Friday, May 8, 2015

WFMC - Fixed Expended Move Costs Round-to-Round and Added Color to the Reconfiguration Combo Box [Part 6/11]

While I was on travel with my company I actually did not get as much time to dedicate to working on WFMC as I had hoped - although I did get a few wandering eyes in the Houston Texas Airport during my 6 hour layover ... lol. Let me run through the changes which have been made over the last two weeks, though, and hopefully it will still not disappoint since there are some pretty cool changes.

WHERE WE LEFT OFF WITH PART 5/10

Here is what the application looked like on the 25th April 2015. Where we left off with it from the Part 5/10 post is shown below:


The goal that I had set for these last two weeks was:
  • Color code the Formation Config Combo Box's Values to show what needed to be done to allow for the reconfiguration costs to be met
    • Black = Current Baseline Configuration
    • Blue = Requires at least an "At the Double!" to perform the reconfiguration
    • Orange = Requires at least a Heroic Move to perform the reconfiguration
    • Red = Impossible reconfiguration due to too high of a reconfiguration cost
The good news is that I've gotten more than just that put in, so let's go through some of the changes - I will cover them in detail since several of them require smaller/discrete steps.

MORE PROGRESS THAT HAS BEEN MADE

So, it turned out that the Expended Move Value (in the bottom middle of the dialog) was getting compounded round after round. This effectively made it so that any additional translating or rotating that was made was "cost" relative to the initial position of the formation at (0,0) and 0-deg of Rotation. That didn't work for using the End Round Button and increasing Round Numbers.

So the first thing that I did was not accrue cost against Move Value while placing the initial position and rotation of the formation. This way the formation could be placed at any location and the Remaining Move Value would not look "funny" as you were trying to get it into position.


Once the initial position has been set, and the "Set Baseline ..." button is clicked, the normal pop-up appears to ensure that the baseline will be committed.


Clicking OK on the pop-up commits the Baseline Configuration for the Round and added the Round Number (see the top right).


Now that the formation has been baselined, it will start to cost Move Value to move the formation. Here the formation has moved down and to the left, but maintained its configuration and rotation orientation. It has used up all 5" of its Move Value to get to this location.


Since there is no Remaining Move Value, we click the End Round button, which gives the Pop-up for that ...


Clicking OK on the pop-up increases the Round Number to 2, and resets the Expended Move Value and Remaining Move Value for the formation.


This time the formation has used its entire Move Value to Rotate Clock-Wise to change its heading, but has remained in the same translational position.


Again, since all the Move Value has been used, we End the Current Round (Round 2) again ...


Clicking OK, the Round Number is increased to 3 - and then Rotates Clock-Wise a little more, and translates to the left. (If I had not made the fix, the Expended Move Value at this point would be something like 15.0").


And finally Ending Round 3, it is progressed to Round 4 and here he has move more to the Left, again.


So, as you can see, Round after Round the Move Value costs are "reset" and allows to track how much has been expended within only the current Round. This makes a big jump forward in the actual usability of the application.

The next feature that has been added (as I'm sure you have already noticed in the screen shots from above) is that the 1" Grid Mark Lines Option has been implemented. The checkbox option is down in the bottom left of the dialog and is active at all times. When you check the checkbox, it draws in 1" reference lines that are to scale with the formations within the OpenGL View. Here is an example of the grid lines checked and displayed:


Ok, that's interesting, but let's see it with an actual formation drawn ...



I think that this helps to give more of a perception of "how big" formations are, and "how far" they are actually moving when reconfiguring and translating.

Finally, let's go over the color coding of Reconfigurations within the Formation Configuration Combo Box (which ironically was technically the only goal that was set for the last two weeks). The first thing that needs to be done is that the Faction, Unit, Number of Companies, Initial Configuration all need to be selected.


Once that is all done, the "Set Baseline ..." Button is enabled and the formation's position can be Baselined (as it has worked in the past). This then re-populates the Formation Configuration Combo Box with the list of "valid" reconfigurations now color coded based upon the feasibility of performing the reconfiguration. Here is the list for the Formation of Citadel Guard that are shown above after Baselining.


Notice that being an Infantry Formation comprised of 6 Companies in 3x2 Configuration, the formation cannot reconfigure to any of the other configurations, since the move value cost of all of them will exceed the 6" Move Value of the Formation. However, the 2x3 Configuration and 4x2 Configuration can be performed if the Formation performs and passes an "At the Double!", increasing their Remaining Move Value to 12" (hence they are colored Blue). Likewise, if the Formation declared a Heroic Move, increasing their Remaining Move Value to 18" they could reconfigure to the 5x2 Configuration or 6x1 Configuration (hence they are colored Orange). Notice that the Baseline Configuration (3x2 Configuration) costs 0" to reconfigure (which is less than the remaining Move Value), so it is thusly still colored Black.

Below is another example of a Formation of Mordor's Mordor Orc Warband comprised of 9 Companies initially in 1x9 Configuration. Notice that the Reconfiguration to the 5x2 Configuration would exceed 19" (performing a Heroic Move and including a Drummer), so it is not even feasible in the current 1x9 Configuration (hence it is colored Red).


