Episode 1: Pivot - