War never changes (except in the future!)

After digesting the mission briefing, it's important to select and prepare the proper team. Since each mission has a different objective, selecting appropriate team members is crucial. While it may be nice to always have a medic on hand for support, another specialist - such as a demolitions expert - is usually required. The set number of available mission slots dictate that at least one rifleman will be tagging along, but the other slots can be filled as you see fit. Aside from the Rifleman, there are Gunners, Grenadiers, Medics, Snipers and Demolitions Experts. No different than the player, each support unit has a maximum carrying capacity. The number of weapon choices means that the arsenal is highly customizable for each mission, though practically many of the assault rifles will never be used as the default choices are preferable in most circumstances.

A new team can be selected for each mission, based on individual member's qualifications and specialties.

Outfitting yourself - and the team - is a crucial phase.

Each mission begins with a bit of apprehension. As you're dropped into unfamiliar territory, the first task to quickly scan the environment and review the mission overview with the tactical map. The tactical map gives an overhead view of the terrain and unit positions, both friendly and enemy. Here, orders can be issued to the team or to individual team members. For instance, once unit can be assigned to Assault and assigned a target to eliminate, and another unit can be ordered to go full Recon and traverse a set route. These same commands can be issued from the main gameplay screen as well, although the tactical map allows for exacting target identification and route mapping.

The tactical map allows for exacting planning. Here, a sniper has been assigned a target to eliminate.

Sometimes the MULE AI gets a little confused. This isn't a half-pipe.

In most cases, Recon mode is the preferred method of travel. Units set to Recon enable sound suppressors and fire only when necessary, moving from point to point carefully and finding cover when necessary. Very rarely is Assault mode required, though some firefights require the aggression of a full-on attack. Alternatively, ordering a unit (or the entire team) to Assault mode can be helpful if a Recon attack has gone horribly wrong and the enemy is rushing in. Again, unit AI is refined enough to attack and take cover appropriately. On all but the hardest difficulty settings, however, enemy unit AI is a bit handicapped. Rarely will the enemy fire uninterrupted at close range for a certain kill or take the most direct route to cover when under fire. By no means is the game a walk in the park, though - an enemy sniper is quite capable of a headshot, and the artillery is unquestionably devastating.