Unreal Engine 5 RPG Tutorial Series - #10: Sword Trace Damage and Hit Reactions

Introduction

In this tutorial, we will enhance your RPG combat system in Unreal Engine 5 by implementing sword trace damage and hit reactions. This guide follows the previous episodes in the tutorial series, allowing you to add engaging combat mechanics to your game.

Step 1: Setting Up Sword Trace Damage

To start, you will need to configure the sword trace for detecting hits during combat.

1. Create a Sword Trace Function:

   • Open your character blueprint.
   • Implement a new function called SwordTrace.
   • This function will handle the logic for tracing when the sword is swung.

2. Add Trace Logic:

   • Use the LineTraceByChannel node to create a trace.
   • Set the start and end points based on the sword's position and direction.
   • Make sure to adjust the trace length to suit your game's mechanics.

3. Handle Hit Detection:

   • After the trace, check if it hits any actors.
   • If a hit is detected, apply damage to the target using the ApplyDamage node.
   • You can customize the damage amount based on your game design.

Step 2: Implementing Hit Reactions

Next, we will create hit reactions that will enhance the feedback players receive when they hit an enemy.

1. Create Hit Reaction Animation:

   • Import the hit reaction animations you want to use.
   • Set up an Animation Blueprint for your enemy character.

2. Triggering the Animation:

   • In your enemy character blueprint, create a new function to handle hit reactions.
   • Use the Play Animation node to play the hit reaction animation when damage is received.

3. Adjusting Animation States:

   • Ensure that the hit reaction can interrupt other animations if required.
   • Add logic to return to the idle or combat state after the reaction completes.

Step 3: Adding Sound Effects

To make the combat feel more immersive, integrate sound effects for sword hits and reactions.

1. Select Sound Effects:

   • Choose appropriate sound effects from the provided links or your library.
   • Import them into your Unreal Engine project.

2. Play Sounds on Hit:

   • In your sword trace function, add a node to play the sword hit sound when an enemy is successfully hit.
   • Similarly, trigger a sound effect in the hit reaction function for when the enemy is hit.

Conclusion

In this tutorial, you learned how to implement sword trace damage and hit reactions in your Unreal Engine 5 RPG. By setting up the sword trace functionality, creating hit reactions with animations, and adding sound effects, you can enhance the combat experience for players.

Next, consider expanding your combat system further by adding combo attacks or introducing different weapon types. Keep experimenting and refining your mechanics to create an engaging RPG experience!