Compass Direction Orders: North, South, East, West: Orders for Exploring

[KPBOH]

Can I tell a destroyer to "head east" until it hits something? The concept of having 8 destroyers and spreading them out in a star pattern to explore a large map is pretty compelling. I think (?) I remember having this ability back in the 90's, but not sure what version/game name that would be....

[Mad Magoo]

The 'something' is it a Mine?

[gryphin.rampant]

To my mind it would be a huge waste of resources.
How many transports and armies could you make in the time you have made 4 destroyers?

That said, it would be fun and depending on AI density it could be productive.
I'd say your money would be better spent on a modified
TRDD, (transport / destroyer):
Speed 3
Capacity: 3 Infantry
Hit points: 3
Build: ~ 32/28

[Melanie]

Early I like to build a transport whos only job is to drop infantry on islands to build airbases. Those bases can then house air units than can patrol and explore

Added bonus, enemy who sees and air base may think that is my home cities, but it isn't, giving me more to time to send defenses to that area to defend against the now oncoming enemy forces

[KPBOH]

Originally posted by Mad Magoo:

The 'something' is it a Mine?

Runs into land or an enemy unit.

[KPBOH]

Originally posted by gryphin.rampant:

To my mind it would be a huge waste of resources.
How many transports and armies could you make in the time you have made 4 destroyers?

That said, it would be fun and depending on AI density it could be productive.
I'd say your money would be better spent on a modified
TRDD, (transport / destroyer):
Speed 3
Capacity: 3 Infantry
Hit points: 3
Build: ~ 32/28

Understood. and I agree with that analysis.

Let me restate my question: can I send a unit "due west" until it discovers land or an enemy unit? (without having to draw a line on the screen - just telling it "go west.")

[gryphin.rampant]

No, you can't.
Consider the number of squares revealed when you:
1) Straight: Reveals 9 squares
2) Zif Zag: reveals 15 squares
Please test it. I have low vision and may have made a mistake.

My point:
Yes, I recognize that there are aspects of the game that are tedious.
I don't care.
Taking time to zig zag my exposers / patrollers is negligible compared to the baleens of the pleasure the game brings me.
My ability to mod graphics, script AI, and create units easily offsets the interface.

If you can program you could create a DLL with the movement instructions.

[gryphin.rampant]

An Example
Currently in a game I am playing:
Not even turn 100 yet and I have not built my 3rd armor unit.
1) I have a 'Classic 3' AI throwing fighters at my transport
2) Oraca aka 'Terror of the 7 Seas', (which I created / scripted), threatening my cities
3) Floaters - Think airborne Portuguese Man-o-War, harrying all of us.
Who do I take out first?
The floaters are as fast a fighters and eat infantry for breakfast.
The Orca are slow but plentiful.
The Classic AI is a serious threat to my transports.

I will win this game but it is going to be bloody.
It will come down to not how much I destroy of the AI but how little of my own that i loose.

Feel free to pursue this conversation.

Note: I don't play against humans because I am a sore looser. I get mad at the AI for capturing valuable cities and sinking my ships. ☻ There are times I have to save the game and walk away.

[KPBOH]

Originally posted by gryphin.rampant:

No, you can't.
Consider the number of squares revealed when you:
1) Straight: Reveals 9 squares
2) Zif Zag: reveals 15 squares
Please test it. I have low vision and may have made a mistake.

My point:
Yes, I recognize that there are aspects of the game that are tedious.
I don't care.
Taking time to zig zag my exposers / patrollers is negligible compared to the baleens of the pleasure the game brings me.
My ability to mod graphics, script AI, and create units easily offsets the interface.

If you can program you could create a DLL with the movement instructions.

Zigzag West - good call out. *That* would be my feature request. Either allow a destroyer to "go west until discovering anything" or "go west... with zigzag up and down." (To expose more squares.)

[gryphin.rampant]

After thought:
You may also want to count the number of squares revealed if a unit goes 'diagonal'.
You may also want to watch the AI in an AI only game to watch how they 'explore'.