How to 'deselect' a unit on the map?

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How to 'deselect' a unit on the map? - 11/16/2017 4:02:00 PM

Shadrach

Posts: 727
Joined: 10/16/2001
From: Oslo, Norway
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Maybe I'm just being completely daft

but I can't really figure this out: Once you select a unit, the movement order arrows appear - but how do you actually *deselect* a unit to go examine other units or enemy units without having the long tail of movement hanging after?

It's kind of 'dangerous' too, as if you're not careful you could accidentally order a move - thankfully there's Undo...

I would assume either ESC or left-clicking anywhere else on the map, for instance an empty hex, would cancel the move, since you use right-click to move. Also the right-click > Abort command doesn't seem to do it, there's still the movement arrows

Had a quick look at the manual but couldn't really find something relevant.

< Message edited by stian -- 11/16/2017 4:29:42 PM >

Post #: 1

RE: How to 'abort' a movement? - 11/16/2017 4:04:25 PM

solops

Posts: 814
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From: Central Texas
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Good question.

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Post #: 2

RE: How to 'abort' a movement? - 11/16/2017 4:17:32 PM

gbaby

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Is "abort a move" really the right term? Abort a move is the undo.

Actually, I would say it is "how do you have no unit selected". Because that is all that is going on, there is a unit selected at all times. I have never discovered a method to have no unit selected, but this never bothered me in play once I accepted that the unit box is showing currently selected unit.

Never has caused an issue, except I hate that "auto select next unit when move current", but as usual, its an option to turn off, which I do.

Not sure how useful a "no unit selected" key or button is, but I can understand how it can be annoying having the move path extending out when just exploring the map. At least it dissappears once you go beyond units maximum MP. I just ignore it or select another unit, like an air unit that does not display a move path unless over a valid airfield.

< Message edited by gbaby -- 11/16/2017 4:21:49 PM >

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RE: How to 'abort' a movement? - 11/16/2017 4:26:19 PM

Shadrach

Posts: 727
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From: Oslo, Norway
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Yeah, it should be called 'How to deselect a unit'

Long-time players are probably used to it, sure. But for us "relative" newbies, this is just very confusing.

Pressing ESC, left-clicking an empty hex (or an enemy unit) should deselect the unit.

(in reply to gbaby)

Post #: 4

RE: How to 'abort' a movement? - 11/16/2017 4:57:53 PM

Sniper31

Posts: 132
Joined: 9/15/2015
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This is an interesting question that I would like to know the answer to as well. That is if there is an answer.

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RE: How to 'abort' a movement? - 11/16/2017 5:01:08 PM

ralphtricky

Posts: 6685
Joined: 7/27/2003
From: Colorado Springs
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There isn't a way to deselect all units that I know of, it's never come up.

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TOAW IV Programmer
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RE: How to 'abort' a movement? - 11/16/2017 5:08:23 PM

Sniper31

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quote:

ORIGINAL: ralphtrick

There isn't a way to deselect all units that I know of, it's never come up.

Thanks for the answer Ralph. It's unfortunate, as I have the same concerns regarding this as Stian, but it's not a deal breaker for me either.

_____________________________

"I say again, expend ALL remaining in my perimeter!" - Platoon

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RE: How to 'abort' a movement? - 11/16/2017 5:12:19 PM

Shadrach

Posts: 727
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From: Oslo, Norway
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How much work would it be to change it to allow deselecting a unit?

Not a big deal for me either, but if it could be put on the wishlist that'd be great.

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Post #: 8

RE: How to 'abort' a movement? - 11/16/2017 8:08:00 PM

Meyer1

Posts: 899
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Yeah you can`t do that. A unit is always selected. That is something that bothered me when first started with TOAW, but, trust me, eventually you will get used to it.

< Message edited by Meyer1 -- 11/16/2017 9:04:47 PM >

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Post #: 9

RE: How to 'abort' a movement? - 11/16/2017 11:18:20 PM

radic202

Posts: 598
Joined: 6/7/2012
From: Ontario, Canada
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Yep I have the same problem as well. I mean right-click, left-click, tab, shift....I mean how hard can it be to deselect a unit/stack? Anyhow it's a minor issue but it would be nice if it was clearer somewhere on the interface.