Similar to what we had 2 weeks ago, if you attempt to select any of the colored reconfiguration options, the application will still display the warning dialog pop-up and provide the cost to perform the reconfiguration. For example, we selected the Blue configuration from the list and the following warning pop-up was displayed:

Is everyone getting excited, yet? The only problem is that the colors are still a little buggy ... I get cases where the selection has its color attributes associated to it and the OpenGL View doesn't know how to "draw" it properly with the color tag ... I think I know how to fix it, but it's going to take a lot more refactoring to get it in entirely.








    LINKS TO OTHER PARTS OF THE WFMC PROGRESS SERIES


      LINKS TO OTHER PARTS OF MOVEMENT TYPES AND LIMITS SERIES




      • Movement Types and Limits Series - Reconfiguration Movement of Cavalry Formations Comprised of 2-3 Companies [Part 11/23]
      • Movement Types and Limits Series - Reconfiguration Movement of Cavalry Formations Comprised for 4 Companies [Part 12/23]
      • Movement Types and Limits Series - Reconfiguration Movement of Cavalry Formations Comprised of 5 Companies [Part 13/23]
      • Movement Types and Limits Series - Reconfiguration Movement of Cavalry Formations Comprised of 6 Companies [Part 14/23]
      • Movement Types and Limits Series - Reconfiguration Movement of Cavalry Formations Comprised of 7 Companies [Part 15/23]
      • Movement Types and Limits Series - Reconfiguration Movement of Cavalry Formations Comprised of 8 Companies [Part 16/23]
      • Movement Types and Limits Series - Reconfiguration Movement of Infantry Formations Comprised of 9 Companies [Part 17/23]
      • Movement Types and Limits Series - Cavalry Movement Example 1 from Page 33 of WotR Rulebook Analysis [Part 18/23]
      • Movement Types and Limits Series - Cavalry Movement Example 2 from Page 33 of WotR Rulebook Analysis [Part 19/23]
      • Movement Types and Limits Series - Cavalry Movement Example 3 from Page 33 of WotR Rulebook Analysis [Part 20/23]
      • Movement Types and Limits Series - Reconfiguration Summary of Cavalry Formations by Company Size [Part 21/23]
      • Movement Types and Limits Series - Cavalry Restrictions of Reconfiguration by Formation Name Summary [Part 22/23]
      • Using WFMC to Verify Movement Examples [Part 23/23]


      Saturday, May 2, 2015

      List of Units that are in Warbands, the Hobbit and SBG which are Missing from WotR [Part 2/13]

      Having gone through the post with Tauriel as an example for converting profiles from SBG stat lines over to a WotR profile, I wanted to provide a consolidated list of others that are currently in progress of being converted to complete the entire set. As was mentioned in Tauriel's post, this will be rolled out in various parts (similar to quite a few other posts - I've noticed that trend).

      KEY FOR THE SBG SOURCEBOOKS OF THE MISSING PROFILES
      1. The One Ring Rulebook ................................................................................... [ORR]
      2. Legions of Middle Earth ................................................................................. [LoME]
      3. Mentioned but Missing Profiles from Legions of Middle Earth .......... [LoME - N/A]
      4. The Two Towers Journeybook ............................................................................. [TT]
      5. The Scouring of the Shire Sourcebook ............................................................... [SoS]
      6. Shadows in the East Sourcebook ........................................................................ [SoE]
      7. Gondor in Flames Sourcebook ............................................................................ [GiF]
      8. Khazad-dum Sourcebook ..................................................................................... [KD]
      9. Ruin of Arnor Sourcebook ................................................................................. [RoA]
      10. Mordor Sourcebook ............................................................................................. [Md]
      11. Harad Sourcebook ................................................................................................ [Hd]
      12. White Dwarf Magazine ....................................................................................... [WD]
      13. Warbands of Middle Earth - Kingdom of Men ................................... [WoME: KoM]
      14. Warbands of Middle Earth - Mordor ..................................................... [WoME: Md]
      15. Warbands of Middle Earth - Moria and Angmar ............................... [WoME: M&A]
      16. Warbands of Middle Earth - The Free Peoples ..................................... [WoME: TFP]
      17. Warbands of Middle Earth - The Fallen Realms .................................. [WoME: TFR]
      18. The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey ................................................................ [H:UJ]
      19. The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug ........................................................... [H:DoS]
      20. The Hobbit: The Battle of Five Armies ....................................................... [H:BoFA]
      21. Model Exists but no Profile ................................................................................ [N/A]


      LIST OF THE MISSING WOTR PROFILES BY FACTION ................... [SBG SOURCE]
      • Gondor & Arnor
        • Knight of the White Tower ....................................................... [WoME: KoM]
        • Aragorn, King Elessar .............................................................................. [GiF]
        • Dunedain of the North ............................................................................. [RoA]
        • Faramir, Captain of Gondor ...................................................................... [GiF]
        • Faramir, Captain of Ithilien ..................................................... [WD June 2010]
        • King of Men .............................................................................................. [GiF]
        • Ranger of the North ................................................................................. [RoA]

