- Warhounds gameplay walkthrough: Master turn-based tactical combat with cover systems and overwatch mechanics
- Squad classes: Includes Sapper, Machine Gunner, Assault Trooper, and Grenadier for diverse tactics
- Base management: Build cabins, hospitals, and manage crew to keep your organization running
- Mission types: Handcrafted combat, covert, and recon missions offer structured progression
- Extraction phase: Survive enemy reinforcements and reach the extraction zone after completing objectives
Warhounds Tactical Combat Fundamentals
Warhounds is a turn-based tactical game where you command a squad of mercenaries through challenging missions set in Africa. The gameplay revolves around cover systems, action points, overwatch, and strategic positioning. Understanding these core mechanics is essential for surviving firefights and completing mission objectives.
Video Highlights:
- Full gameplay walkthrough of first and second tactical missions
- Demonstrates cover usage, overwatch, and grenade tactics
- Shows base management, equipment contracts, and squad hiring
- Features the jungle demolition and extraction mission
Combat in Warhounds uses a two-action-point system per soldier. You can move and shoot, move twice for extended distance, or set up overwatch to react to enemy movement. The game automatically reloads weapons after eliminating an enemy squad, saving valuable turns.
Always prioritize full cover (high cover) over half cover. Full cover significantly reduces enemy hit chances. Avoid standing near explosive objects like vehicles, gas canisters, or barrels, as enemies can shoot them for massive area damage.
Core Combat Mechanics Table
| Mechanic | Description | Tactical Value |
|---|---|---|
| Full Cover | Blocks line of sight, reduces hit chance | Essential for survival |
| Half Cover | Partial protection, moderate penalty | Use when no full cover available |
| Overwatch | Reaction fire on enemy movement | Controls chokepoints and flanks |
| Grenades | Destroy cover, area damage | High value against grouped enemies |
| Action Points | Two per turn per soldier | Move + shoot, or double move |
| Auto-Reload | Free reload after squad wipe | Saves turns, maintains momentum |
Squad Classes and Abilities
Warhounds features multiple soldier classes, each with unique abilities and battlefield roles. Promoting soldiers after missions unlocks new classes that expand your tactical options significantly.
Sapper
- Unlocks frag grenades and mines
- Destroy mine skill (100% hit, causes explosion)
- Excellent for area denial and demolition objectives
- Versatile utility class
Machine Gunner
- High suppression and damage output
- Effective at controlling enemy movement
- Ideal for holding defensive positions
- Available from early game
Assault Trooper
- Close-quarters combat specialist
- Pairs well with shotguns and SMGs
- Aggressive flanking potential
- High mobility on the battlefield
Grenadier
- Explosive ordnance specialist
- Grenade launcher for extended range
- Devastating against grouped enemies and cover
- Critical for demolition missions
When hiring new soldiers, prioritize high health (7 HP is excellent) and accuracy (70%+ is ideal). Avoid recruits with only 3-4 HP, as they will fall quickly in combat. Balance your squad with a mix of classes for maximum flexibility.
Enemy Types and Threat Assessment
| Enemy Type | Behavior Pattern | Threat Level | Counter Strategy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sniper | High damage, long range, locks targets | High | Close distance, use smoke grenades |
| Assault (Shotgun) | Rushes to close range | Medium | Overwatch, maintain distance |
| Cutthroat | Ignores threats, charges directly | High | Grenades, concentrated fire |
| Standard Rifleman | Uses cover, moderate accuracy | Low-Medium | Flank and grenade |
Mission Walkthrough: Demolition and Extraction
The second mission in Warhounds introduces the demolition and extraction format. Your objective is to plant explosives on a marked asset, defend the area until detonation, and extract your squad to the designated zone.
Approach and Overwatch
Move your squad forward carefully, keeping everyone in cover. Place soldiers on overwatch to catch patrolling enemies. Avoid triggering multiple enemy pods simultaneously by moving one soldier at a time into unexplored areas.
Reach the Objective
Navigate toward the marked demolition point. Use the terrain to your advantage, moving through buildings when outdoor cover is limited. Clear nearby enemy pods before planting explosives to ensure a safe detonation window.
Plant Explosives and Defend
Move a soldier to the marked tile and use the plant explosive skill. After planting, enemy reinforcements will arrive from map edges every turn. Position your squad in defensive cover facing the reinforcement directions.
Survive Until Detonation
Hold your position for several turns until the explosive detonates. Use grenades and grenade launchers to thin incoming waves. Keep your medic ready to heal any injured soldiers. Do not stand near the explosive asset.
Extract the Squad
After detonation, rush all soldiers toward the extraction zone. Enemy reinforcements continue arriving each turn. You can extract even after using both action points. Prioritize getting injured soldiers out first.
Enemy reinforcements arrive every turn after planting explosives. They spawn from map corners, often behind your position. Never leave your rear exposed. If a soldier cannot reach the extraction zone in one turn, position them in cover and overwatch the approach.
