Create And/Or Modify a Turret

How to Create and Set Up a New Turret

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1. Create Your Turret Blueprint

• Option 1: Duplicate an existing turret blueprint.

• Option 2: Create a child blueprint from BP_MasterTurret.

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2. Manual Setup vs Data Table Entry

• Manual: Set all values directly in the turret blueprint (via AC_AutoTurretStats).

• Data Table: Add it as a new row in DT_TurretList. Great for managing variations like:

  • Regular vs. Barrage Firing

  • Solo vs. Battery Variants

  • (i.e. one blueprint can represent multiple variations)

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3. Core Stats via AC_AutoTurretStats

Variable	Description
Turret Name	Used only for DT-linked turrets to find the correct data row.
Health	Durability of the turret.
Search Radius	Distance for target detection.
Damage	Base projectile damage.
Rate of Fire	How often it fires (in seconds).
Projectile Speed	Speed at which projectiles travel.
Max Deviation	Random aim inaccuracy (0 = perfect aim).
Damage Radius	AoE for explosive projectiles only.
Penetration	For non-explosive projectiles (e.g., piercing rounds).
Effective Firing Range	Max projectile travel distance.
Max Pitch	Vertical aiming limit.
Lock Time	Lock-on time for homing missiles.
Max Capacity	Projectile reserves (0 = infinite).
Projectile Type	Actor class of the projectile to spawn.
Targeting Priority	Closest, most health, etc.
Team	Used for faction/team logic.
Requires Clear Sight To Shoot?	Can the turret fire through visibility-blocking objects?
Need LOS For Targeting?	Does it need line of sight to even target?
Can Track Without LOS?	If it can keep tracking after losing visual.
Predict?	Enable leading/predictive aim on moving targets.
Forget Lost Target?	If enabled, turret drops target after timeout.
Battery / Barrage	Controls multi-turret battery behavior or barrage fire mode.
Dynamic Targeting	Will it switch targets if a better one appears?
LookForTargetInterval	Performance tweak: how often it searches.
TimeToAdjustBattery	Time before battery turrets start firing.
Barrage Cooldown	Time between barrages (if barrage = true).
TimeToTargetLost	How long before it forgets a hidden target.
Pitch Correction	Adjust vertical aim for close-range targeting.
ZRotationSpeed	Horizontal tracking speed.
YRotationSpeed	Vertical tracking speed.
Firing Sound	Sound cue triggered on fire.
NiagaraSys / ParticleSys	Muzzle flash VFX (Niagara has priority).

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4. Static Mesh Setup

Mesh Component	Role
Base (optional)	Static base mesh, usually unanimated.
Yaw Base	Horizontal rotation (Z axis).
Pitch Base	Vertical rotation (Y axis).
Cannon Base	Muzzle assembly & socket holder.

🔧 Important Setup Notes:

• Make sure the rotator (parent of Pitch Base) is properly centered at your turret’s pivot for accurate rotation.

• All firing sockets should be part of Cannon Base. Turret blueprint will auto-scan and populate them. Make sure your don't add sockets that you do not want to be a firing socket.

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5. Camera & Laser Placement

• Move the Spring Arm (used for camera view when possessed) to a desirable position.

• Reposition the Laser Out (Sphere Collision) to determine where the laser targeting originates.

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6. Other Components

🔹 AC_UpgradeComponent

• Only needed if you support runtime upgrades.

• Set Base Price and Max Stat Level.

🔹 AC_PoolInfo

• Only for non-explosive projectiles.

• Supports: Ballistic 01, Ballistic 02, Laser.

Benefits: Uses object pooling to prevent performance spikes from spawn/destroy.

🧠 How to calculate Pool Size:

ProjectileLifetime = EffectiveRange * 1.1 / ProjectileSpeed
ShotsPerSecond = 60 / RateOfFire / 60
RequiredPoolSize = ProjectileLifetime * ShotsPerSecond

Then:

• Add ~5% buffer for safety.

• OR enable AutoPoolSize in AC_PoolInfo to calculate it for you.

📌 Don’t forget:

• Barrage turrets must factor in BarrageCooldown.

• Upgradable turrets must calculate based on fastest possible Rate of Fire after upgrades.

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And with that, your turret is fully functional, optimized, and ready for combat. 💥