Combat guide
Zero Company rewards aggressive positioning, but aggression only works when the squad changes the battlefield before committing its expensive attacks.
Build the turn around information and geometry
The squad takes its actions before the enemy side. Because Operators can act in any order, the strongest opening move is often the one that improves the rest of the squad: reveal targets, destroy cover, create a flank, or claim elevation.
Chance-to-Hit responds to distance, cover, flanking, and high ground. Read the preview before spending AP and compare more than one shooter. The closest Operator is not automatically the best attacker.
Protect the action economy
Every Operator begins with three AP, but weapons and abilities price those points differently. Sequence cheap setup actions before attacks that consume all remaining AP. Shared Advantage abilities are powerful because they do not consume the normal action budget.
Movement is also part of the damage plan. One AP spent on elevation or a clean flank can improve several later attacks and reduce the chance that the same Operator needs rescue next turn.
Control space with cover and Overwatch
Partial and full cover lower incoming hit chance, and some cover can be destroyed. If going around is expensive, remove the protection. If the enemy must cross a predictable lane, Overwatch can convert its movement into reaction fire.
An Overwatch cone can be aimed and resized. More remaining AP allows more targets, while a longer cone reduces accuracy. Activating it immediately ends that Operator's turn, so it belongs at the end of that Operator's sequence.
Measure survival across missions
Health is a tactical resource, but Injuries are a campaign resource. An Operator at zero health becomes Downed, gains an Injury, and can be rallied. Repeating that cycle without treatment moves the character toward permanent death.
The correct question is not only whether the squad can finish this encounter. Ask whether the resulting Injuries, Medbay time, and replacement pressure leave the company ready for the next Cycle.