This guide details the most effective Stratagems to unlock early as well as the best loadouts.
Explanation
1. Under the “Ship Module” tab scroll down to the “Hanger” section and unlock “Liquid-Ventilated Cockpit” as soon as you can. This will reduce all Eagle stratagem cooldown time by 50%.
- This will allow you to basically spam Eagle Airstrikes constantly. This is the best all-rounder stratagem because of it’s 2 uses per cooldown and it’s overall quick cooldown.
2. Next, unlock either the Recoilless Rifle or Autocannon as these are great against armored targets.
- Alternatively, use the Expendable Anti-Tank launcher, however, you only get two shots for a 70 second cooldown, so I just recommend using Recoilless Rifle and stay behind your teammates. It’s really easy.
3. Finally, for turrets, the Mortar Sentry is extremely effective for long range engagements in defensive scenarios.
4. For the last stratagem, you can use whatever you want but I recommend going for more Eagle-based stratagems or orbital-based stratagems or any defensive stratagems like the Shield Generator Relay or you can save up for the mini nuke (Eagle 500KG Bomb @ level 15).
Best Stratagem Unlocks
Recoilless Rifle or Autocannon
- Recoilless Rifle: A reloadable rocket launcher. Useful against armored aliens. (Unlocks at level 5).
Tip: Shoot once at leg of a charger then use your primary weapon to shoot the exposed part of a Charger.
- Autocannon: A fully-automatic cannon. Useful against armored targets. (Unlocks at level 10).
Tip: It takes 5 shots to take out a Charger when shooting the head.
Note: The Recoilless Rifle takes a while to reload solo. You can alternatively use the Expendable Anti-Tank Rifle (unlocks at level 3) or the Autocannon (unlocks at level 10)
- Eagle Airstrike
A group of bombs set off in a row, not specifically targeting enemies. (Unlocks at level 2).
Tip: The Eagle Airstrike is a low cooldown and effective all-rounder stratagem. - Mortar Sentry
A turret that shoots shells, great for long-range battles. (Unlocks at level 8).
Tip: Very good against the Automaton faction. Place it on top of tall rocks or any terrain with height so that enemies don’t destroy it. - Eagle 110M Rocket Pods or use Orbital Precision Strike (unlocked at start of game)
A small cluster of bombs that target the largest enemy closest to the beacon. (Unlocks at level 10).
Other Useful Stratagems
- Orbital EMS Strike – Useful for crowd control because it slows enemies. (Unlocks at level 5).
- Grenade Launcher – Useful against Terminids to clear their hives.
A grenade launcher, powerful against low-levelled enemies. (Unlocks at level 5). - Rocket Sentry – Useful against heavily armored targets.
Automated turret that is powerful against armored enemies. (Unlocks at level 15).
Best Loadouts
ARMOR
- Against Terminids?
Any light armor as light armor provides increased sprint speed. Using light armor will allow you to kite/run away from the swarms. Light armor provides increased speed and stamina regen at the cost of reduced armor rating. - Against Automatons?
Any heavy armor. Heavy armor provides increased armor rating at the cost of reduced speed and stamina regen.
WEAPONS
- Primary: Breaker (shotgun)
This is probably the best weapon in the game at the moment.
A fully-automatic shotgun with a high rate of fire, excellent for controlling crowds. Requires frequent reloading. - Secondary: Redeemer (pistol)
A fully-automatic pistol with an extremely high rate of fire, allowing for efficient crowd control. - Grenade: User preference.
STRATAGEMS
- Early Game Set up (Under level 10):
Recoilless Rifle, Eagle Airstrike, Orbital Precision Strike (unlocks at start of game), Mortar Sentry. - “Late Game” Set up (Above level 15+):
Autocannon/Recoilless Rifle, Eagle Airstrike, Rocket Sentry, Eagle 500KG Bomb.
This is the best all rounder set up that I have found. If you want team based stratagems (e.g., Shield Generator Relay) just replace the Eagle 500KG Bomb with whatever you want.