      • The Kingdom of Rohan
        • King's Huntsman ....................................................................... [WoMe: KoM]
        • Eomer, King of the Pelennor .................................................................... [WD]
        • Helm's Guard ............................................................................. [LoME - N/A]
        • Helm Hammerhand .................................................................... [LoME - N/A]
        • King of Men ............................................................................................. [GiF]
        • Rohan Outrider Captain ............................................................................. [TT]
        • Eowyn, Heroine of Helm's Deep .............................................................. [N/A]
        • Elfhelm ....................................................................................... [LoME - N/A]

      • The Elven Kingdoms
        • High Elf Stormcaller ................................................................................. [WD]
        • High Elf Knight Regiment ........................................................................ [WD]
        • Lindir, Elf of Rivendell ........................................................................... [H:UJ]
        • Rivendell Knight Regiment ..................................................................... [H:UJ]
        • Mirkwood Ranger Warband ................................................................... [H:DoS]
        • Palace Guard Regiment .......................................................................... [H:DoS]
        • Celebrian ....................................................................................... [LoME - N/A]
        • Celebrimbor .................................................................................. [LoME - N/A]
        • Elf Chariot ..................................................................................... [LoME - N/A]
        • Elf War Catapult ........................................................................... [LoME - N/A]
        • Elrond ........................................................................................................ [H:UJ]
        • Elrond, Lord of the West ...................................................................... [H:BoFA]
        • Galadhrim Pathwalker ................................................................................. [WD]
        • Galadhrim Siege Catapult .............................................................. [LoME - N/A]
        • Guardian of the Havens .................................................................. [LoME - N/A]
        • Haldir, Defender of Helm's Deep ................................................................. [WD]
        • Mirkwood Cavalry Regiment ................................................................ [H:BoFA]
        • Mirkwood Elf Regiment ........................................................................ [H:BoFA]
        • Galadriel, Lady of Light ........................................................................ [H:BoFA]
        • Thranduil, King of Mirkwood .................................................................. [H:DoS]
        • Thranduil, King of the Woodland Realm ............................................... [H:BoFA]
        • Legolas Greenleaf ..................................................................................... [H:DoS]
        • Legolas Greenleaf, Prince of Mirkwood ................................................ [H:BoFA]
        • Tauriel ....................................................................................................... [H:DoS]
        • Tauriel, Mirkwood Exile ........................................................................ [H:BoFA]

      • The Dwarf Holds
        • Thorin Oakenshield .................................................................................... [H:UJ]
        • Thorin Oakenshield, King Under the Mountain .................................... [H:BoFA]
        • Dwalin the Dwarf ....................................................................................... [H:UJ]
        • Dwalin, Champion of Erebor ................................................................ [H:BoFA]
        • Balin the Dwarf ........................................................................................... [H:UJ]
        • Balin, Champion of Erebor ................................................................... [H:BoFA]
        • Dori the Dwarf ............................................................................................ [H:UJ]
        • Dori, Champion of Erebor ..................................................................... [H:BoFA]
        • Nori the Dwarf ............................................................................................ [H:UJ]
        • Nori, Champion of Erebor ..................................................................... [H:BoFA]
        • Ori the Dwarf .............................................................................................. [H:UJ]
        • Ori, Champion of Erebor ....................................................................... [H:BoFA]
        • Oin the Dwarf .............................................................................................. [H:UJ]
        • Oin, Champion of Erebor ....................................................................... [H:BoFA]
        • Gloin the Dwarf ........................................................................................... [H:UJ]
        • Gloin, Champion of Erebor .................................................................... [H:BoFA]
        • Bifur the Dwarf ............................................................................................ [H:UJ]
        • Bifur, Champion of Erebor ..................................................................... [H:BoFA]
        • Bofur the Dwarf ........................................................................................... [H:UJ]
        • Bofur, Champion of Erebor .................................................................... [H:BoFA]
        • Bombur the Dwarf ....................................................................................... [H:UJ]
        • Bombur, Champion of Erebor ................................................................ [H:BoFA]
        • Fili the Dwarf .............................................................................................. [H:UJ]
        • Fili, Champion of Erebor ........................................................................ [H:BoFA]
        • Kili the Dwarf .............................................................................................. [H:UJ]
        • Kili, Champion of Erebor ....................................................................... [H:BoFA]
        • King Thror ................................................................................................... [H:UJ]
        • King Thrain .................................................................................................. [H:UJ]
        • Erebor Warrior Kinband .............................................................................. [H:UJ]
        • Grim Hammer Kinband ................................................................................ [H:UJ]
        • Thorin's Company .......................................................................................... [N/A]
        • Thrain the Broken ...................................................................................... [H:DoS]
        • The King's Herald ......................................................................... [WD Sept 2010]
        • Dwarf King ..................................................................................................... [KD]

      • The City of Dale
        • Men of Dale ............................................................................................... [H:DoS]
        • Lake-town Militia ................................................................................... [H:BoFA]
        • Lake-town Guard ....................................................................................... [H:DoS]
        • The Windlance ........................................................................................... [H:DoS]
        • The Master of Lake-town ........................................................................... [H:DoS]
        • Alfred the Councilor ................................................................................... [H:DoS]
        • Bard the Bowman ....................................................................................... [H:DoS]
        • Bard, Girion's Heir ................................................................................... [H:BoFA]
        • Girion, Lord of Dale ................................................................................... [H:DoS]

