Epic/mods/mobs_redo/api_new.txt

Mobs Redo API
=============

Welcome to the world of mobs in minetest and hopefully an easy guide to defining
your own mobs and having them appear in your worlds.


Registering Mobs
----------------

To register a mob and have it ready for use requires the following function:

   mobs:register_mob(name, definition)

The 'name' of a mob usually starts with the mod name it's running from followed
by it's own name e.g.

   "mobs_monster:sand_monster" or "mymod:totally_awesome_beast"

... and the 'definition' is a table which holds all of the settings and
functions needed for the mob to work properly which contains the following:

   'nametag'       contains the name which is shown above mob.
   'type'          holds the type of mob that inhabits your world e.g.
      "animal"     usually docile and walking around.
      "monster"    attacks player or npc on sight.
      "npc"        walk around and will defend themselves if hit first, they
                   kill monsters.
   'hp_min'        has the minimum health value the mob can spawn with.
   'hp_max'        has the maximum health value the mob can spawn with.
   'armor'         holds strength of mob, 100 is normal, lower is more powerful
                   and needs more hits and better weapons to kill.
   'passive'       when true allows animals to defend themselves when hit,
                   otherwise they amble onwards.
   'walk_velocity' is the speed that your mob can walk around.
   'run_velocity'  is the speed your mob can run with, usually when attacking.
   'walk_chance'   has a 0-100 chance value your mob will walk from standing,
                   set to 0 for jumping mobs only.
   'jump'          when true allows your mob to jump updwards.
   'jump_height'   holds the height your mob can jump, 0 to disable jumping.
   'step_height'   height of a block that your mob can easily walk up onto.
   'fly'           when true allows your mob to fly around instead of walking.
   'fly_in'        holds the node name that the mob flies (or swims) around
                   in e.g. "air" or "default:water_source".
   'runaway'       if true causes animals to turn and run away when hit.
   'view_range'    how many nodes in distance the mob can see a player.
   'reach'         how many nodes in distance a mob can attack a player while
                   standing.
   'damage'        how many health points the mob does to a player or another
                   mob when melee attacking.
   'knockback'     when true has mobs falling backwards when hit, the greater
                   the damage the more they move back.
   'fear_height'   is how high a cliff or edge has to be before the mob stops
                   walking, 0 to turn off height fear.
   'fall_speed'    has the maximum speed the mob can fall at, default is -10.
   'fall_damage'   when true causes falling to inflict damage.
   'water_damage'  holds the damage per second infliced to mobs when standing in
                   water.
   'lava_damage'   holds the damage per second inflicted to mobs when standing
                   in lava or fire.
   'light_damage'  holds the damage per second inflicted to mobs when it's too
                   bright (above 13 light).
   'suffocation'   when true causes mobs to suffocate inside solid blocks.
   'floats'        when set to 1 mob will float in water, 0 has them sink.
   'follow'        mobs follow player when holding any of the items which appear
                   on this table, the same items can be fed to a mob to tame or
                   breed e.g. {"farming:wheat", "default:apple"}

