Building a full combat system usually takes a lot of time. A standard system doesn’t just have attacks, it also includes abilities, AI, inventory, combat animations, and more that have to work together.
Slasher Core is a plugin developed by Artem Chaika, made to help in that process for both indie developers and AAA studios.
The idea comes from his experience in professional game development, where many common mechanics can take months to build, even for large teams.
Artem explained that the system was built using C++ for better performance, while still being simple to use through Blueprints. It also uses GAS, which helps it stay updated with each Unreal's update.
On the technical side, everything is mainly made around two components: SlasherCoreComponent and InventoryComponent.
On the technical side, everything is mainly made around two components: SlasherCoreComponent and InventoryComponent.
The first one controls the main combat logic, this includes:
- Abilities
- Effects
- Tags
- Part of the AI behavior
While the inventory manages more than just items:
- Optimized replication for large item counts in multiplayer
- Weapons and armor can grant abilities
- Items can modify or extend combo chains
- Effects can be applied through equipment
But Artem mentioned there’s one more “secret” key feature: the Ability Combo Graph.
It uses a small set of abilities made in C++ that changes how they work using data like events and parameters, so you can set up and modify combos without needing new abilities each time.
Each node gives you control over how that ability behaves, letting you tweak things like timing, damage, or transitions.
For the AI part, it uses State Trees. You set tasks like using abilities or reacting to what’s happening, so the AI can run the same systems as the player and respond based on the situation.
It also comes with a damage system and support for destruction, which are already connected to the rest of the system.
For now, Artem plans to keep expanding the system to support new Unreal Engine tools like the new Mover plugin, Gameplay Cameras, and the Iris replication system.
If you’d like to see more from him, you can check out his work here:
- LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/artem-chaika-5892a9102
- Slasher Core: https://www.patreon.com/cw/arkirito
Interested in learning more?
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It includes titles like The Unity Shaders Bible and Mastering Compute Shaders in Unity 6, and is aimed at developers and technical artists looking to build a stronger foundation and expand into more advanced graphics and systems.
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