Skill Delay VX, Make your skills take longer to work. Options

[DerVVulfman]

Removed until iEntry's Legal Terms properly spell out Member Rights regarding ownership of submitted content. The terms in use are way too vague for comfort.

[Warder]

Hey, this should be really useful for me. I was planning on doing this for some of the more powerful spells in a game I'm working on.

I get an error with your demo though. "Unable to find file Graphics/Battlers/Ylva."

[DerVVulfman]

Oh? Hehehe... that's just me mis-configuring the name of the battlers I used in the 'Actor Battler Graphics' script.

[Ashvir]

Amazing script, as always. I was trying to think of more unique spells/skills for my game all night, when I saw this thread. It was like a sign from above!

I'll let you know if I come across any bugs, but so far it looks promising. =D

[Mefisno]

what script have you used to make your characters appear in battle like that? it gives VX an XP feel to it ha ha ha

[DerVVulfman]

Oh? Probably just me adding a party member in the TROOPS database. You could do that since RPGMaker 2000. It's an old technique.

[Ashvir]

For some reason after I installed this script, I get an error every time I try to use an item in game.

Script 'Scene_Item' line 128: ArgumentError occurred

wrong number of arguments (2 for 1)

Any idea what could be causing this? ><

[cheesypie3000]

Is there anyway you could make the actors apear behind the enemy?
It's a great script anyway!

[DerVVulfman]

It's not set up in the script, though if you switch the viewports that the Enemy and Actor graphics are set... sure.

[cheesypie3000]

Thanks

[mizzl]

Great script, except for that you have to edit the script itself
to make a skill a delay skill
I changed that, here new version
Ow, and I also removed separate charging animations

[Show/Hide] Script

#===============================================================
===============
# ** Skill Casting Delay VX
#------------------------------------------------------------------------------
# by DerVVulfman
# version 1.2
# 05-20-2008
# RGSS2
# Edited by mizzl
#------------------------------------------------------------------------------
#
# INTRODUCTION:
#
# This script is designed to make spells/skills in the default battlesystem
# take time to cast/prepare. As a turn-based system, the duration for the de-
# lay is ALSO given in turns. It's very simple... if you want a fireball spell
# to take two turns to work after casting, you set the skill up in the config
# section to spend 2 turns.
#
# Also added are a few optional niceties:
#
# 1) A window can show when the hero is casting/prepping a skill. This can be
# set up so each skill has it's own descriptive word, or just use a single
# 'casting' text for them all.
#
# 2) Battle Animations can be tagged to a skill. If on, when an actor's turn
# comes up and is currently 'casting' a skill, a battle animation can be
# shown on the battler. You can use a single default battle animation, or
# you can personalize each skill with its own animation.
#
# Note that 'this' feature requires the 'User Attack Animations' script.
#
# 3) The casting delay can be interrupted by a successful hit. Yep... if an
# actor battler suffers a sucessful attack by an enemy while casting, then
# the casting of the skill is interrupted.
#
#
#------------------------------------------------------------------------------
#
# EDITS AND MODIFICATIONS:
#
# This system Aliases the following methods:
# * initialize (Game_Battler)
# * attack_effect (Game_Battler)
# * skill_effect (Game_Battler)
# * item_effect (Game_Battler)
# * valid? (Game_BattleAction)
# * process_battle_start (Scene_Battle)
# * start_party_command_selection (Scene_Battle)
# * start_actor_command_selection (Scene_Battle)
# * prior_actor (Scene_Battle)
# * next_actor (Scene_Battle)
# * update_actor_command_selection (Scene_Battle)
# * update_skill_selection (Scene_Battle)
# * process_action (Scene_Battle)
# * execute_action (Scene_Battle)
# * end_target_enemy_selection (Scene_Battle)
# * end_target_actor_selection (Scene_Battle)
# * turn_end (Scene_Battle)
#
# This system adds the following methods:
# * interrupted (Game_Battler)
# * set_skill_delay (Scene_Battle)
#
#------------------------------------------------------------------------------
#
# NOTE:
#
# While the default system does not give enemies the ability to use items in
# combat, I have included routines in the script to detect whether or not this
# has occurred, and can (if used) interrupt the Actor who is casting a spell
# or readying a skill. ($sd_item_user, item_effect, make_item_action_result)
#
#
#------------------------------------------------------------------------------
#
# TERMS AND CONDITIONS:
#
# Free to use, even in commercial projects. Just note that I need some form
# of due credit... even a mere mention in some end titles.
#
#==============================================================================



