Initiative (Savage) - Revision history

Rob: /* Eliminate Initiative Adjustment */

2009-01-27T08:15:26Z

Eliminate Initiative Adjustment

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:15, 27 January 2009
Line 279:		Line 279:
	Our style is defined, so we need to switch to using it. Modify the "totalinit" portal to use the new "incrCard" style and reload the files. That looks much better.		Our style is defined, so we need to switch to using it. Modify the "totalinit" portal to use the new "incrCard" style and reload the files. That looks much better.

	===~~Eliminate Initiative Adjustment~~===		===Refinements===

			Everything is working properly, but there are still a few refinements we need to make. For example, there are multiple places where the term "turn" is being used within text strings. These should all be changed to use the term "round" appropriately.

	Next to the incrementer is an initiative adjustment. This is intended for use in game systems where characters have adjustments that apply to rolled initiative values. By having the adjustment visible, the GM can roll dice, apply the adjustment, enter the proper values for use. The problem is that this has absolutely zero pertinence to Savage Worlds.		Next to the incrementer is an initiative adjustment. This is intended for use in game systems where characters have adjustments that apply to rolled initiative values. By having the adjustment visible, the GM can roll dice, apply the adjustment, enter the proper values for use. The problem is that this has absolutely zero pertinence to Savage Worlds.

Rob: /* Configuring the Initiative Behavior */

2009-01-27T08:04:46Z

Configuring the Initiative Behavior

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:04, 27 January 2009
Line 74:		Line 74:
	initminimum="0"		initminimum="0"
	initmaximum="53">		initmaximum="53">
			</pre>

			We also need to tell HL that the term used for each turn of combat within Savage Worlds is "round". We can accomplish this by specifying the "combatturnterm" attribute within the "structure" element of the definition file. By making this change, references to the "turn" within menus and the like will use the proper "round" term. The resulting "structure" element should look like the following.

			<pre>
			<structure
			folder="savage"
			combatturnterm="round">
			</structure>
	</pre>		</pre>

Rob: /* Eliminate Initiative Adjustment */

2009-01-27T06:29:46Z

Eliminate Initiative Adjustment

← Older revision		Revision as of 06:29, 27 January 2009
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	===Eliminate Initiative Adjustment===		===Eliminate Initiative Adjustment===

	Next to ~~that~~ incrementer is an initiative adjustment. This is intended for use in game systems that		Next to the incrementer is an initiative adjustment. This is intended for use in game systems where characters have adjustments that apply to rolled initiative values. By having the adjustment visible, the GM can roll dice, apply the adjustment, enter the proper values for use. The problem is that this has absolutely zero pertinence to Savage Worlds.

			We'll delete the "init" portal from the template. This requires that we revise the logic within the Position. We have to both eliminate all references to the portal and make sure that portals are re-positioned appropriately in the absence of the portal. The revised section of script code impacted by this removal is shown below.

			<pre>
			~position the initiative incrementer right-aligned with the activated abilities
			perform portal[totalinit].alignrel[rtor,active,-10]
			perform portal[totalinit].alignedge[bottom,-margin - 4]

			~position the initiative label to the left of the incrementer
			perform portal[lblinit].alignrel[rtol,totalinit,-3]

			~vertically align the initiative labels based on the incrementer
			perform portal[lblinit].centeron[vert,totalinit]

			~all initiative details are only visible within combat
			show = state.iscombat
			portal[totalinit].visible = show
			portal[lblinit].visible = show

			~adjust our right edge leftward past the special abilities mouse-over icon
			rightedge = portal[special].left - 4
			</pre>

			We now have the initiative working properly for Savage Worlds and integrated smoothly into the Tactical Console.

Rob: /* Revising the Incrementer */

2009-01-27T06:24:00Z

Revising the Incrementer

@@ Line 246: / Line 246: @@
 ===Revising the Incrementer===
 ===Eliminate Initiative Adjustment===
 Next to that incrementer is an initiative adjustment. This is intended for use in game systems that

Rob at 06:16, 27 January 2009

2009-01-27T06:16:28Z

@@ Line 192: / Line 192: @@
 At this point, our logic is finally working the way it needs to.
-===Eliminate Initiative Adjustment===
+===Displaying Cards===
-The internal behaviors are in place, so we'll shift our focus to the presentation. On the Tactical Console, the initiative is managed via an incrementer. Next to that incrementer is an initiative adjustment. This is intended for use in game systems that
+===Revising the Incrementer===
-===Displaying Cards===
+===Eliminate Initiative Adjustment===
-===Revising the Display===
+Next to that incrementer is an initiative adjustment. This is intended for use in game systems that

Rob: /* Eliminate Initiative Adjustment */

2009-01-27T06:01:49Z

Eliminate Initiative Adjustment

← Older revision		Revision as of 06:01, 27 January 2009
Line 193:		Line 193:

	===Eliminate Initiative Adjustment===		===Eliminate Initiative Adjustment===

			The internal behaviors are in place, so we'll shift our focus to the presentation. On the Tactical Console, the initiative is managed via an incrementer. Next to that incrementer is an initiative adjustment. This is intended for use in game systems that

