AI Patrol Path Node Devices | Fortnite Creative Documentation

Use the AI Patrol Path Node device to create simple or complex patrolling behavior for guards spawned with the Guard Spawner device.

Place the device where you want to start a patrol path. Using your phone tool, place additional nodes (points) to mark the patrol path (use the hotkey control for placing or copying). The nodes will all be connected by a colored line, which will have directional arrows based on the patrol behavior you choose in the device options. You can use the phone tool to remove a node by using the control for cutting or deleting. See the image below for an example.

The Copy and Cut hotkeys change to Append Node and Move Node when you're working with this device.

Paths can be straight or curved, and can go up and down stairs or slopes. You can create many different patrol paths, and set other devices to send signals that cause guards to switch from one path to another.

Some devices have a limit on how many times that device can be placed on an island. This is independent of how much memory the device uses. You can place up to 128 AI Patrol Path Node devices on your island. For each device, you can set up to 128 individual path nodes.

Finding and Placing the Device

Click image to enlarge.

From Create mode, press the Tab key to open the CREATIVE inventory screen.
Click the DEVICES tab. You can scroll to select the device, use the Search box to look up the device by name, or the Categories in the panel on the left.
Click PLACE NOW to place immediately, or put the device in the QUICK BAR to place later.
Press Esc to return to your island in Create mode. Use your phone to position the device, then click to place it. Press Esc to detach the device from your phone.
Point at the device with your phone. If the CUSTOMIZE popup doesn't open immediately, move closer until it does, then press E to open the Customize panel.

If you're using multiple copies of a device on an island, it can be helpful to rename them. You can choose names that relate to each device's purpose, so it's easier to remember what each one does.

Device Options

This device has some basic functionality, like setting a Patrol Path Group. Additionally, there are some advanced options, like setting the next patrol path group and determining patrolling behavior.

You can configure this device with the following options.

Default values are bold.

Basic Options

Option	Value	Description
Patrol Path Group	Group None, Pick or enter a number	Set the Patrol Path Group this device belongs to.
Enabled at Start	Enabled, Disabled	Determines if the device is enabled at the start of the game.

All Options (Additional)

Option	Value	Description
Next Patrol Path Group	Group None, Pick or enter a number	Determines the patrol path group the AI instigator moves to when the Go To Next Patrol Path Group When Receiving From option is used.
Patrolling Mode	Back and Forth, Looping, Stop at End	Determines how the AI uses the Patrol Path. Options are: Back and Forth: The AI goes from the start node to the end node, and then goes from the end node back to the start node. Looping: The AI goes from the start node to the end node, then returns directly to the start node. Stop at End: the AI goes from the start node to the end node, and then stays at the end node.
Show Path in Play Mode (Debug)	No, Yes	Determines whether the patrol path is shown during the game. This option is for debugging and testing your island; it does not work with published islands.
Show Path In Edit Mode	Yes, No	Determines whether the patrol path is shown in Create mode.

Direct Event Binding

Direct event binding allows devices to communicate directly, making your workflow more intuitive, and giving you more freedom to focus on your design ideas.

Below are the functions and events for this device.

Functions

Direct event binding uses functions as receivers. A function listens for one device's event to tell another device to perform a function.

Option	Select Device	Select Event	Description
Enable When Receiving From	Click the arrow to display a list of available devices.	Click the arrow to display a list of available events.	This function enables the device when an event occurs.
Disable When Receiving From	Click the arrow to display a list of available devices.	Click the arrow to display a list of available events.	This function disables the device when an event occurs.
Go To Next Patrol Group	Click the arrow to display a list of available devices.	Click the arrow to display a list of available events.	This function sends the AI instigator to the next patrol group. Works with the On Node Reached or On Next Node Unreachable events.

Events

Direct event binding uses events as transmitters. An event tells another device to perform a function.

Option	Select Device	Select Function	Description
On Patrol Path Started Send Event To	Click the arrow to display a list of available devices.	Click the arrow to display a list of available functions.	When an AI starts a patrol path, an event is sent to the selected device, which triggers the selected function.
On Patrol Path Stopped Send Event To	Click the arrow to display a list of available devices.	Click the arrow to display a list of available functions.	When an AI stops using a patrol path, an event is sent to the selected device, which triggers the selected function.
On Node Reached Send Event To	Click the arrow to display a list of available devices.	Click the arrow to display a list of available functions.	When an AI reaches the current patrol path node, an event is sent to the selected device, which triggers the selected function.
On Next Node Unreachable Send Event To	Click the arrow to display a list of available devices.	Click the arrow to display a list of available functions.	When an AI is unable to reach the next patrol path node, an event is sent to the selected device, which triggers the selected function.

Design Examples

Here are some examples of how you can use the AI Patrol Path Node device.

Door Spotted

The action of a guard sighting a player can send a signal to other devices. Here is an example of a mechanic that can be implemented into a game that uses this.

