Ordering Your Lancemates

As you progress through the solo campaign, you'll gain the benefit of lancemates to assist in mission objectives. Unfortunately, these guys aren't invincible, so you must order them with care against powerful Mechs. Lancemates, when ordered to attack a target, prefer close-range combat over long-range sniping. Thus, be cautious when ordering them to attack powerful close-range Mechs like a Thor or, worse, an Annihilator. More than likely, your lancemates will be overmatched at close-range and suffer an embarrassing defeat. If you want your lancemates to fire at Mechs from long range, don't order them to attack; instead, order them to follow you. Get within range of the enemy Mech (about 700-800 meters) and your lancemates should fire whatever long-range weaponry they possess. Another good tactic is to order your lancemates to attack; they'll charge and get the attention of the enemy Mech. Meanwhile, you can hang back behind and snipe without fear of taking fire yourself. When facing off against multiple Mechs, it's often effective to send your lancemates after one, while you take on the other - especially when you gain multiple lancemates.

If you've ordered your lancemates to attack and see they're getting crushed, make an attempt to pull them out of battle by ordering them to "follow you" (if you've stayed back from the battle). The lancemates will turn and ignore their adversary and attempt to retreat to your position. Naturally, if they've already suffered large amounts of damage, this tactic might not work well because the enemy Mech will continue to fire at them as long as they're within range. Finally, don't hesitate to send your lancemates to the MFB for repair (more on this later). Keeping your lancemates healthy through a mission not only makes the mission easier (usually the toughest battles are at the end) but also relaxes the need for a brand-new Mech to salvage for the next mission.


Dishing Out Mechs and Weaponry

As stated above, the lancemates aren't invincible - therefore, don't necessarily put them in your favorite Mechs. In all likelihood, your lancemates will eventually lose the Mech unless you're extremely careful with them. But if you're that careful with them, then they probably aren't much help. Still, keep in mind that you could very well lose the Mechs they're piloting. If you want to save that Annihilator for later missions, then keep that one for yourself and send your lancemates out in the lighter Mechs.

The same goes for weaponry. Check out what each lancemate is taking to the battlefield. If each lancemate is equipped with the same autocannon, you can rest assured that your ammunition supply for that weapon won't last through many more missions. If you have a particular ballistic or missile weapon that's your favorite, think twice before allowing your lancemates to go out into battle with the same device. Lancemates run through ammunition like it grows on trees; keep the more powerful weapons and ammunition for yourself.


Utilizing the Mobile Field Base

In each mission of the solo campaign, the Mobile Field Base (or MFB) waits patiently at the start position for your command. Whenever you've sustained damage, head back to the MFB for repair - don't hesitate. There probably won't be one mission where you won't need the assistance of the Mobile Field Base, either to repair damaged armor or to rearm your missile or ballistic weapon.

Though you can move the MFB to various spots around the mission area, it's usually safest to keep the MFB back at the start position where you know enemy Mechs or vehicles aren't patrolling. Don't call the Mobile Field Base into a hot zone; don't let your MFBs sustain damage, or worse, get destroyed. It only takes a few minutes to return to the start position for repair. Don't be impatient and put the entire mission into jeopardy just because you couldn't wait a few minutes.

Next: Movement and combat strategies