Combat Rules

2009-11-10T22:31:08Z

'''This page is work in progress'''

=== Overview ===

This page describes the technical implementation and flow of combat logic in the game scripts.
It deals mostly with weapon based combat, for spells and abilities, please see [[Ability|Abilities]].

Note: The term 'property' used on this page refers to [[Creature Properties]].

=== Detailed Description ===

Combat in Dragon Age: Origin is handled mainly through scripts - the game engine itself has little knowledge of rule concepts such as 'Strength', 'Damage Modifier' or 'Armor Penetration'.

==== Hit Resolution ====

Hit resolution is implemented in the function [[combat_h.nss#Combat_GetAttackResult|Combat_GetAttackResult]] in the script library [[combat_h.nss]], which is invoked from the [[creature_core.nss]] script whenever an attack event is received. The function returns one of several [[COMBAT_RESULT|COMBAT_RESULT_*]] constants and handles messaging to the game engine which animation to play.

Overall, Dragon Age: Origin's combat system is 'hit heavy' as a target's armor does not modify its chance of getting hit.

The simplified decision tree for to hit resolution is as follows:

<dascript>

if Target Is Placeable Object
return COMBAT_RESULT_HIT

if Target Displacement/Dodge < RandomF(100.0)
return COMBAT_RESULT_MISS

if Attacker Is Using BASE_ITEM_TYPE_STAFF
return COMBAT_RESULT_HIT

bHit = RandomF(100.0) < AttackRating - DefenseRating
bCrit = CheckCricital()
bBackstab = CheckBackstab()

if bHit
if HasEffect(attacker, EFFECT_TYPE_MISDIRECTION_HEX)
if bCrit
return COMBAT_RESULT_HIT
else
return COMBAT_RESULT_MISS

if bBackstab
return COMBAT_RESULT_BACKSTAB
else
if bCrit
return COMBAT_RESULT_CRITICAL_HIT
else
return COMBAT_RESULT_HIT

else
return COMBAT_RESULT_MISS

</dascript>

===== Attack Rating =====

Attack rating includes:

* Base attack value (54.0f)
* + [[#Flanking Bonus Determination|Flanking Bonus]] (position based, modified by attacker and enemy talents and effects as well as shields. Rogues have a bonus here).
* + Distance based penalties (for ranged attacks)
* + Attacker's attack property value (this includes modifiers from buffs, etc.)
* + Any +attack item bonuses on the weapon that performs the attack.
* + Any external bonuses or penalties passed into the function (from talent scripts, etc.)
* + Difficulty setting based modifications

===== Defense Rating =====

Defense rating includes:

* Defender defense value (and missile deflection if attack was ranged). This includes items, effects and magical bonus.
* Difficulty setting based modifications

===== Flanking Bonus Determination =====

* Flanking bonus is a floating point value that applies to both AttackRating and to the chance to score a critical hit.
* It is essentially a representation of how close the character is to the best position when attacking the enemy (directly in the back)
* Various shield abilities on the target reduce or prevent the attacker from getting the bonus.
* The further away the character is from that position, the more the bonus is diluted.
* The magnitude of the bonus ranges from +0 to +15 (+20 with combat_movement) and is applied to AttackRating and partially (1+(FlankingBonus/5)) to critical hit chance.
* Most characters only flank 60 degrees in each direction, combat movement allows an increase to 90 degrees (the full back 180).
* Only rogues get the full flanking bonus, everyone else still gets half.
* The full logic is implemented in the function [[combat_h.nss#Combat_GetFlankingBonus|Combat_GetFlankingBonus]] in [[combat_h.nss]].

===== Backstab Determination =====

* Backstab is determined for each melee attack only.
* Backstab requires the attacker to have a flanking bonus > 0 (some talents waive this restriction)
* Only creatures with the Rogue [[Classes|Character Class]] may backstab. This is a class benefit.
* Only humanoid attackers can backstab (this includes darkspawn)
* The full logic is implemented in the function [[combat_h.nss#Combat_CheckBackstab|Combat_CheckBackstab]] in [[combat_h.nss]].
* The damage logic is implemented in [[combat_damage_h.nss#Combat_Damage_GetBackstabDamage|Combat_Damage_GetBackstabDamage]].

===== Critical Hit Determination =====

* Critical Hit Chance uses the attackers Melee or Ranged critical hit modifier based on attack type.
* + the attacking weapon's critical hit modifier stat.
* + 1.20x (1.1x for non rogues) the attacker's [[#Flanking Bonus Determination|Flanking Bonus]] in the current situation.
* + 3.5 for each enemy past the 2nd that is fighting a warriors with the bravery talent.
* A critical hit occurs when the resulting CriticalHitChance is smaller than RandomFloat()*100.0f.
* Certain effects and spells (e.g. Death Hex) can always override the result, as will attacking from stealth (always hits critical).
* The logic is implemented in the function [[combat_h.nss#Combat_GetAttackResult|Combat_GetAttackResult]] in the script library [[combat_h.nss]]

==== Damage Resolution ====

Damage resolution logic is implemented in the script [[combat_damage_h.nss]].

===== Critical Hit Damage Modification =====

* Critical hits increase the amount of damage done by an attack by a fixed multiplier.
* The magnitude of the multiplier can be affected by items and effects, but is not affected by of the character's attributes.
* Historical Note: Critical damage used to be variable 'up to...', but was changed to constant to provide a more predictable flow of damage.
* The logic for critical damage is implemented in [[combat_damage_h.nss#GetCriticalDamageModifier]].

===== Backstab Damage Modification =====

* Backstab damage is essentially identical to critical damage, but modified by certain rogue talents.
* The full logic is implemented [[combat_damage_h.nss#Combat_Damage_GetBackstabDamage|Combat_Damage_GetBackstabDamage]] in [[combat_damage_h.nss]].

[[Category: Scripts]]

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Combat Rules