Trying to optimize my custom spell triggers...

I have a small question. I have a simple trigger-based spell that is based off of spiked carapace. The carapace adds armor; but the spell also includes a very short-range aura that decreases enemy attack and move speed (reverse endurance). Now, the spell has 10 levels, so and the aura works by creating a model-less invulnerable "holder" unit with the aura, and it follows the hero around.

The question is this: am I going to have to create 10 "holder" units for the aura, each with the correct lvl aura and replace them each time the hero increases the skill, or can I create one unit with one spell that has 10 lvls, and just increase the lvl of the spell on the "holder" unit as the hero levels the skill up? I know thats a horrible sentence, but oh well. It's a matter of optimization really... I'll do it the hard way if I have to. I'm jsut curious if anyone knows an easier way to do it.

Yes you can level up the skill with increasing the tech level of a reasearch that increases the level of said skill. And you don't even need a unit that follows the hero around, the tornado slow aura is hidden on the user interface (no icon) when given to a unit.

Thanks, I was hoping for something like this. If I add the tornado slow aura to the hero unit, will it count towards the max of six skills for the hero? Or is it totally hidden and passive? Thanks a bunch.

you can do it in different ways.
you could change the dummy unit to a hero and level up your skill.
you could simply put all your 10 abilitys into an array and add then matching ability to your hero or the dummy unit.

No, that ability does not count to the 5-skill max. The 5-skill limit only counts for hero-skills that you actually pick in the skill-window.

Thanks so much, that makes life a lot simpler. :D

No, unit abilities have a higher limit than hero abilities.

Do something like this:

Event: a unit learns a skill
Condition: learned hero skill = spike carapace
Actions: Set Research level of (Tornado slow aura) to (level of ability being learned) for (owner of learning hero)

The effect of the Tornado slow aura tech has to be "Increase level of <ability>"