Apply Status

What is ApplyStatus?

ApplyStatus is a skill action in Cowculator that applies a status effect (buff or debuff) to a target during battle. This action is used to grant beneficial effects to allies or inflict negative effects on enemies.

How ApplyStatus Works

The ApplyStatus object in a SkillAction contains a status_to_apply field, which must be a valid Status object. The status can be any supported buff or debuff.

Replace vs Stack (models)

There are two common policies for handling re-applications of a status with the same name:

• Replace model: only one instance exists; new application overwrites the old (duration and data are replaced).
• Stack model: multiple instances may coexist (up to max_stacks); each application adds a stack and stacks may combine or track their own durations.

Status Stacking Behavior

When a status with the same name is applied to a target, behavior depends on the status fields and the model the game uses:

• If allow_multiple is false (default): the new application will replace the existing status instance. Replacement typically overwrites duration and data with the new status payload.
• If allow_multiple is true: multiple instances are allowed. New applications will add a stack (up to max_stacks), and may extend duration. Use max_stacks to limit how many simultaneous instances can exist.

Note: "replace" vs "stack" semantics can vary by implementation (for example, some systems refresh duration instead of fully overwriting). The examples below follow this simple replace-or-stack model.

Example: Apply an Attack Buff

{
    "skill_id": "1004",
    "name": "Attack Up Up",
    "chance": 1.0,
    "actions": [
        {
            "type": "apply_status",
            "status_to_apply": {
                "name": "Attack Up Up",
                "data": {
                    "type": "stats_up",
                    "data": [{ "stat": "attack", "value": 1.5 }]
                },
                "duration": 3,
                "target_type": "self",
                "max_stacks": 3,
                "allow_multiple": true
            }
        }
    ],
    "energy_cost": 40
}

Example: Apply a DOT Debuff

{
    "skill_id": "1005",
    "name": "Poison Venom",
    "chance": 1.0,
    "actions": [
        {
            "type": "apply_status",
            "status_to_apply": {
                "name": "Poison",
                "data": {
                    "type": "dot",
                    "damage_type": "current_health_percent",
                    "value": 0.1
                },
                "duration": 2,
                "target_type": "enemy",
                "max_stacks": 1,
                "allow_multiple": false
            }
        }
    ],
    "energy_cost": 40
}