Unicorn Overlordis most certainly a game with a lot going on, but while there is plenty to see and do, most of your time will be spent in the thick of battle. There are an impressive number of abilities, items, and units in Unicorn Overlord, and they combine to present a series of tough challenges. However, while the enemy will have a number of tricks up their sleeves, you have access to an even larger array of shenanigans.

This guide will take you through the many potent tricks you can use to get a firm advantage on the battlefield in Unicorn Overlord. Hopefully, with our guidance, you can avoid feeling overwhelmed and get back to uniting the land.

Unicorn Overlord, The premptive results screen

You Are Told What The Outcome Of A Battle Will Be

The first thing you need to know about combat in Unicorn Overlord is that, unlike most TRPGs, the outcome you see before battle isn’t a prediction. Those are the results.That’s right, if you send your unit to clash with an enemy, the moment you select them you know what the result will be, at least if things stay as they are.

The one exception to this rule is that thesepredictions do not take assists into consideration(we have more to say about assists, so they have their own section)if you’re at a distance. So, if the unit you are targeting is next to an archer, then the result you are being told will be inaccurate.

Unicorn Overlord, Gilbert and Alain talking

The one element the outcome doesn’t elaborate on is who will receive the damage in an encounter where a unit isn’t wiped out. The damage may be distributed across multiple fighters, or it may just be that one specific fighter gets teamed up on and incurs all the damage. This is whyyou shouldn’t skip the battle if you don’t understand why the outcome is what it is.You will already know the result, but you need to gather data to see where your unit is falling short.

If you are being attacked, and you are set to lose, use the droughts to buff your entrenched unit.Additionally, healing may make all the difference in the world, as it may help your front liners withstand additional blows, saving your more delicate ranged fighters.

Unicorn Overlord, Ranged support

Share Equipment Between Units

One of the more surprisingly flexible elements in the game is how equipment works.You can freely swap weapons and accessories around while traversing the battlefield. Even among other units that areonthe battlefield.Even if they are on the other end of it (they must have one hell of a throwing arm).

Ideally, you wouldn’t be constantly swapping gear between your teams, but sometimes it is quite simply your best option.The most important thing to remember, however, is that if you are already engaged in a fight you will not be able to swap equipment.Not even if the fight has yet to begin. So, don’t get too cavalier about swapping gear, or you may find that someone ends up in a battle and they have nothing equipped at all.

Unicorn Overlord, Alain blocking Berenice’s attack

The Hidden Aspect Of Assists

Archers and Mages are able to provide support when they are made the leaders of their units. Pairing them with a watchtower makes them even more powerful.But that is all laid out pretty clearly by the game itself. What is less clear is how dramatically an assist can change the outcome of a fight: for better and for worse.

Engaging the assist will, at times, completely shift what happens in the battle. Andwellbeyond the impact of a few arrows hitting your foe at the beginning of the battle.We aren’t quite sure why this occurs. It could be that the damage enemies take at the beginning of the round changes their actions as it triggers different tactics. It could also be that the assist uses different rolls of the dice behind the scenes. Whatever it is, toggle them on and off just to see what result they will give you.

Unicorn Overlord, Travis slashing an enemy with his dagger

Hard Counters Can Be Overcome With Thoughtful Team Construction

While it did take an idea or two from it, Unicorn Overlord isn’t a Fire Emblem title. Every troop in this game has another troop that can counter it, every class has a downside that can be taken advantage of. But fights aren’t one-on-one, so your job as the general manager is to compensate for those weaknesses. Here are a few characters who are great for covering those unsightly bits…

This is far from being an exhaustive list, but it gives you a pretty good idea of how to cover some of the weaknesses your fighters will have attached to them.

Unicorn Overlord, Using the Arrow Rain Skill

Initiative Is The Stat You Need To Track The Closest

While we are all accustomed to looking at a character’s HP, attack, and defense, Unicorn Overlord has a less standard stat that will play a huge role in whether you win or not: initiative.This is the stat that will determine your turn order.And we aren’t just looking at initiative from the perspective of attacking before our enemies, we are also paying attention to where it places team members in the order.

An example of why this is important is the Knight and their Assaulting Lance skill. Ideally, you want to kill with this attack, as that will provide you with another Action Point. However, if your Knight has the highest initiative, they won’t be likely to land the killing blow.That is why we’ll ideally place our knights in units alongside faster units like Housecarls, Thieves, or Swordsmen.

Unicorn Overlord, Deploying a unit

Once you acquire a few plum accessories, you will be able to tinker around with who goes in what order more easily.

Be Selective With Your Skill Usage

One of the most potent tools you will have in your arsenal are the various unique skills associated with your troops. However,while we wouldn’t say any of these abilities areuseless, they are most certainlynotcreated equally.The biggest distinguishing element is that many skills share the same effects as readily available items.

Sure, your Cleric can heal a troop, but we would only use a Valor Point on that if we had completely run out of Healing Tonics and Healing Fonts. Otherwise, thosepoints would be better spent on skills such as the devastatingly powerful Arrow Rain.Additionally, don’t sleep on Alain’s Valorous Order. Granting multiple units first strike is incredibly powerful, the boost to attack and defense is just the sugar on top.

Take Advantage Of The Garrison

Using Garrisons effectively can be the difference between a hard-fought battle, and a carefree stroll through the battlefield. Here are a few effective uses of Garrisons…

There are a ton of ways to make use of garrisons to turn the tide of battle in your favor. They dot nearly every map of every quest in the game, you should absolutely make use of them. Don’t feel married to the units you pick at the beginning of the battle. Being flexible will help you claim victory far more easily.