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Controls
Mouse or Touch: Tap or click a friendly unit, then select a highlighted destination or hostile target.
Drag: Pan across the battlefield.
Mouse Wheel: Zoom the battlefield in or out.
Number Keys 1–4: Activate the matching visible command card.
Enter: End the current player turn.
WASD or Arrow Keys: Pan the battlefield on desktop.
Escape: Cancel the active command. Press Escape again to pause.
Interface Buttons: Open the Field Manual, pause, mute audio, switch command decks, activate units, structures, protocols, and end the turn.
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How to play
Protect your Command Core while completing the current mission objective displayed in the upper HUD.
Capture a resource relay by moving a friendly unit onto it. Controlled Energy, Alloy, and Data relays generate resources at the beginning of each turn. Spend those resources to deploy units beside a Command Core or War Fabricator, construct buildings beside your existing network, and activate tactical protocols.
Each friendly unit normally moves once and attacks once during a turn. Pulse Runners are fast capture specialists, Aegis Sentinels hold the frontline, Prism Lancers attack from range, and Cipher Hackers disable hostile structures.
Walls and nearby structures provide cover. Units, controlled relays, and Quantum Relays extend your vision through the fog of war.
Use the Units deck to deploy forces, the Structures deck to expand your economy and defenses, and the Protocols deck to repair, scan, overclock, fortify, or launch an EMP attack.
End your turn only after completing the commands you need. The Crown AI will then construct forces, move units, capture relays, and attack your network.
Campaign victories award Research. Spend Research in the Research Lab to unlock permanent economic, defensive, offensive, and deployment upgrades.
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Tips
Capture at least one Energy relay and one Alloy relay early. An economy established one turn sooner produces a major advantage during a long mission.
Build War Fabricators near the center of the map so replacement units can enter the battle without walking from the original Command Core.
Keep Prism Lancers behind Aegis Sentinels and use walls or structures for cover.
Cipher Hackers can disable hostile turrets and shield pylons for two turns, creating a safer breach window.
Do not spend all Data immediately. An EMP Cascade or Repair Pulse can reverse a losing battle, while Deep Scan prevents ambushes in sectors with heavy fog.
During relay-control missions, place durable Sentinels on important relays and use Pulse Runners to recapture distant positions.
A Shield Pylon beside the Command Core grants additional protection and repairs adjacent assets. Combining it with an Arc Turret creates a strong defensive anchor.
Research economy upgrades first for a more stable campaign, or prioritize weapons and Rapid Fabrication for an aggressive strategy.
Flawless victories grant bonus Research, but protecting the Command Core is more important than saving every individual unit.
