So, I had a nice time FREDing today ... which left me with a few questions on how random-of and random-multiple-of arguments list work.
1) If argument is randomly picked from the list does it at any time check if it is valid?
(e.g. the list is 6 ships, 2 are already destroyed and 2 are still to arrive - automatically exclude the 4 or do I have to narrow that somehow)
2) When does it actually pick an argument (and if yes to 1 - when does it check it)?
(event.log doesn't help because it puts the result of random-multiple-of on top before all the checks, which are also written in reverse order)
I would be very grateful for some answers.
Reason:
I've been trying to get some of my randomisation working without proxy variables to keep the number of variables used per mission down - so I have more space for mission to mission transfers and campaign mechanics; the real wild stuff is still in the tipeline. Mostly its stuff that small and inoffensive, such as minor variations on the dialogue or randomly picking one of the redshirts to say this or that line. Some of it is a bit consequential, such as if two destroyers are in a mission, which one gets to send the supply ship - and then reseting that if one of them is destroyed.
But I am also looking to the future and how to do stuff like "envoirnmental effects" or automatically triggering abilities for named squadmates or supporting craft in the ">bomber, <cruiser"-range (I meant it when I said that I wanted those stinking capital ships out of my missions).