Combat structure: the final phase

 

A grand finale is the key to all tactical combat. It is the moment to materialize the victory, to invent unique moves, to make the last calculations with pause. It is the time to shape the last tactics, the actions that will take us to the summit and bring this battle to a close. Keep this idea in mind: having a bad plan is better than not having a plan, as long as it is an understandable plan. Well, here are the last key points.

Getting this far has not been easy. After starting the game with some first moves calculated to secure the first positions, and after keeping control of the battlefield in the middle game, the decisive moment arrives: the final phase, the zenith of our virtue as strategists. 

Do not be fooled. There are few units left on the field, yes, but these will almost certainly be the strongest enemy units: the bosses and their acolytes, as well as other special units. In addition, some of our units may have reached this stage in critical condition, and health restoring elements will be scarce. But don't worry, we are tough guys and we will keep on fighting until the end.

"Having a bad plan is better than not having a plan, as long as it is an understandable plan."

At this point, we have probably cleared a large part of the map, and this gives us a very important advantage: we once again have the ability to maneuver. Why is this so important? Because, beyond the level of our units, as well as their equipment and abilities, what gives them real value is their ability to move. A powerful unit, but besieged, can lose its usefulness. For this reason, when finishing off a large group of enemies, the battlefield has freed up many squares to reorganize. The scenario virtually widens. Again: position, as well as the ability of our units to move, is VITAL.

"Beyond the level of our units, as well as their equipment and skills, what gives them real value is their ability to move."

In this last phase, keep the following in mind:

• First of all, when the battlefield clears, focus on recomposing the formation before launching yourself at the last enemies. Use one or two full turns for this, if necessary.
• The objective of this phase is to complete the mission conditions. Forget about expendable enemies and focus on the objective.

• Keep in mind that the AI does not care about losing units, you do not. And I want to emphasize this because it is important: help your more vulnerable units so that they, in turn, support your more powerful units -we will talk about the relative power of the units later-. At this point, a single false step can spoil the whole game. And by the way, be prepared to face the inevitable: not everyone will make it home alive.
  

"The accumulation of small advantages leads to considerable supremacy."

• Now is the time to seize opportunities and be productive in your tactics. As Wilhelm Steinitz said, "the accumulation of small advantages leads to considerable supremacy". In other words, whether you will achieve victory will depend on the previous small steps, considering your tactics one by one.
• Divide and conquer. It is a cliché, but it is perfectly valid when, outnumbered, the enemy can be pinned down by a positioning strategy. The strength of your units is not easily diluted when facing a few enemies, because these, outnumbered, will not be able to stop attacks in several directions. Take advantage of your numerical advantage.

And finally, victory is yours, commander.

Here ends the last article about the combat phases in a turn-based tactical strategy game. In essence, and in summary, these are the transitions that exist in this type of game, and that, as you may have noticed, are similar to Chess as a whole. Of course, each turn-based tactical strategy game has its own rules, and each player will have to adapt these tips according to his own logic and criteria. Nevertheless, I hope that this tactical guide will help you to enjoy even more this kind of videogames, which are not only great fun, but also a wonderful intellectual stimulus.