Matrix Games Forums

This thread will provide some very basic instructions. I own the Graviteam version with the two DLC expansions, which explains any minor variations you spot in the UI, but it's essentially the same game.

Start by selecting Quick Battle as this is the easiest way to setup a game and learn the controls - forget the Tutorial as it's rubbish...

Now select the location for your battle...

Zoom in and select the red flag for the first side - the player is red and the AI is blue (the opposite of the NATO standard).

On the left you can see the available unit types.

Right-click on any green square of your choice to change its ownership to Axis (as the red force is the Axis in this instance). You can change the ownership of as many squares as you choose, or leave them neutral.

Select a platoon or battery from the list on the left. You can only select one platoon/battery at a time.

Mouse over one of the little circles in one of the squares on the map. The green indicator will appear.

Each circle can accommodate one platoon of any type. Some squares have more circles than others. (A hex based system would have been way better).

LEFT CLICK on the circle of choice and your selected platoon will be placed on the map.

Repeat the process to add all desired units to the map.

Switch to the Blue Flag to add units for the opposite (AI) side.

Change the ownership of each square as desired. I believe that this affects the AI setup options.

When you are ready, enter the battle.

You will be taken to a 'briefing' screen. The arrows represent your briefing and indicate that the Axis force should attack the area containing the flame icon.

Click on the flame icon to enter the battlefield.

You are now in deployment mode.

Your units are on the map, but they may be difficult to see.

The colored squares indicate the quality of cover. Green inside green is best, I believe.

Click on a Platoon (top right) to select it...

Right click on any tank or squad icon at top right to auto-scroll to that location...

Select a SINGLE tank or squad at top right or on the game board and press the 'Q' key on your keyboard. You view is now locked to that unit.

Use the arrow keys to rotate the view.

Use the center mouse wheel to zoom in or out.

Look around the area and get a feel for the lay of the land.

Select other tanks or squads in the top right OOB and press Q twice (once to deselect the previous unit in view and one more time to select the new unit).

In the game, you can issue orders to other units by selecting them in the OOB without shifting your view lock from the current unit.

Press 'F10' or click the Map icon at top left for a map view of the battlefield.

In Map View, only spotted units are shown, so beware of FOW effects!

You can select units and issue commands to them in Map View.

BEWARE - unless you select pause, the game is not paused while you are in map view, except during the deployment phase.

NOTE: In the game settings (Main Menu) you can select the conditions that should auto-pause the game (e.g. enemy contact, etc.). I used as many as possible while learning the game and then deselected a few.

You can also mount or dismount troops during the setup phase, based on your tactical plan, as well as at any later point in the game.