      • The Forgotten Kingdoms
        • Gandalf the Grey in Cart ............................................................................... [N/A]
        • Saruman the Wise ................................................................................... [H:BoFA]
        • Bilbo Baggins, There and Back Again ......................................................... [ORR]
        • Bilbo Baggins the Hobbit ............................................................................. [H:UJ]
        • Bilbo Baggins, Master Burglar ............................................................... [H:BoFA]
        • Radagast on Sled .......................................................................................... [H:UJ]
        • Radagast the Brown Riding a Great Eagle .............................................. [H:BoFA]
        • Sebastian ....................................................................................................... [H:UJ]
        • Beorn .......................................................................................................... [H:DoS]
        • Bill the Pony ..................................................................................... [WoME: TFP]
        • Alatar the Blue (Naurandir) .............................................................. [LoME - N/A]
        • Bandobras Took, the Bullroarer .................................................................... [ORR]
        • Bormir of Gondor .......................................................................................... [ORR]
        • Dunedain, Protector of the Shire .................................................................... [RoA]
        • Farmer Maggot .............................................................................................. [ORR]
        • Fang ............................................................................................................... [ORR]
        • Grip ................................................................................................................ [ORR]
        • Wolf ............................................................................................................... [ORR]
        • Fredegar Bolger ............................................................................................. [ORR]
        • Frodo Baggins ................................................................................................ [ORR]
        • Frodo of the Nine Fingers .............................................................................. [ORR]
        • Gimli the Dwarf ............................................................................................. [ORR]
        • Glorfindel ....................................................................................................... [ORR]
        • Landroval ........................................................................................... [LoME - N/A]
        • Meneldor ............................................................................................ [LoME - N/A]
        • Legolas the Elf ............................................................................................... [ORR]
        • Lobelia Sackville-Baggins ............................................................................. [ORR]
        • Meriadoc Brandybuck the Hobbit .................................................................. [ORR]
        • Paladin Took ................................................................................................... [ORR]
        • Pallando the Blue (Sulrandir) ............................................................. [LoME - N/A]
        • Peregrin Took the Hobbit ............................................................................... [ORR]
        • Samwise Gamgee ........................................................................................... [ORR]
        • Samwise the Brave .......................................................................................... [ORR]
        • Sméagol, Hobbit Escort ...................................................................... [WoME: TFP]
        • Strider (Aragorn) ............................................................................................. [ORR]
        • Huorn .................................................................................................. [LoME - N/A]

      • Mordor
        • Guritz ............................................................................................................... [N/A]
        • The Great Beast of Gorgoroth .............................................................. [WoME:Md]
        • Black-Hearted Trees .......................................................................... [LoME - N/A]
        • Shagrat, Warleader of Cirith Ungol .................................................................. [Md]
        • Gollum the Murderer ...................................................................................... [ORR]

      • The Fortress of Isengard
        • Bill Ferny ............................................................................................ [LoME - N/A]
        • Sharkey .............................................................................................................. [SoS]
        • Worm ................................................................................................................. [SoS]
        • Dunland Berserker ............................................................................... [LoME - N/A]
        • Royalblood Horsemen ......................................................................... [LoME - N/A]
        • Royalblood Chieftain of Dunland ........................................................ [LoME - N/A]

      • The Misty Mountains
        • Groblog, King of the Deep ............................................................... [WoME: M&A]
        • Ashrak the Spiderkin ........................................................................ [WoME: M&A]
        • Warg Marauder Warband ................................................................. [WoME: M&A]
        • Dweller in the Dark .......................................................................... [WoME: M&A]
        • The Watcher in the Water ................................................................. [WoME: M&A]
        • The Goblin King ............................................................................................. [H:UJ]
        • The Goblin Scribe ........................................................................................... [H:UJ]
        • Grinnah ............................................................................................................ [H:UJ]
        • Goblin Warriors ............................................................................................... [H:UJ]
        • Gollum, Riddles in the Dark ............................................................................ [H:UJ]
        • Smaug ......................................................................................................... [H:BoFA]
        • Golfimbul ........................................................................................................... [SoS]

      • The Fallen Realms
        • Corsair Reavers ................................................................................................... [Hd]
        • Corsair Ballista .................................................................................... [LoME - N/A]
        • The Dragon Guard ............................................................................... [LoME - N/A]
        • Easterling King .................................................................................... [LoME - N/A]
        • Easterling Siege Bow ........................................................................... [LoME - N/A]
        • Haradrim King .................................................................................................... [Hd]
        • Keiseimu, Ravager of Ithilien .............................................................. [LoME - N/A]
        • Khandish Horseman .......................................................................................... [SoE]
        • Khandish King ................................................................................................... [SoE]
        • Khandish Warrior .............................................................................................. [SoE]
        • Mahud King ........................................................................................................ [Hd]

