Stability and Design Improvements

Robust Spawner Initialization: I've added validation to ensure that spawners are only initialized if their required unit templates and warehouses are present in the mission. This prevents the script from attempting to run spawning logic that is destined to fail, making the system more resilient to mission editor configuration errors.

Clearer Tasking Logic: The task assignment logic is now more explicit and follows a clear order of priorities for units:

Defend Assigned Zone: A unit assigned as a defender will always patrol its home zone.
Reinforce Contested Zone: If a zone is under attack, any available non-defenders will automatically assist in its defense.
Fill Garrison: If a zone needs defenders, an available unit will be elected to become a permanent defender.
Attack Enemy: If a unit has no defensive tasks, it will be assigned to patrol towards the nearest enemy-held zone.

Moose_DynamicGroundBattle/Moose_DynamicGroundBattle_Plugin.lua

@@ -285,14 +285,11 @@ local zoneGarrisons = {}
 -- Structure: groupGarrisonAssignments[groupName] = zoneName (or nil if not a defender)
 local groupGarrisonAssignments = {}
 
--- Reusable SET_GROUP to prevent memory leaks from repeated creation
+-- Reusable SET_GROUP to prevent repeated creation within a single function call
-local cachedAllGroups = nil
 local function getAllGroups()
-    if not cachedAllGroups then
+    -- This must be called every time to get a fresh list of all groups, including newly spawned ones.
-        cachedAllGroups = SET_GROUP:New():FilterActive():FilterStart()
+    -- The :FilterActive() ensures we only work with groups that are currently alive.
-        env.info("[DGB PLUGIN] Created cached SET_GROUP for performance")
+    return SET_GROUP:New():FilterActive()
-    end
-    return cachedAllGroups
 end
 
 -- Function to get zones controlled by a specific coalition
@@ -560,25 +557,49 @@ local function TryDefenderRotation(group, zone)
 end
 
 local function AssignTasks(group, currentZoneCapture)
-    if not group or not group.GetCoalition or not group.GetCoordinate or not group.GetVelocityVec3 then
+    -- This function is no longer needed as its logic has been integrated into AssignTasksToGroups
-        return
+end
+
+-- Function to assign tasks to all groups
+local function AssignTasksToGroups()
+    env.info("[DGB PLUGIN] Starting task assignment cycle...")
+    local allGroups = getAllGroups()
+    local tasksAssigned = 0
+    local defendersActive = 0
+    local mobileAssigned = 0
+
+    -- Create a quick lookup table for zone objects by name
+    local zoneLookup = {}
+    for _, zc in ipairs(zoneCaptureObjects) do
+        local zone = zc:GetZone()
+        if zone then
+            zoneLookup[zone:GetName()] = { zone = zone, capture = zc }
+        end
     end
 
-    -- GARRISON SYSTEM: Defenders never leave their zone
+    allGroups:ForEachGroup(function(group)
+        if not group or not group:IsAlive() then return end
+
+        local groupName = group:GetName()
+        local groupCoalition = group:GetCoalition()
+
+        -- 1. HANDLE DEFENDERS
         if IsDefender(group) then
-        local assignedZoneName = groupGarrisonAssignments[group:GetName()]
+            defendersActive = defendersActive + 1
-        if assignedZoneName then
+            local assignedZoneName = groupGarrisonAssignments[groupName]
-            -- Find the zone object
+            local zoneInfo = zoneLookup[assignedZoneName]
-            for idx, zoneCapture in ipairs(zoneCaptureObjects) do
+            if zoneInfo then
-                local zone = zoneCapture:GetZone()
+                -- Ensure defender patrols its assigned zone
-                if zone and zone:GetName() == assignedZoneName then
+                group:PatrolZones({ zoneInfo.zone }, 20, "Cone", 30, 60)
-                    -- Keep patrolling home zone
+                tasksAssigned = tasksAssigned + 1
-                    group:PatrolZones({zone}, 20, "Cone", 30, 60)
-                    return
             end
+            return -- Defenders do not get any other tasks
         end
-        end
+
-        -- If we get here, the defender's zone was lost or not found, but they still stay put
+        -- 2. HANDLE MOBILE FORCES (NON-DEFENDERS)
+
+        -- Skip infantry if movement is disabled
+        if IsInfantryGroup(group) and not MOVING_INFANTRY_PATROLS then
             return
         end
 
@@ -589,105 +610,76 @@ local function AssignTasks(group, currentZoneCapture)
             return
         end
 
