[BUG] Rivers preventing proper pathfinding

from Elemental Forums

Frequently (always?) when I order a unit to a destination across a river, the game will determine a very inefficient path that goes all the way around the river instead of crossing it.

I've noticed it especially on the Wildlands map; pretty sure it was also happening on the Anthys map.  Haven't played other maps lately and haven't tested it there...

9,556 views 4 replies
Reply #1 from Elemental Forums Top

Probably because it calculates the maximum amount of movement the river would use (which is something much higher than you'd ever be able to get) instead of the effective maximum (which is merely the remaining points you had before you stepped on the river).

Reply #2 from Elemental Forums Top

Not sure I understand...I don't know how their algorithm is written, but the simplest thing would seem to be to calculate the total number of movement points required to get to the destination over any of the possible paths to get there, and choosing the most efficient one.  It doesn't seem that rivers require more movement points than forests, so I don't see why it would be calculated differently.  Unless a turn ends once you step on a river, regardless of how many movement points you have left...in which case the AI probably sees them as "uncrossable."

Of course this also means that AI armies are probably taking some very inefficient routes on river-heavy maps.

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Reply #3 from Elemental Forums Top

Rivers ends all movement (unless you have special faction ability like Tarth). The movement problems may be occurring, I've not really payed attention to the movement algorithm around the rivers (but I play Tarth quite frequently), I'll keep an eye on it now.

Reply #4 from Elemental Forums Top

Ah ha, well that would explain it.  The AI probably can't calculate it properly without a static value.  But yes, I'm sure that non-Tarth AI armies are taking some very inefficient paths.