Master the Shadows: Dash-Attack Mechanics Breakdown

Speed is everything for a ninja. I’ve successfully refined the core combat mechanics to include a high-speed dash attack. By combining C# coroutines with polished animations, the character now executes a seamless ‘dash-strike-return’ maneuver that elevates the overall gameplay experience.

using UnityEngine;
using System.Collections;

public class PlayerController : MonoBehaviour
{
    private Animator anim;
    private bool isAttackingAction = false; // Manages the overall state of the attack sequence

    [Header("Attack Settings")]
    public float myAttackSpeed = 1.0f; // Animation playback speed
    private float timer = 0f;

    [Header("Dash & Return Settings")]
    public float dashDistance = 2.0f;    // Distance to dash forward
    public float dashDuration = 0.1f;    // Duration of the forward dash (fast)
    public float stayDuration = 0.2f;    // Time spent at the attack point
    public float returnDuration = 0.3f;  // Duration of the return movement

    [Header("Effect Settings")]
    public ParticleSystem punchParticle;
    public Transform hitPointTransform;

    void Start()
    {
        anim = GetComponent<Animator>();
    }

    void Update()
    {
        // Increased delay to account for the return movement duration
        float attackDelay = (0.5f / myAttackSpeed) + 1.2f; 
        timer += Time.deltaTime;

        // Execute attack when the timer exceeds the delay and no attack is currently in progress
        if (timer >= attackDelay && !isAttackingAction)
        {
            ExecuteAttack();
            timer = 0f;
        }
    }

    void ExecuteAttack()
    {
        // Trigger animations and set speed
        anim.SetFloat("atkSpeed", myAttackSpeed);
        anim.SetTrigger("doKick");

        // Play particle effects at the designated HitPoint
        if (punchParticle != null)
        {
            punchParticle.transform.position = hitPointTransform.position;
            punchParticle.Play();
        }

        // Start the Dash-Strike-Return coroutine sequence
        StartCoroutine(HitAndRunSequence());
    }

    IEnumerator HitAndRunSequence()
    {
        isAttackingAction = true;

        Vector3 originalPos = transform.position; // Store the starting position
        Vector3 targetPos = originalPos + (transform.right * dashDistance);

        // 1. Forward Dash: Move quickly toward the target
        float elapsed = 0f;
        while (elapsed < dashDuration)
        {
            transform.position = Vector3.Lerp(originalPos, targetPos, elapsed / dashDuration);
            elapsed += Time.deltaTime;
            yield return null;
        }
        transform.position = targetPos;

        // 2. Strike Window: Wait briefly while the strike animation plays
        yield return new WaitForSeconds(stayDuration);

        // 3. Return: Smoothly move back to the original starting position
        elapsed = 0f;
        while (elapsed < returnDuration)
        {
            transform.position = Vector3.Lerp(targetPos, originalPos, elapsed / returnDuration);
            elapsed += Time.deltaTime;
            yield return null;
        }
        transform.position = originalPos;

        isAttackingAction = false; // Sequence complete
    }
}