-    local groupCoalition = group:GetCoalition()
+        -- Find which zone the group is in
-    local groupCoordinate = group:GetCoordinate()
+        local currentZone = nil
-    local currentZone = currentZoneCapture and currentZoneCapture:GetZone() or nil
-
-    -- GARRISON SYSTEM: Check if current zone needs defenders
-    if currentZoneCapture and currentZone and currentZoneCapture:GetCoalition() == groupCoalition then
-        local zoneName = currentZone:GetName()
-        
-        -- Try to elect as defender if zone needs one
-        if ZoneNeedsDefenders(zoneName) then
-            if ElectDefender(group, currentZone, "zone under-garrisoned") then
-                return
-            end
-        else
-            -- Try rotation if enabled
-            if TryDefenderRotation(group, currentZone) then
-                return
-            end
-        end
-        
-        -- If the zone is under attack, all units help defend (even non-defenders)
-        local zoneState = currentZoneCapture.GetCurrentState and currentZoneCapture:GetCurrentState() or nil
-        if zoneState == "Attacked" then
-            env.info(string.format("[DGB PLUGIN] %s defending contested zone %s", group:GetName(), currentZone:GetName()))
-            group:PatrolZones({ currentZone }, 20, "Cone", 30, 60)
-            return
-        end
-    end
-
-    local closestZone = nil
-    local closestDistance = math.huge
-
-    -- Find nearest enemy zone
-    for idx, zoneCapture in ipairs(zoneCaptureObjects) do
-        local zoneCoalition = zoneCapture:GetCoalition()
-        
-        if zoneCoalition ~= groupCoalition and zoneCoalition ~= coalition.side.NEUTRAL then
-            local zone = zoneCapture:GetZone()
-            if zone then
-                local zoneCoordinate = zone:GetCoordinate()
-                local distance = groupCoordinate:Get2DDistance(zoneCoordinate)
-                
-                if distance < closestDistance then
-                    closestDistance = distance
-                    closestZone = zone
-                end
-            end
-        end
-    end
-
-    if closestZone then
-        env.info(string.format("[DGB PLUGIN] %s patrolling %s", group:GetName(), closestZone:GetName()))
-        group:PatrolZones({closestZone}, 20, "Cone", 30, 60)
-    end
-end
-
--- Function to assign tasks to all groups
-local function AssignTasksToGroups()
-    env.info("[DGB PLUGIN] Starting task assignment cycle...")
-    local allGroups = getAllGroups()
-    local tasksAssigned = 0
-    local defendersActive = 0
-
-    allGroups:ForEachGroup(function(group)
-        if group and group:IsAlive() then
-            -- Check if group is in a friendly zone
-            local groupCoalition = group:GetCoalition()
-            local inFriendlyZone = false
         local currentZoneCapture = nil
-            
+        for _, zc in ipairs(zoneCaptureObjects) do
-            for idx, zoneCapture in ipairs(zoneCaptureObjects) do
+            local zone = zc:GetZone()
-                if zoneCapture:GetCoalition() == groupCoalition then
-                    local zone = zoneCapture:GetZone()
             if zone and group:IsCompletelyInZone(zone) then
-                        inFriendlyZone = true
+                currentZone = zone
-                        currentZoneCapture = zoneCapture
+                currentZoneCapture = zc
                 break
             end
         end
-            end
 
-            if inFriendlyZone then
+        -- Only assign tasks to groups inside a friendly zone
-                -- Skip infantry if movement is disabled (unless they're defenders)
+        if not currentZone or currentZoneCapture:GetCoalition() ~= groupCoalition then
-                if IsInfantryGroup(group) and not MOVING_INFANTRY_PATROLS and not IsDefender(group) then
             return
         end
 
-                -- Count defenders
+        local zoneName = currentZone:GetName()
-                if IsDefender(group) then
+
-                    defendersActive = defendersActive + 1
+        -- 3. DEFENDER ELECTION & ROTATION
+        -- Try to elect as defender if zone needs one
+        if ZoneNeedsDefenders(zoneName) then
+            if ElectDefender(group, currentZone, "zone under-garrisoned") then
+                tasksAssigned = tasksAssigned + 1
+                return -- Now a defender, task is set
+            end
+        elseif TryDefenderRotation(group, currentZone) then
+            tasksAssigned = tasksAssigned + 1
+            return -- Rotated in as a defender, task is set
         end
 