You will need the following devices.

1 x Guard Spawner
3 x AI Patrol Path Nodes
1 x Lock
1 x Player Spawner
1 x Item Granter

Create a simple hallway in an L shape, with a door at one side, and alcoves to hide in.
Place an AI Patrol Path Node on one end of the L-shaped structure. Customize it to the following settings.

Option	Value	Description
Patrol Path Group	Group 1	The name of the AI patrol path you created.

Copy and paste the initial AI Patrol Path Node. Set up two more that traverse around the corner and to the end of the L-shaped hallway.
Set a Guard Spawner in a convenient location on the map where you can group global devices. Customize it to the following settings.

Option	Value	Description
Number of Guards	1	Maximum number of guards that can spawn at a time.
Total Spawn Limit	1	Total spawns of guards as they are eliminated.
Spawn Radius	2.5M	Distance from the spawner that a guard can appear.
Spawn On Patrol Path	Group 1	The AI Patrol Path that the guards will spawn on and follow.
When Alerted To Player Transmit On	Channel 2	When a guard identifies a player, they will send a signal to this channel.
When Eliminated Transmit On	Channel 3	When the guard is eliminated, a signal is sent to this channel.

In front of the open door, set a Lock device and customize it to the following settings.

Option	Value	Description
Initial Door Position	Open	When the match starts, the door will automatically be open.
Open When Receiving From	Channel 3	Upon receiving the signal from eliminating the guard, the door will be opened.
Close When Receiving From	Channel 2	Upon being sighted by the guard, the door will automatically close and lock.

Within a protected alcove that has cover to block a guard's line of sight if the player crouches, place a Player Spawner. Customize it to the following settings.

Option	Value	Description
When Player Spawned Transmit On	Channel 1	When the player spawns, a signal is sent to an Item Granter to award a weapon.

Place an Item Granter next to the Guard Spawner. Register an assault rifle to it, then customize it to the following settings.

Option	Value	Description
Equip Granted Item	First Item	The first item registered to the Item Granter is automatically equipped on spawn.
Grant Item When Receiving From	Channel 1	When the player initially spawns, they are awarded and equipped with the registered weapon.

You now have the basic functionality for having a door close and lock when a player is sighted by a guard, and unlocked when the player eliminates the guard.

As an alternative to having a player defeat the guard, you can have a button that the player can push to unlock the door. Navigating it through stealth will then become mandatory, or a player can return after eliminating the guards and try again.

You could also set the device to cause all guards to go on alert, or spawn hostile Sentry devices in chokepoints, suddenly making the level significantly more dangerous.

Guard Hire

Guards, like other AIs such as boars and wolves, can also be recruited by the player to help them in combat.

You will need the following devices.

4 x Guard Spawner
2 x AI Patrol Path Nodes
1 x Player Spawner

Create a small T-shaped hallway with a safe spawning alcove at the bottom of the T.
Place the Player Spawner in the alcove, using it's default settings.
Place a Guard Spawner within the alcove. Customize it to the following settings.

Option	Value	Description
Number of Guards	1	The number of guards spawned by the device at one time.
Team	Team 1	Set to the same team as the player's default.
Spawn Timer	1 Second	Guards are spawned after a one second delay.
Spawn Through Walls	Off	The guards cannot spawn past walls within their spawn radius.
Spawn Radius	2.5M	The maximum distance a guard can spawn from its spawner.
Patrol Option	Disable Patrol	Guards will stand in their initial spawn location instead of patrolling around.
Can Be Hired	Yes	By interacting with the guards, you can have them follow you.

Copy two more of this Spawn Manager and place them all within the alcove.
Place an AI Patrol Path Node on one end of the T juncture hallway. Customize it to the following settings.

Option	Value	Description
Patrol Path Group	Group 1	The name of the AI patrol path for Guards to use.

Copy and place a second AI Patrol Path Node on the other end of the hallway.
Place a fourth Guard Spawner anywhere on the level, and customize it to the following settings.

Option	Value	Description
Guard Type	Ghost	The physical model of the guard used.
Number Of Guards	2	Maximum number of guards that can be spawned at once.
Total Spawn Limit	2	Total number of guards that can be spawned.
Team	Team 2	The enemy guards are set to a separate team.
Spawn Timer	1 Second	Time interval before spawning guards.
Spawn On Patrol Path Group	Group 1	Guards will spawn on the patrol path and follow it instead of spawn near the guard spawner.

You now have the basic functionality to hire guards that will fight enemy AIs — from creatures to other guards — in a player's defense.

Making it impossible for a player to do damage outside of using a melee weapon can make utilizing and sustaining the guards important. New guards could be recruited that despawn the old ones, with better statistics and health, gradually building up a standing army that follows the player. There can be many enemies, from creatures to animals to sentries and other guards that they will react to.