The goal of this Dev Diary is to explain how the performance of Squadleaders and Pilots improves over the course of the game. Instead of the classic experience point system, MENACE works with deliberate promotions to unlock perks.
Promotion Points and Mission Rating
Promotion Points are earned through completing missions, fulfilling bonus objectives, exceeding mission requirements, or completing events. Unlike OCI components, Promotion Points are rewarded for each individual mission, so even if you fail an operation, you will gain Promotion Points.
Mission Rating Factors:
- Persistent Factors: Logistics (supply points used), casualties (lost elements), and mission difficulty.
- Optional Factors: Speed of completion, civilian casualties, collateral damage, and destroyed enemy elements.
Higher ratings yield more points. Promotion Points accumulate like other resources and can be spent after each mission.
Promotion and Demotion
Unlike a classic experience system, promoting a character is a deliberate decision by the player and does not happen automatically.
- Ranks: Promotions range from 1 (Lance Corporal) to 8 (Master Gunnery Sergeant).
- Cost Scaling: Each consecutive promotion for the same character is more expensive than the previous one, making it costlier to focus on a single character rather than distributing Promotion Points among multiple leaders.
- Strategic Choices: Players must decide when and whom to promote, rather than funneling kills and experience into favored units.
- Comeback Mechanic: High-ranking promotions are costly, but new characters can be hired and ranked up, allowing them to catch up to veterans over time.
Demotion
Demoting a character is possible, with a small portion of Promotion Points refunded, though the affected leader will not be pleased.
A promotion-based system aligns with the game's military setting, giving the player, as commander of the Impetus, full control over who deserves a promotion.
The Perk Tree
Each Squadleader and Pilot has an individual Perk Tree.
Perk Structure
- Unique Perks: Automatically unlocked and exclusive to each character.
- Regular Perks: Shared across multiple trees, but with unique combinations per character.
- Four Tiers: Unlocking higher tiers requires a specific number of total perks, regardless of their tier level.
Perks do not necessarily become more powerful with each tier, but some require deeper investment. While some characters lean toward certain roles, perks allow flexible builds and varied playstyles without locking characters into rigid roles.
Perks can be passive or active, unlocking tactical combat abilities.
Currently, there are over 40 perks in the game, alongside unique character perks, with more planned. This system gives players ample room for experimentation, supporting diverse builds and strategies. The ultimate goal is maximum replayability and build freedom.
Engage, Explore, and Stay Informed
That's it for now! We'll see you next Friday.
You can find us on Discord, BlueSky, Twitter, YouTube, Facebook, and Reddit for discussions, updates, and feedback. You can also subscribe to our monthly MENACE newsletter on our website — just scroll to the bottom of the page to sign up.
https://store.steampowered.com/app/2432860/MENACE/
And here are the recent prior Dev Diaries in case you've missed them:
https://steamcommunity.com/games/2432860/announcements/detail/535466769966436075
https://steamcommunity.com/games/2432860/announcements/detail/535466136352851020
https://steamcommunity.com/games/2432860/announcements/detail/535466136352850185