#==============================================================================
#==============================================================================
# #
# **** C O N F I G U R A T I O N S Y S T E M **** #
# #
#==============================================================================
#==============================================================================

#==========================================================================
# **** SKILL / DELAY / MESSAGE HASHES **** #
#==========================================================================
# just type [delay (turns), (message)] in the note box of a skill
# message is optional
# example: [delay 2] means delayskill for 2 turns with the default "charging" message
# [delay 1, casting] means delayskill for 1 turn with "casting" as the charging message
# DON'T CHANGE IF YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU'RE DOING

REGEXP = /\[delay\s+(\d+)\s*,?\s*(\w+)?\s*\]/


#==========================================================================
# **** MESSAGE CONTROLS **** #
#==========================================================================
# Shows a window like "Basil casting Fireball"

DELAYED_HELP_TEXT = true # If true, a window will show if casting.
DELAYED_HELP_WAIT = 45 # Duration the window stays (in frames). # Default string if not specified in the
# DELAYED_SKILLS hash.


#==========================================================================
# **** ANIMATION CONTROLS **** #
#==========================================================================
# Displays a 'battle animation' when the caster is STILL readying a skill.

DELAY_ANIMATION = false # If true, the battle animation will run.
DELAY_ANIM_ID = 6 # The default animation ID


#==========================================================================
# **** INTERRUPTION CONTROL **** #
#==========================================================================
DELAY_INTERRUPT = false # If true, a successful hit will inter-
# rupt the caster, wasting the skill.

PARTY_INTERRUPT = false # If true, even Support Spells and Items
# from allies can interrupt the caster.





# DO NOT EDIT BELOW THIS LINE UNLESS YOU KNOW WHAT YOU'RE DOING
$sd_item_user = nil

class RPG::Skill < RPG::UsableItem

def create_delay_skill_cache
@__delay_skill_turn = 0
@__delay_skill_msg = ""

self.note.split(/[\r\n]+/).each { |line|
case line
when REGEXP
# 遅延スキル
@__delay_skill_turn = $1.to_i
if $2.nil?
@__delay_skill_msg = "readying"
else
@__delay_skill_msg = $2
end

end
}
end
#--------------------------------------------------------------------------
# ○ 遅延スキルか
#--------------------------------------------------------------------------
def delay_skill?
create_delay_skill_cache if @__delay_skill_turn == nil
return (@__delay_skill_turn > 0)
end
#--------------------------------------------------------------------------
# ○ 遅延スキル ID
#--------------------------------------------------------------------------
def delay_skill_turn
create_delay_skill_cache if @__delay_skill_turn == nil
return @__delay_skill_turn
end
#--------------------------------------------------------------------------
# ○ 遅延スキル発動ターン数
#--------------------------------------------------------------------------
def delay_skill_msg
create_delay_skill_cache if @__delay_skill_msg == nil
return @__delay_skill_msg
end
end

