How Progression and Rewards Work in Grit and Valor – 1949
For fans of the Roguelite genre aspects of this may be familiar, but let's get into the specifics.
In Grit and Valor – 1949, there are three core aspects to the progression system:
1. Mid-Run Progression:
During each campaign you’ll have the opportunity to boost your mechs with a choice of temporary end of level enhancements. You’ll also get the chance to buy temporary shop boosts and get narrative event rewards.
2. End-of-Run Rewards:
When your run ends, you’ll bank a range of meta currencies to spend back at the Resistance Base. Occasionally, you’ll unlock new pilots, too.
3. Between-Run Progression:
At the Resistance Base, you’ll spend your earned currency on mech modules that you can equip to permanently upgrade your mechs. It’s here that you’ll able to purchase new mechs, and level up your pilot abilities.
Now, let's explore these in more detail...
Mid-Run Progression
In Grit and Valor – 1949, mid-run progression is all about building up temporary enhancements to increase your chances of success, while banking Black Coins to spend along the way.
Enhancements
Enhancements are temporary stat upgrades for your mechs that last until your run ends. At the end of each successful mission, you’ll be presented with a choice of three.
Enhancements range from Common to Legendary and can offer big boosts to a variety of mech stats including damage, damage resistance, fire rate, critical damage and much more.
Remember to choose wisely. Picking enhancements that suit your mech squad and your playstyle is essential. If you’re dissatisfied with your roll, spend some Black Coins to reroll.
It’s important to note that opting to take on Advanced Combat and Elite Combat missions will give you a greater chance of picking up rare enhancement. These missions are far more deadly, however, so we’ll leave it to you to weigh up the risk vs reward.
Scenarios
Between levels, you’ll occasionally be given the choice to avoid combat altogether and instead progress by choosing a ‘Scenario’ - a narrative dilemma that requires your Commander instincts.
Scenarios will vary in content – and we wouldn’t want to spoil any narrative bits - but in this example, you find a broken Axis mech and can choose between salvaging it for a random enhancement and using its part to repair your mechs or give them a health boost for the remainder of your run.
The Scavenger’s Shop
Another mid-run opportunity for you to enhance your squad is the Scavenger.
Like Scenarios, you’ll encounter the Scavenger on the campaign map between missions and be given the option trade your Black Coins for enhancements or Scrap. These run-ins with the Scavenger are rare, but could save your squad in a pinch
End-of-Run Rewards
End-of-Run Rewards come in the form of Scrap, Valor, and Blueprints.
These are the essential resources you’ll need to use to acquire lasting upgrades back at the Resistance Base, such as new Mechs, enhanced Pilot abilities, and Upgrade Modules for your existing Mechs.
The amount of Scrap, Valor, and Blueprints you gain will depend on your run's success.
Tackling those Advanced and Elite missions, achieving your bonus goals, and eliminating more Axis forces will increase the amount you receive at the end of a run.
Here’s a little more on what each currency is used for:
Scrap
A currency used to purchase Upgrade Modules from the Junkyard Shop at the Resistance Base.
Valor
Valor is applied to individual Pilots at the Pilot Barracks to increase their skills.
Blueprints
Blueprints can be used to either unlock new mechs or buy traits for them at the Mech Yard.
Between Run Progression
Here’s where you can make a lasting impact. Upgrades you make to your Mech Squad back at Resistance Base are permanent. Let’s dive into what you can do.
Buy Mech Modules at the Junkyard Shop
Spend your scrap wisely at the Junkyard Shop on Upgrade Modules for your Mechs. Like Enhancements, Modules range from Common to Legendary.
Apply Modules and Traits at the Mech Yard
Once you’ve purchased some Upgrade Modules, head to the Mech Yard to have Reggie Steele apply them to your mechs.
Optimise your squad however you see fit.
In this example, the Commander has wisely addressed one of the Thunderhead’s weaknesses, movement speed, by equipping a +30% Module.
Unlock New Mechs
At the Mech Yard – if you have acquired enough blueprints, you can use them to requisition the development of powerful new mechs.
Upgrade Pilot Abilities
Next stop, the Pilot Barracks.
Providing your Pilots with the Valor they need to succeed is part of every capable Commander’s pre-run ritual.
Here, Emilia Rochefort’s Mechano-arm ability has been boosted. In combat, you’ll now be able to use the ability more often and it’ll repair more damage.
Congratulations, Commander. You’ve passed your Progression & Upgrades 101 with flying colours.
Now what’re you waiting for? Go and apply what you’ve learned in the field.
Let ‘em have it!