Creating Custom Hytale Entities

Complete guide for defining custom entities with AI, components, spawning, and animations.

When to use this skill

Use this skill when:

• Creating new entity types (mobs, NPCs, creatures)
• Designing AI behaviors with sensors and actions
• Setting up entity spawning rules
• Adding custom entity components
• Configuring entity animations and models
• Creating interactive NPCs

Entity Architecture Overview

Hytale uses an ECS (Entity Component System) architecture:

• Entity: Container with unique ID
• Components: Data attached to entities
• Systems: Logic that processes components

Entity Hierarchy

Entity
├── LivingEntity (has health, inventory, stats)
│   ├── Player
│   └── NPCEntity (has AI role, pathfinding)
├── BlockEntity (block-attached entities)
├── ProjectileEntity
└── ItemEntity (dropped items)

Entity Asset Structure

my-plugin/
└── assets/
    └── Server/
        └── Content/
            ├── Entities/
            │   └── my_creature.entity
            ├── Roles/
            │   └── my_creature_role.role
            └── Spawns/
                └── my_creature_spawn.spawn

Basic Entity Definition

File: my_creature.entity

{
  "DisplayName": {
    "en-US": "Custom Creature"
  },
  "Model": "MyPlugin/Models/custom_creature",
  "Health": 20,
  "MovementSpeed": 1.0,
  "Role": "MyPlugin:CustomCreatureRole",
  "Tags": {
    "Type": ["Monster", "Hostile"]
  }
}

Entity Properties Reference

Core Properties

Property	Type	Description
DisplayName	LocalizedString	Entity name
Model	String	Model asset reference
Health	Float	Maximum health
Role	String	AI role reference
Team	String	Team/faction ID
Tags	Object	Classification tags

Physical Properties

Property	Type	Default	Description
MovementSpeed	Float	1.0	Base move speed
BoundingBox	Object	auto	Collision box
Mass	Float	1.0	Physics mass
Gravity	Float	1.0	Gravity multiplier
CanSwim	Boolean	false	Can swim in water
CanFly	Boolean	false	Can fly
StepHeight	Float	0.5	Max step-up height

Combat Properties

Property	Type	Description
AttackDamage	Float	Base attack damage
AttackSpeed	Float	Attacks per second
AttackRange	Float	Melee attack range
Armor	Float	Damage reduction
KnockbackResistance	Float	Knockback reduction

Visual Properties

Property	Type	Description
Scale	Float	Model scale
RenderDistance	Float	Max render distance
ShadowSize	Float	Shadow radius
GlowColor	Color	Outline glow color
Particles	String	Ambient particles

AI Role System

NPCs are controlled by Roles containing Instructions with:

• Sensors: Conditions for activation
• BodyMotion: Movement behavior
• HeadMotion: Look behavior
• Actions: Effects to execute

Basic Role Definition

File: my_creature_role.role

{
  "MotionController": "Walk",
  "DefaultInstruction": {
    "Sensor": {
      "Type": "Always"
    },
    "BodyMotion": {
      "Type": "Wander",
      "Speed": 0.5,
      "Radius": 10
    },
    "HeadMotion": {
      "Type": "Nothing"
    }
  },
  "Instructions": [
    {
      "Priority": 10,
      "Sensor": {
        "Type": "SensorPlayer",
        "Range": 15,
        "Condition": "Visible"
      },
      "BodyMotion": {
        "Type": "Pursue",
        "Target": "Player",
        "Speed": 1.0
      },
      "HeadMotion": {
        "Type": "Watch",
        "Target": "Player"
      },
      "Actions": [
        {
          "Type": "Attack",
          "Range": 2.0,
          "Damage": 5,
          "Cooldown": 1.0
        }
      ]
    }
  ]
}

Motion Controllers

Controller	Description
Walk	Ground-based movement
Fly	Aerial movement
Dive	Swimming movement
Hover	Stationary flight

Sensor Types

Sensor	Description	Parameters
Always	Always true	-
Never	Always false	-
Random	Random chance	Chance
SensorPlayer	Detect players	Range, Condition
SensorEntity	Detect entities	Range, EntityType, Tags
SensorDamage	When damaged	Threshold
SensorHealth	Health check	Below, Above
SensorTime	Time of day	DayTime, NightTime
SensorNav	Navigation state	HasPath, AtDestination
SensorDistance	Distance check	Target, Min, Max

Body Motion Types

Motion	Description	Parameters
Wander	Random wandering	Speed, Radius, IdleTime
Pursue	Chase target	Target, Speed, StopDistance
Flee	Run from target	Target, Speed, SafeDistance
MoveTo	Go to position	Position, Speed
MoveAway	Move away	Target, Distance
Patrol	Follow path	Waypoints, Speed
Circle	Circle target	Target, Radius, Speed
Stay	Don't move	-
TakeOff	Start flying	-
Land	Stop flying	-
Teleport	Instant move	Position

Head Motion Types

Motion	Description	Parameters
Watch	Look at target	Target
Aim	Aim at target	Target, Offset
Look	Look direction	Direction
Nothing	Don't control head	-

