---
key: mechanic/strategy-planning--t072
type: mechanic
id: strategy-planning--t072
lang: en
title: Real-time tactics without base building
summary: >-
  A limited roster completes objectives without a production base; losses change
  the options for later engagements.
updatedAt: '2026-10-22'
status: active
url: 'https://gamemechanics.pro/en/knowledge/mechanic/strategy-planning--t072/'
jsonUrl: >-
  https://gamemechanics.pro/api/v1/knowledge/en/mechanic/strategy-planning--t072.json
markdownUrl: >-
  https://gamemechanics.pro/content/knowledge/en/mechanic/strategy-planning--t072.md
aliases:
  - Command without base building
tags:
  - Strategy games
  - Mechanics and variants
sourceIds:
  - source-32d0598945d8807a
  - source-cda08855077b86bc
sources:
  - id: source-32d0598945d8807a
    title: OpenRA
    url: 'https://www.openra.net/'
    verifiedAt: null
  - id: source-cda08855077b86bc
    title: 'Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun'
    url: 'https://store.steampowered.com/app/418240/'
    verifiedAt: null
relations: []
placements:
  - catalogId: strategy-planning
    id: t072
    title: Strategy games
    url: 'https://gamemechanics.pro/en/mechanics/strategy-planning/#t072'
    categoryIds:
      - mechanics
supersededBy: []
attributes:
  preview:
    updatedAt: '2026-10-22'
    title: Command without base building
    description: >-
      A limited roster completes objectives without a production base; losses
      change the options for later engagements.
    image:
      src: images/mechanics/strategy-shadow-tactics-05.webp
      width: 1440
      height: 810
      game: 'Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun'
      sourceUrl: 'https://store.steampowered.com/app/418240/'
      originalUrl: >-
        https://shared.akamai.steamstatic.com/store_item_assets/steam/apps/418240/ss_613e55b14d286aa7b57ccb99a879a10c6d03a47d.1920x1080.jpg?t=1789475696
      credit: Mimimi Games / Daedalic Entertainment
      rights: © Mimimi Games / Daedalic Entertainment. All rights reserved.
      caption: A squad uses cover to bypass a patrol
      alt: A squad uses cover to bypass a patrol
      markers:
        - x: 41
          'y': 33
          label: A squad member is hidden behind a building
        - x: 80
          'y': 78
          label: Another squad member holds a separate position
    tips:
      - Give squad roles different ways to overcome the same obstacle.
    examples:
      - title: 'Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun'
        url: 'https://store.steampowered.com/app/418240/'
endsAt: null
provenance: >-
  Original bilingual editorial overviews authored for gamemechanics.pro on
  2026-10-20 and reviewed on 2026-10-21. Scenarios are hypothetical design
  examples; prototype checks describe work to perform, not completed playtests.
  Primary sources support the stated techniques and implementation context, not
  every proposed variant.
license: CC-BY-4.0
codeLicense: MIT
attribution: gamemechanics.pro contributors
catalogKey: catalog/strategy-planning
---
# Real-time tactics without base building

id: strategy-planning--t072
type: mechanic
key: mechanic/strategy-planning--t072
lang: en
status: active
url: https://gamemechanics.pro/en/knowledge/mechanic/strategy-planning--t072/

A limited roster completes objectives without a production base; losses change the options for later engagements.

## At a glance

![A squad uses cover to bypass a patrol](https://gamemechanics.pro/images/mechanics/strategy-shadow-tactics-05.webp)

[Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun](https://store.steampowered.com/app/418240/) · © Mimimi Games / Daedalic Entertainment. All rights reserved.

1. A squad member is hidden behind a building
2. Another squad member holds a separate position

- Give squad roles different ways to overcome the same obstacle.

- [Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun](https://store.steampowered.com/app/418240/)

## How it works

A limited roster completes objectives without a production base; losses change the options for later engagements.

## Variants

### Mechanic variants

<a id="t072-variants"></a>

- Pre-battle deployment establishes the initial plan. <a id="t072-v1"></a>
- Reinforcements arrive at a chosen location. <a id="t072-v2"></a>
- Veterans retain value between missions. <a id="t072-v3"></a>
- Retreat trades position for preserving forces. <a id="t072-v4"></a>

## Design example

An engineer demolishes a bridge while two surviving squads delay pursuit.

Prototype check: Test the mission after permitted losses so losing one specialist does not create a hidden dead end.

## Context and limits

Strategy connects production, territory, information and long-term commitments against an uncertain opponent. Each overview separates player actions, state changes and alternative rules. Examples are hypothetical design scenarios, not claims about a named game. A prototype check states an observable question for the next iteration. Existing detailed references remain separately linked from the direction map.

## Connected materials


## Sources and provenance

Original bilingual editorial overviews authored for gamemechanics.pro on 2026-10-20 and reviewed on 2026-10-21. Scenarios are hypothetical design examples; prototype checks describe work to perform, not completed playtests. Primary sources support the stated techniques and implementation context, not every proposed variant.

- [OpenRA](https://www.openra.net/) (id: source-32d0598945d8807a)
- [Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun](https://store.steampowered.com/app/418240/) (id: source-cda08855077b86bc)

CC-BY-4.0 · gamemechanics.pro contributors