- Core Gameplay: Turn-based tactical combat inspired by XCOM and Jagged Alliance.
- Mercenary Management: Hire unique soldiers with specific roles (Sniper, Shotgunner, Medic).
- Combat Essentials: Use cover, flank enemies for 100% hit chances, and set up Overwatch.
- Base of Operations: Commandeer a ship to serve as your mobile base and HQ.
- Strategic Depth: Balance aggressive pushes with defensive positioning to minimize casualties.
Combat Mechanics & Strategy
Warhounds features a tactical turn-based combat system where positioning and percentage management are key. Unlike some strategy games where RNG (Random Number Generation) can feel punishing, Warhounds offers clear UI indicators for hit chances, allowing for calculated decision-making.
Video Highlights:
- Introduction to the tactical gameplay loop.
- Demonstration of the Overwatch and flanking mechanics.
- Visual explanation of the UI and hit percentage system.
The combat revolves around Action Points (AP). Typically, each mercenary has two AP per turn. These can be used to move, shoot, reload, or use special abilities. A critical mechanic is Overwatch, which allows a unit to monitor a cone of vision and automatically interrupt enemy movement with an attack.
Moving without cover is dangerous. Always check the "red squares" on the ground before moving a unit to ensure you aren't walking into an enemy's Overwatch cone. Taking an uncalculated risk often results in your unit getting suppressed or eliminated before their turn begins.
Hit Chances and Flanking
The UI displays hit chances dynamically as you hover over movement tiles.
- Standard Shot: Usually ranges from 30% to 70% depending on cover.
- Flanking: Moving to the side or rear of an enemy often boosts accuracy to 100%.
- Cover Destruction: High-caliber weapons and explosives can destroy cover, leaving enemies exposed.
| Situation | Hit Chance | Risk Level | Strategy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Frontal Attack | 30% - 50% | High | Use only if no flanking option exists. |
| Flanked Enemy | 100% | Low | Prioritize this to secure kills. |
| Overwatch Shot | Variable | Medium | Use to lock down chokepoints. |
| Destructible Cover | Low (initially) | High | Destroy cover first, then shoot. |
Mercenary Roles & Loadouts
Your squad consists of mercenaries with distinct classes and equipment. Understanding their roles is vital for squad synergy.
Assault / Shotgunner
- High Damage: Devastating at close range.
- Tank Role: Often wears heavy armor/vests.
- Weakness: Vulnerable at long range; must close distance safely.
Sniper / Crow
- Long Range: Can engage enemies from across the map.
- Precision: High base accuracy stats.
- Utility: Can often "Aim" for bonus accuracy or use Overwatch effectively.
Medic / Support
- Healing: Can use medkits to restore HP or revive downed allies.
- Utility: May have "Go Go Go" ability to grant extra AP to allies.
- Protection: Keep them behind the front line.
A balanced squad typically includes two Assault units for front-line damage, one Sniper for picking off exposed targets, and one Medic/Support for sustain. This composition handles both close-quarters engagements and open-field firefights effectively.
Key Abilities Explained
- Overwatch: Consumes AP to watch a specific area. If an enemy moves within the cone, the unit attacks (interrupting their turn).
- Aiming: Uses 1 AP to significantly boost the accuracy of the next shot (e.g., +20%).
- Go Go Go: A support ability that grants an ally an extra Action Point, allowing for repositioning or a final kill shot.
| Ability | Action Point Cost | Best Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| Overwatch | 1 AP (Remaining) | Defensive turns or covering retreats. |
| Aiming | 1 AP | When a 50% shot needs to be a guaranteed hit. |
| Reload | 1 AP | Essential when ammo is low; avoid getting caught empty. |
| Headshot / Aimed Shot | 1-2 AP | Eliminating high-priority targets (Armored/Shotgunners). |
Mission Walkthrough: Prologue
The prologue serves as a tutorial, throwing you into the action immediately in the capital city.
Secure the Landing Zone
You start at the landing pad. Move your units forward using available cover. The initial enemies are basic militia. Use your first turns to establish Overwatch on the main approach paths to the palace.
