effect · harm_operative_leader

Hands-On Usage

harm_operative_leader is commonly used in intelligence operation event chains to simulate scenarios where operatives encounter countermeasures or are damaged by enemy forces during mission execution. Higher values inflict more severe damage (subject to relevant modifiers). For example, in an option for an operative capture event, you can choose to inflict a certain degree of damage rather than outright elimination:

# In an option for operative mission failure event
option = {
    name = intel_event.1.b
    # Current scope is CHARACTER (the operative itself)
    harm_operative_leader = 12
}

Synergy

• [is_operative](/wiki/trigger/is_operative): Verify the current character is actually an operative before applying damage, preventing the effect from being misapplied to regular generals or advisors.
• [force_operative_leader_into_hiding](/wiki/effect/force_operative_leader_into_hiding): After an operative takes damage, it's common to force them into hiding state; combining these two commands simulates the complete "wounded retreat" sequence.
• [kill_operative](/wiki/effect/kill_operative): When damage values are insufficient to convey narrative intent, use this command as a mutually exclusive alternative, providing separate branches for "fatal wounding" versus "survival with injury".
• [operative_leader_event](/wiki/effect/operative_leader_event): Trigger subsequent events after damage resolution to present narrative content such as operative recovery and organizational retrieval.

Common Pitfalls

1. Numeric value does not equal fixed damage reduction: This value is affected by national and character-related modifiers, so actual damage inflicted may be significantly higher or lower than the number entered. Do not assume that entering 12 means precisely deducting 12 HP—during testing, you must verify results both with and without modifiers applied.
2. Scope must be CHARACTER and must be an operative: If this command is invoked under the scope of a non-operative character (such as an army general), the game will not error but the effect will not trigger. It is recommended to pair this with [is_operative](/wiki/trigger/is_operative) as a prerequisite check.