is probably impossible, but any info would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks for your time,
Zergling199

1. Nope, no way to do this. What you can do though is set a variable to a hero's initial stat and as long as the variable changes whenever the stat itself changes (use an event that looks for hero level ups and tome usage) then you'll know a hero's stat. You can, however, *set* a hero's stat to a particular value; you just can't read that value (yep, silly, I know).

hmmm...how about an item that could only be picked up/used if a hero had the proper strength?

2. Nope. I myself have asked the same question, and it appears that there's no way to do this. Criticals/mana drain and even the "miss" text aren't special effects but something else (not that I know what). A workaround that I'm slowly exploring is to "draw" numbers with multiple special effects. Not pretty, not easy, not very elegant, but it might just work. I'll be only too happy to offer to everyone who wants to use it when (if) I get done done.

5 To the best of my knowledge, this isn't possible, but I'd *love* to hear otherwise.

3. no
4. no
5. there's a file in the w3m which might hold the variable data, but I don't know which one. Ask zepir for that.

Thanks..
Since I'm using custom Heroes anyway, I know their stats, so I guess reading them doesn't make much difference..

As for #2, I do have one idea, maybe this will trigger more from someone else..

Store current MP in a variable
change MP amount to whatever number you want to show
cast manaburn on the unit
it'll pop up whatever number in blue, right?
change MP back to value stored in variable.

now if only there were a way to slam a certain amount on purpose..


If this isn't the place to ask these, is there some other forum, or chat? Or, email someone in particular? I'll try not to be too annoying. :ggani:

Good questions, and quite honestly, I've never seen anything like these things happen in maps. I guess with the desire for power to edit a map comes the desire for more power... or maybe WorldEdit just isn't as powerful as we thought?

Well, I've been thinking about the numbers thing, and the only thing I can think of besides combinations of special effects is to create a unit with no model with critical strike and have it hit the unit a few times hoping the numbers will come up. You'd have to specify 1/2, 1/3, or 1/4 damage that you wanted it to display ahead of time though...argh that just gets bothersome. Special effects are going to be the way to go unless blizz eventually provides a trig for this.

Well, like I said above, Manaburn, I think, would work for blue..
Critical does red, which is OK..
What are the other ones that do words or numbers?
Manaburn - blue
Critical - red
Heal?
Death coil?

I guess if I really wanted to put a lot of work into it, I could edit the abilities so critical gets done 100% of the time.. Ugh. I guess if I'm going to edit, might as well make a special effect that pops up whatever numbers in whatever colors I want..

Anybody want to help, that knows more about modding than I do? Would this even work?

bump?