So, you’ve played a few strategy games in your time. Maybe you dabbled in Fire Emblem: Awakening or enjoyed the intense drama of Three Houses. You’ve had your share of tactical fun, and now there’s a new title beckoning—Triangle Strategy. It looks familiar, it feels nostalgic, and you figure: how tough can it be? Well, strap in, because Triangle Strategy takes no prisoners—especially if you’re bold enough to start on Hard mode.
Reminiscent of the punishing yet beloved era of Final Fantasy Tactics and Tactics Ogre, Triangle Strategy is not afraid to punish overconfidence. But fear not. What follows is a collection of tips and tactics distilled from hard-mode experiences, all aimed at giving you a strong foothold in the opening chapters of the game. This guide focuses exclusively on the combat layer of Triangle Strategy.
Let’s get started.
1. Buffs and Debuffs: Your Secret Weapons
In many strategy RPGs, stat-altering abilities can feel like fluff—nice to have but not strictly necessary. Triangle Strategy flips that script. Here, buffs and debuffs are absolutely critical to success. Whether it’s Benedict’s Raging Beast, which boosts attack power, or Hughette’s Blinding Arrow, which can neutralize ranged attackers, these tools are the backbone of your tactical edge.
The game balances this nicely by ensuring that debuffing abilities usually also deal damage. That means you don’t sacrifice offense to apply a status—you’re enhancing your strategy while still contributing to the damage output. With enemy units often boasting stats on par with your own, you’ll need every trick in the book to make sure that enemy mage doesn’t get to light your squad on fire.
2. Spend Your TP Early and Often
Triangle Strategy introduces a Tactical Point (TP) system governing special abilities. Characters regain 1 TP per turn and start every battle with 3 TP. That’s full capacity, right out of the gate. So what does that mean for you? Use your abilities. Use them now.
Too often players fall into the trap of hoarding TP “just in case.” In this game, that’s a misstep. Letting characters sit idle on full TP is a waste. Many of your best early abilities cost just 1 TP—essentially making them free when used proactively. Whether it’s shielding allies, launching flame attacks, or applying debuffs, every TP spent early translates into momentum that can decide the tempo of the battle.
Remember: you will regenerate TP, but you won’t get back wasted opportunities.
3. Smart Targeting: Timing is Everything
Let’s face it—casting Scorch on a lone enemy feels satisfying. But Triangle Strategy rewards patience and precision. Holding off until several enemies have clustered up can mean dealing 90 damage across three targets instead of 30 to just one.
This applies not just to mages but to melee fighters as well. Don’t burn a costly TP ability just because it’s available. Sometimes a basic attack does the trick. Learn to judge when the tide of battle is turning and when it’s worth saving that precious ability for a bigger impact.
Also, beware the temptation to overextend. Finishing off a retreating foe might feel heroic, but if it leaves your unit exposed on all sides, it’s likely not worth it. Triangle Strategy is all about calculated risks, not reckless charges.
4. Always Be Flanking
Let’s hammer this point home—positioning is king. One of the most essential mechanics in Triangle Strategy is the follow-up attack system. If two units are on either side of an enemy, the second unit automatically strikes after the first. Bonus points if the initial strike comes from behind, granting a critical hit.
Even characters who aren’t heavy hitters can contribute here. Did Geela just heal someone? Have her take a step toward that enemy who’s threatening your flank. That way, when your frontline fighters move in, she becomes the perfect setup for a follow-up strike.
Mages and healers, too, have their moment to shine in close-quarters. Out of TP? Don’t waste a turn—go up and bonk the enemy with a staff or book. That small nudge of damage may be just enough to enable a chain attack that turns the tide.
But remember: if you can do it, so can the enemy. Which brings us to the next key point.
5. Defensive Formations: Turtling Done Right
The staggered turn order in Triangle Strategy means that one bad move can doom a character. Your squishy units—especially mages and healers—will go down in a couple of hits. That’s why defensive formation is crucial.
Don’t rush forward at max movement just because you can. Move carefully and ensure your characters cover one another’s sides. A proper formation reduces the chance of enemy follow-up attacks and lets you better control the engagement.
Buff your party. Bait the enemy. Let them come to you while your units stay aligned. Then, strike where it hurts once you’ve assessed their movement and formations.
6. Adapt and Overcome: Every Battle Is Unique
No guide would be complete without this reminder—be flexible. Some missions require you to race against the clock. Others force you to protect NPCs or claim objectives under pressure. Static tactics won’t carry you through every battle.
The hallmark of a seasoned strategy player is the ability to shift tactics mid-match. Whether you’re fighting defensively or making a desperate push, Triangle Strategy demands an open mind and keen battlefield awareness. Don’t get locked into routines.
Final Thoughts
Triangle Strategy doesn’t pull its punches. But that’s exactly what makes each victory feel earned. Mastering its tactical depth takes time, experimentation, and yes, a few failures along the way. But with a grasp on the fundamentals—buffs, TP usage, positioning, formation—you’ll be prepared to face what the game throws at you.
In the next part of this two-part series, we’ll take a look at what happens off the battlefield: exploration, decision-making, and how your choices shape the story and future battles.
Until then, stay sharp, play smart—and always be flanking.
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