In “Into the Breach,” Time Pods serve as crucial objectives that can significantly enhance your strategic capabilities by providing new pilots or mech upgrades upon successful retrieval. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to effectively handle and secure Time Pods during your missions.

How to Handle and Safely Retrieve Time Pods

1. Retrieval Mechanics
– Basic Retrieval: To collect a Time Pod, position one of your allied units (mechs or certain allies such as the Renfield Bomb) directly onto the tile where the pod is located. The pod is automatically retrieved once the allied unit occupies its tile.
– Indirect Collection: Time Pods can also be collected by pushing an allied unit onto the pod’s tile through various attacks or abilities, although this method requires careful planning.

2. Pod Destruction Risks
– Environmental Hazards: It’s important to note that while Vek attacks will not directly destroy Time Pods unless they hit the pod tile, environmental hazards can be lethal. For instance, if a pod is on a tile submerged by breaking water from an Old Earth Dam, it will be destroyed. Therefore, always try to eliminate threats and ensure that Time Pods are not left in vulnerable positions where they can be damaged by environmental effects.

3. Unit Abilities Limitations
– No Pull or Shield on Pods: Currently, abilities such as the Attraction Pulse (which pulls enemies) or the Shield Projector (which provides defensive shields) cannot be applied to Time Pods. This means you have to rely on positioning rather than abilities to protect and retrieve the pods.

4. Strategic Movement
– Immediate Action: Once a Time Pod appears, prioritize moving your mechs onto the pod’s tile as swiftly as possible, avoiding any delays that might expose the pod to enemy attacks or hazards.
– Clearing the Area: It’s crucial to manage the space around the Time Pod. Position your mechs to eliminate or block enemies that could threaten the pod, and use terrain to your advantage to create safer paths for your units.

5. Utilizing Environment and Enemy Behavior
– Enemy Positioning to Protect Pods: Some Vek foes may not target Time Pods unless their attack directly impacts the pod’s tile. Use this knowledge strategically to manipulate enemy positioning, potentially directing their attacks to areas where they miss the pod completely, thereby preserving it.

6. Prioritize Time Pod Retrieval
– Mission Selection: Always opt for missions that feature Time Pod rewards, as these can provide you with advantageous pilots or upgrades essential for advancing through the game. Balancing mission objectives with the urgent need to secure Time Pods can enhance your squad’s overall effectiveness.

Summary

– Retrieve Time Pods by moving your units onto their respective tiles.
– Act quickly to avoid environmental hazards that could destroy the pods.
– Remember that direct abilities like pulling or shielding cannot be applied to Time Pods, so rely on strategic movement and positioning.
– Protect the pod area by clearing threats and blocking enemy Vek.
– Always consider Time Pods a high priority, as they provide crucial upgrades and pilots that will benefit your overall mission strategy.

By applying these strategies and prioritizing careful movements and threat management, players can successfully retrieve Time Pods and significantly increase their chances of success in “Into the Breach” missions.