   'reach'               is how far the mob can attack player when standing
                         nearby, default is 3 nodes.
   'docile_by_day'       when true has mobs wandering around during daylight
                         hours and only attacking player at night or when
                         provoked.
   'attacks_monsters'    when true has npc's attacking monsters or not.
   'attack_animal'       when true will have monsters attacking animals.
   'owner_loyal'         when true will have tamed mobs attack anything player
                         punches when nearby.
   'group_attack'        when true has same mob type grouping together to attack
                         offender.
   'attack_type'         tells the api what a mob does when attacking the player
                         or another mob:
      'dogfight'         is a melee attack when player is within mob reach.
      'shoot'            has mob shoot pre-defined arrows at player when inside
                         view_range.
      'dogshoot'         has melee attack when inside reach and shoot attack
                         when inside view_range.
      'explode'          causes mob to explode when inside reach.
   'explosion_radius'    has the radius of the explosion which defaults to 1.
   'explosion_timer'     number of seconds before mob explodes while still
                         inside view range.
   'arrow'               holds the pre-defined arrow object to shoot when
                         attacking.
   'dogshoot_switch'     allows switching between attack types by using timers
                         (1 for shoot, 2 for dogfight)
   'dogshoot_count_max'  contains how many seconds before switching from
                         dogfight to shoot.
   'dogshoot_count_max2' contains how many seconds before switching from shoot
                         to dogfight.
   'shoot_interval'      has the number of seconds between shots.
   'shoot_offset'        holds the y position added as to where the
                         arrow/fireball appears on mob.
   'specific_attack'     has a table of entity names that mob can also attack
                         e.g. {"player", "mobs_animal:chicken"}.
   'blood_amount'        contains the number of blood droplets to appear when
                         mob is hit.
   'blood_texture'       has the texture name to use for droplets e.g.
                         "mobs_blood.png", or table {"blood1.png", "blood2.png"}
   'pathfinding'         set to 1 for mobs to use pathfinder feature to locate
                         player, set to 2 so they can build/break also (only
                         works with dogfight attack).
   'immune_to'           is a table that holds specific damage when being hit by
                         certain items e.g.
      {"default:sword_wood",  0} -- causes no damage.
      {"default:gold_lump", -10} -- heals by 10 health points.
      {"default:coal_block", 20} -- 20 damage when hit on head with coal blocks.

   'makes_footstep_sound' when true you can hear mobs walking.
   'sounds'               this is a table with sounds of the mob
      'distance'          maximum distance sounds can be heard, default is 10.
      'random'            random sound that plays during gameplay.
      'war_cry'           what you hear when mob starts to attack player.
      'attack'            what you hear when being attacked.
      'shoot_attack'      sound played when mob shoots.
      'damage'            sound heard when mob is hurt.
      'death'             played when mob is killed.
      'jump'              played when mob jumps.
      'explode'           sound played when mob explodes.

   'drops'     table of items that are dropped when mob is killed, fields are:
      'name'   name of item to drop.
      'chance' chance of drop, 1 for always, 2 for 1-in-2 chance etc.
      'min'    minimum number of items dropped.
      'max'    maximum number of items dropped.

   'visual'            holds the look of the mob you wish to create:
      'cube'           looks like a normal node
      'sprite'         sprite which looks same from all angles.
      'upright_sprite' flat model standing upright.
      'wielditem'      how it looks when player holds it in hand.
      'mesh'           uses separate object file to define mob.
   'visual_size'       has the size of the mob, defaults to {x = 1, y = 1}
   'collision_box'     has the box in which mob can be interacted with the
                       world e.g. {-0.5, -0.5, -0.5, 0.5, 0.5, 0.5}
   'selection_box'     has the box in which player can interact with mob
   'textures'          holds a table list of textures to be used for mob, or you
                       could use multiple lists inside another table for random
                       selection e.g. { {"texture1.png"}, {"texture2.png"} }
   'child_texture'     holds the texture table for when baby mobs are used.
   'gotten_texture'    holds the texture table for when self.gotten value is
                       true, used for milking cows or shearing sheep.
   'mesh'              holds the name of the external object used for mob model
                       e.g. "mobs_cow.b3d"
   'gotten_mesh"       holds the name of the external object used for when
                       self.gotten is true for mobs.
   'rotate'            custom model rotation, 0 = front, 90 = side, 180 = back,
                       270 = other side.
   'double_melee_attack' when true has the api choose between 'punch' and
                      'punch2' animations.

   'animation'       holds a table containing animation names and settings for use with mesh models:
      'stand_start'  start frame for when mob stands still.
      'stand_end'    end frame of stand animation.
      'stand_speed'  speed of animation in frames per second.
      'walk_start'   when mob is walking around.
      'walk_end'
      'walk_speed'
      'run_start'    when a mob runs or attacks.
      'run_end'
      'run_speed'
      'fly_start'    when a mob is flying.
      'fly_end'
      'fly_speed'
      'punch_start'  when a mob melee attacks.
      'punch_end'
      'punch_speed'
      'punch2_start' alternative melee attack animation.
      'punch2_end'
      'punch2_speed'
      'shoot_start'  shooting animation.
      'shoot_end'
      'shoot_speed'
      'die_start'    death animation
      'die_end'
      'die_speed'
      'die_loop'     when set to false stops the animation looping.

