Getting Started

This guide walks you through creating your first tactical battle with Wayfinder. We’ll create a simple 2v2 battle: two knights fighting two mages.

Prerequisites

Complete the Installation guide before starting.

Step 1: Create the Grid

Paint Tiles

1. Select the Tilemap GameObject in Hierarchy
2. Window > 2D > Tile Palette
3. Create tiles in your tile palette (or use provided tiles)
4. Paint a 10x10 battle grid
5. Add height variation by painting on different Z-levels

Example Grid Layout

. . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . .
. . K . . . . M . .
. . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . .
. . M . . . . K . .
. . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . .

K = Knight (Ally)
M = Mage (Enemy)

Step 2: Create Units

Create Unit GameObjects

1. Create empty GameObject named Knight_01
2. Add Unit component
3. Add UnitStateManager component
4. Position at tile (2, 2, 0) in world space

Repeat for Knight_02, Mage_01, Mage_02.

Configure Knight_01

In the Unit component:

Unit Name: "Ser Aric"
Unit Class: Knight
Sex: Male
Affiliation: Ally
Control Type: Player

=== Stats ===
Level: 5
Max HP: 120
Current HP: 120
Max MP: 20
Current MP: 20

Strength: 16
Vitality: 14
Dexterity: 10
Agility: 10
Intelligence: 6
Resistance: 8
Avoidance: 8
Mind: 6

=== Movement ===
Move: 3
Jump Up: 2
Jump Down: 3
Base Recovery Time: 50

=== Starting Position ===
X: 2
Y: 2

Configure Mage_01

Unit Name: "Dark Wizard"
Unit Class: Mage
Affiliation: Enemy
Control Type: AI

=== Stats ===
Max HP: 80
Current HP: 80
Max MP: 60
Current MP: 60

Strength: 6
Intelligence: 18
Resistance: 10
Move: 3
Base Recovery Time: 55

Important: Add AIBrain component to AI-controlled units!

Configure the other units similarly.

Step 3: Add Units to Battle Manager

1. Select Battle Manager in Hierarchy
2. Find BattleStateManager component
3. In the Units list, set Size to 4
4. Drag Knight_01, Knight_02, Mage_01, Mage_02 into the list

Step 4: Create Abilities

Create Attack Ability

Right-click in Project > Create > Wayfinder > Abilities > Universal > Universal Attack

Name it BasicAttack.asset

Configure:

Name: "Attack"
Is Basic Attack: ✓ (checked)
Ability Type: Melee
Min Range: 1
Max Range: 1
Max Vertical Range: 2
MP Cost: 0
Classes: (leave empty - universal ability)

Create Fire Spell

Right-click in Project > Create > Wayfinder > Abilities > Mage > Attack Spell

Name it Fire.asset

Configure:

Name: "Fire"
Ability Type: Attack Magic
Min Range: 1
Max Range: 4
Max Vertical Range: 3
MP Cost: 8
Classes: Mage

Assign Abilities to Units

For Knights:

• Add BasicAttack to their Abilities list

For Mages:

• Add BasicAttack to their Abilities list
• Add Fire to their Abilities list

Step 5: Test the Battle

Press Play!

What Should Happen

1. Battle intro state
2. Turn order calculated based on Recovery Time
3. First unit’s turn begins
   • If player-controlled: blue tiles show movement range
   • If AI-controlled: AI analyzes and acts automatically
4. Player selects movement, then actions
5. Turns alternate between units
6. Battle ends when one side is defeated

Controls (Player Units)

• Arrow Keys / WASD: Move cursor
• Enter / Space: Confirm selection
• Escape: Cancel / Undo
• Q: End turn

Step 6: Add a Healing Ability

Let’s make the battle more interesting by adding healing.

Create Cure Spell

Right-click > Create > Wayfinder > Abilities > Priest > Healing Spell

Name it Cure.asset

Name: "Cure"
Ability Type: Healing Magic
Min Range: 0 (can target self)
Max Range: 3
MP Cost: 10
Classes: Priest, Mage (mages can heal too!)

Add Cure to one of your Mage’s abilities list.

Now the AI will evaluate whether to attack or heal allies!

Common Issues

Units Won’t Move

Problem: Clicking tiles does nothing.

Solutions:

• Check that BattleStateManager has Units assigned
• Verify TileManager is properly configured
• Check that Tiles layer is set correctly

AI Doesn’t Act

Problem: AI turn hangs.

Solutions:

• Verify AIBrain component is attached
• Check AIManager has AIConfiguration assigned
• Look for errors in Console

No Tiles Visible

Problem: Grid doesn’t appear in Scene or Game view.

Solutions:

• Verify Tilemap has tiles painted
• Check TilemapRenderer is enabled
• Ensure Camera can see the tilemap Z-level

Next Steps

You’ve built your first tactical battle! Now explore: