I think that rts games should drop the usualt trigger system and go 100% scripted. But that's just me. Many people would want the simplicity of the trigger system. Therefore have triggers and coding in one package that you can switch back and forth from both.
A few effects to have:
Load Scenario w/ or w/o loading screen.
Select unit (Effect): Sets a group of units to be selected. As if you pushed "1" when you have an army assigned to group 1.
Teleport unit to cordinate (x,y,z). Can even be off the ground.
1st Person View: Starts a cinematic using the selected units view. Updates when unit moves.
Display Image: Select and image file and set where you want it to be displayed on screen. You could have a picture of a stuffed chicken displayed in the center of the screen with this. Allow transparent colors.
Trigger Copy: This is an effect. Select a trigger to copy and then another trigger for it to paste on. It would be very useful to be able to modify triggers in-game.
Trigger Pause: Pauses a trigger from working for a specified amount of time. Just a shorthand for other methods.
The ability to dump variables into a file that can be read or written by other scenarios.
Hide Unit from minimap: Select a unit or group of units and they will be hidden from the minimap.
Toggle Cheat Codes.
Adjust Game Speed.
Play audio file from internet: Maybe this could allow someone to listen to a web radio when they play a scn?
Condition:
If Comp Performance == >= <= != XOther:
Allow C&Ping of triggers