Why use dummy units?

[ramodkk]

Hey guys, I'm practically a beginner to triggered maps and spells. I made my first spell using a dummy unit (changed model to "Resurrection - Target special effect and made it horizontal to look like an energy ray/wave) but I don't understand, when would you need to use a dummy unit to cast a spell?

Thanks!

 

[Lightstalker]

Well, say you want to make a HUGE shockwave. You can't change the size of the model, nor the colors of it, but with a dummy unit with the shockwave model, you could make it huge! and whatever colors you want. Also, say you want to make a multi-shot ability. You can make a dummy unit that fires arrows at enemies.

 

[Lanan]

Or if you're using a channeling spell, your hero is doing a channeling animation while a dummy unit actually casts the spell.
That's how i do it at least

 

[Doom-Angel]

in case of need.....

there is no rules for when u need them.
but if you wanna do something and you think a dummy could help u then use it - it's ur choise how to make ur spell and there is no constant rule on that

 

[ramodkk]

Thanks guys

Yeah for the spell I told you guys I did, I actually made a dummy unit and changed the model to Resurrection - Target, changed pitch angle, made it bigger and changed the color. That made like a red "fire beam".

But what I don't get is when could be helpful to have a dummy unit actually casting a spell?

 

[Pineapple]

Thanks guys

Yeah for the spell I told you guys I did, I actually made a dummy unit and changed the model to Resurrection - Target, changed pitch angle, made it bigger and changed the color. That made like a red "fire beam".

But what I don't get is when could be helpful to have a dummy unit actually casting a spell?

I want to create a spell that casts firebolt at all enemies withen 500.00 of the caster.

now, they cast that spell, you create a dummy unit for each enemy unit in range and tell them to cast firebolt at different units.

 

[ramodkk]

Thanks Pineaple, that actually clarified a lot!

So then talking about this mass firebolt spell, could I for example make 3 normal unit firebolt abilities (one for each level) and then trigger the dummy units to use whichever one applies to the level of the hero?

 

[Kenny]

Just make a firebolt spell that has three levels, then change the level of the firebolt according to the level of the hero ability. You would use: Unit - Set Level Of Ability For Unit. Thats in the editor thing.