      • Angmar
        • Azog the Defiler, Captain of Mt Gundabad ..................................................... [H:UJ]
        • Azog, Lieutenant of Sauron ........................................................................ [H:BoFA]
        • Azog Astride the White Warg .......................................................................... [H:UJ]
        • Bolg .................................................................................................................. [H:UJ]
        • Bolg, Castellan of Mount Gundabad ........................................................... [H:BoFA]
        • Fimbul's Hunters ............................................................................................... [H:UJ]
        • Narzug ............................................................................................................... [H:UJ]
        • Hunter Orcs ....................................................................................................... [H:UJ]
        • Hunter Orcs on Fell Wargs ................................................................................ [H:UJ]
        • Fell Warg Pack .................................................................................................. [H:UJ]
        • William (Bill) .................................................................................................... [H:UJ]
        • Bert .................................................................................................................... [H:UJ]
        • Tom ................................................................................................................... [H:UJ]
        • Yazneg ............................................................................................................ [H:DoS]
        • Gundabad Orc Regiment ................................................................................ [H:DoS]
        • Mirkwood Spider ............................................................................................ [H:DoS]
        • Spectre ................................................................................................................ [RoA]
      As the individual parts are completed, I will post them up with the calculated points and the house rules that we as a group have come to adopt, so stay tuned!








      LINKS TO OTHER PARTS OF THE SBG TO WOTR CONVERSION SERIES

      1. Describing the Process [Part 1/13]
      2. Creating the Full List of Needed Profiles and Assigning WotR Armies [Part 2/13]
        1. Status Update for Progress on Profile Creation and Army List Document Writing - Good Armies [Part 2a/13]
        2. Status Update for Progress on Profile Creation and Army List Document Writing - Evil Armies [Part 2b/13]
      3. Extending the Gondor & Arnor List [Part 3/13]
      4. Extending The Kingdom of Rohan List [Part 4/13]
      5. Extending The Elven Kingdoms List [Part 5/13]
      6. Extending The Dwarf Holds List [Part 6/13]
        1. Sneak Peak at the Profiles for Thorin [Part 6a/13]
        2. Common Formations [Part 6b/13]
        3. Legendary Formations [Part 6c/13]
        4. Epic Heroes [Part 6d/13]
      7. Creating The City of Dale List [Part 7/13]
      8. Extending The Forgotten Kingdoms List [Part 8/13]
      9. Extending the Mordor List [Part 9/13]
      10. Extending The Fortress of Isengard List [Part 10/13]
      11. Extending The Misty Mountains (Moria) List [Part 11/13]
      12. Extending The Fallen Realms List [Part 12/13]
      13. Extending the Angmar List [Part 13/13]
        1. Common and Rare Formations [Part 13a/13]
        2. Legendary Formations [Part 13b/13]
        3. Epic Heroes [Part 13c/13]

        Saturday, April 25, 2015

        WFMC - 2 More Weeks Have Come and Gone … Ability to Load Previous Data & Reconfig Costs/Restrictions [Part 5/11]

        Time is just flying by, it seems. Two more weeks have come and gone ... I've made some interesting changes over those last two weeks - hopefully everyone else will agree.

        WHERE WE LEFT OFF WITH PART 4/10

        Here is what the application looked like on the 8th April 2015. Where we left off with it from the Part 4/10 post is shown below:



        I like how the formations are rendering correctly in the OpenGL view - with proper sizes and layouts. Also, the cleanup of the combo boxes with the "Select …" text really helps with knowing what to populate next for the application. Furthermore, the fact that I got the Baseline button working was a pretty big accomplishment, too.

        Furthermore, I had hoped to make progress in the following areas over these last two weeks:
        • Resetting move values (expended and remaining) based upon baselining, reseting, and ending rounds
        • Applying the reconfiguration costs from the database table to the actual expended move value

        Let's go through some of the changes that HAVE been made, and see what you think ... I think you will be pleasantly surprised!

        MORE PROGRESS THAT HAS BEEN MADE


        First off, the thing you will probably notice first is the new layout that has been implemented. I tried to get rid of the cramped feeling that it had before, by spreading it out more and re-organizing it a little with a more logical placement of checkboxes and labels. Notice that there are labels now for the sliders, as well - to indicate which slider handles what type of movement. Another thing that should be exciting to notice is that when the application is launched fresh, the "Load Last Saved Round …" button is enabled and ready for use! This allows you to come in and make multiple round changes and then leave the application - and then come back, load the last saved round from the database, and then pick up right where you left off! During the last run of the application, I was working with an Angmar Orc Warband formation. Clicking the "Load Last Saved Round …" button restored the round number, formation and number of companies within it, its baseline and current configuration, rotation, location and all other settings that were established during the previous run of the application. Here's how it looks after the load:


        The next thing that you will probably notice is the color change of the units within the formation. They are no longer the awesome blue color that they were 2 weeks ago, but have been updated to look more like the actual trays from the game. Again, this really makes it feel like a WotR formation - and not just a "cartoony" representation. OK, enough with the loading capability … let's get back to other added functionality!

