Staredit Network > Forums > Modding Assistance > Topic: Documenting my Stealth Dark Archon conundrum
Documenting my Stealth Dark Archon conundrum
Apr 10 2026, 8:16 am
By: NimoStar  

Apr 10 2026, 8:16 am NimoStar Post #1



Just setting units to be permanently cloaked works for mosts units

However, Archons are not one of those units...

I mean, all the mechanics work. It's just the graphics that don't work

You set it, and load a map with Dark Archons. Everything good so far.

But when you make a new dark archon, it doesn't have the cloaking effect. It just looks as "no remap" and has full opacity. In fact, the uncloak effect plays when merging.

This is related to several things:
* The fact that Dark Templar are already cloaked
* The fact that there is a special merging/"birthing" phase before the Archon is done, and its unit properties are not yet fully applied (similar to building in construction)
-> There is a discontinuity in between cloaked dark templar -> Uncloaked merging phase (with transition) -> Finished Dark Archon doesn't recloak
* The fact that Dark Archons are multi-part units: They have the "energy" (main image), the "being" (turns, may animate) and the "swirl" (teamcolor particle)

As an alternative, I can set the "energy" (main part) to always appear with a cloaked effect; but then the enemy always sees *that* instead of a distortion, even though it still can't attack it, which is confusing (only the swirls would indicate if it has been detected or not).

I Have been going back and forth and trying different settings for literally *months* and its one of the main obstacles to finally releasing my mod.

I will keep trying. But if anyone has any ideas, let me know

IN attached picture: Made Dark Archons are completely opaque while pre-placed ones have a cloaking effect

Attachments:
2026-04-10 04_42_09-Settings.png
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Donald -- Samase
[2026-10-09. : 2:53 am]
Mr.BurnLiquid -- Symmetry
Symmetry shouted: I'll check it out this weekend!
Thanks
[2026-10-09. : 2:47 am]
Symmetry -- I'll check it out this weekend!
[2026-10-09. : 2:40 am]
Mr.BurnLiquid -- Symmetry
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I invite you to try out the map I modified. I don't have the creativity to create maps from scratch, but I do have the know-how to modify existing ones; my project is to tweak community campaigns (specifically those with errors—to make them playable.
[2026-10-09. : 2:27 am]
Symmetry -- Another map maker? Damn we really ARE back
[2026-10-09. : 1:51 am]
Mr.BurnLiquid -- Ultraviolet
Ultraviolet shouted: Mr.BurnLiquid actually yeah though I wasn't really saying it to narc on you. It just caught me off guard because I don't usually see it (because it's against the rules) "The avatar may not be bigger than 150x150 pixels". Kinda silly that it relies on users to be well behaved rather than just limiting the dimensions on uploads :lol:
Now that I wanted to change my avatar, the error image is showing up, haha.
[2026-10-09. : 1:34 am]
Mr.BurnLiquid -- Ultraviolet
Ultraviolet shouted: Mr.BurnLiquid actually yeah though I wasn't really saying it to narc on you. It just caught me off guard because I don't usually see it (because it's against the rules) "The avatar may not be bigger than 150x150 pixels". Kinda silly that it relies on users to be well behaved rather than just limiting the dimensions on uploads :lol:
Mr.BurnLiquid
Mr.BurnLiquid shouted: Ultraviolet Thanks; I'm new to the site and a Spanish speaker. I must have missed the part where it was prohibited—I'll change it now.
I invite you to try out a mission I'm modifying from *StarCraft Reversed*; I'm trying to make it more playable and challenging.
[2026-10-09. : 1:33 am]
Mr.BurnLiquid -- Ultraviolet
Ultraviolet shouted: Mr.BurnLiquid actually yeah though I wasn't really saying it to narc on you. It just caught me off guard because I don't usually see it (because it's against the rules) "The avatar may not be bigger than 150x150 pixels". Kinda silly that it relies on users to be well behaved rather than just limiting the dimensions on uploads :lol:
Thanks; I'm new to the site and a Spanish speaker. I must have missed the part where it was prohibited—I'll change it now.
[2026-10-09. : 1:31 am]
Ultraviolet -- Mr.BurnLiquid
Mr.BurnLiquid shouted: Ultraviolet Is it forbidden to have a large avatar?
actually yeah though I wasn't really saying it to narc on you. It just caught me off guard because I don't usually see it (because it's against the rules) "The avatar may not be bigger than 150x150 pixels". Kinda silly that it relies on users to be well behaved rather than just limiting the dimensions on uploads :lol:
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