Now that you've got your squad outfitted the way you want, and you know the mission objectives forward and backward, it's time to get into the mission. While each mission is described later in this guide, there are a few more general notes you should keep in mind while traipsing along an alien landscape.

•	Hercs are defenseless in the rear, where they can't shoot back.     Again, combat is not confined to closed quarters, and the further away you can engage the enemy, the better. The AI running your squadmates once told to specifically attack a target will attack at maximum radar range in most cases and is frequently much more accurate than you. AI-controlled enemies conversely will not attack until their target is much closer, most of the time.
•	Similarly, try not to be at the head of the pack, so to speak, charging headlong into a horde of opposing hercs and vehicles. Try to remain apace with your other squadmates or lag behind a little.
•	Do not stop if you can help it, unless you are in no immediate danger of being attacked (or, for better accuracy, you've stopped to fire at a long distance). Try not to run into friendly vehicles, or worse, enemy vehicles or other structures. Not only will this do damage to you, it will make you stop momentarily and typically make you very vulnerable to attack.
•	A vehicle, especially a herc, is most vulnerable from the rear - not because it is particularly weak in shielding, but because it can't shoot backward. Staying behind a vehicle while blasting away can be a key tactic, and the AI will surely attempt to throw you off.
•	Avoiding fire can be particularly tricky, especially if it seems like you're getting hit all the time. Generally, a zigzag-style maneuver can throw off a lot of fire, and a backward maneuver will give you the chance to fire at the enemy, though it takes a little more skill to master. Missiles are another matter - if you don't possess ECM equipment, you must dodge them by running at right angles to their approach.
•	Weapons and limbs can be blown off. Depriving a herc of its ability to walk can have a rather debilitating effect on its ability to do anything useful. Similarly, a powerful Herc can be rendered rather impotent by reducing its ability to damage by ramming only.
•	Don't be afraid to delegate the work out to your squadmates - that's what they're there for.