Pressure the enemy with drones, then disengage before shield damage turns into hull damage. Substrate shields regenerate on their own, which makes it possible to withdraw briefly and return with the same force. Use that recovery window to reposition before you commit again.
Fight in short engagements
The official Substrate faction reveal describes a faction suited to hit-and-run attacks. Start from a position with room to pull away. Watch the shields of the units taking the most fire and back them out while you still have room to move. Return once your shields have recovered and you have checked whether the enemy has shifted position.
Give each revealed unit a job
| Unit | Role | Recruitment building |
|---|---|---|
| Hatchling | Small quadrupedal swarmer that emerges from egg clutches | Assembly |
| Reaper | Armored frontline hovercraft with a plasma launcher | Auxiliary Assembly |
| Overmind | Heavy midline fire support that deploys drone swarms | Apex Replicator |
Keep drone support behind the frontline
Use Reapers at the front while the Overmind provides fire support from behind them. Use Hatchlings where a swarm unit helps you apply pressure. If the front starts to collapse, move the support force early enough that it can leave with the rest of the army. Sustained fire reduces the chance to benefit from shield recovery.
FAQ
What faction mechanic makes repeated attacks useful?
Substrate shields regenerate after taking damage. Pull away and allow the shields to recover before returning to pressure the same position or a weaker approach.
Which revealed unit deploys drone swarms?
The Overmind is the revealed heavy support hovercraft that deploys them. The Hatchling is separately described as a small swarmer.
Does this guide give a shield recharge timer?
The pre-release reveal describes regeneration without giving a numeric timing rule. Check how shields behave in your current build.