CO Unlock Guide

CO Unlock Guide

Beyond the initial roster of Orange Star COs available from the start of the Campaign, Advance Wars features a host of additional Commanding Officers from various nations, each with their unique CO Powers and playstyles. Unlocking these COs is primarily tied to your progress through the game's Campaign modes and your performance within them. This guide will detail the specific steps and conditions required to bring every CO into your command.

Unlocking Campaign COs

The majority of COs become available as you advance through the Normal Campaign and then the more challenging Advance Campaign. There are no hidden items or obscure side quests; simply play through the story, and new COs will join your ranks.

• Blue Moon COs: These COs will gradually become available as you progress through the Orange Star vs. Blue Moon conflict in the Normal Campaign. Expect to unlock Olaf, Grit, and Kanbei as you conquer their respective territories.
• Yellow Comet COs: Following the Blue Moon arc, the Yellow Comet COs will be introduced and unlocked as you engage with their forces in the Normal Campaign. Sami, Max, and Nell are key figures here.
• Green Earth COs: The Green Earth COs, such as Eagle and Drake, will become available as you confront their armies in the later stages of the Normal Campaign.
• Black Hole COs: Black Hole COs like Sturm are typically unlocked much later, often after completing the entire Normal Campaign and sometimes requiring progress into the Advance Campaign.

Unlocking Hidden COs (Advance Campaign)

Some of the most powerful and unique COs are reserved for players who brave the Advance Campaign. This mode not only offers a tougher challenge but also rewards you with additional COs not found in the Normal Campaign.

1. Complete Normal Campaign: you must successfully complete every mission in the Normal Campaign. This will unlock the Advance Campaign option on the main menu.
2. Achieve S-Ranks: While not strictly necessary for every unlock, aiming for S-Ranks on missions in the Advance Campaign will significantly speed up your progress and ensure you meet any hidden criteria. The scoring system considers Speed, Technique, and Power.
3. Specific Mission Completion: Certain COs are tied to completing specific missions within the Advance Campaign. For example, some Black Hole COs might only become available after defeating them in a particularly challenging Advance Campaign scenario. Pay close attention to the mission briefings and objectives.
4. Purchase from Battle Maps (Optional): In some versions of Advance Wars, certain COs might also be available for purchase in the Battle Maps section using in-game currency earned from campaign performance. Always check the Battle Maps shop after significant campaign progress.

General Strategies for CO Unlocks

• Prioritize Campaign Progression: Your primary focus should be on completing campaign missions. New COs are almost always tied to story progression.
• Aim for High Ranks: While not always a direct unlock requirement, achieving A or S ranks on missions often contributes to unlocking bonus content, including COs, in a more general sense. This also earns you more in-game currency for potential purchases.
• Replay Missions: If you're struggling to unlock a particular CO, consider replaying earlier missions in the Advance Campaign to improve your scores or try different strategies. Sometimes, a better overall performance across the campaign can trigger unlocks.
• Check the CO Select Screen: After completing significant campaign milestones, always check the CO select screen in Versus or War Room modes to see if new COs have become available. They will typically be highlighted as "New!"

By following these steps and strategies, you'll soon have a full roster of powerful Commanding Officers at your disposal, ready to lead your armies to victory!