The combat rule to remember: every Operator gets three Action Points on their turn. A good turn is not simply three attacks—it is the best combination of movement, pressure, protection, and setup.

A Zero Company Operator aiming a blaster during a tactical mission

Build the turn from the destination backward

Before spending the first Action Point, ask where the Operator should finish. Movement, attacks, and abilities draw from the same budget, so an early action can remove the safe position you needed later.

  1. Read the objective and immediate threats.
  2. Choose a defensible final position.
  3. Decide whether this Operator should attack, support, or prepare a reaction.
  4. Spend the last Action Point only after checking what the enemy can do next.

Cover is part of the action economy

Cover is not a passive decoration. Reaching it may cost movement now, but it can reduce the pressure on future turns. The cleanest attack is not always the best move if it leaves the Operator exposed after the shot.

Overwatch and Backup

  • Overwatch prepares an Operator to react to enemy movement in a watched area.
  • Backup lets company members support one another when its conditions are met.

Both mechanics reward squad geometry. Position Operators so their lines of influence overlap rather than treating each character as an isolated attacker.

A Jedi Operator engaged in close combat during a tactical mission

Advantage is shared

Advantage is a company-wide combat resource used for special actions. Spending it does not consume Action Points, which means it can expand a decisive turn without replacing the Operator's normal budget.

That does not make every spend efficient. Ask whether the action:

  • secures the objective,
  • prevents a dangerous enemy turn,
  • protects an injured Operator, or
  • creates a better follow-up for the squad.

Injuries change the campaign

Operators can be injured when they are taken out of a fight. With the standard permadeath setup, three injuries result in death. The correct risk depends on the objective, but a dramatic final attack is rarely worth losing a developed Operator when a safer route still completes the mission.

Beginner combat checklist

  • Three Action Points available?
  • Final position in cover?
  • Overwatch or Backup angle available?
  • Shared Advantage worth spending now?
  • Injured Operator exposed?
  • Objective still more important than the nearest enemy?