Combat guide

Choose the kill before choosing the shooter

The squad acts before the enemy side, so the first goal is to remove an enemy before it gets a turn. Prefer an exposed damage dealer, a controller that can disrupt the squad, or a target whose cover can be removed for several follow-up attacks.

Compare the hit preview for more than one shooter. Distance, cover, flanking, and high ground can make a farther Operator the reliable choice. Split damage only when an ability rewards it or one attack can finish each target.

Protect the action economy

Every Operator begins with three AP, but weapons and abilities cost different amounts. 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. The AP invested controls how many targets can trigger shots, and cone length changes Chance-to-Hit. Activating it immediately ends that Operator's turn, so it belongs at the end of that Operator's sequence.

How to get better when the opening fails

• No clean shot: scan, gain elevation, destroy cover, or make the enemy enter a shorter Overwatch lane.
• Full-cover target: use explosives or forced movement before spending the squad's main attacks.
• Operator Downed: control the enemies covering the body, Rally with a teammate, then move both Operators toward protection.
• Timed objective: move the objective runner first and let the rest of the squad cover the route. A defensive Overwatch line is useful only when the timer allows the enemy to come to you.