Mission Rewards Breakdown
| Reward Type | Example | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Currency | ~6,300 Krypto | Mission completion |
| Intel | 4-10 per recon mission | Covert operations |
| Trophies | Elite cigars, diamonds | Battlefield pickups |
| XP | Class promotions | Combat performance |
| Equipment | Armor plates, weapon augments | Supply contracts |
Base Management and Progression
Between missions, Warhounds tasks you with managing your mobile base of operations. Building facilities, managing crew, and securing supply contracts are critical for long-term success.
Every ship station requires crew to operate. You start with 10 crew members, and building facilities consumes them. Build additional cabins first to increase crew capacity before constructing hospitals or other essential stations.
Base Building Priority
| Building | Cost | Time | Prerequisite | Priority |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cabins | Moderate | 2 days | None | ★★★★★ |
| Hospital | 10,000 | Several days | Extra crew | ★★★★★ |
| Barracks | Moderate | Varies | None | ★★★★ |
| Contracts | 10 Intel | 3 days | Bridge access | ★★★★ |
Supply Contract System
Supply contracts allow you to purchase weapons, body armor, grenades, and medkits. Contracts take time to arrange and cost intel. Key items to prioritize:
- Individual medkits: Essential for healing during combat
- Tactical vests/bulletproof armor: Reduces incoming damage
- Frag grenades: Offensive utility and cover destruction
- Smoke grenades: Blocks enemy line of sight for repositioning
- Weapon augments: Upgrades for shotguns and light machine guns
Send idle soldiers on recon missions to major cities. These covert operations generate intel, unlock new combat missions, and provide resources for expanding your organization. Choose cities with low failure chances (2-5%) for safe returns.
Advanced Combat Strategies
Mastering Warhounds requires understanding advanced tactics beyond basic cover and shoot mechanics. These strategies will help you minimize damage taken and maximize mission efficiency.
Explosive Chain
- Shoot gas canisters near enemies
- 100% hit chance on environmental objects
- Massive area damage
- Eliminates multiple targets instantly
Roof Control
- Elevated positions provide sight advantage
- Hard for enemies to flank
- Excellent for snipers and overwatch
- Access via ladders and ledges
Grenade Launcher
- Extended range grenade deployment
- Not a separate skill, uses grenade slot
- Bypasses cover entirely
- Ideal for grouped enemies at distance
When facing enemy snipers with the Squad Sight Lock ability, any action by the locked target triggers an attack. Break line of sight by moving inside buildings, or use grenades to damage the sniper from behind cover. Explosive gas canisters near snipers can eliminate them in one shot.
Tactical Positioning Guide
| Situation | Recommended Action | Success Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Enemy in full cover | Grenade to destroy cover, then shoot | High |
| Sniper lock active | Move inside building, break LOS | Medium |
| Multiple enemies grouped | Grenade or grenade launcher | Very High |
| Flanked position | Retreat to full cover or smoke | Medium |
| Extraction under fire | Rush extraction, ignore kills | Variable |
Pre-Mission Preparation Checklist:
- Ensure all soldiers have tactical vests equipped
- Distribute medkits across at least two soldiers
- Check grenade loadout for each squad member
- Verify squad has mixed classes for flexibility
- Confirm no soldiers are fatigued from previous missions
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Are Warhounds missions procedurally generated or handcrafted?
All missions in Warhounds are handcrafted, not procedurally generated. The game features over 200 missions including side quests. While this may limit replay value for some players, each mission offers unique tactical challenges and map layouts.
Q: What is the maximum squad size in Warhounds?
The maximum squad size for tactical missions is four soldiers. This limit cannot be upgraded. You should focus on building a well-rounded squad with complementary classes rather than trying to increase squad size.
Q: How does the fatigue system work?
Soldiers become fatigued after completing missions and cannot be deployed again until they recover. This means you need a larger roster of trained soldiers to maintain operational capacity. Hire additional recruits and rotate them through missions to keep your forces fresh.
Q: Do soldiers automatically pick up battlefield supplies at mission end?
Battlefield supplies like elite cigars and diamonds should be picked up manually during the mission by moving soldiers adjacent to them. While the game may auto-collect some items, it is safer to grab them as you progress through the map to avoid missing valuable resources.
Q: What happens if a soldier goes down during a mission?
Injured soldiers require treatment at a hospital facility in your base. Build a hospital as soon as you have enough crew capacity. Soldiers that are downed may suffer permanent consequences, so always carry medkits and prioritize healing during combat.
The Warhounds gameplay walkthrough emphasizes patience and positioning over aggressive pushes. Use overwatch to control enemy movement, destroy cover with grenades before taking shots, and always plan your extraction route before planting explosives. A well-prepared squad with proper equipment and balanced classes will consistently outperform a rushed approach.