Progression Tree Builder

Introduction

This guide covers advanced usage patterns and best practices for Progression Tree Builder. Learn how to implement roguelike progression, create complex skill dependencies, and optimize your trees.

Traditional Skill Trees

Creating a Character Class Tree

Example: Warrior skill tree with three branches (Offense, Defense, Utility)

Warrior Skills
├── Offense Branch
│   ├── Basic Strike (root)
│   ├── Power Strike (requires: Basic Strike)
│   └── Execute (requires: Power Strike)
│
├── Defense Branch
│   ├── Block (root)
│   ├── Parry (requires: Block)
│   └── Fortress (requires: Parry)
│
└── Utility Branch
    ├── Dash (root)
    └── Sprint (requires: Dash)

Latest Mode (Roguelike)

Setup Latest Mode

1. Assign Selection Weights

   For each skill in your tree, set the Selection Weight field:

   Rarity	Weight	Frequency
   Common	70-100	Very Frequent
   Uncommon	40-70	Frequent
   Rare	20-40	Occasional
   Epic	10-20	Rare
   Legendary	1-10	Very Rare

2. Configure UI Controller

   Select your ProgressionTreeUIController in the scene:

   • • Set Layout Mode = Latest
   • • Set Latest Node Count = 3 (or 2-6)
   • • Enable Auto Refresh On All Maxed
   • • Set Column Width = 0 (auto-fit) or fixed value
3. Setup Latest Mode Controller

   Create a child GameObject under your UI with:

   • • Add LatestModeLayoutController component
   • • Create child GameObject "DetailsContainer" with RectTransform
   • • Assign your ProgressionDetailsUI prefab
   • • Reference controller in ProgressionTreeUIController
4. Test & Iterate

   Press Play and award points to see random skills appear. Adjust weights as needed.

Example: Survivors-Style Game

Complete example for a level-up based progression system:

Combat Skills (15 total)
├── Pistol Path (5 skills)
│   ├── Basic Pistol (Weight: 80, Rank: 1)
│   ├── Rapid Fire (Weight: 60, Rank: 2)
│   ├── Armor Pierce (Weight: 40, Rank: 3)
│   ├── Explosive Rounds (Weight: 25, Rank: 3)
│   └── Infinite Ammo (Weight: 10, Rank: 1)
│
├── Shotgun Path (5 skills)
│   └── ... (similar structure)
│
└── Rifle Path (5 skills)
    └── ... (similar structure)

Trigger: On Character Level Up
├── Instruction: Award Progression Points
│   ├── Tree: [Combat Skills]
│   └── Amount: 1
│
├── Instruction: Refresh Latest Pool
│   ├── Tree: [Combat Skills]
│   ├── Node Count: 3
│   └── Only If All Maxed: false
│
└── Instruction: Open Progression Tree UI
    └── Tree: [Combat Skills]

Custom Layout Strategies

Create custom positioning logic for skill nodes by implementing the ILayoutStrategy interface. This allows you to create unique tree visualizations beyond the built-in Grid, Graph, and List modes.

When to Use Custom Layouts

• You need non-standard grid dimensions
• Skills should follow a specific visual pattern
• Different branches require different layouts

Best Practices

Choice Groups

Choice Groups force players to choose between mutually exclusive options. Perfect for class specializations.

Example: Class Selection

Root Skill: "Choose Your Path"
├── Choice Group: "Combat Style"
│   ├── Warrior Path (melee focus)
│   ├── Ranger Path (ranged focus)
│   └── Mage Path (magic focus)
│
→ Player can only choose ONE of these three paths

Game Creator Instructions

Skills support two types of instruction execution for maximum flexibility: Asset-Based (in ScriptableObject) and Scene-Based (via SkillInstructions Component).

Asset-Based Instructions

Example: Power Strike Skill (Asset-Based)

On Skill Unlocked:
├── Change Stat: +10 Attack Damage
├── Play Audio: unlock_sound.wav
└── Show Message: "Power Strike Learned!"

On Skill Activated:
├── Play Animation: power_strike_cast
├── Wait: 0.3 seconds
└── Spawn Prefab: strike_effect (from Resources)

On Skill Upgrade:
└── Play Audio: rank_up.wav

Scene-Based Instructions

Example: UI Feedback (Scene-Based)

GameObject: "PowerStrike_Instructions"
└── SkillInstructions Component
    ├── Skill: [Power Strike]
    │
    ├── ☑ On Unlocked
    │   └── Instructions:
    │       ├── Set Active: UIPanel "SkillUnlockedPanel" → True
    │       ├── Change Text: TextMeshPro "SkillNameText" → "Power Strike"
    │       ├── Wait: 2 seconds
    │       └── Set Active: UIPanel "SkillUnlockedPanel" → False
    │
    ├── ☑ On Activated
    │   └── Instructions:
    │       ├── Instantiate Prefab: StrikeVFX at Transform "CastPoint"
    │       ├── Camera Shake: MainCamera (intensity 0.5)
    │       └── Set Active: GameObject "ImpactEffect" → True
    │
    └── ☐ On Upgrade (disabled)

Stats Integration

Skills can modify Game Creator 2 Stats when unlocked or upgraded.

Adding Stat Modifiers

1. Select a ProgressionSkill asset
2. In Inspector, find "Stat Modifiers" section
3. Click "Add Stat Modifier"
4. Select Target Stat (from your GC2 Stats)
5. Set Value and Modifier Type

Example: Health Skill

Skill: "Vitality"
├── Type: Passive
├── Max Rank: 5
├── Cost: 1 per rank
└── Stat Modifiers:
    └── Target Stat: Max Health
        ├── Type: Per Rank
        └── Value: +10

Result:
Rank 1 → +10 Health
Rank 2 → +20 Health
Rank 3 → +30 Health
...
Rank 5 → +50 Health

Events & Custom Actions

React to skill events with Game Creator instructions for visual effects, sounds, and gameplay logic.

Available Events

Example: Fireball Skill

Skill: "Fireball"
├── Type: Active
├── On Skill Unlocked:
│   ├── Show Message: "Fireball Learned!"
│   └── Play Audio: magic_learn.wav
│
└── On Skill Activated:
    ├── Play Animation: cast_spell
    ├── Wait: 0.3 seconds
    ├── Spawn Prefab: fireball_projectile
    ├── Wait: 0.5 seconds
    └── Condition: If target hit
        └── Reduce Health: 50 damage

Best Practices

UI Widgets Integration

Progression Tree Builder includes optional UI widgets that provide real-time feedback to players. These are completely optional but highly recommended for better UX.