Hi,
So I have a theory on how to do this, but I'm not convinced it's the most efficient method. Basically, I want to have a top-down game where you can select units and move them around. However, I want there to be walls that block certain areas, and the units can't move into those areas until those walls are broken down. Now, this wouldn't be a problem usually, but one of the main features I want in this is a cover system, basically, you click on a unit and a series of available nodes pop up where you can place a unit, against said walls. If an area is blocked off, then no nodes should show up.
So, my theory was to have an array set up that creates a cell for each grid on the world. Then, from a starting zone, have something like Easystar for Tilemaps run through a loop, testing each grid placement to see if there is a path available from the starting location, setting the array according to whether a spot can be reached or not. When a unit is clicked, the places that are available will pop up a node for the cover system, otherwise nothing is run.
But, is there a better way to do this? Because the walls change, there will be certain events that will trigger a complete recalculation of available nodes, and I'm concerned that this will be expensive (ideally planning to have this running on phones). Even a small level of 50 x 50 cells would mean that 2500 paths would need to be calculated at the start of the level, and again every time a wall breaks, making me think that using this method will be too system intensive.
I guess, now that I've typed this up, I realise I need a way to check a space next to a wall and only run pathfinding to those areas, rather than an entire array. Or even better yet, a system that spreads out from a single point (almost like water spreading out), and can return accessible routes. Is there a plugin that does something like this?
I've included an image to better visualise this.
Sorry for the slight stream of consciousness in that post, my thinking was changing as I typed, and I went with it. Plus my kids are playing ps4 so loud that it's hard to think :/