Gears Tactics evolves turn-based tactics games combining signature fast-paced brutal action and character-driven storytelling with customizable squads, upgradable weapons, and, of course, massive boss battles.

Gears Tactics features three really big, really tough bosses that will put all your tactical thinking to the test. We powered through all of these bosses to figure out what the most effective survival strategies are.

Our full guide to Gears Tactics’ campaign mode includes story missions, side missions, boss battles, loot case locations, and combat strategy tips to help you win each skirmish. Every battle will play out a little differently, but thankfully Gears Tactics has a fairly straightforward structure.

10 essential tips and tricks for Gears Tactics newcomers, including how to most effectively use your weapons and abilities, how to command your squad with skill, how to use the overwatch ability effectively, and much more.

Gears Tactics is a game of strategy that’s chock full of mechanics and other surprises you’ll need to learn on the fly if you want to survive the Locust horde. Whether it’s overlapping overwatch cones, enemy evasion stats, or how friendly fire works, we run down the many things that Gears Tactics doesn’t tell you explicity and show you why they’re so important to winning the day.

Gears Tactics abilities allow your soldiers to become more than just rifle-toting murder machines. Whether it’s the support unit’s healing, the vanguard’s stabby bayonet, or the scout’s stealth cloak, we run down which abilities you definitely want to invest in if you want to be the ultimate squad.

Gears Tactics features a bunch of achievements for completing missions, killing various numbers of enemies, and a bunch of ridiculous other goals. My favorite might be using a certain Locust like a football to close an E-hole. We list every one, including the Gamerscore points you’ll get for each.

Gears Tactics tells the story of Gabe Diaz, father to Gears 4 and 5 protagonist Kate Diaz, as he battles against the evil Locust scientist Ukkon. The story is pretty straightforward Gears of War fluff, but it does end up establishing a few interesting threads that we see paid off in Gears 5. We lay it all out in our explainer. Just be wary of Gears 5 spoilers if you haven’t played that yet.

Gears Tactics features a bunch of familiar Locust enemy types that Gears fans will be familiar with, but also a few brand new types that will force you to think tactically on your toes. We lay out each enemy type, their abilities, and how best to kick their Locust butt.