The ability to blend in with the enemy by donning their uniform adds a thrilling layer of tactical gameplay to Arma 3. However, implementing this “Uniform Stealing” mechanic effectively through scripting can be tricky. Initial approaches, such as forcing a unit to join an enemy group, present complications. While seemingly functional, this method negatively impacts player ratings due to penalties for enemy kills and can lead to unpredictable AI behavior, where friendly units may mistakenly identify you as hostile.
A more streamlined and manageable solution lies in utilizing the "setcaptive" command combined with an "addeventhandler" for "killed". This approach simplifies the process and focuses on the core mechanic: your disguise is compromised the moment you engage the enemy.
Here’s how you can implement this using a concise script:
{ if ((side _x) == East) then {_x addeventhandler ["killed", {player setcaptive false}]; }; } forEach allUnits;This script snippet, placed in the init field of a unit or the mission, iterates through all units on the map. If a unit is on the East side (assuming OPFOR in many scenarios), it adds an event handler. This handler triggers when that unit is killed, immediately setting the player’s captive status to false. This effectively signifies that your stolen uniform disguise is blown upon engaging the enemy, making gameplay more realistic and balanced.
To demonstrate this practically, a sample mission has been created. In this mission, upon exiting the water, players can proceed to a gap in the rocks where a patrolling enemy unit awaits. This specific unit is designated as the source for uniform acquisition in this demonstration. Interaction is facilitated through the action menu, mirroring the standard Bohemia Interactive (BI) demo video for uniform swapping. Furthermore, an option to revert to your original BLUFOR uniform is included, providing flexibility. Although the demo features a diver unit, this scripting technique is universally applicable to any unit type, ensuring a return to the initial uniform configuration.
Download the demo mission here
This "setcaptive" method offers a cleaner and more efficient way to incorporate uniform stealing into your Arma 3 missions, enhancing gameplay without the complexities and drawbacks of alternative scripting methods. It provides a solid foundation for mission designers seeking to add this engaging feature.
