Intro

Welcome, Commander, to this comprehensive guide for Into the Breach! Whether you're a fresh recruit just stepping into your first mech or a seasoned veteran looking to refine your strategies, this guide aims to equip you with the knowledge needed to repel the Vek threat and save humanity. This introductory section will walk you through the critical initial steps, from understanding the core mechanics to setting up your first successful run.

The Core Loop: Understanding Your Mission

Into the Breach is a turn-based tactical game where you control a squad of three mechs, defending civilian structures (Power Grids) from giant insect-like creatures known as Vek. Each turn presents a new puzzle: how to eliminate or reposition Vek to prevent damage to the grid and your mechs. Failure to protect the Power Grid results in a timeline collapse, but don't despair – your pilot can jump back to a new timeline, retaining their experience!

Initial Setup and First Steps

Upon starting a new game, you'll be presented with the following:

Squad Selection: Your first available squad is the Rift Walkers. This well-rounded squad consists of the Combat Mech, Cannon Mech, and Artillery Mech. We highly recommend starting with them to grasp the fundamental mechanics before experimenting with other, more specialized squads.
Pilot Selection: You'll start with a generic pilot. As you play, you'll unlock more powerful pilots with unique skills. For your first run, simply assign your starting pilot to the mech of your choice. Consider putting them in the Combat Mech for increased survivability in the front lines.
Difficulty: For your initial playthrough, select Normal difficulty. This provides a balanced challenge without being overly punishing, allowing you to learn the ropes. Once you're comfortable, feel free to ramp it up to Hard or Unfair.
Island Selection: You'll begin on the first island, usually Archive Inc. or Pinnacle Robotics. The order of islands can vary slightly, but your goal is to complete a set number of objectives on each island before moving to the next.

Understanding the HUD and Basic Controls

Before diving into combat, familiarize yourself with the game's interface:

Power Grid: Located at the top of the screen, this bar represents humanity's remaining power. Each point of damage to a building reduces this. If it hits zero, it's game over for this timeline.
Turn Counter: Also at the top, this indicates how many turns remain in the current mission. Plan your moves accordingly!
Mech Health: Each of your mechs has a health bar. If a mech's health drops to zero, it's destroyed for the remainder of the mission. Pilots can be ejected from destroyed mechs to save them for future missions.
Vek Turn Indicator: Hovering over a Vek will show its intended attack, including the target and damage. This is crucial for planning your defenses.
Undo Button (Z by default): This is your best friend! You can undo any move within your current turn, as long as you haven't confirmed the turn. Use it liberally to experiment with different strategies.
End Turn Button (Spacebar by default): Once you've made all your moves and are satisfied, press this to end your turn and let the Vek attack.

Early Game Strategies: Your First Island

Your primary objective on the first island is survival and learning. Focus on these key strategies:

Prioritize Power Grid Protection: Always, always, always prevent buildings from being hit. A single point of Power Grid damage is often worse than a mech taking damage.
Understand Vek Attacks: Before moving any mech, carefully observe which Vek are attacking which buildings. Your entire turn should revolve around preventing these attacks.
use Environmental Hazards: Look for opportunities to push Vek into water, chasms, or lava. These are instant kills and save you valuable attacks.
Synergize Your Mechs:
- The Combat Mech (Rift Walkers) is excellent for direct damage and pushing Vek. Use its Punch to reposition enemies or finish them off.
- The Cannon Mech (Rift Walkers) deals good damage and can push Vek in a straight line with its Artillery Cannon. Position it to hit multiple targets or push a Vek into a hazard.
- The Artillery Mech (Rift Walkers) can attack over obstacles and push Vek. Its Howitzer is invaluable for hitting hard-to-reach targets or setting up environmental kills.
Power Management: After each mission, you'll earn Power Cores. Spend these wisely to upgrade your mech weapons or activate new abilities. For the Rift Walkers, consider upgrading the Combat Mech's Punch for more damage or the Cannon Mech's Artillery Cannon for increased range early on.
Pilot Experience: Pilots gain experience by defeating Vek. Leveling up grants them a new skill, making them more powerful. Try to spread out kills if possible, but don't sacrifice mission objectives for it.

Remember, every run is a learning experience. Don't be afraid to fail; each defeat brings you closer to understanding the intricate dance of combat and ultimately, victory!