Action Types

Action	Description	Parameters
Attack	Melee attack	Damage, Range, Cooldown
RangedAttack	Projectile attack	Projectile, Speed, Cooldown
ApplyEntityEffect	Apply effect	Effect, Duration, Target
PlaySound	Play sound	Sound, Volume
SpawnEntity	Spawn entity	Entity, Count
SetStat	Modify stat	Stat, Value
SetFlag	Set flag	Flag, Value
Notify	Trigger event	Event, Data
Wait	Delay	Duration

Complex AI Example

Aggressive mob with multiple behaviors:

{
  "MotionController": "Walk",
  "CombatRange": 2.0,
  "AggroRange": 20,
  "LeashRange": 40,
  
  "DefaultInstruction": {
    "Sensor": { "Type": "Always" },
    "BodyMotion": {
      "Type": "Wander",
      "Speed": 0.4,
      "Radius": 15,
      "IdleTime": { "Min": 2, "Max": 5 }
    },
    "HeadMotion": { "Type": "Nothing" }
  },
  
  "Instructions": [
    {
      "Name": "ReturnToLeash",
      "Priority": 100,
      "Sensor": {
        "Type": "SensorDistance",
        "Target": "LeashPosition",
        "Min": 40
      },
      "BodyMotion": {
        "Type": "MoveTo",
        "Target": "LeashPosition",
        "Speed": 1.5
      }
    },
    {
      "Name": "AttackPlayer",
      "Priority": 50,
      "Sensor": {
        "Type": "And",
        "Sensors": [
          {
            "Type": "SensorPlayer",
            "Range": 2.5,
            "Condition": "Visible"
          },
          {
            "Type": "SensorCooldown",
            "Cooldown": "AttackCooldown",
            "Ready": true
          }
        ]
      },
      "BodyMotion": { "Type": "Stay" },
      "HeadMotion": {
        "Type": "Aim",
        "Target": "Player"
      },
      "Actions": [
        {
          "Type": "Attack",
          "Damage": 8,
          "Animation": "attack_swing"
        },
        {
          "Type": "SetCooldown",
          "Cooldown": "AttackCooldown",
          "Duration": 1.5
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "Name": "ChasePlayer",
      "Priority": 40,
      "Sensor": {
        "Type": "SensorPlayer",
        "Range": 20,
        "Condition": "Visible"
      },
      "BodyMotion": {
        "Type": "Pursue",
        "Target": "Player",
        "Speed": 1.0,
        "StopDistance": 1.5
      },
      "HeadMotion": {
        "Type": "Watch",
        "Target": "Player"
      }
    },
    {
      "Name": "FleeWhenLow",
      "Priority": 60,
      "Sensor": {
        "Type": "And",
        "Sensors": [
          { "Type": "SensorHealth", "Below": 0.25 },
          { "Type": "SensorPlayer", "Range": 15 }
        ]
      },
      "BodyMotion": {
        "Type": "Flee",
        "Target": "Player",
        "Speed": 1.3,
        "SafeDistance": 25
      }
    }
  ]
}

Entity Spawning

Define where and when entities spawn:

Spawn Point Configuration

File: my_creature_spawn.spawn

{
  "Entity": "MyPlugin:CustomCreature",
  "SpawnWeight": 10,
  "GroupSize": { "Min": 1, "Max": 3 },
  "SpawnConditions": {
    "Biomes": ["Plains", "Forest"],
    "TimeOfDay": {
      "Start": 0.75,
      "End": 0.25
    },
    "LightLevel": { "Max": 7 },
    "MoonPhase": ["Full", "Waning"],
    "Weather": ["Clear", "Cloudy"],
    "Surface": true
  },
  "SpawnCooldown": 300,
  "MaxNearby": 4,
  "NearbyCheckRadius": 32
}

Spawn Beacon (Block-based spawning)

{
  "Type": "Beacon",
  "Entity": "MyPlugin:CustomCreature",
  "SpawnRadius": 10,
  "SpawnInterval": 100,
  "MaxSpawns": 5,
  "DespawnDistance": 64,
  "RequiredBlock": "MyPlugin:SpawnerBlock"
}

Custom Entity Components

Create custom data components:

Component Definition

public class MyEntityData implements Component<EntityStore> {
    public static final BuilderCodec<MyEntityData> CODEC = BuilderCodec.builder(
        Codec.INT.required().fieldOf("Level"),
        Codec.STRING.optionalFieldOf("CustomName", ""),
        Codec.BOOL.optionalFieldOf("IsEnraged", false)
    ).constructor(MyEntityData::new);
    
    private int level;
    private String customName;
    private boolean isEnraged;
    
    public MyEntityData() {
        this(1, "", false);
    }
    
    public MyEntityData(int level, String customName, boolean isEnraged) {
        this.level = level;
        this.customName = customName;
        this.isEnraged = isEnraged;
    }
    
    // Getters and setters
    public int getLevel() { return level; }
    public void setLevel(int level) { this.level = level; }
    public String getCustomName() { return customName; }
    public void setCustomName(String name) { this.customName = name; }
    public boolean isEnraged() { return isEnraged; }
    public void setEnraged(boolean enraged) { this.isEnraged = enraged; }
}