      Using '_loop = false' setting will stop any of the above animations from
      looping.

      'speed_normal' is used for animation speed for compatibility with some
                     older mobs.


Node Replacement
----------------

Mobs can look around for specific nodes as they walk and replace them to mimic
eating.

   'replace_what'   group of items to replace e.g.
                    {"farming:wheat_8", "farming:carrot_8"}
                    or you can use the specific options of what, with and
                    y offset by using this instead:
                    {
                       {"group:grass", "air", 0},
                       {"default:dirt_with_grass", "default:dirt", -1}
                    }
   'replace_with'   replace with what e.g. "air" or in chickens case "mobs:egg"
   'replace_rate'   how random should the replace rate be (typically 10)
   'replace_offset' +/- value to check specific node to replace

   'on_replace(self, pos, oldnode, newnode)' is called when mob is about to
                                             replace a node.
      'self'    ObjectRef of mob
      'pos'     Position of node to replace
      'oldnode' Current node
      'newnode' What the node will become after replacing

       If false is returned, the mob will not replace the node.

       By default, replacing sets self.gotten to true and resets the object
       properties.


Custom Definition Functions
---------------------------

Along with the above mob registry settings we can also use custom functions to
enhance mob functionality and have them do many interesting things:

   'on_die'         a function that is called when the mob is killed the
                    parameters are (self, pos)
   'on_rightclick'  its same as in minetest.register_entity()
   'on_blast'       is called when an explosion happens near mob when using TNT
                    functions, parameters are (object, damage) and returns
                    (do_damage, do_knockback, drops)
   'on_spawn'       is a custom function that runs on mob spawn with 'self' as
                    variable, return true at end of function to run only once.
   'after_activate' is a custom function that runs once mob has been activated
                    with these paramaters (self, staticdata, def, dtime)
   'on_breed'       called when two similar mobs breed, paramaters are
                    (parent1, parent2) objects, return false to stop child from
                    being resized and owner/tamed flags and child textures being
                    applied.  Function itself must spawn new child mob.
   'on_grown'       is called when a child mob has grown up, only paramater is
                    (self).
   'do_punch'       called when mob is punched with paramaters (self, hitter,
                    time_from_last_punch, tool_capabilities, direction), return
                    false to stop punch damage and knockback from taking place.
   'custom_attack'  when set this function is called instead of the normal mob
                    melee attack, parameters are (self, to_attack).
   'on_die'         a function that is called when mob is killed (self, pos)
   'do_custom'      a custom function that is called every tick while mob is
                    active and which has access to all of the self.* variables
                    e.g. (self.health for health or self.standing_in for node
                    status), return with 'false' to skip remainder of mob API.


Internal Variables
------------------

The mob api also has some preset variables and functions that it will remember
for each mob.

   'self.health'        contains current health of mob (cannot exceed
                        self.hp_max)
   'self.texture_list'  contains list of all mob textures
   'self.child_texture' contains mob child texture when growing up
   'self.base_texture'  contains current skin texture which was randomly
                        selected from textures list
   'self.gotten'        this is used for obtaining milk from cow and wool from
                        sheep
   'self.horny'         when animal fed enough it is set to true and animal can
                        breed with same animal
   'self.hornytimer'    background timer that controls breeding functions and
                        mob childhood timings
   'self.child'         used for when breeding animals have child, will use
                        child_texture and be half size
   'self.owner'         string used to set owner of npc mobs, typically used for
                        dogs
   'self.order'         set to "follow" or "stand" so that npc will follow owner
                        or stand it's ground
   'self.nametag'       contains the name of the mob which it can show above


Spawning Mobs in World
----------------------

mobs:register_spawn(name, nodes, max_light, min_light, chance,
   active_object_count, max_height, day_toggle)

mobs:spawn_specfic(name, nodes, neighbors, min_light, max_light, interval,
   chance, active_object_count, min_height, max_height, day_toggle, on_spawn)

These functions register a spawn algorithm for the mob. Without this function
the call the mobs won't spawn.

