Unity Projectile -4- How to Implement a Missile that Tracks an Enemy in Unity.

 

 

How to Implement a Missile that Tracks an Enemy in Unity

This guide explains how to create a missile in Unity that moves towards an enemy and follows the enemy's movement. This feature enhances gameplay and adds dynamic interactions.

 

1. Update the Missile.cs Script

To modify the missile script so that it follows the enemy, you can implement the following changes. The missile will continuously update its target position in the Update method. Here's how you can do it.

Modify your Missile script to ensure it tracks the enemy's position dynamically:

 public class Missile : MonoBehaviour
 {
     Rigidbody rb;

     public float force = 10f;

     public GameObject muzzleFx;
     public GameObject destroyFx;

     //Add Target.
     public Transform target;

     private void Awake()
     {
         rb = GetComponent<Rigidbody>();
     }
     private void OnEnable()
     {
         rb.AddForce(transform.forward * force, ForceMode.VelocityChange);
         
         Instantiate(muzzleFx, transform.position, transform.rotation);
     }

     //Add.
     //Set the target to the enemy.
     public void SetTarget(Transform target)
     {
         this.target = target;
     }

     //Add.
     private void FixedUpdate()
     {
         if(target != null)
         {
             //Rotate missile towards the enemy.
             Vector3 direction =(target.position - transform.position).normalized;
             Quaternion lookRotation  = Quaternion.LookRotation(direction);
             transform.rotation = Quaternion.Slerp(transform.rotation, lookRotation, Time.fixedDeltaTime * force);

             //Move the missile to target.
             transform.position += direction * force * Time.fixedDeltaTime;
         }
     }

     private void OnTriggerEnter(Collider other)
     {
         
         Instantiate(destroyFx, transform.position, transform.rotation);

         
         Destroy(gameObject);
     }
 }

 

 

2. Update the Player.cs Script

To modify the player.cs script so that it creates a missile and assigns the enemy as its target when fired, follow these steps:

    public class Player : MonoBehaviour
    {
        public Missile missilePrefab;  
        public Transform firePoint; 

        public GameObject enemy;

        void Update()
        {
            if (Input.GetKeyDown(KeyCode.Space))  
            {
                FireMissile();
            }
        }

        void FireMissile()
        {
            //Determine the direction of the enemy.
            var enemyDir = (enemy.transform.position - transform.position).normalized;
            
            //Look directly at the enemy direction.
            var lookRotation =  Quaternion.LookRotation(enemyDir);
            firePoint.rotation = lookRotation;

            //Missile Instantiate. 
            // Instantiate the missile and store it in a variable
            Missile spawnMissile = Instantiate(missilePrefab, firePoint.position, firePoint.rotation);

            //Add. Pass the enemy to the missile.
           spawnMissile.SetTarget(enemy.transform);
    }
 

In this example, the SetTarget method in the Missile class is used to assign the enemy's transform to the missile. 

This allows the missile to track the enemy effectively.

 
 
Conclusion.

 by following the steps outlined in this guide, you've successfully implemented a missile system in Unity that tracks and follows an enemy.You modified the Missile script to dynamically adjust its direction based on the enemy's position, and you updated the Player script to instantiate the missile and assign the target.

This functionality enhances the gameplay experience by adding dynamic interactions and challenges. You can further customize the missile's behavior, speed, and enemy movement patterns to suit your game's design. Happy coding, and best of luck with your game!