Genre: Real-Time Strategy (RTS)

Expert blueprint for RTS games balancing strategy, micromanagement, and performance.

NEVER Do

• NEVER pathfinding jitter — Units pushing each other endlessly. Enable RVO avoidance (NavigationAgent2D.avoidance_enabled with radius).
• NEVER excessive micromanagement — Automate mundane tasks (auto-attack nearby enemies, auto-resume gathering after drop-off).
• NEVER _process on every unit — For 100+ units, use central UnitManager iterator. Saves massive function call overhead.
• NEVER skip command queuing — Players expect Shift+Click to chain commands. Store Array[Command] and process sequentially.
• NEVER forget fog of war — Unvisited areas should be hidden. Use SubViewport + shader mask for performance.

Available Scripts

MANDATORY: Read the appropriate script before implementing the corresponding pattern.

rts_selection_manager.gd

Mouse-box unit selection with shift-add. Camera projection for 3D units, command issuing with queue support (shift+right click).

Core Loop

1. Gather: Units collect resources (Gold, Wood, etc.).
2. Build: Construct base buildings to unlock tech/units.
3. Train: Produce an army of diverse units.
4. Command: Micromanage units in real-time battles.
5. Expand: Secure map control and resources.

Skill Chain

Architecture Overview

1. Selection Manager (Singleton or Commander Node)

Handles mouse input for selecting units.

# selection_manager.gd
extends Node2D

var selected_units: Array[Unit] = []
var drag_start: Vector2
var is_dragging: bool = false
@onready var selection_box: Panel = $SelectionBox

func _unhandled_input(event):
    if event is InputEventMouseButton and event.button_index == MOUSE_BUTTON_LEFT:
        if event.pressed:
            start_selection(event.position)
        else:
            end_selection(event.position)
    elif event is InputEventMouseMotion and is_dragging:
        update_selection_box(event.position)

func end_selection(end_pos: Vector2):
    is_dragging = false
    selection_box.visible = false
    var rect = Rect2(drag_start, end_pos - drag_start).abs()
    
    if Input.is_key_pressed(KEY_SHIFT):
        # Add to selection
        pass
    else:
        deselect_all()
        
    # Query physics server for units in rect
    var query = PhysicsShapeQueryParameters2D.new()
    var shape = RectangleShape2D.new()
    shape.size = rect.size
    query.shape = shape
    query.transform = Transform2D(0, rect.get_center())
    # ... execute query and add units to selected_units
    
    for unit in selected_units:
        unit.set_selected(true)

func issue_command(target_position: Vector2):
    for unit in selected_units:
        unit.move_to(target_position)

2. Unit Controller (State Machine)

Units need robust state management to handle commands and auto-attacks.

# unit.gd
extends CharacterBody2D
class_name Unit

enum State { IDLE, MOVE, ATTACK, HOLD }
var state: State = State.IDLE
var command_queue: Array[Command] = []

@onready var nav_agent: NavigationAgent2D = $NavigationAgent2D

func move_to(target: Vector2):
    nav_agent.target_position = target
    state = State.MOVE

func _physics_process(delta):
    if state == State.MOVE:
        if nav_agent.is_navigation_finished():
            state = State.IDLE
            return
            
        var next_pos = nav_agent.get_next_path_position()
        var direction = global_position.direction_to(next_pos)
        velocity = direction * speed
        move_and_slide()

3. Fog of War

A system to hide unvisited areas. Usually implemented with a texture and a shader.

• Grid Approach: 2D array of "visibility" values.
• Viewport Texture: A SubViewport drawing white circles for units on a black background. This texture is then used as a mask in a shader on a full-screen ColorRect overlay.

shader_type canvas_item;
uniform sampler2D visibility_texture; 
uniform vec4 fog_color : source_color;

void fragment() {
    float visibility = texture(visibility_texture, UV).r;
    COLOR = mix(fog_color, vec4(0,0,0,0), visibility);
}

Key Mechanics Implementation

Command Queue

Allow players to chain commands (Shift-Click).

• Implementation: Store commands in an Array. When one finishes, pop the next.
• Visuals: Draw lines showing the queued path.

Resource Gathering

• Nodes: ResourceNode (Tree/GoldMine) and DropoffPoint (TownCenter).
• Logic:
  1. Move to Resource.
  2. Work (Timer).
  3. Move to Dropoff.
  4. Deposit (Global Economy update).
  5. Repeat.

Common Pitfalls

1. Pathfinding Jitter: Units pushing each other endlessly. Fix: Use RVO (Reciprocal Velocity Obstacles) built into Godot's NavigationAgent2D (properties avoidance_enabled, radius).
2. Too Much Micro: Automate mundane tasks (auto-attack nearby, auto-gather behavior).
3. Performance: Too many nodes. Fix: Use MultiMeshInstance2D for rendering thousands of units if needed, and run logic on a Server node rather than individual scripts for mass units.

Godot-Specific Tips

• Avoidance: NavigationAgent2D has built-in RVO avoidance. Make sure to call set_velocity() and use the velocity_computed signal for the actual movement!
• Server Architecture: For 100+ units, don't use _process on every unit. Have a central UnitManager iterate through active units to save function call overhead.
• Groups: Use Groups heavily (Units, Buildings, Resources) for easy selection filters.

Reference

• Master Skill: godot-master