Attacks

The EVS_TakeTurn EVT script runs when it's the actor's turn to attack. A typical attack approaches the target, checks whether the attack hits, deals damage, and then returns home.

Testing the target

Before dealing damage, use EnemyTestTarget to check whether the attack hits. This accounts for the player's evasion badges, such as Close Call, and for targets that can't be hit, such as a transparent one.

Call(SetTargetActor, ACTOR_SELF, ACTOR_PLAYER)
Call(EnemyTestTarget,
    ACTOR_SELF, LVar0, 0, 0,
    1, BS_FLAGS1_INCLUDE_POWER_UPS)
Switch(LVar0)
    CaseOrEq(HIT_RESULT_MISS)
    CaseOrEq(HIT_RESULT_LUCKY)
        // play miss animation, then return home
        Call(YieldTurn)
        Return
    EndCaseGroup
EndSwitch

The third argument is the attack's damage type flags, and the fifth is its damage, which doesn't affect the result. The result in LVar0 is one of these:

Result	Meaning
HIT_RESULT_HIT	The attack hits.
HIT_RESULT_MISS	The attack misses, such as against a transparent target or because of Cloud Nine.
HIT_RESULT_LUCKY	The player dodges with a badge, such as Close Call, Pretty Lucky, or Lucky Day.
HIT_RESULT_IMMUNE	The target is stone, so the attack can't hurt it.
HIT_RESULT_HIT_STATIC	The attack hits, but the target is electrified. A contact attack shocks the attacker.

Dealing damage

If the attack hits, use EnemyDamageTarget to deal its damage:

Call(SetGoalToTarget, ACTOR_SELF)
Call(EnemyDamageTarget,
    ACTOR_SELF, LVar0, 0, 0,
    0, 2, BS_FLAGS1_TRIGGER_EVENTS)

The third argument is the damage type flags. Use 0 for a normal attack. The sixth argument (2 here) is the damage the attack deals. The result in LVar0 is one of these:

Result	Meaning
HIT_RESULT_HIT	The attack hits.
HIT_RESULT_NO_DAMAGE	The attack hits but deals no damage, such as because of the target's defense or a flying target hit by an earthquake.
HIT_RESULT_MISS	The attack misses, such as against a transparent or buried target.

If a contact attack touches an electrified target, the attacker gets shocked and LVar0 keeps its previous value.

Melee attack example

This attack runs up to the player, hits, and runs back:

EvtScript EVS_TakeTurn = {
    Call(UseIdleAnimation, ACTOR_SELF, false)
    Call(EnableIdleScript, ACTOR_SELF, IDLE_SCRIPT_DISABLE)
    Call(SetTargetActor, ACTOR_SELF, ACTOR_PLAYER)
    Call(UseBattleCamPreset, BTL_CAM_ENEMY_APPROACH)
    Call(BattleCamTargetActor, ACTOR_SELF)
    // run towards the player
    Call(SetAnimation,
        ACTOR_SELF, PRT_MAIN, ANIM_Goomba_Run)
    Call(SetGoalToTarget, ACTOR_SELF)
    Call(AddGoalPos, ACTOR_SELF, 50, 0, 0)
    Call(SetActorSpeed, ACTOR_SELF, 6.0)
    Call(RunToGoal, ACTOR_SELF, 0, false)
    // test if the attack hits
    Call(EnemyTestTarget,
        ACTOR_SELF, LVar0, 0, 0,
        2, BS_FLAGS1_INCLUDE_POWER_UPS)
    Switch(LVar0)
        CaseOrEq(HIT_RESULT_MISS)
        CaseOrEq(HIT_RESULT_LUCKY)
            // missed, so return home
            Call(UseBattleCamPreset, BTL_CAM_DEFAULT)
            Call(YieldTurn)
            Call(SetAnimation,
                ACTOR_SELF, PRT_MAIN, ANIM_Goomba_Run)
            Call(SetGoalToHome, ACTOR_SELF)
            Call(SetActorSpeed, ACTOR_SELF, 8.0)
            Call(RunToGoal,
                ACTOR_SELF, 0, false)
            Call(EnableIdleScript, ACTOR_SELF, IDLE_SCRIPT_ENABLE)
            Call(UseIdleAnimation, ACTOR_SELF, true)
            Return
        EndCaseGroup
    EndSwitch
    // attack connects
    Call(SetGoalToTarget, ACTOR_SELF)
    Call(EnemyDamageTarget,
        ACTOR_SELF, LVar0, 0, 0,
        0, 2, BS_FLAGS1_TRIGGER_EVENTS)
    // return home
    Call(UseBattleCamPreset, BTL_CAM_DEFAULT)
    Wait(5)
    Call(YieldTurn)
    Call(SetAnimation,
        ACTOR_SELF, PRT_MAIN, ANIM_Goomba_Run)
    Call(SetGoalToHome, ACTOR_SELF)
    Call(SetActorSpeed, ACTOR_SELF, 8.0)
    Call(RunToGoal, ACTOR_SELF, 0, false)
    Call(EnableIdleScript, ACTOR_SELF, IDLE_SCRIPT_ENABLE)
    Call(UseIdleAnimation, ACTOR_SELF, true)
    Return
    End
};

For a jump attack with arc rotation, see battle/actor/gloomba.c. For a dive attack, see battle/actor/paragoomba.c.

Damage type flags

The third argument to EnemyDamageTarget is a bitmask of DAMAGE_TYPE_ flags. Element flags, such as DAMAGE_TYPE_FIRE, set the attack's elements, and you can combine several of them. Modifier flags change how the attack works:

Flag	Effect
DAMAGE_TYPE_NO_CONTACT	The attack doesn't touch the target, so an electrified target doesn't shock the attacker. Use it for ranged attacks, such as projectiles.
DAMAGE_TYPE_IGNORE_DEFENSE	Ignores the target's defense, unless the target is immune to the attack.
DAMAGE_TYPE_UNBLOCKABLE	The player can't block the attack.

Pass 0 for a normal contact attack.