View Issue Details

IDProjectCategoryLast Update
0023105AI War 2Bug - GameplayApr 17, 2020 1:27 am
ReporterSigma7 Assigned ToBadgerBadger  
Status resolvedResolutionfixed 
Product Version2.016 Thunderchild 
Fixed in Version2.019 Regenerator Sanity 
Summary0023105: Pathfinding through dangerous planets
DescriptionIn attached fave, Squad 1 is located at Kalixa. Up and to the left is Metaxis - as a critical planet, I sometimes need to defend it, and could send Squad 1 to that location. There's a nice, safe and quick path for them to take, that doesn't alarm enemies.

Expected Result:
* Ships should travel from Kalixa -> Baldur -> Kopara -> Beta -> Metaxis
* This is a safe, 4 hop route, with speed boost from logistical stations.

Actual Result
* Ships travel via Kalixa -> Akka (Hostile planet) -> Tavika (Hostile Planet) -> Metaxis
* This is a dangerous 3 hop route through enemy territory, which risks sending enemy ships into threat.
TagsNo tags attached.

Relationships

related to 0022905 resolvedBadgerBadger Moving throught enemy planets 

Activities

Sigma7

Apr 6, 2020 12:37 am

reporter  

Scenario 4.zip (310,833 bytes)

UFO

Apr 6, 2020 3:41 pm

reporter   ~0056701

I added the link to my report. It's another type of map but the same problem.

BadgerBadger

Apr 6, 2020 9:11 pm

manager   ~0056713

So here's what's going on. For unit orders sent via the galaxy map, we use a pathfinding mechanism whose logic is like this.

It gets a "Safest path" and a "Shortest path". If the two are the same length, take the Safest path. Otherwise take the Shortest path. This is pretty suboptimal.

I think there needs to be some mechanism that the player can use to choose whether to take the shortest vs safest path, since there are definitely times where each might be needed. Maybe you should have to hold down a key to take the safest path?

UFO

Apr 7, 2020 11:24 am

reporter   ~0056721

Badger, I think something like this is already exist. In my bugreport (0022905) you can hold Shift and Spire Flagship will choose the safest path. But it only works for this 1 flagship.

GreatYng

Apr 7, 2020 3:55 pm

reporter   ~0056735

As a stopgap you could right-click the planet name of the planet you don't want them to go through in the upper-left corner of your screen (see screenshot). This will block all your units from travelling via that planet.
Don't forget to right-click it again to cancel this option whenever you do want units to go through that planet.

@Badger - What about an option on the flagship menu, or would that be too finicky?
Over here.png (2,113,553 bytes)

BadgerBadger

Apr 7, 2020 7:13 pm

manager   ~0056742

The game now has 3 PathingModes, Shortest (always use shortest path), Safest (always take the safest path) and Default (take the safest path unless it's too long, in which case use the shortest path).
 
    By default all player commands use the Default mode, but the player can hold a modifier key for the Safest or the Shortest path

Sigma7

Apr 16, 2020 11:49 pm

reporter   ~0056876

Something else that might be overlooked - friendly command stations are speed boosters. Attached save has forces at Franke, and should race to Liddle to stop a massive wave. At best (where fleets were waiting at the Rov wormhole), the difference between autopath and manual path is 1 frame. On average, the manual path through friendly planets gets there first by around 10 seconds.
Franke Liddle.zip (213,346 bytes)

Sigma7

Apr 16, 2020 11:54 pm

reporter   ~0056877

Reopening per saved game Franke Liddle.zip

BadgerBadger

Apr 17, 2020 1:27 am

manager   ~0056878

Given the number of other things that need to get done, trying to hyper-optimize this code path is very low priority. And in any case, it doesn't make sense to track that issue under this bug. Please open a new ticket.

Issue History

Date Modified Username Field Change
Apr 6, 2020 12:37 am Sigma7 New Issue
Apr 6, 2020 12:37 am Sigma7 File Added: Scenario 4.zip
Apr 6, 2020 3:37 pm UFO Relationship added related to 0022905
Apr 6, 2020 3:41 pm UFO Note Added: 0056701
Apr 6, 2020 9:11 pm BadgerBadger Note Added: 0056713
Apr 7, 2020 11:24 am UFO Note Added: 0056721
Apr 7, 2020 3:55 pm GreatYng File Added: Over here.png
Apr 7, 2020 3:55 pm GreatYng Note Added: 0056735
Apr 7, 2020 7:13 pm BadgerBadger Assigned To => BadgerBadger
Apr 7, 2020 7:13 pm BadgerBadger Status new => resolved
Apr 7, 2020 7:13 pm BadgerBadger Resolution open => fixed
Apr 7, 2020 7:13 pm BadgerBadger Fixed in Version => 2.019 Regenerator Sanity
Apr 7, 2020 7:13 pm BadgerBadger Note Added: 0056742
Apr 16, 2020 11:49 pm Sigma7 File Added: Franke Liddle.zip
Apr 16, 2020 11:49 pm Sigma7 Note Added: 0056876
Apr 16, 2020 11:54 pm Sigma7 Status resolved => feedback
Apr 16, 2020 11:54 pm Sigma7 Resolution fixed => reopened
Apr 16, 2020 11:54 pm Sigma7 Note Added: 0056877
Apr 17, 2020 1:27 am BadgerBadger Note Added: 0056878
Apr 17, 2020 1:27 am BadgerBadger Status feedback => resolved
Apr 17, 2020 1:27 am BadgerBadger Resolution reopened => fixed