All factions
Unit Veterancy System
A universal progression system where units grow in power as they survive and thrive in battle, with benefits varying by faction.
Version: Pre-release
Overview
As units survive and engage in combat, they gain veterancy levels that increase their power. The benefits of veterancy vary by faction: some receive straightforward stat improvements, while others unlock new abilities for their units. This system rewards players who can keep their units alive through multiple engagements, creating a strong incentive to use cover, retreat, and battlefield reinforcements effectively.
Details
- lore background
- Veterancy represents the combat experience units accumulate over the course of a battle. Veteran units are more effective than fresh recruits, reflecting the value of hardened warriors in the grim darkness of the far future.
- campaign role
- Universal mechanic across all factions. Units gain veterancy through combat, with effects ranging from stat boosts to new ability unlocks depending on the faction. The system interacts directly with the cover, retreat, and battlefield reinforcement mechanics, as keeping units alive preserves their accumulated experience.
- combat specialty
- Faction-dependent benefits: some factions gain raw stat improvements (damage, health, accuracy), while others unlock new active or passive abilities. High-veterancy units are significantly more powerful, making veteran preservation a key strategic consideration.
- first appearance
- Dawn of War IV