Better Dash | RPG Maker MZ Plugin

"Better Dash" enhances the default RPG Maker MZ dash system with a comprehensive stamina management system, dynamic visual effects, and improved player feedback. Transform basic dashing into an engaging gameplay mechanic with trails, particles, character tilting, and customizable stamina depletion.

Key Features

⚡ Dynamic Stamina System

• Configurable drain and regeneration - Adjust stamina rates to your liking
• Cooldown mechanic - Requires full recharge after depletion
• Variable-based max stamina - Link to game variables for dynamic progression
• Plugin command control - Enable/disable system on the fly
• Visual gauge with fade effects - Shows current stamina in real-time

🎨 Customizable Stamina Gauge

• Simple Bar - Colored bar with configurable size and color
• Custom Images - Use your own background and fill graphics
• Fixed Position - Static screen placement
• Follow Player - Gauge floats above player character
• Auto-fade - Fades out when not dashing for clean UI

💨 Visual Effects

• Dust Particles - Spawns behind player while dashing
• Afterimage Trails - Fading ghostly copies of the character
• Character Tilt - Sprite tilts 5° when dashing sideways
• Camera scroll compatible - Effects stay in world position
• Movement-based - Only appears when actually moving

🔊 Sound & Interaction

• Customizable dash sound effect
• Dash Switch for event triggers
• System Enable Switch for master control
• Works with player and followers

Plugin Parameters

System Settings

System Enable Switch ID

• Default: 0 (always enabled)
• Switch ID to control the entire Better Dash system
• When OFF: All features disabled, reverts to default dash

Dash Switch ID

• Default: 0 (disabled)
• Switch automatically turns ON while dashing
• Use in events to react to player dash state

Stamina Settings

Enable Stamina System

• Default: ON
• Master toggle for stamina mechanics

Max Stamina Type

• Default: Fixed Value
• Options: Fixed Value, Game Variable
• Link to a variable for dynamic max stamina

Max Stamina (Fixed)

• Default: 100
• Maximum stamina value when using fixed type

Max Stamina Variable ID

• Default: 0
• Variable ID for max stamina when using variable type
• Useful for upgrades, equipment, or level-based systems

Stamina Drain Rate

• Default: 2.00
• How much stamina drains per frame while dashing

Stamina Regen Rate

• Default: 1.00
• How much stamina regenerates per frame when not dashing

Require Full Recharge

• Default: ON
• Stamina must fully recharge before dashing again after depletion
• Prevents infinite micro-dashing

Gauge Settings

Show Stamina Bar

• Default: ON
• Display the stamina gauge on screen

Use Image Gauge

• Default: OFF
• Use custom images instead of simple colored bar
• Images should be placed in img/system/ folder

Gauge Background Image

• Default: dash_gauge_bg
• Filename for background gauge image (without extension)

Gauge Fill Image

• Default: dash_gauge_fill
• Filename for fill gauge image (without extension)
• Clipped horizontally based on current stamina percentage

Position Type

• Default: Fixed
• Options: Fixed, Above Player
• Fixed: Static screen position
• Above Player: Follows player with offset

X Position

• Default: 10 px
• Horizontal position (fixed position type only)

Y Position

• Default: 10 px
• Vertical position (fixed position type only)

Offset Y

• Default: -60 px
• Vertical offset above player (above_player position type only)

Bar Width

• Default: 200 px
• Width of stamina bar (simple bar only)

Bar Height

• Default: 10 px
• Height of stamina bar (simple bar only)

Bar Color

• Default: <span class="inline-block w-3 h-3 border-[0.5px] border-border-200 rounded flex-shrink-0 shadow-sm mr-1 align-middle" style="background-color: #00ff00;"></span>#00ff00(green)
• Color of stamina bar (simple bar only, hex format)

Fade When Not Dashing

• Default: ON
• Gauge fades out when player stops dashing

Gauge Fade Speed

• Default: 15
• Speed of fade in/out animation (higher = faster)

Particle Settings

Enable Dust Particles

• Default: ON
• Show particle effects while dashing

Particle Count

• Default: 3
• Number of particles spawned per frame

Particle Lifetime

• Default: 20 frames
• How long particles persist before fading out

Only While Moving

• Default: ON
• Particles only spawn when actually moving
• Prevents particle spam when standing still

Trail Settings

Enable Trail Effect

• Default: ON
• Show afterimage trail while dashing

Trail Opacity

• Default: 100
• Range: 0-255
• Starting opacity of trail images

Trail Fade Speed

• Default: 15
• How quickly trails fade out

Trail Interval

• Default: 4 frames
• Frames between each trail spawn

Apply to Followers

• Default: ON
• Apply trail effect to follower characters

Sound Settings

Enable Dash Sound

• Default: ON
• Play sound effect when starting to dash

Dash Sound File

• Default: Run
• SE filename from audio/se/ folder (without extension)

Dash Sound Volume

• Default: 50
• Range: 0-100
• Volume of dash sound effect

Tilt Settings

Enable Tilt

• Default: ON
• Tilt character sprite while dashing

Tilt Angle

• Default: 5.0 degrees
• Angle of character tilt (positive values)
• Only applies when moving left/right

Apply to Followers

• Default: ON
• Apply tilt effect to follower characters

Plugin Commands

Enable Stamina System

• Turns on the stamina system dynamically
• Useful for abilities or temporary power-ups

Disable Stamina System

• Turns off the stamina system dynamically
• Automatically resets stamina to maximum

Set Stamina

• Set current stamina to a specific value
• Parameter: Stamina Value (number, min: 0)
• Useful for events, cutscenes, or scripted moments

Usage Examples

Dynamic Stamina with Variables

Set Max Stamina Type to "Game Variable" and link it to a variable. Update the variable through equipment changes (Light Armor = 120 stamina, Heavy Armor = 80 stamina), level progression (50 + Level × 5), character stats (Agility × 2), or temporary buffs from items or skills.

Event Integration

Use the Dash Switch to trigger events such as pressure plates that only activate when dashing, speed-based puzzles, special interactions requiring momentum, or enemy AI that reacts to player sprint.

Upgrade Systems

Combine Plugin Commands with your progression system: unlock infinite dash by disabling the Stamina System, create stamina potions that Set Stamina to maximum, or provide temporary boost items that Set Stamina above normal max.

Technical Notes

• All visual effects use world coordinates and work correctly with camera scrolling
• Smooth interpolation prevents flickering on character tilt
• Particles and trails are properly cleaned up to prevent memory leaks
• Compatible with default MZ controls (keyboard, gamepad, touch)
• System Enable Switch allows complete feature toggling mid-game