	===Displaying Cards===		===Displaying Cards===

	===Revising the Display===		===Revising the Display===

Rob: /* Omitting Held Cards from Re-Shuffle */

2009-01-27T05:59:53Z

Omitting Held Cards from Re-Shuffle

@@ Line 154: / Line 154: @@
 There is one important game mechanic that we have not addressed thus far. Characters who choose to "hold" their action may do so indefinitely. As long as they don't act, they hold onto the same card. This means that we need to ensure that any initiative cards dealt to actors on "hold" are not included in the next re-shuffle. If we don't, then the same card can be re-issued to a new actor.
-The mechanism for managing random sets within the Kit does not allow us to omit cards from the deck. However, it does allow us to discard specific cards after a new deck is shuffled. The "setdiscard" target reference
+The mechanism for managing random sets within the Kit does not allow us to omit cards from the deck. However, it does allow us to discard specific cards after a new deck is shuffled. The "setdiscard" target reference makes this possible.
 ===Eliminate Initiative Adjustment===

Rob: /* Forcing a Re-Shuffle */

2009-01-27T05:56:11Z

Forcing a Re-Shuffle

← Older revision		Revision as of 05:56, 27 January 2009
Line 125:		Line 125:
	Now we have to decide how we're going to handle things every round. The NewTurn script is invoked for every actor, but we only want to trigger a re-shuffle once. Fortunately, the NewTurn script has the same "@isfirst" special symbol that the NewCombat script possesses. This means we can check for whether to re-shuffle the deck within the NewTurn script, and we only do it for the first actor.		Now we have to decide how we're going to handle things every round. The NewTurn script is invoked for every actor, but we only want to trigger a re-shuffle once. Fortunately, the NewTurn script has the same "@isfirst" special symbol that the NewCombat script possesses. This means we can check for whether to re-shuffle the deck within the NewTurn script, and we only do it for the first actor.

	We need to trigger a re-shuffle whenever the "joker" state value is non-zero. However, we also need to re-shuffle in another situation. If don't have enough cards to pass out to all the actors, we need to re-shuffle the deck to ensure we do have enough cards. We can check this condition first ~~and simply set~~ the "~~joker~~" ~~state to one if~~ we don't have enough cards. When we then check the "joker" state, we'll then perform the shuffle if either condition occurred.		We need to trigger a re-shuffle whenever the "joker" state value is non-zero. However, we also need to re-shuffle in another situation. If don't have enough cards to pass out to all the actors, we need to re-shuffle the deck to ensure we do have enough cards. We can check this condition first by using the "setremain" target reference. If we don't have enough cards, we can simply set the "joker" state to one. When we then check the "joker" state, we'll then perform the shuffle if either condition occurred.

	The NewTurn script shown below shows an implementation of this logic.		The NewTurn script shown below shows an implementation of this logic.

Rob: /* Omitting Held Cards from Re-Shuffle */

2009-01-27T05:55:03Z

Omitting Held Cards from Re-Shuffle

← Older revision		Revision as of 05:55, 27 January 2009
Line 151:		Line 151:

	===Omitting Held Cards from Re-Shuffle===		===Omitting Held Cards from Re-Shuffle===

			There is one important game mechanic that we have not addressed thus far. Characters who choose to "hold" their action may do so indefinitely. As long as they don't act, they hold onto the same card. This means that we need to ensure that any initiative cards dealt to actors on "hold" are not included in the next re-shuffle. If we don't, then the same card can be re-issued to a new actor.

			The mechanism for managing random sets within the Kit does not allow us to omit cards from the deck. However, it does allow us to discard specific cards after a new deck is shuffled. The "setdiscard" target reference

	===Eliminate Initiative Adjustment===		===Eliminate Initiative Adjustment===

Rob: /* Forcing a Re-Shuffle */

2009-01-27T05:51:06Z

Forcing a Re-Shuffle

← Older revision		Revision as of 05:51, 27 January 2009
Line 126:		Line 126:

	We need to trigger a re-shuffle whenever the "joker" state value is non-zero. However, we also need to re-shuffle in another situation. If don't have enough cards to pass out to all the actors, we need to re-shuffle the deck to ensure we do have enough cards. We can check this condition first and simply set the "joker" state to one if we don't have enough cards. When we then check the "joker" state, we'll then perform the shuffle if either condition occurred.		We need to trigger a re-shuffle whenever the "joker" state value is non-zero. However, we also need to re-shuffle in another situation. If don't have enough cards to pass out to all the actors, we need to re-shuffle the deck to ensure we do have enough cards. We can check this condition first and simply set the "joker" state to one if we don't have enough cards. When we then check the "joker" state, we'll then perform the shuffle if either condition occurred.

			The NewTurn script shown below shows an implementation of this logic.

			<pre>
			<newturn><![CDATA[
			~if this is the very first actor for the turn, we've got some work to do
			if (@isfirst <> 0) then

			~if we don't have enough cards left for all actors, force a re-shuffle
			if (state.actorcount > state.setremain[deck]) then
			state.value[joker] = 1
			endif

			~if a joker has been pulled, re-shuffle the deck for initiative
			if (state.value[joker] <> 0) then
			perform state.setrandom[deck,54]
			state.value[joker] = 0
			endif
			endif
			]]></newturn>
			</pre>

			We can now reload the data files and put our changes to the test. If you want to make absolutely sure that the logic is performing the way you want it, you can insert a few "debug" statements into the scripts and watch the debug output while you start new combats and new turns.

	===Omitting Held Cards from Re-Shuffle===		===Omitting Held Cards from Re-Shuffle===