i didn't really get a lot further than having UE4 open... but work consumed a lot of time and after that i just talked about a concept i have for a very small learning thing that might help me navigate UE4 and learn a thing about shaders:

the idea is to make a shader that provides an after image for any arbitrary 3D model. so like something that could be used for a dash effect, leaving a short trail of copies of your player model in the air before it dissipates. and doing it entirely with a shader!

i talked with a friend about the viability and it seems very possible, but definitely further up in difficulty than just slapping a few pre-made nodes together. but i think i'm up for that challenge!