Component Registration

@Override
protected void setup() {
    ComponentType<EntityStore, MyEntityData> myDataType = 
        getEntityStoreRegistry().registerComponent(
            MyEntityData.class,
            "myPluginEntityData",
            MyEntityData.CODEC
        );
}

Custom Entity Systems

Process entities with matching components:

Tick System

public class EnrageSystem extends TickSystem<EntityStore> {
    private ComponentAccess<EntityStore, MyEntityData> myData;
    private ComponentAccess<EntityStore, HealthComponent> health;
    
    @Override
    protected void register(Store<EntityStore> store) {
        myData = registerComponent(MyEntityData.class);
        health = registerComponent(HealthComponent.class);
    }
    
    @Override
    public void tick(
        int index,
        ArchetypeChunk<EntityStore> chunk,
        Store<EntityStore> store,
        CommandBuffer<EntityStore> buffer
    ) {
        MyEntityData data = myData.get(chunk, index);
        HealthComponent hp = health.getOptional(chunk, index);
        
        if (hp != null && hp.getPercent() < 0.25f && !data.isEnraged()) {
            data.setEnraged(true);
            // Apply enrage buff
        }
    }
}

Event System

public class MyDamageHandler extends EntityEventSystem<EntityStore, Damage> {
    private ComponentAccess<EntityStore, MyEntityData> myData;
    
    public MyDamageHandler() {
        super(Damage.class);
    }
    
    @Override
    protected void register(Store<EntityStore> store) {
        myData = registerComponent(MyEntityData.class);
    }
    
    @Override
    public void handle(
        int index,
        ArchetypeChunk<EntityStore> chunk,
        Store<EntityStore> store,
        CommandBuffer<EntityStore> buffer,
        Damage damage
    ) {
        MyEntityData data = myData.getOptional(chunk, index);
        if (data != null && data.isEnraged()) {
            // Reduce damage when enraged
            damage.setAmount(damage.getAmount() * 0.5f);
        }
    }
}

Entity Registration in Plugin

@Override
protected void setup() {
    // Register components
    ComponentType<EntityStore, MyEntityData> dataType = 
        getEntityStoreRegistry().registerComponent(
            MyEntityData.class,
            "myEntityData", 
            MyEntityData.CODEC
        );
    
    // Register systems
    getEntityStoreRegistry().registerSystem(new EnrageSystem());
    getEntityStoreRegistry().registerSystem(new MyDamageHandler());
    
    // Register custom sensors
    getCodecRegistry(Sensor.CODEC).register(
        "MySensor", MySensor.class, MySensor.CODEC
    );
    
    // Register custom actions
    getCodecRegistry(Action.CODEC).register(
        "MyAction", MyAction.class, MyAction.CODEC
    );
}

NPC Interactions

Create interactive NPCs:

{
  "DisplayName": { "en-US": "Village Merchant" },
  "Model": "MyPlugin/Models/merchant",
  "Role": "MyPlugin:MerchantRole",
  "IsInteractable": true,
  "Interactions": {
    "Use": "MyPlugin:OpenShop"
  },
  "DialogueTree": "MyPlugin:MerchantDialogue",
  "Schedule": {
    "06:00-18:00": "WorkAtShop",
    "18:00-22:00": "Wander",
    "22:00-06:00": "Sleep"
  }
}

Complete Example: Boss Entity

{
  "DisplayName": {
    "en-US": "Shadow Guardian"
  },
  "Description": {
    "en-US": "Ancient protector of the dark temple"
  },
  "Model": "MyPlugin/Models/shadow_guardian",
  "Scale": 2.0,
  "Health": 500,
  "Armor": 10,
  "AttackDamage": 20,
  "MovementSpeed": 0.8,
  "KnockbackResistance": 0.8,
  "Role": "MyPlugin:ShadowGuardianRole",
  "BossBar": {
    "Enabled": true,
    "Color": "Purple",
    "Style": "Notched"
  },
  "Loot": "MyPlugin:ShadowGuardianLoot",
  "DeathSound": "MyPlugin/Sounds/boss_death",
  "AmbientSound": {
    "Sound": "MyPlugin/Sounds/dark_ambient",
    "Interval": 5
  },
  "Particles": "MyPlugin/Particles/shadow_aura",
  "GlowColor": { "R": 0.5, "G": 0.0, "B": 0.8 },
  "Tags": {
    "Type": ["Boss", "Undead", "Hostile"]
  }
}

Troubleshooting

Entity Not Spawning

1. Check spawn conditions match environment
2. Verify spawn weight is > 0
3. Check MaxNearby limit
4. Ensure biome/time conditions are met

AI Not Working

1. Verify Role reference is correct
2. Check sensor conditions are achievable
3. Ensure instruction priorities are ordered
4. Debug with /npc debug command

Components Not Saving

1. Ensure CODEC is defined correctly
2. Register with unique string ID
3. Check serialization in logs

See references/entity-components.md for built-in components. See references/ai-sensors.md for all sensor types. See references/ai-actions.md for all action types.