> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://morningheartgames.gitbook.io/docs/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://morningheartgames.gitbook.io/docs/gameplay-ability-toolkit/integrations/game-creator/ability-recipes.md). # Ability Recipes `GameCreatorAbilityDefinition` is the main asset for building playable GAT skills with Game Creator authoring tools. Create one from: ``` Assets > Create > Gameplay Ability Toolkit > Game Creator > Game Creator Ability ``` The Inspector keeps the regular GAT ability fields first, then adds a Game Creator recipe workspace. Pick an `Execution Type`, fill the visible steps, and use event rows to connect Game Creator instructions to the GAT runtime. ![Game Creator Ability Inspector showing an Execution Type recipe, step rail, and event editor.](/files/6O3ZY3kr8NR5w4lYNK5B) ## Execution Modes | Execution Type | Recipe | Use For | | -------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------- | | `Instant` | `Input -> Execute -> Finish` | Immediate self effects, short utility skills, simple ability triggers. | | `Melee` | `Input -> Swing -> Hit -> Finish` | Montage-timed melee attacks and combo chains. | | `Projectile` | `Input -> Cast -> Projectile -> Impact -> Finish` | Cast animation plus linear projectile impact. | | `TargetedProjectile` | `Input -> Target -> Cast -> Projectile -> Impact -> Finish` | Ground-targeted or actor-targeted projectile skills. | | `Channel` | `Input -> Hold -> Tick -> Finish` | Hold-to-channel skills with periodic cost, effects, or cues. | | `Movement` | `Input -> Move -> Finish` | Dodge, dash, leap, shove, and short movement abilities. | | `SelfEffect` | `Input -> Cast -> Apply -> Finish` | Buffs, shouts, stances, and other self-applied effects. | ## Recipe Steps | Step | Main Fields | Events | | ------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | `Input` | Release gating and press suppression while targeting. | `On Started` -> `Started` | | `Cast` | Montage, play rate, duration scaling, notify wait, post-notify hold, cancel behavior. | `On Started` -> `MontageStarted`; `On Notify` -> `MontageNotify`; `On Completed` -> `MontageCompleted`; `On Cancelled` has no phase binding. | | `Target` | Target collector prefab, forward fallback, targeting tag. | `On Confirmed` -> `TargetConfirmed`; `On Cancelled` -> `TargetCancelled` | | `Swing` | Combo count, hit effects, swing montages, attack-speed attribute. | Recipe fields only. | | `Hit` | Melee hit event logic. | `On Hit` -> `Hit` | | `Projectile` | Mode, prefab, speed, radius, lifetime, spawn offsets, fall settings, impact VFX, impact cue. | Recipe fields only. | | `Impact` | Projectile impact instructions. | `On Impact` -> `ProjectileImpact` | | `Hold` | Resource tick effect, tick effects, interval, box shape, cue tag, release behavior. | Recipe fields only. | | `Tick` | Channel tick event logic. | `On Tick` -> `ChannelTick` | | `Move` | Duration, speed, movement curve, self effects. | Recipe fields only. | | `Execute` / `Apply` | Self effects and target effects. | `On Applied` has no phase binding. | | `Finish` | Completion, cancellation, and final end instructions. | `On Completed` -> `Completed`; `On Cancelled` -> `Cancelled`; `On Ended` -> `Ended` | ## Run Vs Only If Each event editor has two authoring lanes: | Lane | Behavior | | --------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | `Run` | The normal Game Creator `RunInstructionsList` for the event. Add instructions here first. | | `Only If` | Optional `GameCreatorAbilityVisualScriptingModule` entries. Conditions must pass before the module's instructions run. | Use `Run` for event work that always happens. Use `Only If` when the same event needs conditional branches, reusable phase logic, or a saved module shared by multiple abilities. ## Runtime Phases `GameCreatorAbilityVisualScriptingModule` can bind to: ``` Started BeforeCommit AfterCommit BeforeExecute MontageStarted MontageNotify MontageCompleted TargetConfirmed TargetCancelled Hit ProjectileImpact ChannelTick Completed Cancelled Ended ``` `BeforeCommit` and `AfterCommit` are available for explicit commit-driven workflows. Most game skills use `Started`, `BeforeExecute`, montage phases, target phases, `Hit`, `ProjectileImpact`, `ChannelTick`, and finish phases. ## Embedded Module Behavior When you click `+ Condition` inside `Only If`, the Inspector creates a `GameCreatorAbilityVisualScriptingModule` as an embedded child asset of the ability. | Behavior | Result | | ------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | Ability is not saved | Condition creation is disabled and the button tooltip says to save the ability first. | | `+ Condition` on an event | Creates an embedded module, sets its phase to the event phase, and references it from the ability. | | Reuse saved module | The event editor can reference an existing saved module asset when its phase matches the event. | | Same module added twice | Duplicate references are ignored. | | Module removed from event | The reference is removed from the ability. Embedded child assets remain part of the ability file unless manually cleaned by editor tooling. | ## Runtime Flow ```mermaid flowchart LR Trigger["Game Creator Trigger"] Input["Press or Release Input"] ASC["AbilitySystemComponent"] Runtime["GameCreatorAbilityRuntime"] Recipe["Execution Type Executor"] Events["Run Instructions"] Modules["Only If Modules"] GAT["Effects, Tags, Cues, Targeting, Montage"] Trigger --> Input --> ASC --> Runtime --> Recipe Recipe --> Events Recipe --> Modules Recipe --> GAT ``` When you extend this flow, keep the Inspector recipe, runtime executor, validation, and Visual Scripting phase hooks in sync. --- # Agent Instructions This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. 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