Leidustraum

How do I set up a system where abilities can auto-level up?

For example, each successful use of an active ability grants it experience, and when it reaches a certain experience, the next level will automatically be learned.

It looks like the Makinom system is already set up for this, as I can see that under Ability Settings>Level Up Settings> Level Up Type, one of the options is "Uses", which says "Automatically level up when used". However, under Level Settings, there aren't any further settings to set for example how much experience the ability gains per use towards the next level. And so, I don't understand how it works.

I tried to do some gymnastics on it with schematics, by adding a variable like "Ability Experience", then each use of the ability adds x to this value (through the schematics), then further doing a check if it hits certain milestones, after which I used the Add Ability Level node to increase the ability level defined by the Select Ability node at the start.

But this whole setup doesn't seem to work.

gamingislove

Yes, the Uses level up type does exactly that.
The Level Settings have the Level Points setting that define the number of exp or uses needed to reach that level. Level 1 is locked to 0 points.
E.g. set level 2 to 10 level points and it'll take 10 uses to reach level 2.

In the Level Settings (or the bar above the settings when scrolling anywhere below the level settings) you're able to add/remove/copy levels and change between the settings for the levels.
E.g. check out the status system setup tutorials - the heal ability is the first one that sets up levels.

Leidustraum

I see! That makes it much clearer now, thanks.

I don't suppose there is a way to set the Level Points (number uses needed) to a formula, or some kind of experience points-based system (instead of # of uses)?

A use-case scenario I have in mind for a formula or a experience points-based calculation is, for example, if I implement an item or a racial trait that increases (or decreases) the rate of levelling up abilities when using them.

Probably it can just be an additional field where we can specify how much Level Points is gained per use (instead of current 1 per use), and this value can be a formula.

Or is there a way to tinker with this through schematics?

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**Upon playing around with it more, I think further functionalities that would be good would be to be able to control the condition that the ability experience is awarded - on cast only (doesn't matter if it hits or miss), on hit, etc.

gamingislove

I'll look into adding support for formulas (or general the value type selection) for the level points in future updates.

For greater control over when to increase points, you can e.g. change the level type to Spend (which would be done via a menu screen) and use the Ability Level Points node in schematics. The schematics of an ability automatically have it available as local selected data using the data key action, which you can use in that node to access the ability.

Leidustraum

Can I use the Ability Level Points node to increase the Level Points of another Ability learned by the user? If so what would be the data key setup for this? I tried to do it, but the data key action in this case only refers to the current action, i.e. the current ability being used.

If it's not currently possible, I think this is something that would be great to have too in the future along the vein of this topic.

A use-case scenario is that if I have passive ability that can only be leveled up by using other abilities. For example, passive Sword Mastery ability that can only be levelled up by using any other active sword ability, or a "combo" battle expertise passive ability like those in Shin Megami Tensei games.

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Also - although I don't personally use it in my project- I guess these suggested improvements are also extendable to the equipment level up points systems, since they seem to work the same way.

Thanks!

gamingislove

You can use it to increase the level points of any ability.
Use the Select Ability node to get other abilities of a combatant, e.g. a defined ability or all abilities of a type. This stores the ability/abilities into selected data with a data key you define.
You can do this in any schematic and doesn't have to be bound to an ability - just the ability's schematics have automatically access to it via the action data key :)

Equipment can be handled the same way, just using the Equipment Level Points node, and to get equipment either the Select Equipment node for equipped equipment or Select Item node for equipment in inventory.