Vulnerability System

The vulnerability system creates counterplay windows where titans take increased damage after using powerful attacks. This rewards players for dodging attacks and punishing titans during recovery.

Vulnerability States

NORMAL (Default)

Damage Multiplier: 1.0x (normal damage) Visual: No special effects Duration: Permanent until state changes

All titans start in NORMAL state and return to it after vulnerability ends.

RECOVERING (Minor Vulnerability)

Damage Multiplier: 1.3x damage taken Visual: Slight particle effects, animation stagger Duration: 2-4 seconds (configurable)

When to Use:

After medium-power attacks
After successful dodges
Between attack phases
As phase transition punishment

{
  "type": "set_vulnerable",
  "vulnerabilityState": "RECOVERING",
  "duration": "3000"  // 3 seconds
}

EXHAUSTED (Major Vulnerability)

Damage Multiplier: 1.8x damage taken Visual: Heavy breathing, hunched posture, exhaustion particles Duration: 4-8 seconds (configurable)

When to Use:

After ultimate attacks
After missing high-commitment attacks
After enrage phases
As punishment for greedy behavior

{
  "type": "set_vulnerable",
  "vulnerabilityState": "EXHAUSTED",
  "duration": "6000"  // 6 seconds
}

Setting Vulnerability

In ActionEffect Timeline

Most Common: Set vulnerability after damage application:

{
  "timeline": [
    {"type": "add_holds", "holds": ["effects"]},
    {"type": "define_obb", "name": "explosion", ...},
    {"type": "telegraph_obb", "name": "explosion", "telegraphType": "DANGER"},
    {"type": "damage_obb", "name": "explosion", "damage": "25.0"},

    {"type": "set_vulnerable", "vulnerabilityState": "RECOVERING", "duration": "3000"},

    {"type": "remove_holds", "holds": ["effects"]},
    {"type": "pause", "pause": 1.5}
  ]
}

Execution:

Titan uses attack
Damage applies
Vulnerability starts immediately
Players can punish during recovery

Timing Considerations

Option 1: Immediate Vulnerability

{"type": "damage_obb", "name": "attack", "damage": "20.0"},
{"type": "set_vulnerable", "vulnerabilityState": "RECOVERING", "duration": "3000"}
// Vulnerable as soon as damage applies

Option 2: Delayed Vulnerability

{"type": "damage_obb", "name": "attack", "damage": "20.0"},
{"type": "pause", "pause": 1.0},
{"type": "set_vulnerable", "vulnerabilityState": "RECOVERING", "duration": "3000"}
// Vulnerable 1 second after damage

Option 3: Vulnerability During Attack

{"type": "set_vulnerable", "vulnerabilityState": "RECOVERING", "duration": "5000"},
{"type": "pause", "pause": 2.0},
{"type": "damage_obb", "name": "attack", "damage": "20.0"}
// Vulnerable during windup AND recovery

Duration Guidelines

RECOVERING Duration

Short Window (2-3s):

Fast attacks (2-4s cooldown)
Low-medium damage (8-15 damage)
Frequent attacks

{"type": "set_vulnerable", "vulnerabilityState": "RECOVERING", "duration": "2500"}

Medium Window (3-4s):

Medium attacks (6-10s cooldown)
Medium-high damage (15-25 damage)
Moderate frequency

{"type": "set_vulnerable", "vulnerabilityState": "RECOVERING", "duration": "3500"}

Long Window (4-5s):

Rare attacks (10-15s cooldown)
High damage (25-35 damage)
Infrequent but not ultimate

{"type": "set_vulnerable", "vulnerabilityState": "RECOVERING", "duration": "4500"}

EXHAUSTED Duration

Short Exhaustion (4-5s):

Powerful but not ultimate attacks
Phase 1-2 major moves
Moderate commitment

{"type": "set_vulnerable", "vulnerabilityState": "EXHAUSTED", "duration": "4500"}

Medium Exhaustion (5-7s):

Ultimate attacks in early phases
High-risk high-reward moves
Significant commitment

{"type": "set_vulnerable", "vulnerabilityState": "EXHAUSTED", "duration": "6000"}

Long Exhaustion (7-10s):

Phase 3 ultimates
One-shot attempts
Maximum punishment

{"type": "set_vulnerable", "vulnerabilityState": "EXHAUSTED", "duration": "8000"}

Balancing with Damage

Damage vs Vulnerability Trade-off

High Damage + Long Vulnerability:

{
  "timeline": [
    // ... attack setup ...
    {"type": "damage_obb", "name": "ultimate", "damage": "45.0"},
    {"type": "set_vulnerable", "vulnerabilityState": "EXHAUSTED", "duration": "7000"},
    // 45 damage, but 7s of 1.8x vulnerability
  ]
}

Medium Damage + Short Vulnerability:

