Buffs

How would I go about the add an ability buff effect to a unit without using the actual ability it is linked with?

Or if that is not possible, how would I use an ability on a unit without having that ability added to a unit, that would then use it?

Help appreciated.

Sorry if I've posted in the wrong section, I just figured it would have to be done using triggers.

You posted in the correct section, no worries.

There's no way to directly add a buff to a unit. Buffs by themselves are just art, it's the spell that creates them that's in charge of doing the spell effects, so, even if you could add a buff without casting a spel, that buff wouldn't do anything to the unit. Just test it, change the Storm Bolt's buff to Inner Fire, even though the unit will get that yellow thingy when hit by the bolt, it won't get any bonus armor, it will just be stunned instead.

So, you'll need to cast a spell to get any effects. To cast spells without them showing on any units, you just have to use dummy casters.

I knew about the buffs, I kind off expressed myself a little wrong.

And thanks for the tip about the Dummy Casters though, really useful. I just don't know why I didn't figure something similar out myself :)