    'name'                is the name of the animal/monster
    'nodes'               is a list of nodenames on that the animal/monster can
                          spawn on top of
    'neighbors'           is a list of nodenames on that the animal/monster will
                          spawn beside (default is {"air"} for
                          mobs:register_spawn)
    'max_light'           is the maximum of light
    'min_light'           is the minimum of light
    'interval'            is same as in register_abm() (default is 30 for
                          mobs:register_spawn)
    'chance'              is same as in register_abm()
    'active_object_count' number of this type of mob to spawn at one time inside
                          map area
    'min_height'          is the minimum height the mob can spawn
    'max_height'          is the maximum height the mob can spawn
    'day_toggle'          true for day spawning, false for night or nil for
                          anytime
    'on_spawn'            is a custom function which runs after mob has spawned
                          and gives self and pos values.

A simpler way to handle mob spawns has been added with the mobs:spawn(def)
command which uses above names to make settings clearer:

    mobs:spawn({name = "mobs_monster:tree_monster",
       nodes = {"group:leaves"},
       max_light = 7,
    })


For each mob that spawns with this function is a field in mobs.spawning_mobs.
It tells if the mob should spawn or not.  Default is true.  So other mods can
only use the API of this mod by disabling the spawning of the default mobs in
this mod.


Making Arrows
-------------

mobs:register_arrow(name, definition)

This function registers a arrow for mobs with the attack type shoot.

    'name'            is the name of the arrow
    'definition'      is a table with the following values:
       'visual'       same is in minetest.register_entity()
       'visual_size'  same is in minetest.register_entity()
       'textures'     same is in minetest.register_entity()
       'velocity'     the velocity of the arrow
       'drop'         if set to true any arrows hitting a node will drop as item
       'hit_player'   a function that is called when the arrow hits a player;
                      this function should hurt the player, the parameters are
                      (self, player)
       'hit_mob'      a function that is called when the arrow hits a mob;
                      this function should hurt the mob, the parameters are
                      (self, player)
       'hit_node'     a function that is called when the arrow hits a node, the
                      parameters are (self, pos, node)
       'tail'         when set to 1 adds a trail or tail to mob arrows
       'tail_texture' texture string used for above effect
       'tail_size'    has size for above texture (defaults to between 5 and 10)
       'expire'       contains float value for how long tail appears for
                      (defaults to 0.25)
       'glow'         has value for how brightly tail glows 1 to 10 (default is
                      0 for no glow)
       'rotate'       integer value in degrees to rotate arrow
       'on_step'      is a custom function when arrow is active, nil for
                      default.


Spawn Eggs
----------

mobs:register_egg(name, description, background, addegg, no_creative)

This function registers a spawn egg which can be used by admin to properly spawn in a mob.

   'name'        this is the name of your new mob to spawn e.g. "mob:sheep"
   'description' the name of the new egg you are creating e.g. "Spawn Sheep"
   'background'  the texture displayed for the egg in inventory
   'addegg'      would you like an egg image in front of your texture (1 = yes,
                 0 = no)
   'no_creative' when set to true this stops spawn egg appearing in creative
                 mode for destructive mobs like Dungeon Masters.


Explosion Function
------------------

mobs:explosion(pos, radius) -- DEPRECATED!!!  use mobs:boom() instead

mobs:boom(self, pos, radius)
   'self' mob entity
   'pos' centre position of explosion
   'radius' radius of explosion (typically set to 3)

This function generates an explosion which removes nodes in a specific radius
and damages any entity caught inside the blast radius.  Protection will limit
node destruction but not entity damage.


Capturing Mobs
--------------

mobs:capture_mob(self, clicker, chance_hand, chance_net, chance_lasso,
   force_take, replacewith)

This function is generally called inside the on_rightclick section of the mob
api code, it provides a chance of capturing the mob by hand, using the net or
lasso items, and can also have the player take the mob by force if tamed and
replace with another item entirely.

