View source for Combat/Map Mechanics and Nodes

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=Map Mechanics=
Maps are made out of nodes connected to each other through paths called '''edges'''. Nodes are only accessible by traveling through those edges. Each node is independent of each other, and the fleet state will carry over from node to node.
*Most of the mechanics are happening on the nodes themselves,
*Some mechanics take place on the map itself.

==Maps==
The maps the fleet evolves on are almost all based on real locations. Those locations varying from regular seashores to actual WW2 battle locations.
*The nodes' and edges' positions also vary, either following the geography of the map, or replicating historical routes.
*Some specific drops and enemy locations may be some references to what happened to this exact spot on the map.
*[[Phase 1]] map used to be less bound to reality, having more variety and landscape features.

When an [[LBAS]] is available, a small cross with written "AB" will be displayed on the map's land, being the center point of the nodes' combat radius.

When reaching a combat node, it will be asked to choose a '''"[[Formation]]'''", affecting the following [[Combat]].
*The fleet must meet certain criteria to select a formation, and the node must not be an "Ambush Node".

When selecting the formation, it is possible to:
*Hide the UI in order to view the map, by clicking anywhere else on the screen.
** When the map is visible, it is then possible to click on the current node to get a preview of the enemy fleet. this is limited to the surface battle nodes, and will show the first 3 ships of the fleet (of both fleets for enemy combined fleets).
*If a {{Smoke}} [[Smoke Generator]] is equipped, a button will show up next to the formations, clicking on it will allow the triggering of smoke screens.
**This can only be triggered once per sortie, even so the button is always clickable.

==Routing==
The route taken through a given map is defined by the:
*'''Fleet Type''', being either a:
**Single fleet,
**[[Combined Fleet]], either Carrier Task Force (CTF), Surface Task Force (STF), or Transport Escort Force (TCF/TE),
**[[Striking Force Fleet]].

*'''Fleet Composition''', depending on the number of certain ship types used.
**Some '''specific ships''' may also alter routing, being usually referred as "historical ships", as they are related to a map's thematic operation or to a specific mechanic.

*The presence of "[[#Active Branching|Active Branching]]", where a path must be manually selected.

*Fleet [[Stats]], mainly [[LoS]] and [[Speed]].
**Paths that require a given LoS requirement to be met will show an animation of a Recon plane going back and forth toward the destination node. 

*Equipment types and quantity used in the fleet, like [[Surface Radar]]s or [[Drum]]s.

*The curent '''[[Tag|Fleet tag]]''' on certain events maps.

*Additionally, routing might be simply '''random'''.

On certain events, an edge may be taken in either sense depending on the current routing. Some edges are marked with an arrow to make the routing clearer.

The [[#Map Unlocking / Phase Progression|map's state]] can also affect the routing by updating some branching rules.

==Land Base Air Raids==
In maps where a [[LBAS|Land Base]] is present, an additional mechanic may be imposed where an enemy abyssal fleet will attack the allied Land Base. A text alert saying '''"Enemy formation approaching! Enemy aircraft are approaching our base." (敵編隊接近中！我が航空基地に敵機接近中。)''' will appear in the map screen and the Raid will follow shortly. Raids may trigger whenever traveling to another node. 

With the [[Winter 2022 Event]] also appeared a mechanic known as '''"[[Land-Based Air Squadron#Superfortress Air-Raid Sequence|Superfortress Air-Raid Sequence]]"''', which works very similarly to Land Base Air Raids, with the difference that it also includes {{color|red|the only QTE within the entire game}}, where clicking on a button at a right time will directly affect the LBAS interception effectiveness.

Please refer to the [[Land-Based Air Squadron]] page for additional details.

==Map Unlocking / Phase Progression==
[[File:Highlight gimmicks.png|thumb|Nodes E & C2 are here highlighted]]
In some maps (mostly in Events), '''Completion Gimmicks''' might be required to further progress the map, demanding certain conditions to be accomplished on a given map to unlock several things:
* Boss [[debuff]], where once the "Last Dance" of the final boss of a given map is reached, its debuffed form can be unlocked.
* Map phases, where some map areas need to be unlocked, like on [[7-2]], [[7-3]], and [[7-5]].
** Map areas can either be a path to the next boss, an intermediate path asking for new gimmicks, or a shortcut.
*[[Land-Based Air Squadron#LBAS Relocation|LBAS Relocation]].
*'''Choosing a higher difficulty''' on an event map will reset it to its initial state.