#==============================================================================
# ** Game_Battler
#------------------------------------------------------------------------------
# This class deals with battlers. It's used as a superclass for the Game_Actor
# and Game_Enemy classes.
#==============================================================================
class Game_Battler
#--------------------------------------------------------------------------
# * Public Instance Variables
#--------------------------------------------------------------------------
attr_accessor :skill_delay # Skill Delay in turns
attr_accessor :skill_select # Skill Battlemenu option flag
attr_accessor :sd_casting # Skill Delay casting flag (Battler)
attr_accessor :sd_iscasting # Skill Delay casting flag (2nd)
attr_accessor :sd_skill # Recorded skill in use for battler
attr_accessor :sd_skill_action # How the skill is shown in help txt
attr_accessor :sd_target # Recorded target selected in battle
attr_accessor :sd_damage # Base damage for casting interrupt
attr_accessor :animation_user # For User Attack Animations
attr_accessor :abatvx_form_bypass # If the screen_x/y is bypassed
#--------------------------------------------------------------------------
# * Alias Listings
#--------------------------------------------------------------------------
alias sd_init initialize
alias sd_attack_effect attack_effect
alias sd_skill_effect skill_effect
alias sd_item_effect item_effect
#--------------------------------------------------------------------------
# * Object Initialization
#--------------------------------------------------------------------------
def initialize
# Perform the original call
sd_init
# Additional values
@skill_delay = 0
@skill_select = false
@sd_casting = false
@sd_iscasting = false
@sd_skill = 0
@sd_skill_action = "readying"
@sd_target = 0
@animation_user = nil
@abatvx_form_bypass = false
end
#--------------------------------------------------------------------------
# * Applying Normal Attack Effects (Edited)
# attacker : battler
#--------------------------------------------------------------------------
def attack_effect(attacker)
# Temporary Interrupt flag
sd_trigger = true
# Execute the original process
result = sd_attack_effect(attacker)
# Set the interrupt flag accordingly
sd_trigger = false if result == false
sd_trigger = false if DELAY_INTERRUPT == false
# Turn interrupt flag off if target missed
sd_trigger = false if @missed == true
# If skill can be interrupted by an attack
if sd_trigger == true
self.sd_casting = false
self.sd_iscasting = false
self.skill_delay = 0
self.sd_skill = 0
self.sd_target = 0
end
end
#--------------------------------------------------------------------------
# * Apply Skill Effects
# user : the one using skills (battler)
# skill : skill
#--------------------------------------------------------------------------
def skill_effect(user, skill)
# Execute the original process
result = sd_skill_effect(user, skill)
# Set Interrupt Flag based on Interruption checker
sd_trigger = interrupted(result, user)
# If skill can be interrupted by another skill
if sd_trigger == true
self.sd_casting = false
self.sd_iscasting = false
self.skill_delay = 0
self.sd_skill = 0
self.sd_target = 0
end
end
#--------------------------------------------------------------------------
# * Apply Item Effects
# user : Item user
# item : item
#--------------------------------------------------------------------------
def item_effect(user, item)
# Execute the original process
result = sd_item_effect(user, item)
# Set Interrupt Flag based on Interruption checker
sd_trigger = interrupted(result, user)
# If skill can be interrupted by another skill
if sd_trigger == true
self.sd_casting = false
self.sd_iscasting = false
self.skill_delay = 0
self.sd_skill = 0
self.sd_target = 0
end
end
#--------------------------------------------------------------------------
# * Interruption Checker
# result : result of initial skill/item use
# user : caster of initial skill/item on target
#--------------------------------------------------------------------------
def interrupted(result, user)
# Set interrupt flag
temp_trigger = true
# Set the interrupt flag accordingly
temp_trigger = false if result == false
if DELAY_INTERRUPT == false
temp_trigger = false if user.is_a?(Game_Enemy)
end
# Turn interrupt flag off if Support Skill Used
if PARTY_INTERRUPT
temp_trigger = true if user.is_a?(Game_Actor)
end
# Turn interrupt flag off if missed
temp_trigger = false if @missed == true
return temp_trigger
end
end



#==============================================================================
# ** Game_BattleAction
#------------------------------------------------------------------------------
# This class handles battle actions. This class is used within the
# Game_Battler class.
#==============================================================================

class Game_BattleAction
#--------------------------------------------------------------------------
# * Alias Listings
#--------------------------------------------------------------------------
alias sd_valid? valid?
#--------------------------------------------------------------------------
# * Determination if Action is Valid or Not
# Assuming that an event command does not cause [Force Battle Action],
# if state limitations or lack of items, etc. make the planned action
# impossible, return false.
#--------------------------------------------------------------------------
def valid?
valid_return = sd_valid?
return true if @battler.sd_iscasting
return valid_return
end
end



