Operations in Age of Wonders Planetfall Age of Wonders Planetfall guide, tips

Operations are one of the most interesting mechanics in Age of Wonders: Planetfall, which use significantly affects the gameplay of the entire game. All operations in the game are divided into Strategic, Tactical, Covert and Doctrine types. You will read about all of them in this chapter.

• Operations - Overview and types
• Operations - how to obtain and activate them
• Operations - Tips

Operations - Overview and types

There are several types of operations available in the game - here you can check out the doctrines.

Operations are special activities that, after being developed through scientific research, can be activated to support your colony, army or significantly influence the performance of the entire empire. The following operation types can be found in the game:

1. Strategic Operations - operations from this group are activated on the world map and used to weaken enemy armies (for example by launching a bombardment) or strengthening your own colonies. Energy and Strategic Operations Points are used to activate these operations.
2. Covert Operations - operations from this group are also activated on the world map, but they are used against other players and not against specific armies. Thanks to them you can get additional information about another player or sabotage his work. Energy and Strategic Operations Points are used to activate these operations.
3. Tactical Operations - in turn, operations from this group can only be activated during battles on the tactical map. After one turn, you will be able to activate pre-designed operations to deal damage to enemy units, weaken them or strengthen allied units. Energy and Tactical Operations Points are used to activate these operations.
4. Doctrines - the last group of operations that works in a completely different way. They are activated via the world map, but you do not select a target - the operations in this group are used only to strengthen the empire controlled by the player. Once activated, operations remain active until player deactivates them. Energy and Strategic Operations Points are used to activate these operations.

Operations - how to obtain and activate them

Operations are unlocked by means of a variety of technological research.

As you can easily guess, player does not have an option to choose any operations at the beginning of the game. These must be obtained at first, and this is done mainly through technological research - much of the available technology unlocks a new operation. Once the operation is unlocked, it needs to be prepared. To do this, activate the Operations window - you will find the button to the left of the mini-map.

In the new window you will find three tabs for tactical, strategic and doctrine operations. For strategic and tactical operations, select an interesting option and Start Priming. Depending on the number of generated strategic / tactical points, this process can take from 1 to 3 turns. After this time the operation will be prepared and activated - just select it from the same menu, select the trigger button and then indicate the target (for tactical operations the process is the same, but the operation is activated on the battlefield, on the tactical map).

In the case of doctrines, the whole process looks identical - choose an interesting operation-doctrine, and then start preparing it. After the required time has elapsed, the operation will be activated as a doctrine. It will continue until the player decides to disable it.

Operations - Tips

It is worth to think twice before activating a specific operation.

Finally, we have prepared a handful of advice concerning operations, here we go:

1. Think twice whether it is worthwhile to launch an operation from the Strategic or Covert group, and choose different factions as targets. This type of action will result in a reduction in the relationship with the target, and in extreme cases it may cause a war between factions.
2. Tactical operations can tilt the fate of a very difficult battle in your favor. Properly used, they can wreak havoc in the ranks of the enemy, so it is worth to use them often - especially in terms of army reconstruction which is much more expensive and time-consuming.
3. There is a top limit of operations per turn you will be able to activate. It depends on the points (strategic and tactical) you can see in the top right corner of the world map screen.