finally a solution
a while back, i started working on my iceorb spell, but certain problems occured (certain enemies didn't shatter properly due to their 5th slot death) that held me back. joshriot also had these problems in his bbq flamethrower spell. i have finally found the solution. by giving them a new base_death, we make sure it doesn't use its 5th slot death. but you'd have to use the shatter sequence for all 8 directions? think again. by switching the enemy's direction when it dies to whatever sequence we're on, we can manipulate it so it'll only use that sequence. genious! i have yet to do extensive testing, but i've tried it once, and it seemed to work. *pats his self on the back* now i might finally finish ice orb. hope this'll benefit you too joshriot.
Piece from damage script of orb(for example purposes...):
//see if target is going to die
int &hpsu = sp_hitpoints(&missile_target, -1);
if (&damage >= &hpsu)
{
//change targets death sequence to the ice shatter one
sp_base_death(&missile_target,860);
sp_dir(&missile_target, 1);
//our sequence is 861 hence base_death 860 and sp_dir 1
//play shatter sound
Playsound(50,22050,0,0,0);
}
//see if target is going to die
int &hpsu = sp_hitpoints(&missile_target, -1);
if (&damage >= &hpsu)
{
//change targets death sequence to the ice shatter one
sp_base_death(&missile_target,860);
sp_dir(&missile_target, 1);
//our sequence is 861 hence base_death 860 and sp_dir 1
//play shatter sound
Playsound(50,22050,0,0,0);
}