;Those "Gimmicks" can be:
*Reaching certain nodes, 
*Defeating specific nodes, 
*Attaining air superiority (AS/AS+) on certain nodes, 
*Defending against [[Land-Based Air Squadron#Air Defense|LBAS Air Raids]]. 
As soon as all the given conditions are met, the map advances to the next phase. Lower difficulties may require fewer conditions to be met to complete the phase.
*Since [[Summer 2019 Event]], completing a gimmick will play a '''"bell sound"''' when returning back to the main menu (according the sounds are activated),
** {{Audio|file=SE_215.mp3}} ''Bell Completion Sound Effect''
*Since [[Summer 2022 Event]], some Nodes required to be visited/defeated in gimmicks are now '''highlighted'''.


<gallery widths=350px heights=250px style="margin:auto; text-align:center">
File:Fall2020E-3MapP1.png|Initial state of the [[Fall_2020_Event/Main_Operations#Phase_3|Fall 2020 E-3]] map
File:Fall2020E-3MapP3.png|Final state of the [[Fall_2020_Event/Main_Operations#Phase_3|Fall 2020 E-3]] map
</gallery>

=Nodes=
===Full Battle Nodes===
These nodes have as the main objective engaging the enemy fleet and destroying the enemy flagship and/or the enemy combatants as a whole.

{|class="wikitable"
!width=150px rowspan=2|Node
!rowspan=2|Description
!colspan=2|Consumption
!rowspan=2|Enemy Fleet Preview
|-
!width=8%|{{Fuel}}
!width=8%|{{Ammo}}
|-
!rowspan=4|[[File:BattleNode.png]]<br>Normal Battle
|Normal Battle Nodes are the main types of nodes present in a sortie, oftentimes making up for the majority of nodes on the map. A Battle Node will always begin with Day Battle and can be followed up by a Night Battle. 
*'''''Node'' Support Expedition''' may appear in these nodes.
*On some Battle Nodes, an abyssal submarine may appear above it upon reaching the node, indicating that this is a submarine node, involving ASW.
Specifically for Battle Nodes, the battle cost varies depending on the node composition.
|style="text-align:center"|20%
|style="text-align:center"|20%
|rowspan=4 style="text-align:center"|Yes
|-
|style="text-align:right"|''Pursuing the enemy into night battle''
|style="text-align:center"|—
|style="text-align:center"|+10%<ref name="UP">Rounded Up</ref>
|-
|style="text-align:right"|''Only submarines present''
|style="text-align:center"|8%
|style="text-align:center"|0%
|-
|style="text-align:right"|''Only PT Imp Pack present''
|style="text-align:center"|4%
|style="text-align:center"|8%
|-
![[File:NightNode.png]]<br>Night Battle
|Night Battle nodes consist of only the Night Battle phase. The battle will automatically finish after the Night Shelling phase is ended.
*'''''Node'' Support Expedition''' may appear in these nodes even though they begin the battle at night. 
|style="text-align:center"|10%
|style="text-align:center"|10%
|style="text-align:center"|Yes
|-
![[File:NightToDayNode.png]]<br>Night to Day Battle
|Night to Day Battle nodes invert the usual Battle node format, beginning the battle on Night Battle and then automatically transitioning to Day Battle afterward. 
*The applicable '''Support Expedition''' will trigger when the battle starts (during the night), but Day-only phases such as [[LBAS]] and [[Aerial Combat]] will be performed as soon as the Day Battle begins.
* As of 04/2023, Night to Day Battles are exclusive to events, with its last appearance on [[Fall 2017 Event]].
|style="text-align:center"|20%
|style="text-align:center"|30%<ref name="UP"/>
|style="text-align:center"|?
|-
![[File:Airstrike Supported Combat Node.png]]<br>Airstrike Supported Battle
|Airstrike Supported Combat nodes are combat nodes where the enemy fleet will consist of:
*"Surface enemies" (4-5 SS so far), that are fought like in "Normal Battle" nodes,
*Followed by "air support enemies" (1-2 CVL so far), bringing air support like in "Normal Combat" nodes, and that cannot be attacked, being visually behind the rest of the enemy fleet and with no visible HP.
* As of 09/2023, Airstrike Supported Combat Nodes are exclusive to events, with its last appearance on [[Summer 2023 Event]].
|style="text-align:center"|12%
|style="text-align:center"|6%
|style="text-align:center"|Yes
|-
![[File:BossNode.png]]<br>Boss Battle
|Boss Nodes are the Ending point of a map's route and are where the map's boss resides, if it has one. After the Boss Node battle ends, the sortie automatically finishes and the player fleet returns to Homeport. Boss nodes can be of any kind of battle node, meaning they can be a Night to Day Node, Night Battle Node, or a Battle Node. 
*'''''Boss'' Support Expedition''' may appear in these nodes.
*The main enemy (often the boss itself) will appear above the node when the fleet reaches it.
*The node also may be linked to a map HP bar, where killing or just damaging the flagship will also deplete the bar.
|style="text-align:center"|20%
|style="text-align:center"|20%
|style="text-align:center"|Yes
|}

===Short Battle Nodes===
These battle nodes have different objectives and win conditions from regular battles.

