Get reference of currently interacting NPC

[tostikaas]

I would like to be able to run a script using the reference of the NPC the player is currently in dialog with. I couldn't find a proper function to retrieve this ref. GetActionRef came close but I don't think it's made for a situation like this.

Is there maybe a workaround to detect this ref without tinkering with NPC scripts or dialog? I want to be able to retrieve refs of all NPC's in the game, both vanilla and modded, just by interacting with them.

[jazzisparis]

Unfortunately, as far as I know, there is no function that would enable you to retrieve the dialogue's target reference directly. There is, however, a workaround. It requires NVSE version 3 (or newer).

 

1. Create a new Quest, tick Start Game Enabled and set the Processing Delay to 1.0

 

2. Create a new Script, set Script Type to Quest, and use the following code:

scn	DialogueTargetScript

short	bScan
ref	rActor
ref	rTarget

begin MenuMode 1009

	if bScan == 0
		set bScan to 1
		set rActor to GetFirstRef 200 2 0
		Label 1
		if IsFormValid rActor
			if rActor.GetDialogueTarget == player
				set rTarget to rActor	; Found the dialogue target (now stored in rTarget).
				; Do something.
				Return
			endif
			set rActor to TeddyBear01
			set rActor to GetNextRef
			GoTo 1
		endif
	endif

end

begin GameMode

	if bScan
		set bScan to 0
		set rTarget to 0
	endif

end

3. Return to the Quest from step 1 and select this script from the Script dropbox.

 

This script runs continuously and retrieves the dialogue target's reference, every time you start a conversation with an NPC.

 

 

If you've never worked with NVSE scripts, note that it requires that you launch the GECK via nvse_loader.exe, as described here (2nd paragraph under Installation).

[tostikaas]

Wow thanks for the quick reply. Actually I also found a similar solution. I figured I could use the GetCrosshairRef function, since the player's crosshair is always focused on the NPC when you exit dialog.

 

MyQuestScript

short Dialog

Begin GameMode
	If Player.GetItemCount MyItem < 1
		Player.AddItem MyItem 1
	Endif
End

Begin MenuMode 1009
	If Dialog != 1
		Set Dialog to 1
	Endif
End

MyItemScript

ref CurrentRef

Begin GameMode
	If MyQuest.Dialog == 1
		Set CurrentRef to GetCrosshairRef
		MessageBoxEx "You just talked to: %n" CurrentRef
		Set MyQuest.Dialog to 0
	Endif
End

I tested it and it works. Let's hope it holds up. For instance I'm a bit worried what might happen with talking activators...

 

Thanks again jazzisparis, I will also give GetFirstRef and GetNextRef a try.

Edited January 26, 2014 by tostikaas

[jazzisparis]

 

 

I figured I could use the GetCrosshairRef function, since the player's crosshair is always focused on the NPC when you exit dialog.

Indeed, that is also an option, though considerably less reliable in my opinion. The script I gave you detects the reference immediately when dialogue begins, regardless of where the target NPC/activator is positioned.

 

Also, player.GetCombatTarget is preferable to GetCrosshairRef, since it has a much greater range (and does not rely on NVSE).

[tostikaas]

Ah, I went with GetCrosshairRef because it seemed easier on the engine (no goto loops) but what you say makes sense so even if this is true it'll be a small price to pay for reliability.

 

I had no idea GetDialogueTarget existed by the way, very nice. So in case I want to run the script when either the player or the NPC initiates the conversation, should I use something like:

if rActor.GetDialogueTarget == player || rActor.GetDialogueSubject == player 

Anyways, I think I can figure it out from here. Nogmaals bedankt he :wink:

Edited January 26, 2014 by tostikaas

[jazzisparis]

 

 

Ah, I went with GetCrosshairRef because it seemed easier on the engine (no goto loops) but what you say makes sense so even if this is true it'll be a small price to pay for reliability.

Actually, that loop only runs once, for a single frame, and only when you start dialogue, therefore it has zero effect on performance. However, if you find that the GetCrosshairRef (or GetCombatTarget) method works well, then by all means - use it.

 

 

 

I had no idea GetDialogueTarget existed by the way, very nice. So in case I want to run the script when either the player or the NPC initiates the conversation, should I use something like:

if rActor.GetDialogueTarget == player || rActor.GetDialogueSubject == player

rActor.GetDialogueSubject returns rActor, and is therefore useless. I don't know on which cases (if any) this function can be of use.

 

 

 

Nogmaals bedankt he :wink:

Graag gedaan. ;)