10.4 Waypoints

Updated: v2026.01.30

Waypoints are player-defined locations in space that serve as navigation markers, patrol anchors, and strategic reference points. While celestial bodies and jump points provide natural navigation landmarks, waypoints let you define arbitrary positions for tactical and logistical purposes. They are a simple but powerful tool for organizing fleet operations across complex star systems.

10.4.1 Waypoint Types

Updated: v2026.01.30

Aurora C# significantly expands the waypoint system from VB6, offering five distinct types that serve different strategic and tactical purposes. Each type has unique properties that integrate with the Standing Orders system (see Section 9.5 Orders).

10.4.1.1 Normal Waypoints

The standard waypoint type, equivalent to VB6 Aurora waypoints. Normal waypoints appear on the map as “Waypoint #1,” “Waypoint #2,” etc. (auto-numbered sequentially). They remain indefinitely until manually deleted and serve as movement order destinations. These are your basic navigation markers for patrol routes, rally points, and reference positions.

10.4.1.2 Named Waypoints

Function identically to Normal Waypoints but allow custom naming during placement. Instead of generic numbering, they display the assigned name on the map and in order dropdowns. Use Named Waypoints for locations you will reference frequently – the descriptive name makes them far easier to locate than numbered entries.

10.4.1.3 Rendezvous Points

Standard waypoint functionality with the additional capability of serving as targets for the “Move to Closest Rendezvous Point” standing or conditional order (see Section 9.5 Orders). This makes them ideal for fleet coordination – set a Rendezvous Point at your desired assembly location, and any fleet with the corresponding standing order will automatically navigate there when idle.

10.4.1.4 Points of Interest (POI)

Temporary waypoints that remain in place until a fleet arrives at the location or for six months, whichever happens first \hyperlink{ref-10.4-1}{[1]}. POIs integrate with the “Investigate Closest Point of Interest” standing order. When multiple fleets have this standing order active, they coordinate to avoid duplicate investigations – once one fleet claims a POI, other fleets will target different POIs.

POIs are ideal for marking locations discovered during play that warrant investigation but do not require immediate attention – anomalous sensor readings, areas of strategic interest, or locations flagged during survey operations.

10.4.1.5 Urgent Points of Interest

Similar to standard POIs but with two key differences:

  • They remain for one year instead of six months before expiring \hyperlink{ref-10.4-1}{[1]}
  • They receive priority visitation from fleets with investigation standing orders (checked before standard POIs) \hyperlink{ref-10.4-1}{[1]}

Use Urgent POIs for time-sensitive discoveries or high-priority locations that should be investigated before routine POIs.

10.4.1.6 Creating Waypoints

How to Create Waypoints:

  1. Open the System Map for the desired star system
  2. Right-click (or use the waypoint tool) at the desired location in space
  3. Select the waypoint type from the context menu
  4. Assign a name (for Named Waypoints) or accept the auto-generated designation
  5. The waypoint appears as a marker on the system map and becomes available as an order destination

Linking Waypoints to Celestial Bodies: Waypoints can be linked to system bodies by clicking the body’s icon during placement. A linked waypoint moves with the orbiting body, maintaining its position relative to the planet or moon as it travels along its orbital path. This is useful for marking positions that should remain in a fixed relationship to a colony or strategic body.

Standard Waypoint Properties:

  • Waypoints without body links are fixed points in space – they do not move with orbiting bodies
  • They have no physical presence (no mass, no signature, no collision)
  • They are visible only to your empire (not detectable by other factions)
  • They can be renamed or relocated at any time
  • Normal and Named waypoints persist until manually deleted
  • POIs and Urgent POIs expire based on time or fleet arrival

Waypoint Placement Methods:

  • Map Click: Place at any arbitrary point on the system map
  • Coordinates: Enter specific X/Y coordinates for precise placement
  • Relative to Body: Place at a specified distance and bearing from a planet or other body
  • Body Link: Click a body’s icon to create a waypoint that moves with the body

Tip: Use Rendezvous Points instead of Named Waypoints for fleet rally locations. The standing order integration means reinforcement ships will automatically navigate to the rally point without manual orders.

Tip: Place POIs liberally during exploration phases. Their automatic expiration prevents clutter, and the coordination between investigating fleets ensures efficient coverage without duplicate visits.

Tip: Link waypoints to bodies when you want them to remain relevant regardless of orbital position. A patrol waypoint linked to a colony will always be in the right place relative to the colony, even months later when the planet has moved significantly along its orbit.

10.4.1.7 Waypoint Naming Conventions

Effective waypoint naming becomes critical as your empire grows. Consider adopting a consistent naming scheme:

Location-Based Naming:

  • SOL-JP-Alpha – Sol system jump point to Alpha Centauri
  • AC-Patrol-1 – Alpha Centauri patrol waypoint 1
  • Barnard-Rally – Barnard’s Star fleet rally point

Purpose-Based Naming:

  • Fuel-Depot-Outer – Outer system refueling position
  • Intercept-North – Northern intercept position
  • Fallback-2 – Secondary retreat waypoint

Combined Approach:

  • SOL-Earth-Picket-N – Sol system, Earth, northern picket position
  • AC-JP1-Ambush – Alpha Centauri, jump point 1, ambush position

Recommended Prefixes:

Prefix Purpose
P- Patrol waypoint
R- Rally/rendezvous point
F- Fuel depot position
D- Defensive position
I- Intercept point

Tip: Include the system abbreviation in waypoint names. When issuing orders from the Naval Organization window, you will see waypoints from all systems – clear naming prevents ordering a fleet to the wrong system’s waypoint.

