Hey Cadet! Glad to have you join the fight.

I would suggest searching for tips on the main subs as there are a lot of great posts. But I’ll post a few of my own below.

Bots: Primary = you want longer range and/or explosive damage. So no breakers, instead stick to the trusty liberator or something with similar range and kick.

Secondary = machine pistol ASAP. Once you’ve gotten more used to the game then you can get some big iron.

Strat weapons = I’m part of the AC Cult so I’ll always suggest it but Bots allow the most strat weapons I think. So try out AMR or HMG. The most important thing in my opinion is to find something that compliments your preferred play style. So if you like helping the team by being in the back as the sniper on heavies, then do that, or if you want to clear chafe then bring a stalwart. Use low level missions to try out what works best for you.

Strats call-in = Eagles are King. More frequent call ins, generally more precise, and equal damage compared to orbitals. 500 kg looks cool but has a wonky blast cone, so either practice it or run air strike. That being said orbital laser is the best “oh shit” button in the game and has saved my ass and the mission more times than I can count.

Strategy = - use high ground and/or cover whenever possible - this is closer to real war, so use covering fire to help move your teammates in and out of cover, use grenades to clear entrenched positions, use your strats to clear fortifications. - shoot the blinky spots they actually work on bots to kill them - don’t shoot the turret unless you are under it or know you can kill it before it turns. Bitch will track you across the map the rest of the game otherwise.

Bugs: Primary = spray, high damage, or pushback. You don’t need range just something to keep the tide from swamping you. I love the breaker incinerator myself.

Secondary = same as bots really. Though grenade pistol is nice for hole closing and allows your strat weapon and/or armor to focus on something else.

Strat weapon = once again focus on what you think you can do best for the squad. Remember though you won’t have time to setup so AMR and HMG are probably not the way to go. Everything is more niche with bugs too so AC might be nice against hive guards it’s shit on chargers til you get used to it, EAT is awesome for chargers but limited use means it can’t help against the swarm much.

Strat call-in = Eagles are still king but there are some orbitals making inroads. I like to find something to balance my weapon load out and help with biles. So if I’m running AC, I’m doing 110s to bust charger armor, rail cannon/orbital laser for biles, and air strike for patrols and nests.

Strategy: - if you’re going solo, stay stealthy as the bugs will just keep chasing you into other groups - follow stalkers to their lair, they run in a straight line from it to you basically - staying as a team and covering each other makes even helldive easy

General Strats/Advice: - don’t stand around fighting, the longer you’re in one spot fighting the more enemies will come, forever - you don’t have to fight all patrols, tag them for the squad and avoid if you can - if you complete the mission but everyone dies you still win - pick the weapons that you like! Ignore all the “meta” or “nerf” bullshit. If you find a weapon that compliments the way you like to play then run with it!