   'self'         mob information
   'clicker'      player information
   'chance_hand'  chance of capturing mob by hand (1 to 100) 0 to disable
   'chance_net'   chance of capturing mob using net (1 to 100) 0 to disable
   'chance_lasso' chance of capturing mob using magic lasso (1 to 100) 0 to
                  disable
   'force_take'   take mob by force, even if tamed (true or false)
   'replacewith'  once captured replace mob with this item instead (overrides
                  new mob eggs with saved information)


Feeding and Taming/Breeding
---------------------------

mobs:feed_tame(self, clicker, feed_count, breed, tame)

This function allows the mob to be fed the item inside self.follow be it apple,
wheat or whatever a set number of times and be tamed or bred as a result.
Will return true when mob is fed with item it likes.

   'self'       mob information
   'clicker'    player information
   'feed_count' number of times mob must be fed to tame or breed
   'breed'      true or false stating if mob can be bred and a child created
                afterwards
   'tame'       true or false stating if mob can be tamed so player can pick
                them up


Protecting Mobs
---------------

mobs:protect(self, clicker)

This function can be used to right-click any tamed mob with mobs:protector item,
this will protect the mob from harm inside of a protected area from other
players.  Will return true when mob right-clicked with mobs:protector item.

   'self'    mob information
   'clicker' player information


Riding Mobs
-----------

Mobs can now be ridden by players and the following shows its functions and
usage:


mobs:attach(self, player)

This function attaches a player to the mob so it can be ridden.

   'self'   mob information
   'player' player information


mobs:detach(player, offset)

This function will detach the player currently riding a mob to an offset
position.

   'player' player information
   'offset' position table containing offset values


mobs:drive(self, move_animation, stand_animation, can_fly, dtime)

This function allows an attached player to move the mob around and animate it at
same time.

   'self'            mob information
   'move_animation'  string containing movement animation e.g. "walk"
   'stand_animation' string containing standing animation e.g. "stand"
   'can_fly'         if true then jump and sneak controls will allow mob to fly
                     up and down
   'dtime'           tick time used inside drive function


mobs:fly(self, dtime, speed, can_shoot, arrow_entity, move_animation, stand_animation)

This function allows an attached player to fly the mob around using directional
controls.

   'self'            mob information
   'dtime'           tick time used inside fly function
   'speed'           speed of flight
   'can_shoot'       true if mob can fire arrow (sneak and left mouse button
                     fires)
   'arrow_entity'    name of arrow entity used for firing
   'move_animation'  string containing name of pre-defined animation e.g. "walk"
                     or "fly" etc.
   'stand_animation' string containing name of pre-defined animation e.g.
                     "stand" or "blink" etc.

Note: animation names above are from the pre-defined animation lists inside mob
registry without extensions.


mobs:set_animation(self, name)

This function sets the current animation for mob, defaulting to "stand" if not
found.

   'self' mob information
   'name' name of animation


Certain variables need to be set before using the above functions:

   'self.v2'                toggle switch used to define below values for the
                            first time
   'self.max_speed_forward' max speed mob can move forward
   'self.max_speed_reverse' max speed mob can move backwards
   'self.accel'             acceleration speed
   'self.terrain_type'      integer containing terrain mob can walk on
                            (1 = water, 2 or 3 = land)
   'self.driver_attach_at'  position offset for attaching player to mob
   'self.driver_eye_offset' position offset for attached player view
   'self.driver_scale'      sets driver scale for mobs larger than {x=1, y=1}


External Settings for "minetest.conf"
------------------------------------

   'enable_damage'          if true monsters will attack players (default is true)
   'only_peaceful_mobs'     if true only animals will spawn in game (default is
                            false)
   'mobs_disable_blood'     if false blood effects appear when mob is hit (default
                            is false)
   'mobs_spawn_protected'   if set to false then mobs will not spawn in protected
                            areas (default is true)
   'remove_far_mobs'        if true then mobs that are outside players visual
                            range will be removed (default is false)
   'mobname'                can change specific mob chance rate (0 to disable) and
                            spawn number e.g. mobs_animal:cow = 1000,5
   'mob_difficulty'         sets difficulty level (health and hit damage
                            multiplied by this number), defaults to 1.0.
   'mob_show_health'        if false then punching mob will not show health status
                            (true by default)
   'mob_chance_multiplier'  multiplies chance of all mobs spawning and can be set
                            to 0.5 to have mobs spawn more or 2.0 to spawn less.
                            e.g.  1 in 7000 * 0.5 = 1 in 3500 so better odds of
                            spawning.

