Don't let the anime-ish visuals of the Valkyria Chronicles series fool you, this game can be tough. The tactical angle of the game never really reaches the level of XCOM, but you can be obliterated in a couple of turns if you don't pay attention. Here to make your journey a little more bearable, I have compiled a few tips to help you out in Valkyria Chronicles 4. Let's dive into them right now.

1. Level Scouts first and often

Since the first Valkyria Chronicles launched, players have favored the Scout class. Why, you may ask? Well, simply because they have a huge AP pool. They can clear long distances on the map with little trouble. Not only this, when leveled and buffed, Scouts can sometimes run from one part of the map to another. Put as many Scouts as possible in your squad to make your life a little easier.



2. Deploy Grenadiers at important points

Grenadiers are a new class in Valkyria Chronicles 4. The best thing about them is their ability to launch mortars at enemies as soon as they enter their line of sight. Place your Grenadiers at important points or bases to keep enemy forces at bay. This can save your bacon if done strategically.



3. Deploy your leaders in every fight

This can be a tricky one. Leader units give you extra CP (Command Points) and, generally speaking, some of the strongest units in the game. With your leaders deployed, you will gain extra CP and have some pretty powerful units at your disposal. The downside of this, however, is losing them. There is little else that stings as much as losing a leader you have been favoring for the past couple of hours (queue Sarah McLachlan's "In The Arms Of An Angel")



4. Keep your Lancers close

Lancers are awesome, no doubt about it. They look awesome, have rocket launchers and pack quite a punch. One thing they don't do, however, is stack up against infantry units. Keep Lancers in your squad but only display them when you are sure your opponent is using a tank. Once they have taken the tank out, order them to retreat. This will take them out of danger and let them live to fight another day.



5. Always aim for the head

As in literally any game containing guns, always aim for the head. When aiming at an enemy, the game clearly indicates how many shots are needed to kill them. In the top center part, a box will show "To Kill" and "Shots". To Kill indicates how many shots you will need to take an enemy down, while Shots show the number of shots you will fire. The To Kill part will drastically drop when aiming for the head in comparison to the torso. No matter what you do or where you end up - always aim for the head.



6. Take your time

The rush of battle can sometimes cloud your judgment, but heed these words: take your time. One of the main reasons I love the Valkyria Chronicles series is that it requires a lot of forward thinking. Take your time, plan out your squad, their equipment, and your moves. This is absolutely critical and can save you from copious amounts of frustration. Take your time and think things through. Planning an attack and seeing it come to fruition provides a tremendous sense of accomplishment. It's well worth it, believe me.



7. Enjoy the story

Valkyria Chronicles not only has excellent tactical based combat, it also tells great stories. Naturally centered around war, the stories vary and will have you engaged from the onset. I will never forget my first playthrough of Valkyria Chronicles on the PlayStation 3. I soldiered through the tough combat just to enjoy the exciting story being told.



There you have it. 7 tips to help you through the game and make the tactical combat a little bit less demanding. Be sure to secure your copy right here and keep an eye on the site for our review. Valkyria Chronicles 4 released on September 24, 2018.