Creating Custom Moves

Creating Custom Moves

This guide walks you through creating a complete custom titan move from concept to testing.

Overview

Time Required: 30-60 minutes per move Difficulty: Intermediate

You’ll Create:

• Custom ActionEffect timeline
• OBB hitbox configuration
• Telegraph warnings
• Damage application
• Visual/audio feedback
• Fight config integration

Step 1: Design Phase

Define the Move Concept

Answer These Questions:

• What type of attack is it? (melee, ranged, AOE, ultimate)
• What element/theme? (fire, ice, electric, physical, magic)
• How much damage should it deal?
• How often can it be used? (cooldown)
• What phase(s) should it appear in?

Example:

Move: Infernal Blast
Type: Ranged AOE
Element: Fire
Damage: 22
Cooldown: 8 seconds
Phases: 2-3

Sketch the Attack

Visual Design:

• What shape is the hitbox? (cone, sphere, cylinder, etc.)
• How far does it reach?
• Where does it appear? (in front, at target, centered on titan)
• How long is the telegraph warning?

Timing Design:

• Windup duration (pause before attack)
• Telegraph duration (warning time)
• Recovery duration (pause after attack)
• Total attack duration

Example:

Shape: CONE (flamethrower)
Range: 8 blocks forward
Size: 2 block radius at base, 8 blocks length
Placement: IN_FRONT, 2 blocks from titan
Telegraph: DANGER (orange, ~2s)
Timing: 0.5s windup + 2s telegraph + 0.5s recovery = 3s total

Step 2: Create the OBB Hitbox

Use the OBB Visualizer

1. Open OBB Visualizer →
2. Select shape: CONE
3. Set positioning: IN_FRONT
4. Set distance: 2.0
5. Adjust half-extents:
   • X (base radius): 2.0
   • Y (length): 8.0
6. Enable Include Pitch if attack should follow vertical aim
7. Test rotation to see how it behaves

Export OBB Config

Click “Copy JSON Config” to get:

{
  "type": "define_obb",
  "name": "infernal_blast",
  "shape": "CONE",
  "positioning": "IN_FRONT",
  "distance": "2.0",
  "halfExtents": {
    "x": "2.0",
    "y": "8.0",
    "z": "2.0"
  },
  "includePitch": true
}

Save this for later!

Step 3: Build the ActionEffect Timeline

Method A: ActionEffect Builder (Recommended)

1. Open ActionEffect Builder →
2. Add keyframes in order:

Setup:

• Add add_holds (holds: ["effects"])
• Add stop_movement (duration: 2500)
• Add animation (animation: "special")

Windup:

• Add pause (pause: 0.5)
• Add entity_particles (type: minecraft:flame, count: 30)

Attack:

• Add define_obb (paste your OBB config)
• Add telegraph_obb (name: infernal_blast, type: DANGER)
• Add sound (sound: entity.blaze.shoot, volume: 1.5)
• Add damage_obb (name: infernal_blast, damage: 22.0, type: FIRE)

Cleanup:

• Add set_vulnerable (state: RECOVERING, duration: 3000)
• Add remove_holds (holds: ["effects"])
• Add pause (pause: 1.0)

3. Preview Timeline - Check total duration (~5-6 seconds)
4. Copy JSON - Export complete ActionEffect

Method B: Manual JSON

Create file: server/data/titan/action_effects/custom_infernal_blast.json

{
  "timeline": [
    {"type": "add_holds", "holds": ["effects"]},
    {"type": "stop_movement", "duration": "2500"},
    {"type": "animation", "animation": "special"},
    {"type": "pause", "pause": 0.5},

    {"type": "entity_particles", "particleType": "minecraft:flame", "count": 30, "spread": {"x": 1.0, "y": 1.0, "z": 1.0}},

    {"type": "define_obb", "name": "infernal_blast", "shape": "CONE", "positioning": "IN_FRONT", "distance": "2.0", "halfExtents": {"x": "2.0", "y": "8.0", "z": "2.0"}, "includePitch": true},

    {"type": "telegraph_obb", "name": "infernal_blast", "telegraphType": "DANGER"},

    {"type": "sound", "sound": "entity.blaze.shoot", "volume": "1.5", "pitch": "1.0"},

    {"type": "damage_obb", "name": "infernal_blast", "damage": "22.0", "damageType": "FIRE"},

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

    {"type": "remove_holds", "holds": ["effects"]},
    {"type": "pause", "pause": 1.0}
  ],
  "condition": "true"
}

Save as: custom_infernal_blast.json in data pack

Step 4: Add Move to Fight Config

Edit fight config: server/config/titan/fights/charizard.json

Add Move Definition

Find the "moves" section and add:

{
  "moves": {
    "infernal_blast": {
      "name": "Infernal Blast",
      "cooldown": "167",
      "range": "10.0",
      "damage": "22.0",
      "damageType": "FIRE",
      "actionEffect": "titan:custom_infernal_blast",
      "condition": "1.0",
      "weight": 1.5,
      "minHealthPercent": 0.0,
      "maxHealthPercent": 0.66,
      "phase": -1
    }
  }
}