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RE: How to 'abort' a movement? - 11/16/2017 11:19:25 PM

alwaysdime

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From: USA
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I vote for a deselect as well. The use case would be you have a unit selected and you want to click on an enemy stack to cycle thru their units you can't do it. You have the combat arrow so you have to select a different unit not adjacent to the enemy. Not a huge issue but something that should be patched at some point. I'm surprised its never come up in the past 20 years.

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RE: How to 'abort' a movement? - 11/16/2017 11:22:09 PM

radic202

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quote:

ORIGINAL: alwaysdime

I vote for a deselect as well. The use case would be you have a unit selected and you want to click on an enemy stack to cycle thru their units you can't do it. You have the combat arrow so you have to select a different unit not adjacent to the enemy. Not a huge issue but something that should be patched at some point. I'm surprised its never come up in the past 20 years.

I am actually surprised it did not come up during Beta Testing? Please consider this for an upcoming patch.

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RE: How to 'abort' a movement? - 11/16/2017 11:31:10 PM

Meyer1

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quote:

ORIGINAL: alwaysdime

I vote for a deselect as well. The use case would be you have a unit selected and you want to click on an enemy stack to cycle thru their units you can't do it. You have the combat arrow so you have to select a different unit not adjacent to the enemy. Not a huge issue but something that should be patched at some point. I'm surprised its never come up in the past 20 years.

Are you sure about that? Don't have the game yet, bu in TOAW III you could left click on an enemy stack and go through their units even when the selected friendly unit is adjacent. Since it's the right click the one that trigger the action on the enemy, there is no problem.

< Message edited by Meyer1 -- 11/16/2017 11:33:42 PM >

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RE: How to 'deselect' a unit on the map? - 11/16/2017 11:32:19 PM

muzzlehead

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Lol... I just spent the last 30 minutes pouring through the manual trying to figure out how to deselect a unit. Finally I came to the forum out of frustration.... at least I am in good company

+1 to be able to deselect a unit.. I particularly do not like the red arrow following me around the map as I move the cursor.

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Post #: 14

RE: How to 'deselect' a unit on the map? - 11/16/2017 11:48:17 PM

gbaby

Posts: 180
Joined: 2/2/2016
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I really hope this is just newer players.

I too was befuddled by it when I first started playing years ago. But trust me, it is something you really do NOT notice after some playing time.

Give it a chance, its been this way for every version and is part of the engine. I'm happy that BTS and over extended supply gets worked on instead of something like this. But hey, if they can do it easily and not break it or take cycles from other things, fine.

Anyway, to each their own I guess.

(in reply to muzzlehead)

Post #: 15

RE: How to 'abort' a movement? - 11/16/2017 11:51:54 PM

alwaysdime

Posts: 178
Joined: 4/28/2009
From: USA
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quote:

ORIGINAL: Meyer1

quote:

ORIGINAL: alwaysdime

I vote for a deselect as well. The use case would be you have a unit selected and you want to click on an enemy stack to cycle thru their units you can't do it. You have the combat arrow so you have to select a different unit not adjacent to the enemy. Not a huge issue but something that should be patched at some point. I'm surprised its never come up in the past 20 years.

Are you sure about that? Don't have the game yet, bu in TOAW III you could left click on an enemy stack and go through their units even when the selected friendly unit is adjacent. Since it's the right click the one that trigger the action on the enemy, there is no problem.

Actually your are correct. The icon doesn't change back to the normal icon so I never tried clicking on the stack. DOH!

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RE: How to 'abort' a movement? - 11/16/2017 11:53:43 PM

winkr7

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So how do you deselect a unit? (I mean have no unit selected)

< Message edited by winkr7 -- 11/16/2017 11:54:22 PM >

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Post #: 17

RE: How to 'abort' a movement? - 11/16/2017 11:57:57 PM

Meyer1

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quote:

ORIGINAL: winkr7

So how do you deselect a unit? (I mean have no unit selected)

Can`t do it. there's always one unit selected.

