Advanced Environmental Interactions
Beyond simply positioning your mechs and attacking Vek, the environment in Into the Breach offers a wealth of tactical opportunities. Understanding and exploiting these elements can turn a desperate situation into a decisive victory.
Buildings: These are your primary defense. Each building destroyed by Vek attacks reduces your Power Grid by one. However, buildings can also be used offensively. Pushing a Vek into a building can deal damage to it, and in some cases, destroy the building itself, potentially taking the Vek with it. Some missions specifically require you to protect certain buildings, making their destruction a critical failure.
Water: Mechs cannot enter water tiles. This can be used to your advantage to create barriers or funnel Vek into kill zones. Some Vek, like the Jet Mech, can fly over water, so don't rely on it as an impenetrable defense.
Acid: Acid tiles deal damage to any unit, mech or Vek, that ends its turn on them. Be extremely cautious when moving your mechs onto or adjacent to acid. Conversely, you can strategically lure or push Vek onto these tiles to inflict damage without expending your own mech's attacks. Some Vek types are immune to acid, so always check their resistances.
Fires: Fires spread. If a building or tile catches fire, it can spread to adjacent tiles on the next turn. This can be a double-edged sword. While it can damage Vek, it can also destroy buildings rapidly if not managed. Some mech abilities can extinguish fires, which can be crucial for preserving your Power Grid.
Mines: These explosive tiles detonate when a unit moves onto them, dealing damage to all adjacent units. They can be used to damage multiple Vek at once, but also pose a sificant risk to your own mechs if not handled carefully. Some pilots or upgrades can disarm mines.
Teleporters: These tiles instantly move any unit that enters them to another desated teleporter tile. They can be used to reposition your mechs for a better attack angle or to escape a dangerous situation. Vek can also use teleporters, so be prepared for them to suddenly appear in unexpected locations.
Mastering these environmental interactions is key to maximizing your efficiency and survivability. Always assess the map for potential environmental advantages before committing to an attack.