#==============================================================================
# ** Scene_Battle
#------------------------------------------------------------------------------
# This class performs battle screen processing.
#==============================================================================

class Scene_Battle < Scene_Base
#--------------------------------------------------------------------------
# * Alias Listings
#--------------------------------------------------------------------------
alias sd_process_battle_start process_battle_start
alias sd_start_party_command_selection start_party_command_selection
alias sd_start_actor_command_selection start_actor_command_selection
alias sd_next_actor next_actor
alias sd_prior_actor prior_actor
alias sd_update_actor_command_selection update_actor_command_selection
alias sd_update_skill_selection update_skill_selection
alias sd_process_action process_action
alias sd_execute_action execute_action
alias sd_end_target_enemy_selection end_target_enemy_selection
alias sd_end_target_actor_selection end_target_actor_selection
alias sd_turn_end turn_end
#--------------------------------------------------------------------------
# * Battle Start Processing
#--------------------------------------------------------------------------
def process_battle_start
# Reset all Skill delay turns
for actor in $game_party.members
actor.skill_delay = 0
actor.sd_casting = false
actor.sd_iscasting = false
actor.skill_select = false
end
# Perform the Original Call
sd_process_battle_start
end
#--------------------------------------------------------------------------
# * Start party command selection
#--------------------------------------------------------------------------
def start_party_command_selection
# Reset Temp Battler value
@temp_battler = nil
# Perform the original Call
sd_start_party_command_selection
end
#--------------------------------------------------------------------------
# * Start actor command selection
#--------------------------------------------------------------------------
def start_actor_command_selection
# Skip actor if already casting
next_actor if @active_battler.sd_iscasting
# Skip system if no more actors
return if @active_battler == nil
# Perform the original call
sd_start_actor_command_selection
end
#--------------------------------------------------------------------------
# * Go to Command Input for Next Actor
#--------------------------------------------------------------------------
alias sd_next_actor next_actor
def next_actor
# Only perform AFTER 1st actor select
if @active_battler != nil
# If targetted with a skill/spell
if @active_battler.skill_select
# Acquire Skill Delay
set_skill_delay
end
end
# Perform the original call
sd_next_actor
end
#--------------------------------------------------------------------------
# * Go to Command Input of Previous Actor
#--------------------------------------------------------------------------
def prior_actor
# Obtain previous actor
@temp_battler = $game_party.members[@actor_index-1]
if @temp_battler.sd_iscasting == true
return
end
# Reset/Remove
@temp_battler.sd_casting = false
@temp_battler.sd_iscasting = false
@temp_battler.skill_delay = 0
@temp_battler.sd_skill = 0
@temp_battler.sd_target = 0
# Perform the original call
sd_prior_actor
end
#--------------------------------------------------------------------------
# * Update Actor Command Selection
#--------------------------------------------------------------------------
def update_actor_command_selection
# Reset skill selection flag to false
@active_battler.skill_select = false
# Perform the original call
sd_update_actor_command_selection
end
#--------------------------------------------------------------------------
# * Update Skill Selection
#--------------------------------------------------------------------------
def update_skill_selection
@active_battler.skill_select = true
# Perform the original call
sd_update_skill_selection
end
#--------------------------------------------------------------------------
# * Battle Action Processing
#--------------------------------------------------------------------------
def process_action
# Perform the original call
sd_process_action
# Only if using an active battler
if @active_battler != nil
# Reduce the delay turns by 1
if @active_battler.skill_delay > 0
@active_battler.skill_delay -= 1
end
end
end
#--------------------------------------------------------------------------
# * Frame Update (main phase step 2 : start action)
#--------------------------------------------------------------------------
def execute_action
# If skill delay is over
if @active_battler.skill_delay <= 0
# Perform if casting
if @active_battler.sd_iscasting
# Set to skill routine
@active_battler.action.kind = 1
# Retrieve skill id
@active_battler.action.skill_id = @active_battler.sd_skill
# Retrieve target
@active_battler.action.target_index = @active_battler.sd_target
# Turn 1st Casting flag off
@active_battler.sd_casting = false
# Turn 2nd Casting flag off
@active_battler.sd_iscasting = false
end
sd_execute_action
else
@active_battler.sd_iscasting = true
# if the delay help window is active
if DELAYED_HELP_TEXT
# # Setup help window
actor_name = @active_battler.name
skill_action = " " + @active_battler.sd_skill_action + " "
skill_name = $data_skills[@active_battler.sd_skill].name
casting_txt = actor_name + skill_action + skill_name
@message_window.add_instant_text(casting_txt)
wait(DELAYED_HELP_WAIT)
@message_window.clear
end
# if casting battle animation used
if DELAY_ANIMATION
# Animation for action performer (if ID is 0, then white flash)
sd_animation = DELAY_ANIM_ID
if sd_animation == 0
@active_battler.white_flash = true
else
# Bypass the Formation system
@active_battler.abatvx_form_bypass = true
@active_battler.animation_user = sd_animation
if @active_battler.is_a?(Game_Enemy)
display_user_animation(@active_battler, sd_animation, true)
else
display_user_animation(@active_battler, sd_animation, false)
end
# Return the set formation
@active_battler.abatvx_form_bypass = false
end
end
turn_end
end
end
#--------------------------------------------------------------------------
# * End Enemy Selection
#--------------------------------------------------------------------------
def end_target_enemy_selection
sd_end_target_enemy_selection
# If targetted with a skill/spell
if @active_battler.skill_select
# Acquire Skill Delay
set_skill_delay
end
end
#--------------------------------------------------------------------------
# * End Actor Selection
#--------------------------------------------------------------------------
def end_target_actor_selection
sd_end_target_actor_selection
# If targetted with a skill/spell
if @active_battler.skill_select
# Acquire Skill Delay
set_skill_delay
end
end
#--------------------------------------------------------------------------
# * End Turn
#--------------------------------------------------------------------------
def turn_end
if @active_battler != nil
# If the delay is over, or no delay
if @active_battler.skill_delay <= 0
# Perform the Original Call
sd_up4s5
end
else
sd_turn_end
end
end
#--------------------------------------------------------------------------
# * Set the Skill Delay (upon immediate skill selection)
#--------------------------------------------------------------------------
def set_skill_delay
# Acquire ID of skill
tempskill = $data_skills[@active_battler.action.skill_id]
# Retrieve and apply the delay in turns
@active_battler.skill_delay = tempskill.delay_skill_turn
# Retrieve and apply the casting action (text message)
@active_battler.sd_skill_action = tempskill.delay_skill_msg
# Turn off the skill select switch
@active_battler.skill_select = false
# Turn on 1st 'Casting' switch
@active_battler.sd_casting = true
# Set current skill selected
@active_battler.sd_skill = tempskill.id
# Set current selected target
@active_battler.sd_target = @active_battler.action.target_index
end
end