{|class="wikitable"
! width=150px rowspan=2|Node
! rowspan=2|Description
! colspan=2|Consumption
!rowspan=2|Enemy Fleet Preview
|-
! width=8%|{{Fuel}}
! width=8%|{{Ammo}}
|-
! rowspan=2|[[File:AirRaidNode.png]]<br>Enemy Air Raid
| rowspan=2|Air Raid nodes are special nodes where only [[LBAS]], as well as Stage 1 of the [[Aerial Combat]], are performed. This node consists of a purely defensive battle against enemy Aircraft Carriers. The enemy fleet is able to further progress to Stage 3 of Aerial Combat and perform an Airstrike against the fleet.
*The enemy fleet cannot be damaged but by [[LBAS]] planes.
*AA mechanics like [[AACI]] or {{EquipmentLink|12cm 30-tube Rocket Launcher Kai Ni|text=RLK2}} can also be triggered.
|style="text-align:center"|6%
|style="text-align:center"|4%
|style="text-align:center"|No
|-
|style="text-align:center"|'''World 6:'''<br>4% 
|style="text-align:center"|'''World 6:'''<br>8%
|style="text-align:center"|'''World 6:'''<br>Yes
|-
![[File:AirBattleNode.png]]<br>Aerial Combat
|Similar to Air Raid nodes, however [[LBAS]] is performed once, followed by full [[Aerial Combat]] phases performed twice back-to-back. It is also possible to do night battle afterward, unlike regular Air nodes.
*''Node'' '''Airstrike Support Expedition''' only may appear in these nodes.
*If the fleet has no ships that can attack during Aerial Combat, it will get a ''D rank'' (see [[Combat#Victory_Conditions|1st D rank condition]]), unless entering night combat.
|style="text-align:center"|20%
|style="text-align:center"|20%
|style="text-align:center"|No
|-
![[File:AmbushNode.png]]<br>Enemy Ambush
|Ambush nodes are purely defensive nodes where the fleet is attacked by an enemy fleet without being able to fight back. Specifically for Ambush nodes, '''there is no formation selection prompt prior to the battle''', and formation is set by default to Line Ahead or Cruising Formation 4.
* Those nodes are usually "off routes" locations, being avoidable with adequate routing, often involving [[Surface Radar]]s.
* As of 04/2023, Ambush Nodes are exclusive to events, with its last appearance on [[Early Spring 2023 Event]] E-6.
|style="text-align:center"|4%
|style="text-align:center"|—
|style="text-align:center"|N/A
|}

===Non-Combat Nodes===
These nodes present different mechanics that are unrelated to combat.

{|class="wikitable"
! width=150px rowspan=2|Node
! rowspan=2|Description
! colspan=2|Consumption
|-
! width=8%|{{Fuel}}
! width=8%|{{Ammo}}
|-
![[File:StartNode.png]]<br>Start Node
|The Start Node dictates the point from which the fleet will start.

Multiple start points may be present on the same map. In such cases, the Start Node from which the fleet will begin sortieing is defined by the fleet composition as well as the fleet type, when it enters the map.
|style="text-align:center"|—
|style="text-align:center"|—
|-
![[File:EmptyNode.png]]<br>Empty Node
|An Empty Node is a tool mainly used to increase routing complexity, creating branching paths, dead-ends, as well as to display a small piece of flavor text.
|style="text-align:center"|—
|style="text-align:center"|—
|-
![[File:ChoiceNode.png]]<br>Active Branching
|{{Anchor|Active Branching}}An Active Branching Node, also known as "Choice Node", is an Empty Node with a mechanic that allows the fleet to route to any of the desired paths.

