BASIC TACTICS

Smarter, not Harder

Focus on the mission objective, not on killing bugs. They are Legion and, on most missions, you simply can't kill them all. Attempting to do so leads to mission failure.

Instead, focus exclusively on the objective. Expend precious ammo only on those bugs who are directly relevant to the objective. Winning is based only on the objective, regardless of whether you kill hundreds of bugs or none at all.

Hazard Levels

While you're still learning, try selecting a lower hazard level on the mission details screen before you drop. In single player, try a lower hazard level like 0.3 instead of the default 1.0 until you get the hang of the game, then gradually try higher hazard levels over time. Lower hazard levels are easier, but pay fewer Credits.

Mobility is Key

Your jump jets make you faster and more agile than any Bug type. Make a short jump in the direct you want to move and then hit your jets to boost your speed. Jump vertically to attack your enemy from above or to simply get out of their way.

The bugs are single-minded: they generally seek out the nearest human to try to tear them to pieces. Use yourself as bait to “kite” the bugs into the direction you want them to go, which is generally away from vulnerable colonists, landing zones, and reviving teammates.

Beware of Plasma

Watch out for plasma bugs. A single plasma bolt from a Chucker or Bomber can wipe out all of your colonists. Put yourself between plasma bugs and a few hundred meters away from colonists. Then jump out of the way when you hear “Incoming!” so you don’t take a hit. In multiplayer, task someone with going out and proactively killing threats like plasma bugs while the rest of your team focus on achieving the mission’s objectives.

Evacuations

Whenever possible, call for your Evac drops several hundred meters from where the bugs are. When this isn’t possible, call for an Evac and then get away from the LZ, leading bugs away before your ship tries to land. Only when the dropship arrives should you then beat a hasty path toward the dropship using your jump jets. Again, mobility is everything, not firepower!

Hidden Colonists

Some mission types, such as Escort, start with the colonists hiding with their suits powered down to avoid attracting the attention of Bugs. This is why they appear only on your compass as green diamonds but not on your map. Once you get close to them, they power on their suits and become mobile, ready for you to rescue or escort them home. You need to stand close to each one in order to activate him.

Reviving Downed Players

In multiplayer, you can revive your teammates who have been knocked out. Simply stand on their body and a prompt will appear saying "Hold down B to Revive". Hold down the B button until the blue progress bar is filled. Each revival consumes one of your medical nano repair packs. Look at your right wrist to see how many of these you have. Light EXOs drop with 3 of them, Medium EXOs drop with 2, and Heavy EXOs have only 1.

Utilize Bases

Some maps include fortifications. Use them! Use the hand scanners to open and close gates to allow colonists to move inside to safety. Point your weapon hand at them and use the Y button to issue colonists instructions if need be.

Don’t get too comfortable inside, though. Plasma bolts can travel over walls and Breacher bugs can destroy gates and sometimes sections of wall. If there’s a breach you can expect bugs to swarm through. Letting a single Breacher slip through opens up a door to Hell!