Multiple Shot

Multiple Shot/Attack
By Archian

I have just been asked how to make a unit shot off multiple projectiles at several targets.
So i decided to make a quick tutorial about it.

Introduction:
Have you ever wanted a unit, like an archer, to shoot off multiple arrows at a time?
Well, here's a simple way how to do it without useing any triggers or the like.

Step 1:
Create a new custom ability in the object editor, based on the human ability Barrage.

Step 2:
In order to make the new ability work properly for your unit.
Adjust the field value Stats - Area of Effect to the same as the unit's Combat - Attack 1 - Range.
Do the same with Combat - Attack 1 - Projectile Speed and Combat - Attack 1 - Projectile Arc.
Note, here it's for the attack 1.

Step 3:
Set the field Data - Damage Per Target of the ability to the damage you wish the unit to deal.
The field Data - Maximum Total Damage should be the maximum damage the unit deals.

Step 4:
Remove all requirements from the Techtree - Requirements.

Step 5:
Give the ability to your unit(s).

Note:
~The minimum number of targets is 3, since the ability, the units' normal attack, and the Data - Damage Per Target itself adds 1 additional target.
~This ability works automatically since it's a passive ability (constant effect).
~Adjust the field Stats - Hero Ability to True in order to make the ability work for a hero.

A little preview attached..



- Multiple Melee Attack -
Note, you could adjust the multiple shot to work as if it was for melee attacks, but for melee attacks you should base the ability on the neutral hostile Cleaving Attack if you want it for normal units, for heroes, just base the ability on the hero pit lord's Cleaving Attack.

Side Note:
The ability strikes through to enemies near the primary attacked unit (multiple attack).

The only thing you really need to change is:
Art - Special ~ For the effect.
Art - Icon - Normal ~ For the icon.
Data - Distributed Damage Factor ~ Damage.
Stats - Area of Effect ~ Range.



(Note, in this example im useing a blood effect)

Just one question: This ability only works with ranged attacks?? could it be applied in melee attacks??

Yes, it could be used for that aswell i belive. But for melee attacks i would recommend Cleaving Attack.

I suggest you should combine it then so this both explains melee and ranged

Otherwise a fine tutorial, I miss some pictures though

I've been thinking of doing that.
However, about the images, there's already one.
Do you want me to upload images of the field values?

Yeah maybe the fields you need to edit cutted out with a red ring around them or something :P

Okay, added cleaving attack to the tutorial.

I think the info about incompatible orb/arrow abilities should be added to the tutorial too.
Especially the part about Searing Arrows that allows you to create autocastable multishot.

Other than that I like the tutorial, can be approved after the above-mentioned is added.

Okay i added the "above-mentioned" :P
Just copy-pasted it, if that's okay?

Approved.

Ah great, unfortunetly for me this is an arc/multishot type.

IF you ever feel like writing another tutorial one of firing multiple projectiles in a single line would be awesome.

Anyways very good tutorial, easy to understand.

can the damage be done in % ?
making the multi shots do like 50% of the heroes damage?
how is that possible?

Like the hero Gorgen from dota whit split shot..

I don't know the hero Gorgen from Dota's ability, but you can find a unprotected dota map here.
However i can see that the latest update was on Nov-26-05, dont know if the ablity you're talking about is included, but you could have a look..

Thank you for the link, but the hero is not in that version.
Anyway good job whit this tutorial, just what i was looking 4 :)

This appears not to be the best solution. You can just set the total damage to 0 and it will deal damage based on the attacking unit's damage, as stated in this post in this thread.