        The first goal that I had set for myself 2 weeks ago was to reset the movement values once the baseline button was set… Here I've gone through the steps to select an Elven Mirkwood Ranger Warband formation (which is part of the extended ruleset from WotR version 1) comprised of 5 companies in 3x2 Configuration - and they are ready to be baselined. Notice that the Expended and Remaining Move Values have been fully consumed in the positioning of the formation for the baseline.


        Clicking on the "Set Baseline … " button confirms the desire to set the formation into baseline, and clicking OK overwrites the previous last saved round. So if the Load is used again, it would display the Elven formation - and no longer show the Angmar one.


        Here, the baseline has been set. Notice that it has set the baseline configuration, incremented the round counter (as advertised in the warning); but the big thing to notice is that the expended and remaining values have been updated to allow use of the Move Value again during Round 2.


        Rotating and Translating still costs … but if by playing around you get into a state that you did not intend:



        Here I've moved the formation all over the place and also reduced the number of companies down to 4. Using the "Reset Round" button, it will pop-up to ask if the reset was intentional, and then it will revert back to the state before any changes were made.


        Notice that the Expended Move value was also returned to 0.00" and the Remaining Move Value was also returned to 8.00". This was the main intent of the first bullet that I wanted to accomplish. Likewise, clicking "End Round" will do the same - reset the move values and increment the round counter and create a new point to which to load or reset.


        Here, I have a formation of 6 Palace Guard Elves. They are currently in 4x2 Configuration and Baselined. If I attempt to change from the 4x2 Configuration to the 5x2 Configuration:


        Since the cost to perform the reconfiguration to 5x2 Configuration is 8.98", and the Remaining Move Value is only 8.00", this is not allowed. I have a pop-up that will show indicating such. When OK is clicked the Formation Configuration is returned back to the Baseline Config - since the reconfiguration could not take place. Now, if the Palace Guard Regiment had executed an "At the Double!" (increasing the Move Value to 16"); or a "Heroic Move" (increasing the Move Value to 24") then the reconfiguration cost would be met - and the reconfiguration would have taken effect.

        Here is a reconfiguration that would work with the current 8.00" Move Value: 4x2 Configuration to 2x3 Configuration:


        Notice that in this case, the reconfiguration took place, and the cost to reconfigure 4.93" was applied to the Expended Move Value to perform the reconfiguration (and likewise, the Remaining Move Value was also updated).

        WHERE TO GO FROM HERE

        Success with the goals from the last 2 weeks - maybe I should set more goals for the upcoming weeks. I'm going to be traveling for work, so during layovers in airports I'm sure I can squeeze in a few extra hours of writing code and updating. Here's the goals for the next 2 week gap:
        • Color Formation Configuration selections within the combo box based upon feasibility of performing the reconfiguration (this will make it easier to determine which move value augmentation option is "best" to use):
          • Black means current Remaining Move Value is sufficient
          • Blue means current Remaining Move Value is not sufficient, but performing an "On the Double!" would make it ok.
          • Orange means that the current Remaining Move Value is not sufficient, but performing a "Heroic Move" would make it ok.
          • Red means that the current Remaining Move Value is not sufficient and the labeled configuration is not one that could be made.
        Stay tuned! I'm sure there will be plenty more upcoming very soon!







          LINKS TO OTHER PARTS OF THE WFMC PROGRESS SERIES


            LINKS TO OTHER PARTS OF MOVEMENT TYPES AND LIMITS SERIES




            • Movement Types and Limits Series - Reconfiguration Movement of Cavalry Formations Comprised of 2-3 Companies [Part 11/23]
            • Movement Types and Limits Series - Reconfiguration Movement of Cavalry Formations Comprised for 4 Companies [Part 12/23]
            • Movement Types and Limits Series - Reconfiguration Movement of Cavalry Formations Comprised of 5 Companies [Part 13/23]
            • Movement Types and Limits Series - Reconfiguration Movement of Cavalry Formations Comprised of 6 Companies [Part 14/23]
            • Movement Types and Limits Series - Reconfiguration Movement of Cavalry Formations Comprised of 7 Companies [Part 15/23]
            • Movement Types and Limits Series - Reconfiguration Movement of Cavalry Formations Comprised of 8 Companies [Part 16/23]
            • Movement Types and Limits Series - Reconfiguration Movement of Infantry Formations Comprised of 9 Companies [Part 17/23]
            • Movement Types and Limits Series - Cavalry Movement Example 1 from Page 33 of WotR Rulebook Analysis [Part 18/23]
            • Movement Types and Limits Series - Cavalry Movement Example 2 from Page 33 of WotR Rulebook Analysis [Part 19/23]
            • Movement Types and Limits Series - Cavalry Movement Example 3 from Page 33 of WotR Rulebook Analysis [Part 20/23]
            • Movement Types and Limits Series - Reconfiguration Summary of Cavalry Formations by Company Size [Part 21/23]
            • Movement Types and Limits Series - Cavalry Restrictions of Reconfiguration by Formation Name Summary [Part 22/23]
            • Using WFMC to Verify Movement Examples [Part 23/23]


          • Tuesday, April 14, 2015

            The Dwarf Holds Epic Heroes' Special Rules [Part 4/10]

