Event Dispatcher: create, bind, and call with custom data

SETUP: In your BP, create an Event Dispatcher (e.g. 'OnPlayerDied') in the My Blueprint panel. BIND (in another BP): Get reference to actor → Bind Event to OnPlayerDied → connect a Custom Event as the target. CALL (in owning BP): Call OnPlayerDied (appears as a pink node) → this broadcasts to all bound listeners. Key: Event Dispatchers are called with 'Call <DispatcherName>' (not 'Broadcast'). Binding is done via 'Bind Event to <DispatcherName>' which has an 'Event' exec-like pin.

Blueprint function vs custom event vs macro: when to use each

BLUEPRINT FUNCTION: - Has its own execution context, can have inputs/outputs/return value. - Cannot have Delay, Timeline, or latent nodes inside. - Best for: pure logic, calculations, data transformation. - Can be overridden in child BPs (if not pure). CUSTOM EVENT: - Lives in event graph, can be called like a function. - CAN have Delay, Timeline, latent nodes. - Can be Replicated (Server/Client/Multicast). - No return value. Best for: triggered behavior, RPC calls. MACRO: - Inlined at call site — like a code template. - CAN have multiple exec inputs AND outputs. - CAN contain latent nodes. - Best for: reusable flow patterns (e.g. 'IsValidAndCast' check-and-cast pattern). PURE FUNCTION: checked 'Pure' — no exec pins, evaluated on demand. Best for getters.

Custom Event

A user-defined event you can call from elsewhere in the same graph. Like a function but with an exec output for graphs.

Event ActorBeginOverlap — fires when another actor overlaps this actor

Requires 'Generate Overlap Events' enabled on the collision component.

EnableInput — allow this actor to receive input events

Must call EnableInput(GetPlayerController(0)) before BindAction/BindAxis events fire on the actor.

SetTimerByEvent — set timer that fires a custom event delegate

K2_SetTimerDelegate. Safer than FunctionName version. Create delegate from custom event.

Event BeginPlay — fires once when actor is spawned or game starts

EnhancedInputAction — Enhanced Input system action event

K2Node_EnhancedInputAction. ActionValue type depends on InputAction (Bool, Float, Axis2D, Axis3D). Triggers: Started, Ongoing, Triggered, Completed, Canceled.

EventHit — fires when actor is hit by or hits something

Requires Simulation Generates Hit Events on physics body.

EventActorEndOverlap — fires when overlap ends