[Rukaroa]

Great script, except for that you have to edit the script itself
to make a skill a delay skill

Can you explain that part? What I've noticed with this (original) script and KGC's is that skills still execute even when the actor who casted the skill is dead. That doesn't make much sense unless you're lighting a fuse to a bomb or something of the sort.

The other part is that the targeted enemy is the one using the skill on itself. There are workaround as far as text and costs goes for that, but it would be nice if the delayed skill moved to a different target if the original target is dead. At least, that's how the design in my mind thought it would work.

I've been researching ways to get the above effects to work, but I haven't actually touched that yet since I haven't reached that part of my project queue yet.

[mizzl]

Great script, except for that you have to edit the script itself
to make a skill a delay skill

Can you explain that part? What I've noticed with this (original) script and KGC's is that skills still execute even when the actor who casted the skill is dead. That doesn't make much sense unless you're lighting a fuse to a bomb or something of the sort.

The other part is that the targeted enemy is the one using the skill on itself. There are workaround as far as text and costs goes for that, but it would be nice if the delayed skill moved to a different target if the original target is dead. At least, that's how the design in my mind thought it would work.

I've been researching ways to get the above effects to work, but I haven't actually touched that yet since I haven't reached that part of my project queue yet.

I think the first problem is only because RPG VX is programmed that way, I think.
The actions all get ordered by speed and then get executed, not looking if the one who did
those actions is still alive. Correct me if I'm wrong.

Second of all, have fun trying to fix that one, and post it when you do!
I don't know how to change that, and it's not that big of a problem, is it?
It's only a perfection, the general idea is right.

[Rukaroa]

I'm no scripter, so I won't make any promises there. I'm an editor in every sense of the word, so manipulation of existing things is how I go about things. Well, I'll post something if I do manage to pull that off. Don't let that stop anyone else from trying to accomplish the same thing though.