Routes

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• Routes are a series of waypoints.
• A lord may create any number of routes.
• Lords cannot see each others routes.
• Lords may create, edit and delete routes from the route panel or via the fleet option on the fleet list.

  Route List Modes :

  • There are 2 modes to the route list, Display Local and Display All.
  • Display local will only show routes that have a waypoint at the selected star.
    Hint : If you lose your map position, switch to display local and the map will lock in place.

Uses :


As your realm grows, there will be more need to have fleets do repetative tasks.
Routes are a way of automating those tasks.
The following are some examples of useful routes :

Resource gathering :


• Have a fleet of freighters travel a route to resource producing stars.
• Automatically load resources at each star and have the route stop at a production star, where the resources are unloaded.
• As you add levels to the mines at these stars, you may add ships to the gather fleet so all the resources are moved.
• You would use a reversing or looping route for gathering.

Moving between your main stars :


• You will find your fleets travel between certain stars more frequently than others.
• Create a transit route between those stars, a few clicks and you can forget about the fleet until it arrives at its final destination.
• You do not need 2 routes (one for each direction) as you can order a fleet to travel in the reverse direction.

Build Supplies :


• Getting workers and nanobits to your build sites can become tiresome, unless automated.
• It is handy to have a central resource storage star.
• Create a temporary route from this star, load the required resources.
• Find a path to the build site and automatically unload the resources.
• Choose a "Return" route to have the freighters return to that central star.

Patrols :


• In order to easily police your access permissions, set up patrol routes along your borders.
• Have a fleet consisting of combat ships travel a route along a border.
• Somewhere along this route build a rec center and repair depot,
  Order the fleet to wait for repair at this waypoint.
• Use the wait for cycles option to pause the fleet at stars frequently infringed upon.
• You would use reversing or looping routes for patrols.
• Patrols are also good for keeping raiders away.

Route Styles :

Route Styles
Style	Details	Map Example
Temporary	One time use by a single fleet. The route is essentially a transit type route that will be used only once. Once all actions are performed at the destination, the route is deleted. You may not name these routes.
Return (Temporary)	One time use by a single fleet. The fleet travels to the destination, then once all actions are performed, returns to the origin . Once the fleet arrives back at the origin and all actions are performed, the route is deleted. You may not name these routes.
Link (Temporary)	Links to another route at the destination. The fleet travels to the destination, then once all actions are performed, joins another route. The temporary link route is deleted. You may not name temporary routes.
Link	Links to another route at the destination. The fleet travels to the destination, then once all actions are performed, joins another route.
Transit	The fleet quits the route once all actions are performed at the final destination. The route remains available for use even if there are no fleets using it. Fleets may travel in reverse direction on a transit route, in this case the fleet will quit the route at the first waypoint (in the route)
Reversing	Once all actions are performed at the end waypoint, the fleet will reverse direction and travel back to the first waypoint. When the fleet returns to the first waypoint, it performs actions there then reverses again to travel towards the end waypoint. A fleet on a reversing route travels the route indefinitely, you must order it to quit from the fleets list.
Looping	The last waypoint must be in range of the first. Once all actions are performed at the last waypoint, the fleet will jump to the first waypoint and repeat the sequence. Fleets may travel in either direction along a looping route. A fleet on a looping route travels the route indefinitely, you must order it to quit from the fleets list.

Route Colours :

Route Colours
Explanation	Map Example
Normal route lane, access permitted.
Jumpgate connected lane, access permitted.
Access unknown.
Out of range.
Blockaded. Or Raiders present.
Access denied. Or at war. Or route error.

Route Types :



Route types are only used to identify the purpose of the route.

