The reference to the level milestone is how the ability is cast. Notice that the catapult attack comes from the ammo. Just like the bow attack. I believe this is where the connection between the unit attack, i.e. the level milestone.
Not exactly sure what you are trying to accomplish here, but I would probably create separate ammo and for the basic catapult attack and one for the lesser catapult. Adding appropriate health modifiers and such to make your lesser catapult. Adding pre-req to the ammo so the unit automatically upgrades to the newer ammo, when reaching the appropriate tech level.
Precisely what I did. I have the Lesser Catapult Unit using the Lesser Catapult Ammo as a weapon and the Lesser Catapult Ammo having the various abilities Lesser Splash, Greater Splash, and Hot Coals. (Currently I have all three attached to the Lesser Catapult Ammo for testing purposes. Once working correctly, the Greater Splash and the Hot Coals will be transferred to the Greater Catapult Ammo for the use of the Greater Catapult.)
The Lesser Splash is simply meant to do a Basic Lesser Catapult Attack, but with 3x3 (ie radius 1) effect (Just like the original Basic Catapult Attack) but with an added 5 turn cooldown.
The Greater Splash is like the above but with a 5x5 affected area (ie radius 2).
The Hot Coals will be a Fire attack, based on Fireshard strength and covers a 3x3 area with 5 turn cooldown.
For all three abilities, I would like the base attack to come for the Milestone L1 unitstat_attack_pierce value. (currently a value of 14). This way, if I choose to, I can later add more level milestones and have the Catapult unit balance itself out.
I didn't bother with adding the code from the LesserCatapultAmmo to this post because it simply bridges the Catapult to use it as a weapon and the abilities were attached to that weapon too.
So, are you saying that the [Unit_GetLevel] refers to the Unit_Lesser_Catapult -> LevelMilestone InternalName="L1" -> <UnitStat_Attack_Pierce>14</UnitStat_Attack_Pierce> ?? I thought it refered to the unit level... aka "1". Clarification please.
I guess ultimately my question is this: Out of the two 'red' highlighted sections above, I want to delete the code for the Lesser Spash damage caculation and replace it with a referal to the Milestone level damage. I have no idea what code is needed to make this connection. What code is needed? Is that connection possible?
As side notes to the other items I've been tackling:
Also, I think I've successfully attached the Lesser Catapult and (what I am now calling) the Greater Catapult to the Barracks Improvement and the Weaponsmith Improvement respectively. This is to address the issue of me wanting the greater catapult to replace the lesser catapult. The improvements are not perfect choices. I would have much rathered 'out of the way' techs/improvements that could have used an extra bonus, but there doesn't seem to be many improvements for the Fortress type city. The other option I was considering was Training Grounds // Command Post, but I felt that Command Post was too early in the tree. Your thoughts on it's placement?
Lastly, I've had to butcher the Watertower Improvement to provide that replacement effect, removing the Greater Catapult from it's list. Any recommendations as to what I should give the Watchtower that would be thematic and useful (else no one will ever pick it). One thing I plan to give it is a +1 ZoC. If possible, +1 sight as well (though I'm not sure if that's necessary). Your thoughts?
