General advices | Basic information Jagged Alliance: BiA Guide

Last update: 11 May 2016

Hints below let you get through locations without problems, that's why it's a good idea to learn them before beginning fighting with Deidranna.

Basics

* At the beginning do not recruit many mercenaries. It's better to have two-three well equipped and trained men.

* Later, during creating you main squad, make sure that you have at least one shooter (marksmanship), medic (medical), sapper (explosives) and mechanic (mechanical). Those functions can be mixed, but remember that high effectiveness in one field requires focusing only on it during assigning training points. According to the solution below, roles of shooter and medic go to the Thor. Among sappers you should choose Red. And if you had enough money, hire Static (mechanic).

* Make sure that specialists mentioned above have proper tools (bandages, lock-picks etc)

* Besides medic, it's worth to have in a squad a mercenary with medical at least on 20 and with the syringe in the backpack. In case of medic's death, we can try reanimate him.

* Mechanic should have at least one weapon oil (used in case of small wear of a gun), cleaning set (used when the bar of weapon's endurance is yellow) and Tool box (used when weapon is in the tragic condition).

* Don't count only on bandages. In case of bleeding or wound it'll be necessary to use First Aid Kit. It's worth to have at least one in the backpack.

* Because of bleeding (drop of blood on the portrait) mercenary loses HP, and when he's wounded (red cross on the portrait) his strength decreases.

* After reanimation maximum HP of character (green bar) is decreased. To regenerate it, speed up the time and not move the squad.

* After longer wandering the maximum energy level (red bar) also decreased. It regenerates like the HP.

* Every mercenary should have at least two types of ammo to his weapon. In case of salvo fire we should have twice as much of ammo.

* In case of machine guns we can switch between single shot and salvo fire. To do it, click icons on the right side of the screen (single bullet/three bullets).

* As we can't repair our clothes, we should remember about changing them often. If we don't have an opportunity to change used wear don't throw them out, because they still increase our camouflage level (it doesn't concern Kevlars).

* Send one of the weakest mercenaries to transport items connected with the storyline and supplies from the Northern Airport.

* It's worth to regularly get clothes and specialist equipment from the internet shop. Delivery lasts long, so do it before your supplies run out.

* We save the game after every fight and, what is more important, before seizing the location.

* It's always profitable to recruit free mercenaries, even if they're weak. We can train them or use as a couriers/porters.

* Militia arming provides not only protection before Deidranna's patrol attack but also increases loyalty level of the location. To train a militia man, you need to give a weapon to the person with an icon of the blue fist over his head in the conquered location.

Requirements for medicaments:

1. syringe - 20 points of medical

2. bandage - 40 points of medical

3. first aid kit - 50 points of medical

4. big first aid kit - 80 points of medical

Requirements for mechanic's items:

1. weapon oil - 10 points of mechanical

2. cleaning set - 30 points of mechanical

3. locksmith kit - 40 points of mechanical

4. tool box - 50 points of mechanical

Requirements for sapper's equipment:

1. mine - 25 points of explosives

2. mine disarming cet - 50 points of explosives

3. C4 with a clock - 50 points of explosives

4. C4 with a pilot - 75 points of explosives

Additional suggestions referring to equipment and mercenaries are set in the beginning of all locations' description.

Fight

* Rotate camera (ALT+mouse) and zoom (wheel) to reconnaissance. We should pay attention particularly to issues such like terrain, roofs' entrances, walls to blow up, windows' localization and patrols' paths.

* During reconnaissance firstly check if there is any elevation nearby enemies. If yes, move your squad there and start firing from a lying position. Simultaneously avoid fighting uphill (in such cases try provoke enemy to go down).

* Avoid charging on buildings: enemies often sits nearby windows, what let to get rid of them easily. We can also blow up walls to smoke out opponents with grenades.

* But if we are charging on the building, use the mercenary with a shotgun and grenades. Use covers like desks, chests etc.

* Try to eliminate enemies one by one. If we decide to lure enemy to our fire range, make it in a way which will make impossible attacking us from back or sides for him. If it can't be done, locate your men in places from which they will be able to move quickly.

* Tanks have very big range of view. If we can't attack it from side, try to manoeuvre one of mercenary to get him of the tank's sight. In the same time, the other one with the LAW fire from the direction opposite to the rotating of the barrel.

* When enemies are healing, throw grenades: they can't avoid them.

* If Deidranna's troops still harming one of location, prepare additional squad to defend it. Knowing from where enemies will rush, mine an entrance to the location. Remember, to not set up mines where militia troops are wandering: our mines don't affect mercenary squads but they blow up in a contact with civilians and militia.

* Basic targets of enemy's patrols attacks are Roadblocks and Surface-to-air missiles Stations but sometimes about which of our location will be attacked decides how much it's on the south (because patrols set off from the southern-west corner of the map, Deidranna's Palace).

* When we are shooting at enemies in buildings or behind obstacles, remember to rotate camera during the tactical pause: maybe you'll see an opportunity to make an accurate shot.

* During liberating locations, firstly eliminate single patrols, which are easy targets.

* Taking over the strategic point (flag in a circle on the minimap) also attract an attention of the closest enemies, so be sure they'll rush on you.

Detailed hints about fights are included in locations' descriptions.