Upon hitting an active branching node, a text bubble will appear above the fleet icon saying "You can select the fleet's course!" (艦隊針路選択可能！). Nodes able to be selected will glow. Clicking on the node will send the fleet in that direction.
|style="text-align:center"|—
|style="text-align:center"|—
|-
![[File:EmptyNode.png]]<br>Emergency Repairs Node
|Generally only accessible with either '''[[Akashi Kai]]''', '''[[Akitsushima Kai]]''', or any '''Kai [[AO]]''' present in the fleet. By equipping {{Facility}} {{EquipmentLink|Ship Repair Facility}}, it is possible to use [[Emergency Repair Materials]] to repair ships mid-sortie. Otherwise, it behaves like an Empty Node.
*''See [[Emergency Anchorage Repair]]s for more details.
|style="text-align:center"|—
|style="text-align:center"|—
|-
![[File:MaelstromNode.png]]<br>Maelstrom
|{{Anchor|Maelstrom}} Upon entering the node, drains a specific value of a specific resource of the entire '''current fleet'''. This means that penalties derived from low levels of {{Fuel}} and {{Ammo}} are applied immediately. The strength of Maelstroms can be mitigated by the number of ships independently carrying a [[Radar]]. Maelstroms drain either {{Fuel}} or {{Ammo}}, but not both.
*Certain Maelstroms are '''strong''', draining 150% more resources than regular Maelstroms, and having roughly a 25% chance of draining all of a resource. 
*''See [[Maelstrom]] for more details.

|style="text-align:center"|0 or X%
|style="text-align:center"|0 or X%
|-
![[File:ResourceNode.png]]<br>Resource Node
|Upon entering, adds a specific amount of a specific resource ({{Fuel}}{{Ammo}}{{Steel}}{{Bauxite}}), consumables ({{IR}}{{IC}}{{DM}}), or coin boxes ({{FBsmall}}{{FBmedium}}{{FBlarge}}) to the '''stockpile'''.
*Resource Nodes do not refill the fleet's current resource levels.
*Using some {{LandingCraft}} [[Landing Craft]], {{Amphibious Tank}} [[Amphibious Tank]]s, and {{Drum}} [[Drum]]s, increases the resource gain.
*''See [[Resource Node]] for more details.
|style="text-align:center"|—
|style="text-align:center"|—
|-
![[File:FinishLineNode.png]]<br>Finish Line<br>Harbor Node
|Is often considered an Ending node like Boss nodes, with Resource Node behaviors, or as Transport Loadout nodes.
*[[1-6]]'s Finish Line has unique behaviors with a pool of possible resources as rewards rather than a single one, and which cannot be increased using any equipment.
*''See [[Finish Line]] for more details.
|style="text-align:center"|—
|style="text-align:center"|—
|-
![[File:TransportLoadoutNode.png]]<br>Transport Loadout
|Present in any map with Trasport Loadout operation. Upon reaching this node, the fleet's {{LandingCraft}}, {{Amphibious Tank}}, {{Drum}}, and {{Rations}}, as well as ships that are not '''Heavily Damaged''' will be taken account of. The result of this node determines the quantity of Transport Points (TP) deducted of a map's Transport Gauge after a successful Boss Battle with A-Rank or higher. Simply reaching this node has no effect on the map's Transport Gauge.
*''See [[Transport Operation]] for more details.
|style="text-align:center"|—
|style="text-align:center"|—
|-
![[File:AirReconNode.png]]<br>Aerial Reconnaissance Node
|Exclusive to [[6-3]]. Can reward some Ammo {{Ammo}}, Bauxite {{Bauxite}}, or Devmats {{DM}}, using some aircraft. The type of aircraft as well as the ship carrying it influences the result. Unlike Resource Nodes, the resources obtainable originate from a drop pool.
*If the Boss Battle is a Defeat, the resources are forfeited. Otherwise, a small message saying that the resources were secured will be shown on the lower right side of the victory screen.
*''See [[Air Reconnaissance]] for more details.
|style="text-align:center"|—
|style="text-align:center"|—
|}

;Note about Consumption
* These percent values are applied to a ship's maximum Fuel/Ammo stat. The amount subtracted is '''rounded down but at least 1''' in most cases, except for ''Pursuing the enemy into night battle'' and ''Night to Day Battle'' where the ammo cost is '''rounded up'''.
** Some mechanics like [[Special Attacks]] will increase ammo consumption.
* In maps introduced prior to Fall 2017 Event (including pre-[[Game_Updates/2018/August_15th|Phase 2]] maps), Submarine battle nodes costed 20% {{Fuel}} 0% {{Ammo}}, and Air Raid nodes costed 8% {{Fuel}} 4% {{Ammo}}
<references/>

=See Also=
{{Mechanics}}
[[Category:Game Mechanics]]