A node defines a tile on your path which can be looked at from a dynamic point of view. While it approaches nodes similar to stands, it has a few behavioral changes:

1. If you're chasing or running from a creature, and you pass within 3 sqm of a node, it is marked as reached.
2. If you stop within 3 sqm of a node to loot, attack, heal, or anything else, it will continue to the next node.
3. If there's no outside factors stopping you within 3 sqm of the node, it will be treated like a stand waypoint.