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Post #: 18

RE: How to 'abort' a movement? - 11/17/2017 1:50:46 AM

larryfulkerson

Posts: 39932
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From: Tucson, AZ
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Why would you ever want a condition where you DON'T have a current unit?

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RE: How to 'abort' a movement? - 11/17/2017 4:25:45 AM

goodwoodrw

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To prevent unwanted movement

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RE: How to 'abort' a movement? - 11/17/2017 4:36:44 AM

larryfulkerson

Posts: 39932
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From: Tucson, AZ
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quote:

ORIGINAL: goodwoodrw
To prevent unwanted movement

Great point. It's happened to me more times than I'd care to say right now.

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RE: How to 'abort' a movement? - 11/17/2017 4:58:56 AM

Tamas

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quote:

ORIGINAL: radic202

quote:

ORIGINAL: alwaysdime

I vote for a deselect as well. The use case would be you have a unit selected and you want to click on an enemy stack to cycle thru their units you can't do it. You have the combat arrow so you have to select a different unit not adjacent to the enemy. Not a huge issue but something that should be patched at some point. I'm surprised its never come up in the past 20 years.

I am actually surprised it did not come up during Beta Testing? Please consider this for an upcoming patch.

Indeed this is a perfectly valid point, and something we should had thought of that will bother new players, so we will see if we can add a deselect function in the first update.

The reason it didn't come up is that once you have a bit of routine with the game you never notice this. You'll be going from one unit to the next, not wanting to deselect.

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RE: How to 'abort' a movement? - 11/17/2017 5:31:39 AM

aperfecturkel

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Joined: 11/17/2017
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Understandable! I also think I'm with some of the folks here -- necessary or not, it would mean parity with most other strategy games new players may be coming from, on something as fundamental as unit selection/deselection. Anecdotally, I'm new to TOAW but certainly not to grog games, so it doesn't throw me too much - but I can't shake the feeling as if something is stuck to the pointer.

I appreciate the consideration for adding it in!

< Message edited by aperfecturkel -- 11/17/2017 5:32:07 AM >

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RE: How to 'abort' a movement? - 11/17/2017 8:18:11 AM

terry1040

Posts: 139
Joined: 10/11/2000
From: The bright side of life
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Great request.
It has always bugged me to constantly have a unit selected. Please add "the deselect / not select" feature in a future patch.

I at times just want to move my mouse w/o dragging a movement arrow.
Cheers
Terry

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Post #: 24

RE: How to 'abort' a movement? - 11/17/2017 2:43:35 PM

ralphtricky

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From: Colorado Springs
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I'll look into it and see how much work it would be simply setting the currentUnit to null when escape is hit is easy, but I suspect that a lot of code expects that there will be a current unit.

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RE: How to 'abort' a movement? - 11/17/2017 3:21:20 PM

thewood1

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Does it hurt anything to have a unit selected all the time? I was just wondering what the underlying issue is.

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RE: How to 'abort' a movement? - 11/17/2017 3:28:49 PM

larryfulkerson

Posts: 39932
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From: Tucson, AZ
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quote:

ORIGINAL: thewood1
Does it hurt anything to have a unit selected all the time? I was just wondering what the underlying issue is.

It doesn't hurt anything in my opinion but it does increase the chance of an unwanted movement of the current
unit. Your finger twitches and a unit moves as a result and you have to undo it. Some people, including me,
would like to not have that happen.

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RE: How to 'abort' a movement? - 11/17/2017 3:30:04 PM

thewood1

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OK, just seems like it might be a lot of effort (potentially) for not much value. But I guess the devs will answer that one.

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RE: How to 'abort' a movement? - 11/17/2017 3:39:36 PM

rocketman71

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I find that always having a selected unit to be bothersome, is that the movement red arrow appears all over the place which clutters things. I did eventually get used to it in TOAW III, but if a "ESC" button hit would remove it all the better to have the option.

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RE: How to 'abort' a movement? - 11/17/2017 4:43:20 PM

winkr7

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Suppose you wanted to play a board game, and as soon as you opened the box one of the pieces was stuck to your finger. You could still play because you have to move pieces, but wouldn't that bother you?

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Post #: 30