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Into The Breach, the critically acclaimed Roguelike, released a free update called Advanced Edition that gives the base game a massive overhaul. Subset Games released an update with the same title for their first game released, FTL: Faster Than Light, which introduced a plethora of new content, and this update treats Into the Breach no differently.
The Advanced Edition features a new spider-themed squad known as the Arachnophiles, focusing on spawning even more mechs during battle. This update also comes with new Vek, missions, and Mech abilities that dynamically restructure the game. This guide will focus on the Arachnophiles squad and how to play them effectively to save humanity yet again.
Squad Lineup
Bulk Mech
Class: Brute
Best Pilots: Lily Reed, Gana, Kai Miller
The Bulk Mech starts with Ricochet Rocket which, as its name implies, bounces off one target and hits another in an L shape. This weapon is effective crowd control for pushing multiple units out of the way. Bulk Mech suffers from a lack of raw damage output, so focus on repositioning enemies or softening up Vek for Arachnoid Mech to deliver the final blow.
Having a pilot like Lily Reed is great to help set up a perfect shot for the first turn. Gana can be even better since he can be placed anywhere for the price of one Reactor Core. Kai Miller can provide extra damage output but can be worse if she is not at max health.
Arachnoid Mech
Class: Ranged
Best Pilots: Silica, Morgan Lejune, Mafan
The Arachnoid Mech is the heart and soul of this squad and one of the best Ranged Mechs in the game thanks to its Arachnoid Injector. Similar to the Bombermech’s Bombling Mech, this weapon will produce a controllable Arachnoid bot upon the demise of an enemy. If the enemy lives after dealing damage, then you won’t get an Arachnoid, so it’s imperative for Arachnoid Mech to kill enemies.
Arachnoids are great for plugging Vek Spawn points or dealing Acidic damage to enemies if you have the upgrade, which is advised since this squad lacks high firepower. Silica can shoot twice if you don’t move, which can help with high-health Vek. Mafan has a Reactor Core built-in, so you can get ACID immediately, which is definitely worth it.
Slide Mech
Class: Science
Best Pilots: Kazaaakpleth, Prospero
This Mech employs a less powerful version of Wind Torrent as its primary weapon yet still remains incredibly effective at moving multiple units. It can move all nearby units one tile in the direction of your choice and, with upgrades, can deploy shields to itself and allies, making it a valuable defensive tool. This also moves your mech as well, so be cautious where you use it.
Kazaaakpleth is the best pilot as it sacrifices its repair function for a push attack that deals two damage instead. This opens up more options for Slide Mech in case Area Shift has no use during a turn. Prospero is another good pick since it actually allows your Mech to fly. Don’t let the Mech’s design fool you; the propeller on its head is purely decorative.
Squad Strategy
This squad revolves around the Arachnoid Mech’s ability to spawn more Arachnoids and should be employed heavily. Bulk Mech and Slide Mech should be repositioning Vek away from buildings while the Arachnoid Mech kills them. This can be difficult in the early stages of the game, so choosing the right island is crucial. Pick islands with low-health Vek like Leapers, Scarabs, and Mosquitos, and avoid ones with Soldier Psions (Add +1 HP to all other Vek) and Shell Psions (Reduce incoming damage by one for all other Vek). This will make it easier to eliminate Vek and spawn even more Arachnoids during battle.
Completing all objectives on an island is imperative, as you’ll receive a bonus reward upon completion. Weapon variety is key for this squad if you plan on playing at higher level difficulties or interacting with all four islands. Looking for weapons that freeze or deploy smoke to help stall Vek should be the game plan until you find highly damaging weapons like the EM railgun or Gemini Missiles later on. Don’t be afraid to spend extra Cores on ill-fitting weapons like Lightning Chain or Refractor Laser, as these are well worth the investment.
Arachnophiles Achievements
Spider Breeding: Spawn 15 Arachnoids on one Island.
Look for an island with Vek with one or two HP like Leapers and Scarabs, and feed Reactor Cores to your Arachnoid Mech to increase its damage. Have your new Arachnoids and other Mechs soften up other Vek for your Arachnoid Mech to kill the following turn.
Working Together: Area Shift four units at once.
The key word is “units” and not “enemies,” so place your Slide Mech next to two other Vek, then move your other Mechs to the remaining spaces to Area Slide everybody at once. Arachnoids also count as units, so be sure to have a couple on the board to move next to your Slide Mech.
Efficient Explosives: Kill Three Enemies with One shot of the Ricochet Rocket.
This is the trickiest achievement, but it’s manageable with a max-level pilot like Kai Miller or Morgan Lejune as then can increase damage almost immediately. Feed Reactor Cores to Bulk Mech to further increase damage output and position your Mech between enemies. Lining up Vek can be tricky, but utilizing Arachnoids’ push can help move Vek around.
Arachnophiles are not the most straightforward, but they can be powerhouses if played effectively. If you feel confident with this squad, go for Unfair Mode, which is on par with Darkest Dungeon level difficulty. Advanced Mode is a free update and comes automatically with a download of Into The Breach.
