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Setting Up a Character

This guide explains how to add the Skill Tree Manager to an actor and configure it to use your skill trees. The CrimsonSkillTreeManager is an Actor Component that should be added to the actor that will own the skills.

Step 1: Adding the Skill Tree Manager

You can add the component in several ways depending on your project's structure.

Method 1: Using the Blueprint Editor

1. Open your character Blueprint (e.g., BP_MyPlayerCharacter) or your Player State Blueprint.
2. In the Components tab, click + Add and search for CrimsonSkillTreeManager. Select it to add it to the component list.

Method 2: Using C++

For C++ projects, you can add the component directly in your actor's header and source files.

1. In your Actor's header file (.h): Forward declare the component and declare it.

   class UCrimsonSkillTreeManager;
   
   // ... inside your class definition ...
   UPROPERTY(VisibleAnywhere, BlueprintReadOnly, Category = "Skill Tree")
   TObjectPtr<UCrimsonSkillTreeManager> SkillTreeManager;

2. In your Actor's source file (.cpp): Create the component in the constructor.

   #include "MyCharacterClass.h"
   #include "CrimsonSkillTree/Public/CrimsonSkillTreeManager.h"
   
   AMyCharacterClass::AMyCharacterClass()
   {
       // ... other code ...
       SkillTreeManager = CreateDefaultSubobject(TEXT("SkillTreeManager"));
   }

Method 3: Using a Game Feature Action

This is an advanced method ideal for modular, encapsulated content using the Game Features framework.

1. In your Experience Definition, got to Actions, add a new array element and select Add Crimson Skill Tree.
2. Select the actor class of type ACharacter or APlayerState.
3. Set the component as Client and Server.

4. In your Experience Actions Set, got to Actions, add a new array element and select Add Crimson Skill Tree.
5. Under Skill Tree List, add an new element.
6. The ActorClass MUST match the one you used in your Experience Definition.

Step 2: Implementing the Interface

To provide a standardized way of accessing the skill tree system, you should implement the ICrimsonSkillTreeInterface on the same actor that has the manager component (the Character or Player State). This allows other parts of your game to easily get the correct references without casting.

Method 1: Using the Blueprint Editor

1. Open the Blueprint that contains your Skill Tree Manager component.
2. At the top of the editor, click on Class Settings.
3. In the Details panel on the right, find the "Interfaces" section. Click the "Add" button.
4. Search for and select CrimsonSkillTreeInterface from the list.
5. After adding it, the interface's functions (e.g., `GetSkillTreeManager`) will appear in the "My Blueprint" panel. Double-click on a function to implement it. For `GetSkillTreeManager`, simply drag in your manager component and connect it to the return node.

Method 2: Using C++

1. In your Actor's header file (.h): Include the interface header and add it to your class's inheritance list.

   #include "CrimsonSkillTree/Public/ICrimsonSkillTreeInterface.h"
   
   class YOURPROJECT_API AMyCharacterClass : public ACharacter, public ICrimsonSkillTreeInterface
   {
       // ...
   };

2. You must then provide public overrides for the interface functions.

   // In the public section of your header file (.h)
   virtual class UCrimsonSkillTreeManager* GetSkillTreeManagerComponent_Implementation() const override;
   virtual class AActor* GetSkillTreeOwner_Implementation() const override;
   virtual class ACharacter* GetSkillTreeOwnerCharacter_Implementation() const override;
   

Step 3: Configuring the Manager

With the CrimsonSkillTreeManager added, select it in the Components tab (or open its defaults in the GFA) to see its Details panel.

1. Configured Skill Trees: This is the most important setting.
   • Click the + to add a new element to the array.
   • Skill Tree Asset: Assign the CST_Player_CoreSkills asset you created earlier.
   • Skill Tree Type Tag: This is a unique identifier. You need to create a Gameplay Tag for it.
     1. Go to Edit > Project Settings > Project > Gameplay Tags.
     2. Add a new tag, for example, SkillTree.Player.Core.
     3. Back in your character Blueprint, set this tag on the manager.

Important: Each Skill Tree Type Tag must be unique on a single Skill Tree Manager. The manager will only initialize one tree per tag, so you cannot have duplicate tags on the same component.

2. Save Game Settings: Configure the Save Slot Name and User Index if you want the system to automatically save and load player progress.