[Answered] key pressed script hook.

[Nord]

As written, it will be useful to have possibility to use script-based keyboard actions.

First, it was an idea of some kind of report about unit shield power. If it can not be done by some bar or number in stats/mine screen/inventory, then it must be done with flash messages.

But then i found it very potent in other cases.

What do you think?

[Meridian]

Scripts don't affect the game flow or the user interaction.

Scripts can only stop the game flow (at a very few specific predefined points), take the current game variables, modify the (small amount of) variables they are allowed to mess with and resume the game flow.

You can imagine the scripts as x-rays from space randomly changing some variables; or as parasites changing some specific (existing) function of an animal they have infected.
They can hack some values and change the damage of your weapon from 10 to 100... but they can't add a minesweeper easter egg when the user presses ctrl+alt+win+M during the opening cinematic

That's as good explanation as I can provide without writing a whole book about it.
Maybe it helps.

[ohartenstein23]

There are some ways that you can do this with existing scripts, assuming you only have one script tag on the BattleUnit to describe the current shield HP. Create an item that is built in to the unit's armor (maybe give it to every player unit in a special inventory slot made for the purpose?). You can then either:

• Update the ammo quantity value on the item every turn/when the unit is hit to be equal to the shield HP value.
• Draw a colored bar on the item that gets recolored/reshaded to represent the shield HP value.

It still requires opening the inventory to see the shield HP, but it doesn't require new engine code to function.

You could also create a "weapon" that only costs 1 TU to fire (maybe refund it on hitting something?), does no damage, and on hitting a unit flashes a message with the unit's shield HP.

[Finnik]

Heh, its sad that IS lacks UI for show the player what is under the hood. I just use mana as shield hit points

[Nord]

• Update the ammo quantity value on the item every turn/when the unit is hit to be equal to the shield HP value.
• Draw a colored bar on the item that gets recolored/reshaded to represent the shield HP value.

Interesting idea, i admit. I'll try it.

Heh, its sad that IS lacks UI for show the player what is under the hood. I just use mana as shield hit points

Yes, i use it too. But not in all cases.