Target Lock Ability

The Target Lock Ability is part of the Target Lock System. It is responsible for collecting targets, using the Gameplay Targeting System and registering them in the Target Manager.

Since a target lock can happen at any time, whenever a key is pressed or an event is received, this ability should be granted to characters by default.

Targeting Presents

The Target Lock Ability supports two Targeting Presets:

Targeting Preset: Main targeting preset used when the ability activates.
Next Targeting Preset: An optional present used, when Move to Next Targets is enabled. If set to null, the main preset is used.

Distance Tracking

You can optionally track the distance between the avatar and the current target. When tracked, a threshold is established and if the distance is bigger than that value, the target will be unlocked.

Event Activation

Normally, a player would activate the Target Lock Ability by pressing a certain key or button. In these cases you can activate the ability normally, via its Gameplay Tags or Ability Class.

But there might be some situations where the Target Lock Ability should be activated as a consequence of another gameplay circumstance or event. For example:

Automated targeting, where an incoming attacker is automatically targeted.
AI integration, where the perception system automatically locks on the perceived actor.

For those scenarios, the Target Lock Ability can be activated via a Gameplay Event. To that end, this ability will always listen to Gameplay Events represented by these gameplay tags:

Gameplay Tag	Description
`Combat.Event.Target.Acquired`	Requests the ability to lock on a target in the payload.
`Combat.Event.Target.Dismissed`	Requests the ability to unlock from the current target.

Target Acquired Gameplay Event

To lock on a pre-determined, you can send the appropriate Gameplay Event, providing the actor in the payload.

void APluginLabsCharacter::LockOnTarget(AActor* NewTarget)
{
    // The Native Gameplay Tag is provided by "NinjaCombatTags.h".
    const FGameplayTag EventTag = Tag_Combat_Event_Target_Acquired;

    UAbilitySystemComponent* AbilityComponent = UAbilitySystemGlobals::GetAbilitySystemComponentFromActor(this);
    if (IsValid(AbilityComponent))
    {
        FGameplayEventData Payload;
        Payload.EventTag = EventTag;
        Payload.Instigator = this;
        Payload.Target = this;
        Payload.OptionalObject = NewTarget;
        AbilityComponent->HandleGameplayEvent(EventTag, &Payload);
    }
}

Target Dismissed Gameplay Event

To dismiss the current target, you can send the appropriate Gameplay Event, without any additional actors.

void APluginLabsCharacter::DismissCurrentTarget()
{
    // The Native Gameplay Tag is provided by "NinjaCombatTags.h".
    const FGameplayTag EventTag = Tag_Combat_Event_Target_Dismissed;

    UAbilitySystemComponent* AbilityComponent = UAbilitySystemGlobals::GetAbilitySystemComponentFromActor(this);
    if (IsValid(AbilityComponent))
    {
        FGameplayEventData Payload;
        Payload.EventTag = EventTag;
        Payload.Instigator = this;
        Payload.Target = this;
        AbilityComponent->HandleGameplayEvent(EventTag, &Payload);
    }
}

Last modified: 14 September 2025