How to create a fixed movement path for weapon to move around character?

Development Character & Animation
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1

Hi, I’m looking to create attacks that function similar to Aquila from DmC where the weapon is detached from the player character, and moves around the character but I’m not sure what the best way to do so is.

I thought to create a spline that is attached to the character, and when the move is activated, the weapon is spawned and follows the spline. However, it is hard to time when the weapon returns to the character and when the animation of catching the weapon resumes.

Ideally I would want to be able to animate it as part of the attack animation itself but I’m not sure how to. Thanks in advance!

2

I don’t know if this is best practice or necessarily the best way, but another option is attaching the weapon to a spring arm component, similar to the follow camera. This would at least provide a rigid attachment, though I haven’t thought through the specifics.

Or, if you can create one, it may be best to make a Niagara particle version of your weapon(s) and follow the usual route, since Niagara handles orbiting by default.

Just some ideas…