Auto-Navigation?

[TaoLibra]

So I started out from Glory to the nearest star (A), and then I headed to the next nearest star (B). Then I went back in the other direction to what was now the nearest unexplored star (C), which I discovered was infested with Tan Ru — so I had to retreat.

Now, because of the relative positions of the stars in the (A)-(B)-(C) triangle, the distance from (C) back to (B) was longer (by quite a bit) than the distance from (C) to (A). So I should have retreated to (A), even though I came from (B), because when retreating you always head to the nearest star.

But my ship went back to (B). I didn't understand why until a moment later, when I tried to head to another star (D) by taking a path that cut through the (A)-(C) line — and I discovered a Black Hole directly between (A) and (C).

Well, that means my ship somehow knew that Black Hole was there, even though it hadn't been revealed yet, and it chose to retreat to (B) to avoid it.

That's not quite right, is it? Sure, it worked to my advantage, but the ship shouldn't have possessed that information. The most logical sequence would have been: Attempt to retreat from (C) to the nearest star (A), find Black Hole and have to turn around, go back to (C), see the Tan Ru on my radar and have to retreat again, then retreat to (B).

Or better yet: I know it's been suggested before, but I'd like to repeat the suggestion that you should be able to choose your destination when retreating.

[PvK]

I thought retreat destination was just kinda random from the nearby stars, no? That'd make sense since retreating is generally impromptu - one chooses what seems safest at the moment. At least, that's how I rationalized it.

PvK

[TaoLibra]

No, I'm pretty sure it's not random. Retreat always takes me to the nearest star that I've already explored — nearest by travel time, that is (not necessarily nearest by a straight line), or just the physically nearest explored star if I have the Hyperdrive.

I guess "always" isn't quite accurate, because of that unrevealed Black Hole dodging incident I described above — but that's the only time I've ever seen a Retreat not go to the nearest explored star…

[Brainiac4]

I think the game is helping you out a bit in that instance. If it did target the nearest star, you'd get partway there, discover the black hole, and then be stuck in an endless loop with the only ways out being entering the combat you fled from or diving into the black hole.

It's a little bit unrealistic, but better than the alternative.

Kudos to Fingers for the catch.