Deployment Strategies: Mastering the Battlefield

Effective deployment is just as important as a strong squad. Understanding deployment order, positioning, and enemy pathing can turn a losing battle into a decisive victory.

General Deployment Principles:

1. DP Generation First: Always start by deploying your Vanguards to generate DP. Prioritize Skill-DP-Recovery Vanguards (e.g., Myrtle, Elysium) if you need fast DP for expensive units, or DP-on-Kill Vanguards (e.g., Vigna, Texas) if early enemy waves are weak.
   • Actionable Example: On a map like 1-7 (Clearance), deploy Fang on the top-left tile facing right, then Vanilla on the bottom-left tile facing right. This ensures a steady DP flow to deploy your core damage dealers and healers.
2. Blockers Next: Once you have enough DP, deploy your Defenders and AoE Guards to establish your main defensive lines. Place them on chokepoints or high-traffic areas where they can block multiple enemies.
   • Actionable Example: After your Vanguards, deploy Beagle on a tile that blocks the main enemy path. If there are multiple paths, consider an AoE Guard like Estelle or a second Defender.
3. Damage Dealers & Healers: With your frontline established, deploy your Snipers, Casters, and Medics.
   • Snipers: Place Anti-Air Snipers (e.g., Kroos, Jessica) in positions where they can cover aerial enemy paths. Place AoE Snipers (e.g., Meteorite) where they can hit multiple ground enemies.
     • Actionable Example: On 0-11 (First Encounter), after deploying a Defender, place Kroos on a high-ground tile that covers the main enemy path and any incoming drones.
   • Casters: Deploy Casters (e.g., Lava, Amiya) behind your blockers to deal Arts damage to high-DEF enemies. Consider Ifrit for stages with long, straight lanes.
     • Actionable Example: On 3-8 (Burning City), place Ifrit on the central high-ground tile facing left to cover multiple lanes with her unique range.
   • Medics: Position Medics (e.g., Hibiscus, Ansel) so their healing range covers your most vulnerable blockers. Use AoE Medics (e.g., Perfumer) for wider coverage and Single-Target Medics for focused healing on key operators.
     • Actionable Example: Place Ansel on a high-ground tile directly behind your main Defender to ensure consistent healing. If multiple Defenders are taking damage, deploy an AoE Medic like Perfumer.
   • Utility & Flex Slots: Fill remaining slots with Specialists, Supporters, or additional Guards/Casters as needed to address specific stage mechanics or enemy types.
     • Fast-Redeploy Specialists (e.g., Gravel, Red): Use them to assassinate high-priority targets (e.g., Casters, Snipers) that bypass your frontline, bait boss skills, or provide emergency blocks.
       • Actionable Example: On 4-4 (Frozen Plateau), use Gravel to bait the FrostNova's ice crystal attacks, protecting your main damage dealers.
     • Push/Pull Specialists (e.g., Shaw, Rope): Utilize them for environmental kills (e.g., pits), to control enemy flow, or to break up dangerous enemy formations.
       • Actionable Example: On SK-5 (Skill Summary), deploy Shaw to push enemies into the pit, instantly defeating them.
     • Supporters (e.g., Pramanix, Angelina): Deploy them to buff your damage dealers, debuff strong enemies, or provide additional crowd control.
   • Retreat & Redeploy: Don't be afraid to retreat operators to regain DP and redeploy them in more advantageous positions. This is especially useful for Vanguards after initial DP generation, or for operators who have completed their task.

Advanced Deployment Tactics:

• Chokepoint Management: Identify natural chokepoints on the map and concentrate your blocking and healing power there. Use ranged operators to cover approaches to these chokepoints.
  • Common Pitfall: Spreading your operators too thinly, leading to individual units being overwhelmed.
• High-Ground Advantage: Prioritize deploying ranged operators (Snipers, Casters, Medics, Ranged Guards) on elevated tiles. These tiles often provide extended range and are typically safer from melee enemies.
• Enemy Pathing Manipulation: Observe enemy pathing carefully. Sometimes, placing a low-cost operator (e.g., a Fast-Redeploy Specialist) in a specific spot can redirect enemies, creating a more favorable engagement zone for your main force.
• Target Prioritization: Understand which enemies pose the biggest threat.
  • Aerial Units: Always prioritize Anti-Air Snipers.
  • High-DEF Units: Use Casters or Arts Guards.
  • High-RES Units: Use Snipers or Physical Guards.
  • Ranged Enemies (Casters, Snipers): Often need to be eliminated quickly by Fast-Redeploy Specialists or high-damage Snipers/Guards, as they can bypass your frontline.
  • Bosses: Focus all available burst damage and crowd control on them.
• Skill Timing: Activating skills at the right moment can be game-changing.
  • Healing Skills: Activate when operators are at low health or about to take a large hit.
  • Damage Skills: Activate when a large wave of enemies is approaching or when a high-priority target enters range.
  • DP Generation Skills: Activate as soon as they are ready if you need DP quickly.
• Environmental Hazards: Many maps feature environmental hazards (e.g., pits, acid tiles, originium altars). Integrate these into your strategy by pushing/pulling enemies into them or using them to your advantage (e.g., healing from altars).