Your first Frontier Run: read, choose, commit.
A beginner guide to Fleet Commander Frontier Runs: choosing a route, reading tactical forecasts, drafting modules, and deciding when to extract.
1. Read the route before you take it
Look at the encounter’s threat, reward, and battlefield conditions together. A tempting salvage reward does not tell the whole story. Consider your fleet’s current integrity and whether its modules support the kind of encounter ahead. If a wager is offered, read its objective and reward separately from the base encounter.
2. Compare all three orders
Blitz, Flank, and Fortify expose forecasts and trade-offs before you commit. Compare what each order means for the present enemy. Do not assume your favourite order stays best throughout a run: rival intent, battlefield conditions, and your current modules can change the comparison.
3. Read the battle receipt
After the battle, inspect the outcome, remaining integrity, and salvage. This is the useful moment to reassess your plan. A win can still leave your fleet damaged. Make the next route decision from the fleet you have now, rather than from the fleet you had at the beginning.
4. Choose a reward with a purpose
When drafting, read the module or protocol’s rule text. A module that reinforces an order you can use effectively may be more valuable than an unrelated bonus. Alternatively, a defensive choice can preserve options if your integrity is low. There is no universal best pick across all routes and builds.
5. Decide whether another encounter is worth it
Compare unbanked salvage, remaining integrity, and the next available route. Extract when protecting gains matters more than the next opportunity. Push deeper when you have a reason to accept the risk. A commander showdown deserves a fresh check of your forecast rather than an automatic repeat of the previous order.
After the run
Review the debrief and your reserves. Fleet history gives the next attempt context; use what the last battle taught you when choosing your next build. These instructions describe the forthcoming 1.2.0 Frontier Runs update. The public download may still show the previous conquest campaign until Apple approves and the update is released.