Property Breakdown:

• cooldown: "167" = 8.35 seconds (167 ticks ÷ 20 tps)
• range: "10.0" = 10 block range check
• damage: "22.0" = Expected damage (for AI calculations)
• actionEffect: "titan:custom_infernal_blast" = Your ActionEffect file
• weight: 1.5 = Higher weight = more likely to be selected
• maxHealthPercent: 0.66 = Only usable until 66% HP (Phases 1-2)

Add to Phase Move Pools

Find phase configurations and add move to pools:

Phase 2 (66% HP):

{
  "healthThreshold": 0.66,
  "moves": ["flamethrower", "infernal_blast", "slash"],
  "speedModifier": 1.2,
  "damageModifier": 1.1
}

Phase 3 (33% HP):

{
  "healthThreshold": 0.33,
  "moves": ["infernal_blast", "dragon_rage", "ultimate"],
  "speedModifier": 1.4,
  "damageModifier": 1.3
}

Step 5: Testing

Initial Test

1. Reload Configs:

   /titan reload

2. Spawn Titan:

   /pokespawn charizard level:50
   /titan convert

3. Test in Creative Mode:

   • Enable god mode: /gamemode creative
   • Stand at various distances
   • Observe attack telegraph
   • Check damage feels appropriate
   • Verify cooldown timing

Test Checklist

Visual Feedback:

• Telegraph appears before damage
• Telegraph color matches danger level
• Telegraph shape matches hitbox
• Particles spawn correctly
• Animation plays smoothly

Audio Feedback:

• Sound plays at appropriate time
• Volume is audible but not overwhelming
• Pitch feels appropriate

Damage:

• Damage amount feels balanced
• Damage type applies correctly (fire sets entities on fire)
• Knockback (if any) feels appropriate
• Hitbox matches visual telegraph

Timing:

• Telegraph gives enough warning
• Total attack duration feels right
• Vulnerability window feels fair
• Cooldown prevents spam

AI Behavior:

• Titan uses move at appropriate times
• Move frequency feels balanced
• Weight relative to other moves works
• Phase restrictions work correctly

Step 6: Iteration

Common Adjustments

Telegraph Too Short/Long:

// Override auto-duration
{"type": "telegraph_obb", "name": "infernal_blast", "telegraphType": "DANGER", "duration": "2500"}

Damage Too High/Low:

// Adjust damage in ActionEffect
{"type": "damage_obb", "name": "infernal_blast", "damage": "18.0"}

// AND in fight config
"damage": "18.0"

OBB Wrong Size:

1. Return to OBB Visualizer
2. Adjust half-extents
3. Export new config
4. Replace in ActionEffect
5. Reload and retest

Cooldown Issues:

// Shorter cooldown (more frequent)
"cooldown": "120"  // 6 seconds

// Longer cooldown (less frequent)
"cooldown": "240"  // 12 seconds

Move Weight:

// Use more often
"weight": 2.0

// Use less often
"weight": 0.8

Balancing Guidelines

Damage vs Cooldown:

• 2-4s cooldown: 8-12 damage
• 4-8s cooldown: 15-25 damage
• 8-15s cooldown: 25-35 damage
• 15-30s cooldown: 35-50 damage

Telegraph Duration vs OBB Size:

• Small (2-4 blocks): 1.0-1.5s
• Medium (5-8 blocks): 1.5-2.5s
• Large (8-12 blocks): 2.5-3.5s
• Massive (12+ blocks): 3.5-4.0s

Vulnerability Duration vs Damage:

• Low damage (<15): 2-3s RECOVERING
• Medium damage (15-25): 3-4s RECOVERING
• High damage (25-40): 4-6s RECOVERING or 4-5s EXHAUSTED
• Ultimate (40+): 6-8s EXHAUSTED

Complete Example: Ice Shard Barrage

Let’s create a complete multi-hit ice attack.

Concept

Move: Ice Shard Barrage
Type: Ranged multi-hit
Element: Ice
Damage: 5 per shard × 4 shards = 20 total
Cooldown: 10 seconds
Phases: 2-3
Visual: Line of ice shards shooting forward

OBB Config

{
  "type": "define_obb",
  "name": "ice_shard",
  "shape": "CYLINDER",
  "positioning": "IN_FRONT",
  "distance": "5.0",
  "halfExtents": {"x": "1.0", "y": "10.0", "z": "1.0"},
  "includePitch": true
}

ActionEffect: ice_shard_barrage.json

{
  "timeline": [
    {"type": "add_holds", "holds": ["effects"]},
    {"type": "stop_movement", "duration": "3000"},
    {"type": "animation", "animation": "special"},

    {"type": "pause", "pause": 0.3},
    {"type": "define_obb", "name": "ice_shard", "shape": "CYLINDER", "positioning": "IN_FRONT", "distance": "5.0", "halfExtents": {"x": "1.0", "y": "10.0", "z": "1.0"}, "includePitch": true},
    {"type": "telegraph_obb", "name": "ice_shard", "telegraphType": "WARNING"},

