Hello Akvan,
“For example if one tries to kill an animal but the animal does not die than the panathipatha kamma patha is not created. However with the thoughts, intentions and actions one makes towards killing that animal, kamma is created. So can this mean that different kamma patha are created for/at those different stages of planning etc.?”
Kamma patha basically means “kamma is complete” and the full effect of the kamma will be applied.
– However, each step makes a contribution. So, even if just the first step took place, a vipaka due to that step will apply; but that is not called a “kamma patha“.
– The full effect of the kamma will apply only if all the steps are complete, i.e., only if it becomes a “kamma patha“.
For example, suppose one sees a snake and decides to kill it. He gets hold of a heavy stone and crushes the snake. But it turns out that it was a toy snake. So, now only 3 steps are complete; a snake was actually not killed. Thus it does not become a “kamma patha“, but vipaka due to the completed steps will apply.