Warhounds Tactical Combat Guide: Win Safer Turns

Use This Combat Turn Order

A reliable Warhounds turn follows one rule: improve the battlefield before asking a mercenary to win a bad shot. Scan every visible enemy and firing lane, choose one priority target, expose that target, finish it with several operators, then secure the squad for the enemy turn.

1. Read the objective and identify enemies that can flank, rush, or fire from height.
2. Move the first operator only far enough to gain useful sight while retaining cover.
3. Break or bypass the priority target's cover with a grenade, heavy attack, or flank.
4. Take the strongest available shots before moving deeper into unrevealed ground.
5. Reload any weapon that could run dry during the next exchange.
6. Place cone overwatch across the most likely enemy approach and end in cover.

Treat every action point as a promise about where that mercenary will survive the enemy turn. A kill has little value when the shooter finishes exposed to two unseen enemies.

Build Every Attack Around Position

Warhounds gives an operator two action points in the recorded tactical tutorial. Movement distance can consume one or both, while shooting, reloading, and abilities compete for the remaining budget. Check the projected cost before moving. A long advance that spends both actions removes your ability to shoot, reload, or establish overwatch.

Prefer full cover when contact is likely. Low cover is useful for controlled advances, yet it should not become a permanent firing position when an enemy can change angle. Keep the squad close enough to support the same target without packing everyone around one grenade impact.

Create the flank before firing

The official combat description emphasizes flank angles and destructible cover. Use that literally. Move one operator toward the side of the obstacle while the rest maintain pressure from the front. If the side route is too exposed, destroy the obstacle and let another mercenary take the improved shot.

High ground helps only when it also provides a useful line of fire and a defensible end position. A roof with no cover can turn an accurate shot into an easy enemy response. Check the route down and the angles from unrevealed parts of the map before committing.

Aim overwatch at movement lanes

Area overwatch uses a cone. Point it through a doorway, around a corner, or across the strip of ground an enemy must cross. A broad cone watches more space, while a deliberate narrow lane makes the threat easier to predict. Place the cone after moving and reloading so the operator is ready when it triggers.

Prepare the Squad Before Contact

Warhounds supports five classes: Assault, Specialist, Sniper, Machine Gunner, and Grenadier. The correct mix depends on the mission, but every deployment needs a way to reach close enemies, control open lanes, break cover, and keep key operators alive.

Before launching, check the following:

1. Every operator has armor and mission appropriate equipment.
2. At least one loadout can remove or bypass hard cover.
3. Long range fire can support the operators moving forward.
4. Tired or injured mercenaries have been rotated out when possible.
5. The squad has a treatment and extraction plan for a downed key operative.

Save grenades for cover removal, clustered targets, or a dangerous enemy that cannot be reached by a safe shot. Reload during a quiet action window. Waiting until the decisive exchange spends the action point you needed for a flank or retreat.

Fix the Mistakes That Lose Mercenaries

Double moving into fog: Advance with one covered scout movement, then reassess. Moving the entire squad before revealing contact leaves no answer when enemies appear.

Trading shots through strong cover: Change the angle or remove the obstacle. The game rewards planned lines of fire more than repeated low quality attacks.

Taking exposed high ground: Height is a tool, not a destination. Use it when the operator can survive the return fire.

Clumping around one wall: A compact squad can focus fire, but adjacent positions are vulnerable to area attacks. Maintain mutual support with enough spacing to limit one explosive hit.

Forgetting the mission objective: Some operations require extraction or another specific task. Do not chase every enemy when the objective tells you to move, protect, or leave.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many action points does an operator have?

Is full cover always better than high ground?

When should I use cone overwatch?

Should I use a grenade on one enemy?

What should I do when a mercenary is wounded?