Tutorial: First Attack

Step-by-step guide to creating your first functional combat ability in the Ability System.

Time: ~15 minutes | Level: Beginner

Step 1: Create the Ability Resource

1. Create a folder res://combat/abilities/.
2. Right-click → New Resource → ASAbility.
3. Save it as basic_attack.tres.

Step 2: Configure Activation Tags

In the inspector of your new resource, look for the Tags section:

• Ability Tag: &"ability.basic_attack"
• Activation Owned Tags: [&"state.attacking"] (This prevents other abilities from using the character while attacking).

Step 3: Create the Damage Effect

Abilities in the Ability System usually cause effects (ASEffect).

1. Create a new ASEffect in res://combat/effects/damage_basic.tres.
2. Configure the Modifiers:
   • Attribute: &"health"
   • Operation: 0 (ADD)
   • Magnitude: -10.0

Step 4: Link the Effect to the Ability

Go back to the basic_attack.tres resource:

1. Add an item to the Application Effects array.
2. Drag the damage_basic.tres file there.

Step 5: Call via Code

In your Character script:

func _input(event):
    if event.is_action_pressed("attack"):
        if asc.try_activate_ability_by_tag(&"ability.basic_attack"):
            print("Attack started!")

Conclusion

You have just created the full flow: Input → Ability Activation → Effect Application.

Explore more: Tutorial: Buffs and Debuffs