Route Types
Icon	Purpose	Icon	Purpose
	Transit		Patrol
	Gather		Attack
	Trade		Reinforce
	Construction		Recon
	R & R		Scout
	Supply		Special

Waypoints :



• Waypoints are designated stars.
• Each waypoint must be in jump range of the next waypoint in the route sequence.
• Each waypoint may have Ship Assignments.
• Each waypoint may have Cargo Transfers.
• Each waypoint may have Actions.
• The last action for a waypoint is always a jump to the next waypoint.
  The exception is the end waypoint in the route.
  The last action for this waypoint is determined by the route style.
• If a star occurs more than once in the route, the first occurance will be the beginning waypoint
  (When a fleet joins the route at that star)

  Ship Assignments :

  • These are changes to the interstellar ships on the fleet and base.
  • System ships are treated as cargo, see Cargo Transfers.
  • Ships leave a fleet when it arrives at a waypoint.
  • Ships join a fleet just before it leaves a waypoint.
  • Ship assignments are done before cargo transfers, so any change in cargo space will affect cargo transfers.
  • If there are multiple groups of the same design, they will be assigned in the following order :
    Jump charge, effectiveness, experience, morale and quantity (all by descending values).
  • To decide which assignment type to use, ask yourself do you want to prioritise the amount on the fleet or base, or do you want want to move a specific amount from one to the other?

    Ship Assignment Options
    Type	Result
    Pickup All	All of the design on the base is added to the fleet. Default
    Drop All	All of the design on the fleet is placed on the base.
    Fleet Amount	Fleet priority : The specified amount is the preferred amount on the fleet. An amount is added to or removed from the base, to meet the fleet amount. A wait option is available.
    Base Amount	Base priority : The specified amount is the preferred amount on the base. An amount is added to or removed from the fleet, to meet the base amount. No wait option available.
    Set Amount	A specific amount is added to or removed from the fleet. No wait option available.
    Stop Transfer	Remove design from the job list.

  Cargo Transfers :

  • These are transfers of cargo between the fleet on the route and the base at the waypoint star.
  • The base may be one of the following :
    • The starbase if at a domestic star.
    • The market storage if at a council seat star.
    • The territorial base if at a domestic territory.
  • Transfers are limited to the cargo space available on the fleet.
  • Transfers are done in order of the transfer list job panels.
  • Transfer job panels may be reordered by dragging and dropping the panel.
    
    In the example on the right :
    Say there was 1K cargo space on the fleet and 5K Artium and 100 Luxuries on the base. The current order would cause the fleet to fill with Artium with no room for Luxuries. If you drag and drop the Luxury panel above the Artium, then the fleet would load the 100 Luxuries, then 900 Artium.
    In other words, ensure your priority loads are above others.
    Or use percentage loading to ensure a load of several items.
    
    
  • As system ships are treated as cargo, the are transferred the same as cargo. The difference is, Strikecraft may be loaded onto carriers.
  • Unloading is done when a fleet arrives at a waypoint.
  • Loading is done when a fleet leaves a waypoint.
  • To add an item to the transfer list select from the asset class buttons.
  • While adding items, hold the Ctrl key down to select multiple items.
  • A wait option may be available. This will cause the fleet to wait until the specified load is attained.

    Waypoint Transfer Options
    Type	Result
    All Resources, Modules and Components
    Load All Cargo	All cargo is loaded onto the fleet. Does not load any ships of any kind.
    Unload All Cargo	All cargo is unloaded from the fleet. Does not unload any ships of any kind. Does not unload any officials.
    Unload All and Return	All are unloaded from the fleet. Does not unload any ships. Does not unload any officials. Fleet returns to origin.
    Specific Assets
    Load All	All of the item is loaded onto the fleet. Default
    Unload All	All of the item is unloaded from the fleet.
    Fleet Percent	Load a percent of the fleet cargo space with the item. A wait option is available.
    Fleet Amount	Load up to the amount specified onto the fleet. A wait option is available.
    Base Amount	Load all of the item except the amount specified. Or an amount is unloaded so the specified amount is on the base. No wait option available.
    Stop Transfer	Removes the transfer from the job list.

