User Guide

WELCOME TO ALPHA CENTAURI
CHAPTER 2
21
MOUSE MOVEMENT
If you’re sending a unit on a long journey, and you don’t want to hit an arrow
key for every square of the distance, you can set a destination using the
mouse: Just L (left-click) on the unit, drag to its destination, then release.
The unit figures the most direct path to your destination, automatically rout-
ing around obstacles like small bodies of water and fungal areas.
Waypoints. There may be times when you don’t want a unit to take the most
direct route to its final destination (for example, if a route would take you
through hostile territory). In those cases you can use waypoints. To set a way-
point, L-and-drag to the first waypoint square, z while holding the
click, then drag to the next waypoint or to your final destination. A waypoint
is set on that square—the unit goes to the waypoint, then on to the next way-
point (if there is another one) or its final destination. A unit will normally fol-
low the path shown on the screen when its orders are given, but it may devi-
ate somewhat based upon the tactical situation at the time it makes the actu-
al move. It always traverses the waypoints in the order given. You can insert
up to three waypoints on a route, including the destination.
EXAMINING THE MAP
The main map is scrollable. L (left-click) on any square to center the map on that
square. You can also scroll the map in the indicated direction by moving your
mouse cursor to the edge of the screen (unless you choose to disable this option).
• If you have a unit in that square, L also moves your cursor to that square
and activates the unit (see Active Units, p. 22). If you have multiple units
in a square, you choose which unit to activate.
• If you have a base in the square, L opens the Base Control Screen (see
pg. 66).
: (right-click) on a square to open a window containing many of the most
commonly used commands. These commands are fully described under Action
Menu, p. 92.