Locate President Canindo
Your objective is to meet President Canindo. Fight through the palace grounds. You will encounter enemies using statues and fountains as cover. Use flanking maneuvers to get 100% hit chances and clear the area efficiently.
Rescue and Evacuation
You will find the President armed and fighting. Once the dialogue triggers, the objective changes to evacuation. You must now escort the President to the garden extraction point. Be careful of Shotgunners who rush your position during this phase.
Hijack the Ship
After escaping the capital, your team moves to a port to secure a mobile base. Clear the deck of enemies. Use grenades to group enemies and destroy their cover. Once the deck is clear, locate the control room to start the engines and hijack the vessel.
Completing the prologue rewards you with your mobile base (the ship). This vessel acts as your central hub for hiring new mercenaries, managing equipment, and planning future operations against the Damat forces.
Advanced Tactics & Tips
To succeed in Warhounds, you must master the interplay between offense and defense.
The Overwatch Trap
Setting up "Overwatch traps" is a powerful tactic. By placing your units in overwatch, you force the enemy to either waste their turn moving (and taking damage) or stay pinned down. This is particularly effective when holding chokepoints like doorways or ladders.
The game provides excellent UI feedback. When moving a unit, the game shows a red "exclamation mark" diamond if the movement path will trigger an enemy Overwatch reaction. Use this to preview safe movement paths before committing to a turn.
Managing the President
During the prologue, President Canindo becomes a temporary squad member. He is heavily armored and capable, but his survival is often tied to mission success. Treat him as a high-value tank unit but do not rely on him solely for damage output.
| Tactic | Description | Effectiveness |
|---|---|---|
| Turtling | Staying in cover and using Overwatch exclusively. | ★★★☆☆ (Safe but slow) |
| Aggressive Flanking | Rushing forward to expose enemy weak points. | ★★★★★ (High risk, High reward) |
| Cover Destruction | Using heavy weapons/explosives to remove enemy cover. | ★★★★☆ (Essential vs. Armored foes) |
| Baiting | Moving a unit slightly to draw Overwatch fire, then attacking. | ★★★☆☆ (Useful for Scouts) |
Base Management & Progression
Once you secure the ship, the game transitions from linear missions to a strategic management layer.
Your Mobile Base
The ship serves as your headquarters. Here you can:
- Hire Mercenaries: Access a roster of candidates with varying stats and prices.
- Manage Equipment: Distribute weapons and armor found in missions.
- Plan Operations: Select your next target on the world map.
Base Management Checklist:
- Hire a balanced squad (Sniper, Assault, Medic)
- Check the crew roster to ensure all critical stations are manned
- Review personnel files for mercenary specializations
- Stock up on medical supplies and ammunition
- Plan the next operation based on district rewards
You are paid in crypto (in-game currency). While you start with a decent amount, recruiting top-tier mercenaries and maintaining equipment costs will add up. Avoid spending all your funds on one expensive unit; a balanced squad is more effective than a single "hero."
Warhounds Mercenaries FAQ
Q: Is Warhounds similar to XCOM?
Yes, Warhounds draws heavy inspiration from XCOM 2 and Jagged Alliance 3. It features turn-based tactical combat, squad management, and a permadeath mechanic (implied by the need for revives and medical treatment), but with a more modern UI and a distinct 1980s mercenary aesthetic.
Q: How does the Overwatch system work?
Overwatch allows a unit to expend remaining Action Points to watch a specific cone. If an enemy moves within that cone, your unit will automatically fire, potentially interrupting the enemy's action. Units with shotguns have a shorter overwatch range compared to snipers.
Q: Can I miss a 100% hit chance shot?
Based on current gameplay footage, a 100% hit chance appears to be a guaranteed hit. This differs from some games where '100%' might still have a tiny fail chance. In Warhounds, 100% means the shot will connect.
Q: What happens if a mercenary dies in battle?
If a mercenary takes lethal damage, they are downed. You can use a Medkit or a specific ability (like 'Resuscitate') to bring them back into the fight, though they may have reduced HP. If they are not revived by the end of the mission, they are likely lost permanently (per standard genre conventions), so keeping a Medic is crucial.