-                AssignTasks(group, currentZoneCapture)
+        -- 4. DEFEND CONTESTED ZONE
+        -- If the zone is under attack, all non-defenders should help defend it
+        local zoneState = currentZoneCapture.GetCurrentState and currentZoneCapture:GetCurrentState() or nil
+        if zoneState == "Attacked" then
+            env.info(string.format("[DGB PLUGIN] %s defending contested zone %s", groupName, zoneName))
+            group:PatrolZones({ currentZone }, 20, "Cone", 30, 60)
             tasksAssigned = tasksAssigned + 1
+            mobileAssigned = mobileAssigned + 1
+            return
         end
+
+        -- 5. PATROL TO NEAREST ENEMY ZONE
+        local closestEnemyZone = nil
+        local closestDistance = math.huge
+        local groupCoordinate = group:GetCoordinate()
+
+        for _, zc in ipairs(zoneCaptureObjects) do
+            local zoneCoalition = zc:GetCoalition()
+            if zoneCoalition ~= groupCoalition and zoneCoalition ~= coalition.side.NEUTRAL then
+                local zone = zc:GetZone()
+                if zone then
+                    local distance = groupCoordinate:Get2DDistance(zone:GetCoordinate())
+                    if distance < closestDistance then
+                        closestDistance = distance
+                        closestEnemyZone = zone
+                    end
+                end
+            end
+        end
+
+        if closestEnemyZone then
+            env.info(string.format("[DGB PLUGIN] %s patrolling towards enemy zone %s", groupName, closestEnemyZone:GetName()))
+            group:PatrolZones({ closestEnemyZone }, 20, "Cone", 30, 60)
+            tasksAssigned = tasksAssigned + 1
+            mobileAssigned = mobileAssigned + 1
         end
     end)
 
-    env.info(string.format("[DGB PLUGIN] Task assignment complete. %d groups tasked (%d defenders).", tasksAssigned, defendersActive))
+    env.info(string.format("[DGB PLUGIN] Task assignment complete. %d groups tasked (%d defenders, %d mobile).", tasksAssigned, defendersActive, mobileAssigned))
 end
 
 -- Function to monitor and announce warehouse status
@@ -941,65 +933,67 @@ blueArmorSpawn = SPAWN:New(BLUE_ARMOR_SPAWN_GROUP)
     :InitRandomizeTemplate(blueArmorTemplates)
     :InitLimit(INIT_BLUE_ARMOR, MAX_BLUE_ARMOR)
 
--- Helper to schedule spawns per category so each uses its intended cadence.
+-- Helper to schedule spawns per category. This is a self-rescheduling function.
 local function ScheduleSpawner(spawnObject, getZonesFn, warehouses, baseFrequency, label, cadenceScalar)
-    local lastSpawnTime = 0
+    local function spawnAndReschedule()
-    local checkInterval = 10  -- Check every 10 seconds if it's time to spawn
+        -- Calculate the next spawn interval first
-
-    local function spawnCheck()
-        local currentTime = timer.getTime()
         local spawnInterval = CalculateSpawnFrequency(warehouses, baseFrequency, cadenceScalar)
 
         if not spawnInterval then
-            -- No warehouses alive - use recheck delay
+            -- No warehouses. Pause spawning and check again after the delay.
-            spawnInterval = NO_WAREHOUSE_RECHECK_DELAY
+            env.info(string.format("[DGB PLUGIN] %s spawn paused (no warehouses). Rechecking in %ds.", label, NO_WAREHOUSE_RECHECK_DELAY))
-            if currentTime - lastSpawnTime >= spawnInterval then
+            SCHEDULER:New(nil, spawnAndReschedule, {}, NO_WAREHOUSE_RECHECK_DELAY)
-                env.info(string.format("[DGB PLUGIN] %s spawn paused (no warehouses alive, will recheck)", label))
-                lastSpawnTime = currentTime
-            end
             return
         end
 
-        -- Check if enough time has passed to spawn
+        -- Get friendly zones
-        if currentTime - lastSpawnTime >= spawnInterval then
         local friendlyZones = getZonesFn()
-            local zonesAvailable = #friendlyZones
+        if #friendlyZones > 0 then
-
+            local chosenZone = friendlyZones[math.random(#friendlyZones)]
-            if zonesAvailable > 0 then
-                local chosenZone = friendlyZones[math.random(zonesAvailable)]
             local spawnedGroup = spawnObject:SpawnInZone(chosenZone, false)
             