{
  "timeline": [
    // ... attack setup ...
    {"type": "damage_obb", "name": "jab", "damage": "12.0"},
    {"type": "set_vulnerable", "vulnerabilityState": "RECOVERING", "duration": "2000"},
    // 12 damage, only 2s of 1.3x vulnerability
  ]
}

Low Damage + No Vulnerability:

{
  "timeline": [
    // ... attack setup ...
    {"type": "damage_obb", "name": "chip", "damage": "6.0"},
    // No vulnerability - spam-safe
  ]
}

Damage Calculation Examples

RECOVERING (1.3x multiplier):

Player deals 10 damage normally
During RECOVERING: 10 × 1.3 = 13 damage
Bonus: +3 damage per hit

EXHAUSTED (1.8x multiplier):

Player deals 10 damage normally
During EXHAUSTED: 10 × 1.8 = 18 damage
Bonus: +8 damage per hit

EXHAUSTED Burst Window:

Player has 6 seconds
Deals 4 hits of 15 damage each
Normal: 15 × 4 = 60 damage
EXHAUSTED: (15 × 1.8) × 4 = 108 damage
Bonus: +48 damage total

Visual Feedback

RECOVERING Appearance

Titan Animation:

Slight stagger
Breathing heavily (subtle)
Slower movement momentarily

Particle Effects:

Light yellow particles around titan
~5-10 particles/second
Subtle glow effect

Status Indicator:

Yellow outline/aura
Pulse effect (slow)

EXHAUSTED Appearance

Titan Animation:

Heavy stagger/stumble
Hunched posture
Labored breathing (obvious)
Reduced movement speed

Particle Effects:

Heavy yellow/orange particles
~20-30 particles/second
Sweat droplets
Steam/exhaustion clouds

Status Indicator:

Orange outline/aura
Pulse effect (fast)
Screen shake (slight) when entering state

Player Communication

Actionable Feedback:

Clear visual distinction between RECOVERING and EXHAUSTED
Duration timer visible (optional UI mod)
Audio cue when entering vulnerable state
Chat message: “Titan is vulnerable!” (optional)

Phase Integration

Phase 1 (100% HP)

Vulnerability Frequency: Low

30% of attacks cause RECOVERING
5% of attacks cause EXHAUSTED
Teach mechanic without overwhelming

Example:

"basic_slash": {
  // No vulnerability
},
"charged_blast": {
  // Set RECOVERING (3s)
},
"phase_1_ultimate": {
  // Set EXHAUSTED (5s)
}

Phase 2 (66% HP)

Vulnerability Frequency: Medium

50% of attacks cause RECOVERING
15% of attacks cause EXHAUSTED
Reward skilled dodging

Example:

"combo_attack": {
  // Set RECOVERING (3.5s)
},
"beam_attack": {
  // Set RECOVERING (4s)
},
"explosion_ultimate": {
  // Set EXHAUSTED (6s)
}

Phase 3 (33% HP)

Vulnerability Frequency: High

60% of attacks cause RECOVERING
25% of attacks cause EXHAUSTED
High-risk high-reward gameplay

Example:

"enrage_slash": {
  // Set RECOVERING (2.5s) - shorter but frequent
},
"desperate_explosion": {
  // Set EXHAUSTED (7s)
},
"final_ultimate": {
  // Set EXHAUSTED (8s) - if survived
}

Attack Design Patterns

Pattern: Safe Spam Attack

No vulnerability, low damage, short cooldown:

{
  "timeline": [
    {"type": "define_obb", "name": "jab", ...},
    {"type": "telegraph_obb", "name": "jab", "telegraphType": "WARNING"},
    {"type": "damage_obb", "name": "jab", "damage": "8.0"}
    // No set_vulnerable - titan can spam safely
  ]
}

Use Case: Pressure tool, chip damage, gap closer

Pattern: Risk-Reward Attack

Short RECOVERING, medium damage:

{
  "timeline": [
    {"type": "define_obb", "name": "slash", ...},
    {"type": "telegraph_obb", "name": "slash", "telegraphType": "WARNING"},
    {"type": "damage_obb", "name": "slash", "damage": "15.0"},
    {"type": "set_vulnerable", "vulnerabilityState": "RECOVERING", "duration": "3000"}
  ]
}

Use Case: Main damage tool, balanced risk

Pattern: Punishable Ultimate

Long EXHAUSTED, massive damage:

{
  "timeline": [
    {"type": "pause", "pause": 2.0},  // Windup
    {"type": "define_obb", "name": "ultimate", ...},
    {"type": "telegraph_obb", "name": "ultimate", "telegraphType": "CRITICAL"},
    {"type": "damage_obb", "name": "ultimate", "damage": "50.0"},
    {"type": "set_vulnerable", "vulnerabilityState": "EXHAUSTED", "duration": "8000"}
  ]
}