  Waypoint Actions & Status :

  Waypoint Actions
  Wait for Jump	Ship engines are charging. The fleet will jump when all ships are fully charged.
  Waiting at Jumpgate	Ship engines are charging. Jumping from a jumpgate. Fleet will jump when all ships have a minimum 10% charge.
  Wait for Ships	Not Implemented Can be set for each interstellar ship type. The fleet will wait until the ship count is reached.
  Wait for Cargo	Can be set for each resource type and each system ship type. The fleet will wait until the cargo load is reached.
  Wait for Repair	Only possible at domestic stars with a repair depot. A fleet will not continue along the route until it has reached 0% damage.
  Wait for Morale	Only possible at domestic stars with a rec center. A fleet will not continue along the route until morale has reached 100%
  Wait for Training	Only possible at domestic stars with an academy. A fleet will not continue along the route until it has reached the maximum training level.
  Charging, to Trade	Ship engines are charging. When charged the fleet will wait to trade.
  Wait for Trade	The fleet will wait until a trade is confirmed. NOTE: you must do all trades with this fleet in one transaction, as when you click the confrim button, the fleet will immediately jump to the next waypoint.
  Wait for Transfer	The fleet will wait until a transfer is confirmed. NOTE: you must do all transfers with this fleet in one transaction, as when you click the confrim button, the fleet will immediately jump to the next waypoint.
  Wait for Cycles	The fleet will wait for a specific number of cycles before continuing along the route. The fleet will jump just after the cycle end of the last cycle.
  Wait for Hours	The fleet will wait for a specific number of hours before continuing along the route. This period will include any charge time. ie; A wait of 1 hour will have no effect if the fleet needs 10 hours to recharge. A 2 hour wait will prevent a fleet from jumping via jumpgates for 2 hours (instead of one).
  Change Orders	The fleet will change orders after arrival (not during arrival).
  Recon Toggle	The fleet will move to recon or drop from recon to a Patrol type. If no orders option specified, will default to Probe. Has no effect on non-recon fleets (no error is reported).
  Export Luxuries	Only available at foreign realm stars. Will export an amount to cover the demand at the star. You may set a minimum export value on the domain configuration page. This will prevent export of luxuries below a minimum value. You will receive an advisory when this happens.
  Unload Supplies	Empty all supply holds on the fleet, except from ships with strikecraft bays. The contents will be transferred to other ships at the star. Supply storage will be topped up first. (resupply all ships) Remaining supplies will be placed in supply holds. (top-up supply ships)
  Waiting to Load	Ship engines are charging. The fleet will load just before jumping.
  Advise on Arrival	A message will be sent to the advisor channel on arrival at the star. This may be set for each waypoint. May also be set for the destination on a transit route, which may be the first or last waypoint depending on direction of travel.
  Retreat on Arrival	The fleet will automatically retreat on arrival at the star. Use this so the fleet cannot be attacked while it charges. The next waypoint must allow access or the fleet will not jump.
  Retreating	The fleet is retreating, but access is denied at the next waypoint. Jump the fleet to a star where access is permitted. See retreating while on route
  Waiting for linked fleets to charge	The fleet will jump once all linked fleets are charged.

  Options at Destination only applies to transit & temporary routes
  	Advise when Charged	A message will be sent to the advisor channel when the fleet is fully charged. This will be automatically set on for fleets with the same option enabled.
  	Advise on Arrival	A message will be sent to the advisor channel when the fleet gets to the destination. This will be automatically set on for fleets with the same option enabled.
  	Merge with Starbase	All ships and cargo on the fleet will be placed on the starbase. Only valid at domestic stars. If a return route style, the merge will happen on return to origin.

Route Path Lockout:

• This option is found at the top of the route page for every star, when not in route edit mode.
• Setting this option prevents the star from being added to :
  • Paths created using the "Find Path" button on a new route.
  • Paths used by DS shipments.
  • Paths used by UTS shipments.
  • Paths used by Diplomatic shipments.
• Lock out stars before creating a route.
• Setting stays in place for each star until un-set.
• Even while set, you may still manually select a star that is "locked" when creating a route.
• Does not affect existing DS routes.
• Does not affect existing non-diplomatic UTS routes.
• This will affect trade agreement shipments and diplomatic UTS shipments.
  These are changed perodically to reflect changes within the opposite realm.
• May cause "No Path Found" errors, if you lock out too many stars.
• May cause diplomatic UTS shipments to fail if a path cannot be found.

Retreating while on route :

• Retreat on routes is the same as normal retreat.
• If access is denied at the next waypoint the fleet does not jump.
• Privateer will be refused access at most stars, so will be prevented from retreating.
  The fleet may have to change to a type other than privateer to retreat.
• Routes may be created to access denied stars, but retreating fleets will not jump to them.