            Next in the queue is The Dwarf Holds' Epic Hero List. It appears that within the list for the Dwarves there is a plethora of Bestow rules - it looks like their primary focus is to augment the companies and formation in which they are included:





            There we have it ... If we look at the applicability column, it is interesting to see that the following spread exists:
            • Only the Hero - 1/22
            • Hero's Company - 7/22
            • Hero's Formation - 9/22
            • Target Enemy - 3/22
            • All Friendly Formations within Range - 1/22
            • Target Friendly Hero - 2/22
            This would appear that The Dwarf Hold's Epic Hero Special Rules are targeted to augmenting the hero's company and formation. So, long story short - even if you are not playing with the Dwarves directly, it would seem to be worth the investment to bring a few Dwarf Heroes along as allies just to get the company and formation bonuses.




            LINKS TO OTHER SPECIAL RULE EVALUATION POSTS
            1. Gondor & Arnor Epic Heroes' Special Rules [Part 1/10]
            2. The Kingdom of Rohan Epic Heroes' Special Rules [Part 2/10]
            3. The Elven Kingdoms Epic Heroes' Special Rules [Part 3/10]
            4. The Dwarf Holds Epic Heroes' Special Rules [Part 4/10]
            5. The Forgotten Kingdoms Epic Heroes' Special Rules [Part 5/10]
            6. Mordor Epic Heroes' Special Rules [Part 6/10]
            7. The Fortress of Isengard Epic Heroes' Special Rules [Part 7/10]
            8. The Misty Mountains (Moria) Epic Heroes' Special Rules [Part 8/10]
            9. The Fallen Realms Epic Heroes' Special Rules [Part 9/10]
            10. Angmar Epic Heroes' Special Rules [Part 10/10]

            LINKS TO OTHER UNIT COST ANALYSIS POSTS

            Wednesday, April 8, 2015

            WFMC - Formations Look Like REAL WotR Formations and Groundwork for Reconfiguration Costs Put in Place [Part 4/11]


            Time is just flying by, it seems. Two more weeks have come and gone ... I've made some interesting changes over those last two weeks - hopefully everyone else will agree.

            WHERE WE LEFT OFF WITH PART 3/10

            Here is what the application looked like on the 23rd of March 2015. Where we left off with it from the Part 3/10 post is shown below:


            It was looking really good (granted still being a little cramped) - and I had gotten in the formation reconfiguration combo box - and had it drawing to the OpenGL View.

            Furthermore, I had hoped to make progress in the following areas over these last two weeks:
            • Hornblower/Drummer applicability to units based upon upgrade capabilities.
            • Add the math to do the reconfigurations
            • Add the math for rotation based upon configuration dimensions
            Let's go through some of the changes that HAVE been made, and see what you think ... I think you will be pleasantly surprised!

            MORE PROGRESS THAT HAS BEEN MADE

            First off, having disabled fields to "force the workflow" through the application, it was a little difficult to see "what to do next" within the application. To help facilitate this, instead of simply having blank combo boxes that would enable - I've added the text "Select ..." to the next combo box that is intended to be used in the workflow. So, when the application is first launched, the Desired Faction combo box has the text to indicate that that is the first selection that should be made.

             

            Once a Desired Faction is selected, the Desired Unit combo box enables (as it did before) and is now populated with the "Select ..." contents to indicate that that is the next selection to be made.



            Similarly, once the Desired Unit is selected, then the Unit Type, Move Value and Number of Companies are populated (as before). Likewise, the Formation Configuration combo box is enabled and labeled to indicate that it is the next selection point.


            Something else to mention at this point. As I had set for a goal from the list above, I wanted to enable and disable the "Simulate Hornblower" checkbox based upon the profile for the selected Desired Unit. I went through and for each unit determined if there was a "hornblower/drummer" option for the unit - and if there is (within the WotR core rules) I enabled the use of the field. If the unit had no command upgrade option for a hornblower, it was unchecked and disabled - and finally if the unit was a Legendary Formation that had a hornblower in the base cost for the command company, it is disabled and checked. 


            All that is working properly, now ... and I consider that a pretty big accomplishment in-and-of itself. In the case of the Oathsworn Militia that were selected above, they have the option for a hornblower to be included in the command company, so that option is enabled and unchecked to allow the selection to be made (as desired)
            Selecting one of the valid configurations from the Formation Configuration combo box really starts to "bring on the sexy" from the last two weeks' worth of work...

