Godot 4 Autobattler Tutorial: Units + DragAndDrop Component (S1E2)

Introduction

In this tutorial, we will explore how to create units and implement a Drag and Drop component in Godot 4, specifically for an autobattler game. This guide is designed for game developers who want to create games similar to Teamfight Tactics or AutoChess. We'll cover everything from setting up unit scenes to coding their stats and functionality.

Step 1: Review Architecture Overview

• Understand the overall structure of your game.
• Make sure you have an Arena script ready that manages the game environment.
• Familiarize yourself with where units will be placed and how they'll interact with each other.

Step 2: Fix Issues from Previous Episode

• Check for bugs or issues that were identified in the previous episode.
• Make necessary adjustments to ensure the game runs smoothly.

Step 3: Add TileSize Constants

• Open your Arena script.

• Define constants for the size of the tiles to maintain consistency in unit placement.

  const TILE_SIZE = Vector2(64, 64)  # Adjust according to your tile size
  

Step 4: Create the Unit Scene

• Create a new scene for your unit:
  • Right-click on the scene panel and select "New Scene."
  • Add a new Node2D as the root node.
• Add sprites and other components (like CollisionShape2D) to represent the unit visually.

Step 5: Design HealthBar and ManaBar UI

• Create a new User Interface scene or use an existing one.
• Add HealthBar and ManaBar nodes to visually represent the unit's health and mana.
• Customize the appearance using styles and scripts to update their values dynamically.

Step 6: Code Unit Stats

• In your Unit script, define variables for health, mana, attack power, etc.

  var health: int = 100
  var mana: int = 50
  var attack_power: int = 10
  

• Implement methods to handle damage and mana consumption.

Step 7: Implement Unit Functionality

• Add logic to your Unit script to manage actions like attacking and using abilities.

  func attack(target: Node):
      target.health -= attack_power
  

• Ensure that the unit can respond to various game states (like being selected or moved).

Step 8: Create Drag and Drop Component

• Implement the Drag and Drop functionality:

  • Create a new script for handling drag events.
  • Override the input event method to detect mouse clicks and drags.

  func _input(event):
      if event is InputEventMouseButton and event.pressed:
          start_drag()
      elif event is InputEventMouseMotion:
          update_position(event.position)
  

• Ensure proper feedback during dragging (like highlighting the unit).

Step 9: Testing and Bug Fixing

• Run the game to test the Drag and Drop functionality.
• Look for any bugs or unexpected behaviors.
• Debug and refine your scripts to ensure a smooth user experience.

Conclusion

In this tutorial, we've covered the essential steps to create units and implement a Drag and Drop component in Godot 4 for an autobattler game. You should now have a functional unit system along with a UI for health and mana. Next steps could include adding more complex interactions, animations, or improving the AI of your units. Happy developing!