• Cyber Knights: Flashpoint blends XCOM-style tactics with punishing difficulty, demanding strategic planning to survive its unforgiving systems.
• Master these mechanics to optimize squad efficiency, minimize losses, and maximize rewards in high-stakes missions.

Let Time Heal Everything

• No upkeep costs or salaries: Use downtime to heal injuries, reduce stress, and lower heat without penalties.
• Only skip non-critical missions temporarily—mild contact frustration can be fixed later with legwork.

Small Team, Big Wins

• Cap your squad at 8 operatives to balance mission coverage and income. Idle mercs still take a profit cut.
• Avoid overstaffing—every inactive merc drains resources unnecessarily.

Hackers Are Mandatory

• At least one hacker is essential for matrix layers. They unlock bonus loot and XP, making missions easier.
• Add a second hacker for late-game difficulty spikes.

Stealth Isn’t All-Or-Nothing

• Eliminate or stun witnesses before the turn ends to avoid alerts, even if spotted.
• Hide bodies or use talents like Dissolve Body to prevent security triggers.

Initiative Beats Everything

• Prioritize high initiative stats: acting first lets you neutralize threats before they attack.
• Use gear, delaying turns, or talents like Hyperfocus to manipulate turn order.

Stack Action and Movement Points (AP/MP)

• Invest in AP/MP-boosting talents for mobility and flexibility. Slow enemy movement with debuffs when possible.
• Mobility trumps raw damage in many scenarios.

Avoid Useless Fights

• Extract early if a mission devolves—loot isn’t worth losing experienced mercs.
• Uncontrolled escalation spawns endless reinforcements, often leading to squad wipes.

Shotguns Are Mostly Trash

• Only the Scourge with Narotox Shell is viable. Most heavy weapons outperform shotguns.
• Exception: AoE stun builds using Concussive Burst.

Armor Can Lie

• High armor enemies require crits or armor-stripping abilities. Stealth attacks deal 3x-4x damage when undetected.
• Always check effective HP (e.g., 500 HP + 78% DR = 2,500 eHP).

Glancing Hits Save You

• Close-range attacks always deal partial damage—no XCOM-style 99% miss frustration.
• Use low-accuracy weapons to finish weakened enemies.

Escalation Can Be Managed

• Triggering a major event at 20/10 escalation resets the counter, often halting worse reinforcement cycles.

Base Layout Actually Matters

• Cluster high-power rooms near your core for efficiency. Avoid triage centers unless crucial to your build.
• Leave space for future content updates.

Reaction and Tech Are King

• Level Reaction (boosts initiative/speed) and Tech (improves crits/hacking).
• Strength suits melee builds; Willpower is situational.

You Don’t Need to Hug Loot Boxes

• Loot containers from up to 2 tiles away to conserve AP.

FAQ

Q: Which stats should I focus on when leveling?

Reaction and Tech. They boost initiative, movement, hacking, and crits… all the good stuff.

Q: How do I manage escalation better?

Sometimes it’s smarter to trigger a big escalation at 20/10 so you reset the meter instead of letting it climb slowly every turn.

Q: Is there any reason to use shotguns?

Only if you have a Scourge with Narotox Shell. Otherwise, skip them.

Q: Do I need a hacker on my team?

Yes. A good hacker is key for grabbing mission rewards and navigating the matrix.

Q: What’s the ideal squad size?

About eight mercs. It keeps costs down and lets you cover every mission type.

Q: Is stealth the best way to play in Cyber Knights: Flashpoint?

Not always. Mixed or loud play can work as long as you kill or stun enemies before the turn ends.