    {"type": "entity_particles", "particleType": "minecraft:snowflake", "count": 20},
    {"type": "sound", "sound": "block.glass.break", "volume": "1.0", "pitch": "1.2"},
    {"type": "damage_obb", "name": "ice_shard", "damage": "5.0", "damageType": "WATER"},
    {"type": "pause", "pause": 0.4},

    {"type": "entity_particles", "particleType": "minecraft:snowflake", "count": 20},
    {"type": "sound", "sound": "block.glass.break", "volume": "1.0", "pitch": "1.2"},
    {"type": "damage_obb", "name": "ice_shard", "damage": "5.0", "damageType": "WATER"},
    {"type": "pause", "pause": 0.4},

    {"type": "entity_particles", "particleType": "minecraft:snowflake", "count": 20},
    {"type": "sound", "sound": "block.glass.break", "volume": "1.0", "pitch": "1.2"},
    {"type": "damage_obb", "name": "ice_shard", "damage": "5.0", "damageType": "WATER"},
    {"type": "pause", "pause": 0.4},

    {"type": "entity_particles", "particleType": "minecraft:snowflake", "count": 20},
    {"type": "sound", "sound": "block.glass.break", "volume": "1.0", "pitch": "1.2"},
    {"type": "damage_obb", "name": "ice_shard", "damage": "5.0", "damageType": "WATER"},

    {"type": "molang_script", "script": "q.apply_potion_all('slowness', 60, 1, 10.0);"},

    {"type": "set_vulnerable", "vulnerabilityState": "RECOVERING", "duration": "3500"},
    {"type": "remove_holds", "holds": ["effects"]},
    {"type": "pause", "pause": 1.0}
  ],
  "condition": "true"
}

Fight Config Entry

"ice_shard_barrage": {
  "name": "Ice Shard Barrage",
  "cooldown": "200",
  "range": "12.0",
  "damage": "20.0",
  "damageType": "WATER",
  "actionEffect": "titan:ice_shard_barrage",
  "condition": "1.0",
  "weight": 1.4,
  "minHealthPercent": 0.0,
  "maxHealthPercent": 0.66,
  "phase": -1
}

Advanced Techniques

Conditional Damage Scaling

{
  "type": "damage_obb",
  "name": "attack",
  "damage": "q.lerp(15.0, 30.0, 1.0 - q.titan_health_percent)"
  // Scales from 15 to 30 damage based on titan HP
}

Distance-Based Moves

"charge_attack": {
  "condition": "q.target_distance > 8.0",
  "weight": 2.5
  // Higher weight when target is far
}

Phase-Exclusive Moves

"desperate_ultimate": {
  "condition": "q.is_phase(3)",
  "weight": 1.0,
  "minHealthPercent": 0.0,
  "maxHealthPercent": 0.33
  // Only Phase 3
}

Multi-Stage Attacks

{
  "timeline": [
    // Stage 1: Charge
    {"type": "pause", "pause": 1.0},
    {"type": "entity_particles", "particleType": "minecraft:enchant", "count": 30},

    // Stage 2: Attack
    {"type": "define_obb", "name": "stage2", ...},
    {"type": "telegraph_obb", ...},
    {"type": "damage_obb", ...},
    {"type": "pause", "pause": 0.5},

    // Stage 3: Follow-up
    {"type": "define_obb", "name": "stage3", ...},
    {"type": "telegraph_obb", ...},
    {"type": "damage_obb", ...}
  ]
}

Troubleshooting

Move Never Used

Possible Causes:

• condition is false
• weight too low compared to other moves
• Health percent range doesn’t match current phase
• Not in correct phase move pool

Fix: Check fight config, increase weight, verify phase assignment

Telegraph Not Visible

Possible Causes:

• OBB not defined before telegraph
• Name mismatch between define_obb and telegraph_obb
• OBB positioned underground

Fix: Verify OBB definition, check names match exactly, adjust positioning

Damage Not Applying

Possible Causes:

• OBB not defined
• Name mismatch
• OBB positioned incorrectly
• Target out of range

Fix: Test with large OBB first, verify names, check positioning mode

Titan Spamming Move

Possible Causes:

• Cooldown too short
• Weight too high
• Only move available in phase

Fix: Increase cooldown, reduce weight, add more moves to phase

Best Practices

Start Simple

1. Create basic version (just damage, no effects)
2. Test and verify it works
3. Add telegraph
4. Add particles/sounds
5. Add vulnerability
6. Fine-tune all values

Use Reference Moves

Copy existing moves as templates:

• Fire attacks: charizard_inferno_blaze.json
• Electric attacks: pikachu_thunderbolt.json
• Melee attacks: lucario_close_combat.json
• Ultimates: mewtwo_psycho_break.json

Test at Different HP Levels

/titan set_health 100  # Full HP
/titan set_health 66   # Phase 2
/titan set_health 33   # Phase 3

Version Control

git add data/titan/action_effects/custom_*.json
git commit -m "Add custom Ice Shard Barrage move"

Next Steps

• ActionEffect Builder → - Visual timeline editor
• OBB Visualizer → - 3D hitbox preview
• All Keyframes Reference → - Complete keyframe list

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Now create your own signature moves! 🎨⚔️