            The View no longer simply draws blue "empty" boxes, but actually draws the companies as if they are the literal bases in play. Here is the formation of Oathsworn Militia (an Infantry Formation) comprised of the 9 companies that make it up.
            Similarly, here is a formation of Cloud of Bats (a Cavalry Formation) comprised of the 9 companies that make it up.
            Both are drawn to scale and formations are comprised within the selected configuration. I personally think this gives the view a lot more of a "realistic WotR feel" and makes it seems more "tangible" (as if it were actual units being simulated).
            Notice in both of the cases above, the "Baseline Config" line (just under the Formation Configuration combo box) has been updated (since it is effectively the next piece in the workflow). It is implying that the sliders should be adjusted to put the formation in the initial desired position, rotation and configuration and then baseline (using the "Set Baseline ..." button) to establish where the formation is going to be located for the first round.
             Clicking on the "Set Baseline ..." button brings up a pop-up that indicates that baselining will set the current location of the formation and set the Round Number to be 1 (meaning that the formation is in its first round's position). Here the formation of 9 companies of Oathsworn Militia have been rotated and moved - and the Baseline has been set. Notice that the baseline configuration for the formation is populated and the round number (just above the move distances under the OpenGL View) has also been set to 1 (as indicated in the pop-up). I still need to reset the expended move value to be 0 and reset the Remaining move value back to the stat for the unit (plus/minus any movement modifiers that are checked) after the baseline has been set.

            The point of baselining is so that when the formation configuration is changed after the baseline is established, the difference between the baseline configuration and the reconfiguration can be determined and the movement cost associated with the change can be calculated. For example, here is the same formation - and it has been changed within the Formation Configuration combo box to now be in 2x5 Configuration.

            Making this change from 4x3 Configuration to 2x5 Configuration requires a move value of 6.41".


            I've updated the database to have the full set of reconfiguration costs for any configuration to another. This ended up with over 450 rows for all the different permutations for Infantry and Cavalry. This was the "guts" of this entire application - since the intent is to provide a quick means to determine feasibility and cost for movement … Now that that's done, I still need to do something with pushing the value to the expended move cost … or checking to ensure that there is sufficient remaining move value available to accommodate the reconfiguration request. I have a feeling that doing such will be little harder than it simply sounds.

            Another thing is - setting the Baseline now is the trigger for enabling the Reset Round button and the End Round button. Since the baseline has been saved, the Reset Round button now has something that it can "look up" and return the formation back to a given state. It will always look for the highest Round Number record to reset back to, as well.

            The End Round button now also launches a pop-up. Clicking on OK will add to the Round Number by 1 (incrementing it to the next round) and save the location and configuration of the formation at its new updated location and configuration.


            So, here the End Round button has been pressed after reconfiguring the formation to be in 2x5 Configuration. Notice that the Round Number under the View has been updated to 2 and the Baseline Configuration for round 2 is now the updated Formation Configuration that was selected - so now if another configuration is selected it will be compared against the 2x5 Configuration for determining move value expended cost.


            One more note … Notice the button down at the bottom-right. When the application is closed it is not persisted - in other words, every time that you re-launch the application it basically makes you "start over"; however, since the Baseline button, Reset and End Round buttons are saving the state, I can get back to the last saved state by loading the highest round number for the formation. It works effectively like the Reset Round Button - but allows the user to pick back up where they left off, if they so desire. One thing to keep in mind, though - if a different faction/unit is selected and that is baselined - all other historical records are "blasted away" for the new baseline.

            WHERE TO GO FROM HERE

            So there is still a lot to do! I got 2 of my 3 goals done, plus I got the "bonus sexy" look and feel implemented as well (so that's a plus). I think the thing I'll shoot for next is resetting move values based upon baselining, reseting, and ending rounds - and then apply the reconfiguration costs from the table to actual expended move value … that sounds reasonable.

            Stay tuned! I'll continue to provide updates as it goes on!







              LINKS TO OTHER PARTS OF THE WFMC PROGRESS SERIES


                LINKS TO OTHER PARTS OF MOVEMENT TYPES AND LIMITS SERIES




                • Movement Types and Limits Series - Reconfiguration Movement of Cavalry Formations Comprised of 2-3 Companies [Part 11/23]
                • Movement Types and Limits Series - Reconfiguration Movement of Cavalry Formations Comprised for 4 Companies [Part 12/23]
                • Movement Types and Limits Series - Reconfiguration Movement of Cavalry Formations Comprised of 5 Companies [Part 13/23]
                • Movement Types and Limits Series - Reconfiguration Movement of Cavalry Formations Comprised of 6 Companies [Part 14/23]
                • Movement Types and Limits Series - Reconfiguration Movement of Cavalry Formations Comprised of 7 Companies [Part 15/23]
                • Movement Types and Limits Series - Reconfiguration Movement of Cavalry Formations Comprised of 8 Companies [Part 16/23]
                • Movement Types and Limits Series - Reconfiguration Movement of Infantry Formations Comprised of 9 Companies [Part 17/23]
                • Movement Types and Limits Series - Cavalry Movement Example 1 from Page 33 of WotR Rulebook Analysis [Part 18/23]
                • Movement Types and Limits Series - Cavalry Movement Example 2 from Page 33 of WotR Rulebook Analysis [Part 19/23]
                • Movement Types and Limits Series - Cavalry Movement Example 3 from Page 33 of WotR Rulebook Analysis [Part 20/23]
                • Movement Types and Limits Series - Reconfiguration Summary of Cavalry Formations by Company Size [Part 21/23]
                • Movement Types and Limits Series - Cavalry Restrictions of Reconfiguration by Formation Name Summary [Part 22/23]
                • Using WFMC to Verify Movement Examples [Part 23/23]