Use Case: High-stakes moment, massive punishment if dodged

Pattern: Miss Punishment

Vulnerability even if attack misses:

{
  "timeline": [
    {"type": "set_vulnerable", "vulnerabilityState": "RECOVERING", "duration": "5000"},
    // Vulnerability starts BEFORE damage
    {"type": "pause", "pause": 1.0},
    {"type": "define_obb", "name": "charge", ...},
    {"type": "telegraph_obb", "name": "charge", "telegraphType": "DANGER"},
    {"type": "damage_obb", "name": "charge", "damage": "30.0", "condition": "q.target_distance <= 6.0"}
    // If target too far, damage doesn't apply but titan still vulnerable
  ]
}

Use Case: Punish whiffs, reward baiting

State Machine Integration

Transition on Vulnerability

Enter Defensive State When EXHAUSTED:

{
  "stateMachine": {
    "states": {
      "aggressive": {
        "transitions": [
          {
            "targetState": "defensive",
            "condition": "q.is_vulnerable('EXHAUSTED')"
          }
        ]
      },
      "defensive": {
        "movementController": "titan:retreat",
        "speedMultiplier": 1.4,  // Retreat faster
        "aggressionMultiplier": 0.3
      }
    }
  }
}

Design: Titan retreats when exhausted, creating chase opportunities

Modify Move Pool

Use Different Moves When Vulnerable:

"escape_dash": {
  "condition": "q.is_vulnerable()",  // Any vulnerability
  "weight": 3.0,
  "damage": "0.0"  // No damage, just escape
}

Design: Titan prioritizes escape moves when vulnerable

Player Strategy

Optimal Punish Windows

RECOVERING (1.3x, 2-4s):

1-2 quick attacks
Use fast weapons
Don’t overcommit
Prepare for next dodge

EXHAUSTED (1.8x, 4-8s):

Full burst rotation
Use big abilities
Maximize damage
Coordinate team focus

Risk Assessment

Should I Punish?

Yes:

Vulnerability duration >3s remaining
My abilities off cooldown
Safe positioning
Team ready to heal if needed

No:

Vulnerability ending soon
Next attack incoming
Low HP/resources
Better to reset

Team Coordination

Callouts:

“Titan exhausted!” - Focus fire
“Recovering!” - Get 1-2 hits
“Normal!” - Defensive positioning

Damage Windows:

Synchronize burst during EXHAUSTED
Save ultimates for long windows
Stagger attacks during RECOVERING

Balancing Tips

Testing Checklist

For Each Attack:

Damage amount feels fair
Vulnerability duration matches power
Players can capitalize on window
Titan can’t chain attacks during vulnerability
Visual feedback is clear

Common Issues

Problem: Windows Too Short

Players can’t react in time
Increase duration by 1-2 seconds
Add earlier visual cue

Problem: Windows Too Long

Titan feels helpless
Reduce duration
Add escape moves during vulnerability
Allow defensive actions

Problem: Damage Multiplier Too High

Titan dies too fast
Reduce EXHAUSTED frequency
Shorten durations
Increase titan HP pool

Problem: No Incentive to Dodge

Attacks don’t cause vulnerability
Add RECOVERING to medium attacks
Add EXHAUSTED to ultimates

Advanced Techniques

Stacking Vulnerability

Not Allowed by Default:

// Titan already RECOVERING
{"type": "set_vulnerable", "vulnerabilityState": "RECOVERING", "duration": "3000"}
// Refreshes duration, doesn't stack

Upgrade Vulnerability:

// Titan already RECOVERING
{"type": "set_vulnerable", "vulnerabilityState": "EXHAUSTED", "duration": "5000"}
// Upgrades to EXHAUSTED

Conditional Vulnerability

Only Vulnerable If Attack Hits:

{
  "type": "set_vulnerable",
  "vulnerabilityState": "RECOVERING",
  "duration": "3000",
  "condition": "q.hit_entity_count > 0"  // Only if hit someone
}

Only Vulnerable If Attack Misses:

{
  "type": "set_vulnerable",
  "vulnerabilityState": "EXHAUSTED",
  "duration": "6000",
  "condition": "q.hit_entity_count == 0"  // Only if whiffed
}

Phase-Scaled Vulnerability

Longer Vulnerability at Low HP:

{
  "type": "set_vulnerable",
  "vulnerabilityState": "EXHAUSTED",
  "duration": "math.lerp(4000, 8000, 1.0 - (q.user_health / q.user_max_health))"
  // 4s at 100% HP, 8s at 0% HP
}

Next Steps

Phases → - Phase progression system
Telegraph System → - Visual attack warnings
State Machines → - AI behavior integration

Master vulnerability windows to create fair, skill-expressive boss fights! ⚔️