Note: This mod has been superseded by Timed Directional Attacks, which has been bundled up with most of my other mods into one easy to use Combat Pack! If you like this mod more, you can still DL and use that pack. Probably just disable the Timed Directional Attacks component.

Simple Directional Attack Stance-Based Stat Buffs
For OpenMW 0.48.0+

[RECOMMENDATIONS]
This mod has been superseded by my new directional attacks mod. I personally like the new one more. That's why I made it. It's based around timing your attacks well, instead of mixing directional attack types for different "stances". 
Timed Directional Attacks: Time your attacks well for buffs depending on which directional attack you use.

My other weapon-combat-buff mods may be used with this one!
Staff-Spell Stat Buffs: Get spellcasting bonuses if you use a staff when you start spellcasting. Or at least have one equipped.
Weighty Charged Attacks: Get extra weighty charged attacks, slowing you while you charge up, in order to get grounded accuracy buffs, or jumping strength buffs.
Charge Attack Parry: Turn your weighty charged attacks into backpedaling blocks or sidestepping dodge attacks.
Etc.

[INSTALLATION]
Note: This mod only works with 0penMW 0.48+, and is only tested on OpenMW 0.48.0.

Unzip the mod subdirectory wherever you put your mods, or on a datapath listed in openmw.cfg (default Windows location C:\Users\...\Documents\My Games\OpenMW), and check the checkbox in OpenMW Launcher > Data Files > DirectionalAttacks.omwscripts

If you want to experience this mod as intended, please disable "OnlyUseBestAttack" in the settings.

[DESCRIPTION]
This mod uses what Lua API hooks currently exist for OpenMW 0.48 to give buffs depending your directional attacks. Specifically, it gives you stat buffs. Eventually, I would like to give more complex effects, such as AOE for slash, bonus stagger chance for chop, or armor pen for thrust with bladed weapons, and armor disintegrate for chop with blunt weapons... etc.

As it stands, the buffs are as follows:

•     Chop = ATK stance. Buffs weapon skills, including hand to hand.
•     Thrust = AGI stance. Buffs agility and acrobatics. Does not buff speed or athletics because that was annoying.
•     Slash = DEF stance. Buffs armor skills, including unarmored and block.
  

The logic is as follows: Slashing is kind of like parrying, chopping is pretty much pure offense, and thrusting can be agile like a fencer's lunge. It's the best I could come up with for the given restrictions of only modifying attribute or skill stats depending on your stance.

[IMPLEMENTATION]
Lua API can't detect which directional attack you use, so I have tied it to the default controls.

• If you attack while standing still or moving diagonally, you "Chop".
• If you attack while moving forward or backward, you "Thrust".
• If you attack while moving sideways, you "Slash".
  

By default, the first stance you trigger will buff its stats by +20 ("Buff Value") and debuff the other stances' stats by -8 (0.4 "Trade-Off Multiplier"), and will last 3 seconds ("Buff Duration). There is a trade-off for whatever stance you are in, weakening you in the others.

If you then use a different directional attack within those 3 seconds, you'll trigger a hybrid stance, with diminishing returns on how the buffs / debuffs mix, which also resets and extends the duration. The default is 0.7 "Hybridization Multiplier".

By default, as you hybridize your stance by mixing attack types, the total buff values will progress from +20/-8/-8, to +15/+6/-13, to +12/+3/-3, And the duration will extend from 3 s, to 4.5 s, to 5.25 s. By default.

All of these values are tunable in Esc > Options > Scripts > DirectionalAttacks, and include recommended values for different [presets].

[CONFLICTS]
I hope there aren't any. I've set this mod up so that it doesn't change any values absolutely, and so that it tracks its state internally.

My stat / attribute change mods conflict with the non-Lua version of Natural Character Growth and Decay.

[CREDITS]
Me, Zindel for advice, and urm's QuickSpellCast for settings syntax.