Players can override the spawn chance for each mob registered by adding a line
to their minetest.conf file with a new value, the lower the value the more each
mob will spawn e.g.

mobs_animal:sheep_chance 11000
mobs_monster:sand_monster_chance 100


Rideable Horse Example Mob
--------------------------

mobs:register_mob("mob_horse:horse", {
	type = "animal",
	visual = "mesh",
	visual_size = {x = 1.20, y = 1.20},
	mesh = "mobs_horse.x",
	collisionbox = {-0.4, -0.01, -0.4, 0.4, 1.25, 0.4},
	animation = { 
		speed_normal = 15,
		speed_run = 30,
		stand_start = 25,
		stand_end = 75,
		walk_start = 75,
		walk_end = 100,
		run_start = 75,
		run_end = 100,
	},
	textures = {
		{"mobs_horse.png"},
		{"mobs_horsepeg.png"},
		{"mobs_horseara.png"}
	},
	fear_height = 3,
	runaway = true,
	fly = false,
	walk_chance = 60,
	view_range = 5,
	follow = {"farming:wheat"},
	passive = true,
	hp_min = 12,
	hp_max = 16,
	armor = 200,
	lava_damage = 5,
	fall_damage = 5,
	water_damage = 1,
	makes_footstep_sound = true,
	drops = {
		{name = "mobs:meat_raw", chance = 1, min = 2, max = 3}
	},
	sounds = {
		random = "horse_neigh.ogg",
		damage = "horse_whinney.ogg",
	},

	do_custom = function(self, dtime)

		-- set needed values if not already present
		if not self.v2 then
			self.v2 = 0
			self.max_speed_forward = 6
			self.max_speed_reverse = 2
			self.accel = 6
			self.terrain_type = 3
			self.driver_attach_at = {x = 0, y = 20, z = -2}
			self.driver_eye_offset = {x = 0, y = 3, z = 0}
			self.driver_scale = {x = 1, y = 1}
		end

		-- if driver present allow control of horse
		if self.driver then

			mobs.drive(self, "walk", "stand", false, dtime)

			return false -- skip rest of mob functions
		end

		return true
	end,

	on_die = function(self, pos)

		-- drop saddle when horse is killed while riding
		-- also detach from horse properly
		if self.driver then
			minetest.add_item(pos, "mobs:saddle")
			mobs.detach(self.driver, {x = 1, y = 0, z = 1})
		end

	end,

	on_rightclick = function(self, clicker)

		-- make sure player is clicking
		if not clicker or not clicker:is_player() then
			return
		end

		-- feed, tame or heal horse
		if mobs:feed_tame(self, clicker, 10, true, true) then
			return
		end

		-- make sure tamed horse is being clicked by owner only
		if self.tamed and self.owner == clicker:get_player_name() then

			local inv = clicker:get_inventory()

			-- detatch player already riding horse
			if self.driver and clicker == self.driver then

				mobs.detach(clicker, {x = 1, y = 0, z = 1})

				-- add saddle back to inventory
				if inv:room_for_item("main", "mobs:saddle") then
					inv:add_item("main", "mobs:saddle")
				else
					minetest.add_item(clicker.getpos(), "mobs:saddle")
				end

			-- attach player to horse
			elseif not self.driver
			and clicker:get_wielded_item():get_name() == "mobs:saddle" then

				self.object:set_properties({stepheight = 1.1})
				mobs.attach(self, clicker)

				-- take saddle from inventory
				inv:remove_item("main", "mobs:saddle")
			end
		end

		-- used to capture horse with magic lasso
		mobs:capture_mob(self, clicker, 0, 0, 80, false, nil)
	end
})