Harebrained Schemes and Paradox released BATTLETECH on 24 April 2018. It is turn-based lance combat set in 3025, in a Periphery region called the Aurigan Reach, where you run a mercenary company for High Lady Kamea Arano against Director Santiago Espinosa's Aurigan Directorate. Four mechs drop per mission, five initiative phases resolve per round, and the MechLab makes you argue for every half ton. Three expansions followed: Flashpoint in 2018, Urban Warfare in 2019 and Heavy Metal later that year.
BATTLETECH features distinct areas with increasing difficulty. This guide covers every major location in progression order: what to do, what to get, and when to move on. For the step-by-step path, see our walkthrough.
Area Progression Order
| Order | Location | Difficulty | Key Rewards | Recommended Build |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Coromodir | Prologue at half a skull, finale at 5 skulls | Campaign resolution, the highest tier salvage pool in the story missions, and the Directorate's heaviest mech opposition | Medium Mech skirmisher |
| 2 | Weldry | Around 3 skulls, expect heavy mech opposition | Story progression to the Panzyr operation, Restoration reputation, and salvage from a defending garrison that fields heavier chassis than earlier contracts | Medium Mech skirmisher |
| 3 | Panzyr | Around 3 and a half skulls | Story progression to Smithon, allied Fusilier support during the fight, and objective salvage from destroyed Directorate lances | Light Mech scout |
| 4 | Smithon | Around 4 skulls, assault mechs present | Story progression toward the Coromodir finale, plus salvage from the heaviest Directorate lances the campaign has fielded so far | Light Mech scout |
| 5 | The Argo | Available from early campaign onward, permanent for the rest of the run | Extra MechBays, faster repair and refit, morale generation, medical bay for injured pilots, and the training modules that raise pilot skills passively | Light Mech scout |
Coromodir: Starting Area
Capital world of the Aurigan Coalition and the setting for both ends of the campaign. The prologue puts you at Kamea Arano's coronation when Santiago Espinosa's coup begins, and the final liberation mission brings you back to the same world with an entire lance of assault mechs instead of a training exercise.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Prologue at half a skull, finale at 5 skulls |
| Key Rewards | Campaign resolution, the highest tier salvage pool in the story missions, and the Directorate's heaviest mech opposition |
| Recommended Build | Medium Mech skirmisher |
| Key Equipment | PPC |
What to Do Here
- Learn the basics of Five phase initiative order. This is where you practice without heavy punishment.
- Collect starting resources and your first equipment upgrade.
- Clear all main content before moving to Weldry.
- If you're struggling, read our beginner's guide.
Weldry: Early Game
The first proper strike against the Aurigan Directorate. Kamea leads the Restoration Army against the main spaceport while your lance runs a separate attack on the Icebox facility, which means you are fighting without the option of retreating toward friendly lines.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Around 3 skulls, expect heavy mech opposition |
| Key Rewards | Story progression to the Panzyr operation, Restoration reputation, and salvage from a defending garrison that fields heavier chassis than earlier contracts |
| Recommended Build | Medium Mech skirmisher |
| Key Equipment | PPC |
What to Do Here
- Focus on mastering Evasion pips and Sensor Lock. It's critical from this point on.
- Farm for PPC if you don't have it yet.
- Complete all objectives for maximum rewards.
- Prepare for the difficulty spike in Panzyr.
Panzyr: Mid Game
Supported by the 2nd Decimis Fusiliers, your job is destroying a Directorate dropship control centre so their ships cannot navigate Panzyr's orbital debris field. Allied units on the field mean you can let someone else soak the first volley for once.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Around 3 and a half skulls |
| Key Rewards | Story progression to Smithon, allied Fusilier support during the fight, and objective salvage from destroyed Directorate lances |
| Recommended Build | Light Mech scout |
| Key Equipment | PPC |
What to Do Here
- This is the main skill check. Bring an optimized build.
- AC/20 Autocannon becomes accessible here. Prioritize getting it.
- Master Called shots on prone and shutdown targets for the boss encounters.
- Check our boss guide if you get stuck.
Smithon: Late Game
A battle of attrition where the Restoration Army is grinding against Directorate forces and you are sent after a munitions dump. It is the mission where players usually discover that ammunition explosions cut both ways, since the objective itself detonates.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Around 4 skulls, assault mechs present |
| Key Rewards | Story progression toward the Coromodir finale, plus salvage from the heaviest Directorate lances the campaign has fielded so far |
| Recommended Build | Light Mech scout |
| Key Equipment | AC/20 Autocannon |
What to Do Here
- Full build optimization is expected by this point.
- AC/20 Autocannon should be your primary, fully upgraded.
- Contract negotiation and salvage shares mastery starts mattering here.
- Farm resources for the push into The Argo.
The Argo: Endgame
A derelict Argo class dropship your company recovers and then spends the entire campaign rebuilding. Upgrades bought here cut mech repair times, add MechBay slots, improve pilot training and raise morale, and the crew includes XO Darius Oliveira, Chief MechTech Yang Virtanen, navigator Sumire Meyer and Doctor Farah Murad.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Available from early campaign onward, permanent for the rest of the run |
| Key Rewards | Extra MechBays, faster repair and refit, morale generation, medical bay for injured pilots, and the training modules that raise pilot skills passively |
| Recommended Build | Light Mech scout |
| Key Equipment | AC/20 Autocannon |
What to Do Here
- This is endgame. Best-in-slot gear and a perfected build are mandatory.
- See our boss guide for endgame fight strategies.
- The reward loop: clear content → upgrade → push harder content.
- Experiment with Sensor Lock spotter for variety once you've mastered the meta.
Exploration Tips
- Clear areas in order: Coromodir → Weldry → Panzyr → Smithon → The Argo. Skipping areas means missing resources you'll need later.
- Check every corner: Hidden caches and secrets are often in non-obvious locations.
- Match your equipment: Some areas favor different equipment types.
- Read the walkthrough: Our walkthrough provides exact progression milestones for each area.
- Don't rush: Clearing an area fully gives more resources than speedrunning two areas.
More BATTLETECH Guides
- BATTLETECH BATTLETECH Overview
- BATTLETECH Best Builds
- BATTLETECH Tier List
- BATTLETECH Walkthrough
- BATTLETECH Beginner's Guide
- BATTLETECH Tips & Tricks
- BATTLETECH Weapons Guide
- BATTLETECH Combat Guide
- BATTLETECH Boss Guide
- BATTLETECH Crafting Guide
- BATTLETECH Classes & Characters
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