10.4.2 Patrol Routes

Updated: v2026.01.30

Patrol routes use waypoints to define repeating movement patterns for task groups. This is one of the most common uses of waypoints and is essential for maintaining persistent surveillance of critical areas.

Quick Reference – Patrol Patterns:

  • Linear Patrol: Two waypoints for corridor monitoring (jump point approaches, shipping lanes)
  • Triangle Patrol: Three waypoints for broader area coverage with multiple approach angles
  • Box/Perimeter Patrol: Four or more waypoints for maximum zone coverage around colonies or installations
  • Picket Line: Multiple task groups each patrolling segments to create a detection barrier

Key Considerations:

  • Space waypoints at 150-180% of sensor range to ensure continuous coverage
  • Calculate patrol endurance before deployment – faster speeds improve detection frequency but consume more fuel
  • Combine patrol orders with conditional combat orders (engage, shadow, or retreat and report)

For comprehensive patrol route setup including step-by-step configuration, conditional order integration, speed vs. fuel trade-offs, endurance calculations, and sensor coverage formulas, see Section 10.1.7 Patrol Route Creation.

10.4.3 Strategic Use

Updated: v2026.01.30

Beyond simple patrol routes, waypoints serve numerous strategic purposes in fleet operations.

Rally Points: Waypoints make excellent fleet assembly points:

  • Designate a waypoint away from any colony or body as the fleet rally
  • Reinforcements can be ordered to the rally point from multiple origins
  • The fleet concentrates at the waypoint before proceeding to the objective
  • Rally points away from colonies keep your fleet assembly hidden from enemy scouts near your worlds

Defensive Positions: Strategic waypoint placement supports layered defense:

  • Outer Picket Line: Waypoints at maximum sensor range from the defended area for early warning
  • Intercept Points: Waypoints positioned between likely threat axes and the defended colony, where your fleet can cut off approaching enemies
  • Fall-Back Positions: Pre-designated retreat waypoints where a damaged fleet can reform
  • Jump point control: Waypoints at optimal weapons range from jump points for ambush positions

Transit Corridors: Waypoints can mark safe routes through dangerous space:

  • Plot a path around known minefields using waypoints
  • Mark routes that avoid detection range of known hostile positions
  • Define standard transit lanes for commercial traffic
  • Create channel markers for navigating complex asteroid fields

Engagement Geometry: In combat, waypoints help you set up favorable engagements:

  • Place a waypoint at your desired engagement range from an expected contact
  • Order your fleet to hold at the waypoint, forcing the enemy to close the distance
  • Use waypoints to define flanking positions for pincer attacks
  • Set retreat waypoints so your fleet knows exactly where to fall back to

Logistics Coordination:

  • Mark fuel depot positions in deep space (where tankers wait to refuel passing groups) (see Section 14.3 Supply Ships)
  • Define cargo transfer points where freighters meet for trans-shipment
  • Mark emergency rally points for stranded or damaged ships

Survey Coordination: Waypoints can complement survey operations:

  • Mark the extent of surveyed space in a system
  • Note locations of potential interest discovered during surveys
  • Define search sectors for gravitational surveys in large systems

Waypoint Maintenance: As your empire grows, waypoint management becomes a concern:

  • Regularly review and delete obsolete waypoints (old patrol routes for abandoned sectors)
  • Update waypoint names when their purpose changes
  • Consider a naming convention that includes creation date or purpose code
  • Use the Delete All button on the Tactical Map’s Waypoints tab to clear all waypoints in a system at once when performing major cleanup operations Added: v2.6.0

Tip: Establish a “defensive constellation” of waypoints around each colony: an inner ring at point-defense range, a middle ring at engagement range, and an outer ring at detection range. This gives you pre-defined positions for layered defense without scrambling to place ships under pressure.

Tip: When planning an offensive, create waypoints for each phase of the operation: assembly point, transit waypoints around flanks, engagement positions, and withdrawal routes. Having these pre-planned means you can execute complex maneuvers quickly by simply ordering groups to sequential waypoints.

Tip: Keep a waypoint at each jump point you have surveyed, named for the destination system. This serves as both a navigation aid and a quick reminder of your system’s connectivity when issuing orders.

References

\hypertarget{ref-10.4-1}{[1]} AuroraWiki “C-Ship Movement” and “System Map” pages – Waypoint types documented: POI expires after six months or fleet arrival; Urgent POI expires after one year; fleets with “Investigate Point of Interest” standing order visit Urgent POIs before normal POIs.

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Aurora 4X Manual & Guide - Unofficial community documentation for Aurora C# (game by Steve Walmsley)

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