Wayfinder

Wayfinder is a comprehensive isometric tactical RPG framework for Unity, providing everything you need to build grid-based strategy games with deep tactical combat.

What is Wayfinder?

Wayfinder handles the complex systems that power tactical RPGs: grid-based movement, turn-based combat, AI decision-making, pathfinding, status effects, and ability systems. It’s designed for developers who want to focus on game design rather than rebuilding tactical RPG infrastructure from scratch.

Core Features

Grid & Movement System

• Isometric grid rendering with tilemap integration
• A pathfinding* with height-aware navigation
• Range calculation for movement and abilities
• Height mechanics - jump up/down, elevation bonuses
• Unit blocking with ally pass-through (tactical positioning)

Combat System

• Configurable damage formulas (subtractive, percentage, hybrid)
• Accuracy and evasion calculations
• Height advantage system (+damage/accuracy from elevation)
• Area of Effect (AoE) abilities with multiple patterns
• Deterministic combat for strategic planning
• Counter-attack system

Turn System

• CT/Recovery Time based turns (FFT-style)
• Unit speed affects turn frequency
• Haste/Slow status effects modify turn speed
• Charged spell system for long-cast abilities

Ability System

• ScriptableObject-based - no code required
• Melee, ranged, and magic abilities
• Class restrictions per ability
• Dynamic weapon properties for basic attacks
• MP cost system
• Min/max range and vertical range
• AoE patterns: Square (2x2, 3x3, 4x4, 5x5), Cross, Line, All Map, Custom

Status Effect System

• Flexible status effects - Poison, Regen, Haste, Slow, Stop, Sleep, etc.
• Per-turn effects (damage/healing over time, stat drain)
• Combat modifiers (accuracy, damage taken, recovery time)
• Behavioral flags (prevents movement, prevents actions, confusion, berserk)
• Special properties (auto-revive, reflect magic, floating)
• Death countdown (Doom mechanic)

AI System

• Utility-based AI with configurable scoring
• Tactical decision-making (movement, targeting, ability selection)
• Buff/debuff evaluation with context awareness
• AoE optimization (maximize enemies hit, minimize friendly fire)
• Threat assessment and target prioritization
• Personality system (courage, conviction affect behavior)
• Designer-friendly - all scoring values exposed in ScriptableObjects

Equipment System

• Weapons (swords, bows, staffs, shields)
• Armor (head, chest, hands, legs, feet, accessory)
• Class restrictions per item
• Stat bonuses from equipped gear
• Weight system affects recovery time
• Two-hand vs dual-wield support

Unit Management

• Class system (Fighter, Archer, Knight, Mage, Priest)
• Comprehensive stats (HP, MP, Str, Vit, Dex, Agi, Int, Res, etc.)
• Status tracking (Alive, KO, Dead)
• KO mechanics - units become permanently dead after 3 KO’d turns
• Revival system with items/abilities
• Affiliation system (Ally, Enemy, Neutral)

Developer Features

• State machine architecture for battle flow
• Undo/redo system for cursor navigation
• Debug logging with category filtering
• Editor validation catches common setup mistakes
• Helpful error messages guide proper configuration
• Modular design - use what you need

Use Cases

Wayfinder is ideal for:

• Isometric tactical RPGs (FFT, Tactics Ogre style)
• Grid-based strategy games with complex combat
• Turn-based tactics games with positioning
• Roguelike tactics games
• Puzzle-combat hybrid games

Architecture

Wayfinder uses a clean, modular architecture:

• ScriptableObjects for data (abilities, items, status effects, AI config)
• State machines for battle flow and unit behavior
• Singleton managers for global systems (BattleStateManager, AIManager, CombatCalculator)
• MonoBehaviours for scene objects (Units, Tiles, UI)

What Wayfinder Doesn’t Include

Wayfinder focuses on tactical battle systems. It does not include:

• Story/dialogue systems
• Overworld exploration
• Character creation UI
• Inventory management UI (data structures only)
• Save/load system
• 3D models or animations (works with your art pipeline)
• Audio/music systems

Next Steps