Star Wars Zero Company: Select & Switch Units

To select and switch units in Star Wars Zero Company, you use the unit selection screen before a mission and the in-mission unit switch panel. This guide explains both processes, how to build a balanced squad, and answers common questions.

Background: What Is Zero Company?

Star Wars Zero Company is a tactical strategy game set in the Star Wars universe, developed by a small studio and released in early access on PC. The game focuses on squad-based combat where you control a mercenary company, the titular “Zero Company,” completing missions across various planets. Unlike larger strategy titles, Zero Company emphasizes small-unit tactics, resource management, and permadeath for your units, making unit selection and switching critical to survival.

How Unit Selection Works

Before each mission, you are presented with a deployment screen. Here, you can see all available units in your roster, categorized by class (e.g., Assault, Heavy, Medic, Engineer, Sniper). To select a unit for the mission, click on its portrait or card. You can typically bring a limited number of units—usually 4 to 6—depending on the mission type. The game will show you the mission’s recommended squad size and any restrictions (e.g., “no vehicles” or “night operation”).

Click a unit card to add it to your squad.
Click again to remove it.
Your selected units appear in a bar at the bottom of the screen.
You can reorder them by dragging, which determines their deployment order.

How to Switch Units In-Mission

During a mission, you can switch between your deployed units at any time, but only if they are alive and not suppressed. To switch, press the Tab key or the number keys (1-4) to cycle through your active squad. Alternatively, you can click on a unit’s icon in the bottom-left corner of the HUD. When you switch, the camera moves to that unit, and you take direct control of its actions.

Important: You cannot switch to a unit that is currently in a scripted event (e.g., hacking a terminal) or one that is downed. If a unit is downed, you must revive it with a medic or use a stim before you can control it again.

How to Choose the Right Units

Choosing the right units depends on the mission objectives and your playstyle. Here are key factors to consider:

Mission type: If the mission is a stealth extraction, bring units with high stealth stats and silenced weapons (e.g., Sniper, Scout). For a frontal assault, bring Heavies and Medics.
Enemy composition: If you know the enemy uses a lot of droids, bring units with EMP grenades or ion weapons. For organic enemies, use units with high damage output.
Terrain: On open maps, Snipers and Heavies excel. In tight corridors, Assaults and Engineers with shotguns or turrets are more effective.
Synergy: Pair units that complement each other. For example, an Engineer can deploy a turret, and a Sniper can cover it from a distance.

Common Problems and Solutions

Players often run into issues when selecting or switching units. Here are the most common problems and how to fix them:

Can’t switch units: If the switch button is grayed out, ensure the unit is not in an active animation or under suppression. Move the unit to a safe position and wait for the status to clear.
Too few units available: If your roster is thin, you may have lost units to permadeath. Recruit new units from the cantina on your ship between missions, or heal injured ones.
Mission recommends a specific squad size: If you bring fewer units, the mission may be harder. If you bring more, you may exceed the deployment limit and be forced to leave some behind.

Unit Classes and Their Roles

Understanding each class helps you make better selection choices:

Assault: Balanced stats, good with rifles and shotguns. Ideal for frontline combat.
Heavy: High health and armor, carries heavy weapons like miniguns or rocket launchers. Slower but devastating.
Medic: Heals teammates and revives downed units. Essential for longer missions.
Engineer: Can deploy turrets, hack terminals, and repair vehicles. Great for defensive missions.
Sniper: Long-range precision, can take out high-value targets from afar. Vulnerable in close combat.

Costs and Unlocking

Units are not free. You earn credits from completing missions, which you can spend on recruiting new units or upgrading existing ones. Each unit has a recruitment cost, and higher-tier units (e.g., a veteran Sniper) cost more. You can also unlock unique units by completing specific side missions or achievements. Switching units in-mission is free, but there is a cooldown of a few seconds to prevent abuse.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I switch units during a mission if a unit is downed?

No, you cannot switch to a downed unit. You must revive them first using a Medic or a stim item. Once revived, you can switch to them as normal.

How do I recruit new units?

Between missions, go to your ship’s cantina or barracks. There, you can view available recruits, see their stats and costs, and hire them. Some recruits are only available if you have a high reputation with certain factions.

Is there permadeath in Zero Company?

Yes, if a unit dies in battle, they are permanently gone. This makes unit selection and switching even more important—you don’t want to lose a high-level unit to a careless mistake.

Can I switch units in the middle of combat?

Yes, but only if the unit is not suppressed or in an animation. It’s often safer to switch when your current unit is behind cover.

What happens if I bring fewer units than recommended?

The mission will be more difficult, but you may gain a bonus to experience or loot. Conversely, bringing more units than recommended is not allowed—the game will force you to leave some behind.

Does switching units cost anything?

No, switching is free, but there is a short cooldown to prevent players from constantly swapping to avoid damage.

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