Tactical Breach Wizards is a turn-based tactics game from Suspicious Developments (the Heat Signature developer) where modern-day wizards breach buildings and throw enemies out of windows. Every mission is a puzzle where you position your squad to chain knockbacks, exploit environmental kills, and defenestrate as many enemies as possible. The Confidence system lets you undo any move, encouraging experimentation without punishment. With sharp writing, a noir detective story, and mechanics designed around creative violence through window-based kills, TBW is one of the tightest tactical experiences in recent years.
Combat in Tactical Breach Wizards rewards knowledge over reflexes. Understanding how each mechanic works — and how they interact — is what turns a struggling player into a dominant one. New here? Start with our beginner's guide for the basics.
Core Combat Mechanics
1. turn-based tactics
Each mission is a single room with enemies, windows, and environmental objects. Your squad of 3-4 characters takes turns using abilities that deal damage, move enemies (knockback), and reposition allies. Enemies act on their turn with telegraphed attacks. The goal is to neutralize all enemies while minimizing damage taken. Missions typically take 5-15 minutes.
Why it matters: This is the foundation of all combat. Everything else builds on this.
2. spell combos
Characters' abilities combo together — Zan's Shotgun Spell knocks enemies backward, which can push them into Jen's Psychic Push range, which sends them through a window. Chaining knockbacks through multiple enemies into windows is the core puzzle. Some combos move an enemy through 3+ characters' abilities before the killing window toss.
Why it matters: The most underrated mechanic. Players who master this early have a massive advantage.
3. window defenestration
Throwing enemies out of windows is the game's signature mechanic and always kills regardless of remaining HP. Windows are positioned throughout each room, and knockback abilities push enemies toward (or away from) them. The optimal solution for every room maximizes window kills. Enemies near windows are priorities since one knockback solves them.
Why it matters: Unlocks a new layer of gameplay depth once understood.
4. confidence system
Confidence points let you undo any action — move, ability use, or even end-of-turn decisions. This eliminates save-scumming by building retries into the core mechanic. Each successful mission earns Confidence based on performance. The system encourages experimentation: try a wild combo, and if it fails, undo and try something else.
Why it matters: The tactical edge that separates average players from advanced ones.
5. overwatch abilities
Some characters have abilities that trigger during the enemy turn. Sterling's Shield Bash activates when an ally is attacked, redirecting the hit. Overwatch abilities create reactive defense that protects your fragile characters. Positioning overwatch characters correctly prevents enemy damage entirely.
Why it matters: The endgame optimization mechanic. Small improvements here compound into massive gains.
Mechanic Synergies
Understanding how mechanics interact is where real optimization happens:
turn-based tactics + spell combos
Each mission is a single room with enemies, windows, and environmental objects. When combined with spell combos, characters' abilities combo together — zan's shotgun spell knocks enemies backward, which can push them into jen's psychic push range, which sends them through a window. This combination is the core of every effective build.
window defenestration + confidence system
Throwing enemies out of windows is the game's signature mechanic and always kills regardless of remaining HP. Paired with confidence system, confidence points let you undo any action — move, ability use, or even end-of-turn decisions. This is why the tier list favors builds that leverage both.
overwatch abilities as a Multiplier
Some characters have abilities that trigger during the enemy turn. Sterling's Shield Bash activates when an ally is attacked, redirecting the hit. Overwatch abilities create reactive defense that protects your fragile characters. Positioning overwatch characters correctly prevents enemy damage entirely. This system amplifies everything else — the better your overwatch abilities optimization, the more your other mechanics pay off.
Combat by Build
Each build approaches combat differently:
Zan (S-Tier)
Combat approach: Open engagements by blasting groups toward windows, reposition for follow-up knockbacks. Key equipment: Shotgun Spell Primary mechanic: turn-based tactics
The protagonist — a breach mage with a Shotgun Spell that fires a wide knockback blast. Full setup in our builds guide.
Jen (S-Tier)
Combat approach: Connect combos by pushing/pulling enemies into other characters' knockback zones or directly into windows. Key equipment: Psychic Push Primary mechanic: spell combos
A psychic with targeted Push and Pull abilities. Full setup in our builds guide.
Dessa (A-Tier)
Combat approach: Stun and damage enemy clusters, prevent dangerous enemy abilities with stun, support knockback combos with positioning. Key equipment: Lightning Bolt Primary mechanic: window defenestration
A lightning mage whose Lightning Bolt chains between enemies standing near each other. Full setup in our builds guide.
Sterling (A-Tier)
Combat approach: Position defensively to protect allies, use overwatch Shield Bash to knock enemies toward windows on their own turn. Key equipment: Shield Bash Primary mechanic: confidence system
The tank with Shield Bash (overwatch knockback) and defensive abilities. Full setup in our builds guide.
Lucille (A-Tier)
Combat approach: Mark distant enemies from safety, combine curse damage with knockback kills, handle enemies outside knockback range. Key equipment: Sniper Curse Primary mechanic: overwatch abilities
A sniper-curse mage with long-range targeted abilities. Full setup in our builds guide.
Advanced Combat Techniques
Damage Optimization
- Match your equipment to your build's stat priorities
- Exploit turn-based tactics for maximum damage windows
- Chain spell combos and window defenestration for combo damage
- Use confidence system to create openings
Survivability
- Learn enemy patterns before committing to attacks
- Throwing enemies out windows is always the optimal play — window kills bypass all HP and armor, so prioritize knockback positioning over raw damage every turn.
- Position using turn-based tactics to control spacing
- Save defensive options for guaranteed survival, not comfort
Boss Combat
Bosses test your understanding of every mechanic. See our boss guide for fight-specific strategies.
- Phase awareness — Most bosses change behavior at health thresholds
- Patience over aggression — One extra hit per opening beats dying to greed
- Build preparation — Swap gear and equipment for specific fights when needed
Common Combat Mistakes
- Button mashing — Committed attacks have recovery frames. Mashing locks you into animations.
- Ignoring spell combos — This mechanic exists for a reason. Players who use it take significantly less damage.
- Wrong equipment for the situation — Check our weapons guide for situational picks.
- Not learning from deaths — Every death teaches something. If you don't know why you died, you'll die the same way again.
- Overcommitting — Trading hits works in Apartments but will get you killed in Penthouse.
More Tactical Breach Wizards Guides
- Tactical Breach Wizards Tactical Breach Wizards Overview
- Tactical Breach Wizards Best Builds
- Tactical Breach Wizards Tier List
- Tactical Breach Wizards Walkthrough
- Tactical Breach Wizards Beginner's Guide
- Tactical Breach Wizards Tips & Tricks
- Tactical Breach Wizards Weapons Guide
- Tactical Breach Wizards Boss Guide
- Tactical Breach Wizards Maps & Locations
- Tactical Breach Wizards Crafting Guide
- Tactical Breach Wizards Classes & Characters
Similar Games
If you enjoy Tactical Breach Wizards, check out these related guides:
- Sid Meier's Civilization V Combat Guide — strategy game with similar mechanics
- Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord Combat Guide — strategy game with similar mechanics
- RimWorld Combat Guide — strategy game with similar mechanics
