how is sniper (from dota) attack range increased by an ability?

I'm trying to figure out how in the world it is possible to increase attack range in the middle of a game

The only way i can think of is replacing the unit with a longer-ranged version of himself and setting all of it's stats and items and spells the same.

how is this possible?

My way are using the rifleman upgrade, but some prefer chaos ability, well depends on which you prefer

give him the Night Elf archer upgrade, Long bows or whatever its called.

Then do a trigger
He learns an ability - research the upgrade to +1 level

well, can an upgrade be taken away? i need the hero to be able to deactivate this range at any time he feels like it.


does that chaos ability do any damage bonus or modify anything else or is that just a dummy spell that blizzard uses?

Option One:
Have a blank dummy ability (bash with 0% chance, evasion with 0% chance or whatever). And when that unit learns that ability, set the upgrade of Long Rifles for that player to the level of the ability.
Problem: It cant be unlearnt, it requires only one hero ability of this type per upgrade per player.

Option Two:
Use the Chaos ability, or Berserker, to transform the unit into another unit with increased range.
Problem: You need another copy of your unit but just with the range increased.

WEU has a in-built function to increase range (I think) I've seen it before

Yea if you have played AOTZ the rifle dude on that has a transform ability where his range is totally beefed up. So they probably either use a transform ability into an increased range copy of the unit..thats my guess cause I dont play DOTA

DotA uses the long rifles upgrade.

Just make a trigger with the event such as Fullla said. You could also use the longrifle upgrade instead.

Use something like "defend" as the ability since it has activate/deactivate. Then make a trigger to detect a unit_issued_order for defend and undefend to set the upgrade to +1 or -1.

Wrong.
You cannot unlearn a upgrade once it has been learned.

Bummer, it was an idea, but I've never tried it. You could however use that same theory and use a 2nd unit to swap back and forth with the ability. One that has the upgrade and one that doesn't

is it possible to have a dummy upgrade requirement placed and removed, back and forth so +1 then -1?

I don't think so. Requirements for upgrades means the upgrade can't be learned if the requirement isn't met.

I think the Sniper mode -might- be a metamorphosis. If you metamorph into maintaining the unit's abilities and stuff, you can give him extra stats for a bonus and you can completely change the way he attacks (from range to whatever he shoots). That's what happens to Illidan...goes from flashing blades to tossing radioactive meteors :-D

As i said, its not anything but Long Rifles upgrade.
I'v checked most of the spells from dota, and can even post a screeny if you want...

I think this should work(can't remember if theres a trigger for it or not).
Use the ability channel and modify i so it does nothing.
Then use a trigger to make it change the Acquisition Range when he uses that ability.
However, use a int var to make sure it turns on and off properly
*Aquisition range changes the units maximum range not the current so make * sure the units range is the maximum you want sniper to be.
for ex

If int_range = 2 then
Acquisition range = 100
set int_range = 1
Else If int_range = 1 then
Acquisition range = 600
set int_range = 2
Endif

This has to work i just tried it myself
Make sure you set int_range initially though so it doesn't do the effect backwards