Part 3

A ranks in missions are determined by completion speed.

Some missions offer up to 5 royal weapons for completing them with specific additional objectives: defeat all non-boss/non-Ace leaders, destroy all tanks, ensure no units are downed (redeployment does not count), ensure no units are killed (forced retreats do not count), and achieve an A rank.

Reward weapons can be earned separately on different attempts of a mission.

The 13 missions that reward weapons are: Chapter 2, Interlude 1, Chapter 4a, Chapter 4c, Chapter 6, Chapter 7b, Chapter 8b, Chapter 9, Chapter 11, Chapter 13, Chapter 14, Chapter 15a, and Chapter 17a.

The tier of reward weapon obtained is linked to the current R&D level for that weapon type.

Reward weapons cannot be ground for but can be purchased with renown in the post-game infirmary. The tier available in the infirmary depends on the total number of reward weapons earned from the 13 missions.

Units are promoted to corporal by spending command points during missions, reaching 40 points. Normal skirmishes grant 1 point, main game missions grant 2 points, and hard skirmishes grant 3 points per command point spent.

Using characters who are already corporal or higher rank still contributes to unlocking squad stories. For example, using Claude unlocks the squad story "Treading New Ground".

Enemy Ace weapons' usefulness varies. Ace rifles are good early for interception and surprise attacks, but any 7-shot rifle is superior. Ace machine guns are effective against high-HP infantry bosses and crouched enemies. Ace lances are useful early but less so mid-to-late game, with reward and R&D lances being generally better. Ace sniper rifles are often unnecessary due to high damage and short range; any 3-shot sniper rifle is usually better. Ace Grenadier antipersonnel mortars are very useful throughout the game, while antiarmor mortars lack accuracy.

Weapon accuracy is a numerical value; the in-game letter grade is an estimate and can be misleading.

Proximity-based personal potentials are reliable and effective. Brittany and Gertrude gain antitank buffs near allies (Brittany requires female allies). Mabel and Louffe get an attack buff near allied camps; trigger this by moving back and forth on the camp border. Jester gains an attack buff near female units, useful for grenade throws. Claude and Riley have powerful proximity potentials for each other later in the game.

To reliably trigger proximity potentials, use grenades (range 90) and position yourself about two steps back from the grenade line's blue indicator, then move forward and back. Using the camera at maximum vertical can provide a solid reference frame.