Build Requirements Decision Tree

Version: 1.0.0 Category: gameplay Type: decision-tree Description: Decision tree for verifying all requirements before building structures

Decision Flowchart

Planet Building

flowchart TD
    playerCheck{"Player online?\n(sufficient power)"}
    playerCheck -->|Yes| locType{"Location type?"}
    playerCheck -->|No| errOffline["Error: Player is offline\nNeed sufficient power capacity"]

    locType -->|"Planet (type 1)"| fleetCheck{"Fleet on station?"}
    locType -->|"Fleet (type 2)"| fleetCSCheck{"Command Ship online?"}

    fleetCheck -->|Yes| csCheck{"Command Ship online?"}
    fleetCheck -->|No| errFleet["Error: Fleet must be\non station to build on planets"]

    csCheck -->|Yes| slotCheck{"Available slot\non planet?"}
    csCheck -->|No| errCS["Error: Command Ship\nmust be online to build"]

    slotCheck -->|Yes| powerCheck{"Sufficient power?\n(buildPower + passivePower)"}
    slotCheck -->|No| errSlot["Error: No available\nslot on planet"]

    powerCheck -->|Yes| limitCheck{"Within build limit?\n(currentCount < maxPerPlayer)"}
    powerCheck -->|No| errPower["Error: Insufficient power\nNeed buildPower + passivePower Watts"]

    limitCheck -->|Yes| buildPlanet["All requirements met\nProceed with planet build"]
    limitCheck -->|No| errLimit["Error: Build limit exceeded\nCannot build more of this type"]

Fleet Building

flowchart TD
    fleetStart{"Command Ship online?"}
    fleetStart -->|Yes| fleetPower{"Sufficient power?"}
    fleetStart -->|No| fleetErrCS["Error: Command Ship\nmust be online to build"]

    fleetPower -->|Yes| buildFleet["All requirements met\nProceed with fleet build"]
    fleetPower -->|No| fleetErrPower["Error: Insufficient power\nfor build"]

Condition Table

Condition True Path False Path Notes
playerOnline == true Check location type Error: player offline First check, blocks all building
locationType == 1 (Planet) Check fleet status Check fleet location type Planet building path
locationType == 2 (Fleet) Check Command Ship – Fleet building path
fleetOnStation == true Check Command Ship Error: fleet must be on station Planet building only
commandShipOnline == true Check next requirement Error: CS must be online Required for all building
availableSlot == true Check power Error: no available slot Planet building only
sufficientPower >= requiredPower Check build limit Error: insufficient power buildPower + passivePower
currentCount < maxPerPlayer Proceed with build Error: build limit exceeded Per-struct-type limit

Requirements by Location

Always Required

Requirement Description
playerOnline Player must have sufficient power capacity to be online
commandShipOnline Command Ship must be online to coordinate building
sufficientPower Must have enough Watts for buildPower + passivePower

Planet Building (locationType = 1)

Requirement Description
fleetOnStation Fleet must be at the planet (not away)
availableSlot Planet must have an open building slot

Fleet Building (locationType = 2)

Requirement Description
fleetExists Fleet must exist

Optional Checks

Requirement Description
buildLimit Per-struct-type limit (e.g., Defense Cannon = 1 per player)

Check Order

Requirements should be verified in this specific order to fail fast with clear error messages:

  1. playerOnline – Is the player online with sufficient power?
  2. locationType – Where is the build happening (planet or fleet)?
  3. fleetOnStation – (Planet only) Is the fleet at the build location?
  4. commandShipOnline – Is the Command Ship online?
  5. availableSlot – (Planet only) Is there an open slot?
  6. sufficientPower – Is there enough power for buildPower + passivePower?
  7. buildLimit – Is the player within the per-type build limit?

Common Failure Reasons

Failure Cause Resolution
Player offline Insufficient power capacity Convert Alpha Matter to Watts or reduce load
Fleet away Fleet not at planet Return fleet to station
Command Ship offline Command Ship lacks power Restore Command Ship power
No available slot Planet full Remove a struct or expand to another planet
Insufficient power Not enough Watts Produce more energy or reduce consumption
Build limit exceeded Already at max for this struct type Cannot build more of this type

Principles