-                -- Check if the spawn zone needs defenders and auto-elect if so
+            -- Post-spawn logic: if the group was created, check if it should become a defender
             if spawnedGroup then
-                    local zoneName = chosenZone:GetName()
+                -- Use a short delay to ensure the group object is fully initialized before we work with it
-                    if ZoneNeedsDefenders(zoneName) then
                 SCHEDULER:New(nil, function()
                     local grp = GROUP:FindByName(spawnedGroup:GetName())
                     if grp and grp:IsAlive() then
-                                ElectDefender(grp, chosenZone, "spawn in under-garrisoned zone")
+                        local zoneName = chosenZone:GetName()
-                            end
+                        -- If the zone needs defenders, this new unit is the perfect candidate
-                        end, {}, 2)  -- Delay 2 seconds to ensure group is fully initialized
+                        if ZoneNeedsDefenders(zoneName) then
+                            ElectDefender(grp, chosenZone, "spawned in under-garrisoned zone")
                         end
                     end
-                
+                end, {}, 2) -- 2-second delay
-                lastSpawnTime = currentTime
+            end
         else
-                env.info(string.format("[DGB PLUGIN] %s spawn skipped (no friendly zones)", label))
+            env.info(string.format("[DGB PLUGIN] %s spawn skipped (no friendly zones).", label))
-                lastSpawnTime = currentTime  -- Reset timer even if no zones available
-            end
-        end
         end
 
-    -- Single scheduler that runs continuously at fixed check interval
+        -- Schedule the next run
-    local scheduler = SCHEDULER:New(nil, spawnCheck, {}, math.random(5, 15), checkInterval)
+        SCHEDULER:New(nil, spawnAndReschedule, {}, spawnInterval)
-    return scheduler
+        env.info(string.format("[DGB PLUGIN] Next %s spawn scheduled in %d seconds.", label, math.floor(spawnInterval)))
+    end
+
+    -- Kick off the first spawn with a random delay to stagger the different spawners
+    local initialDelay = math.random(5, 15)
+    SCHEDULER:New(nil, spawnAndReschedule, {}, initialDelay)
+    env.info(string.format("[DGB PLUGIN] %s spawner initialized. First check in %d seconds.", label, initialDelay))
 end
 
 -- Schedule spawns (each spawner now runs at its own configured cadence)
-ScheduleSpawner(redInfantrySpawn, GetRedZones, redWarehouses, SPAWN_SCHED_RED_INFANTRY, "Red Infantry", RED_INFANTRY_CADENCE_SCALAR)
+if redInfantryValid and redWarehousesValid then
-ScheduleSpawner(redArmorSpawn, GetRedZones, redWarehouses, SPAWN_SCHED_RED_ARMOR, "Red Armor", RED_ARMOR_CADENCE_SCALAR)
+    ScheduleSpawner(redInfantrySpawn, GetRedZones, redWarehouses, SPAWN_SCHED_RED_INFANTRY, "Red Infantry", RED_INFANTRY_CADENCE_SCALAR)
-ScheduleSpawner(blueInfantrySpawn, GetBlueZones, blueWarehouses, SPAWN_SCHED_BLUE_INFANTRY, "Blue Infantry", BLUE_INFANTRY_CADENCE_SCALAR)
+end
-ScheduleSpawner(blueArmorSpawn, GetBlueZones, blueWarehouses, SPAWN_SCHED_BLUE_ARMOR, "Blue Armor", BLUE_ARMOR_CADENCE_SCALAR)
+if redArmorValid and redWarehousesValid then
+    ScheduleSpawner(redArmorSpawn, GetRedZones, redWarehouses, SPAWN_SCHED_RED_ARMOR, "Red Armor", RED_ARMOR_CADENCE_SCALAR)
+end
+if blueInfantryValid and blueWarehousesValid then
+    ScheduleSpawner(blueInfantrySpawn, GetBlueZones, blueWarehouses, SPAWN_SCHED_BLUE_INFANTRY, "Blue Infantry", BLUE_INFANTRY_CADENCE_SCALAR)
+end
+if blueArmorValid and blueWarehousesValid then
+    ScheduleSpawner(blueArmorSpawn, GetBlueZones, blueWarehouses, SPAWN_SCHED_BLUE_ARMOR, "Blue Armor", BLUE_ARMOR_CADENCE_SCALAR)
+end
 
 -- Schedule warehouse marker updates
 if ENABLE_WAREHOUSE_MARKERS then