How to Setup GAS in UE5 with C++ | Beginner Friendly Gameplay Attributes Tutorial | Ep 54
Welcome to Episode 54 of the Smart AAA-Style AI & Systems series! 🚀
In this episode, we take a beginner-friendly dive into setting up Gameplay Ability System (GAS) in Unreal Engine 5 — entirely in C++.
If you’ve been struggling to understand GAS or want to move beyond Blueprints, this tutorial is for you. We break it all down step by step:
What you’ll learn in this episode:
✅What is Gameplay Ability System (GAS) and why it’s so powerful
✅Setting up C++ classes for GAS in UE5
✅Creating and initializing Gameplay Attributes (Health, Stamina, Mana, etc.)
✅Using AttributeSets to organize your data
✅Writing C++ functions to access, modify, and replicate attributes
✅GAS integration with AbilitySystemComponent (ASC)
✅Beginner-friendly explanation of how GAS interacts with AI, NPCs, and Players
✅Testing attribute changes in-game
By the end of this episode, you’ll understand the core structure of GAS in C++ and be ready to extend it for combat, inventory, or interaction systems — just like AAA games (Fortnite, Destiny 2, Assassin’s Creed).
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👉 Don’t miss it! Watch till the end to see the final result in full action!
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📌 Missed the Previous Episode? Watch the Full Playlist Here:
👉 Master Unreal Series - • How to make your first game in Unreal engi...
👉 Master Level Design Series - • Master Level Design with Blender & Unreal
Chapters
0:00 – Intro + What You’ll Need
0:40 – Quick Heads Up!
1:10 – Creating a Gameplay Attribute Set (C++)
2:57 – Adding GAS Modules in the Build File
5:41 – Unreal Project: .h vs .cpp Explained
7:30 – Peeking into Lyra Code (Coding Vibes)
13:50 – Transitioning from Blueprints → C++
14:30 – Best Way to Create a C++ Class in Unreal
20:08 – Golden Rules for Writing C++ in Unreal
21:22 – Public vs Private vs Protected (Simplified)
21:55 – Building a Health Attribute (Step-by-Step)
23:30 – Remember: GAS Follows OOP Too!
24:15 – Getters, Setters & Initters Made Easy
25:25 – Creating Max Health Attribute
26:10 – Constructor: How, When & Why
27:45 – Writing Logic Inside .cpp File
30:55 – Creating a Base Character Class (C++)
31:20 – Deep Dive: Access Specifiers in C++
33:50 – Adding Ability System to Base Character
34:14 – Importing From Other C++ Classes
36:50 – Initializing the Ability System
38:45 – Re-parenting Your Character Base Class
40:00 – Adding Base Attribute Set to Character
40:32 – Initializing Character Attributes
42:30 – Adding a Function to Get Health
45:12 – Preview: Using GAS Attributes in Blueprints
45:20 – Outro + Next Up: Gameplay Effects!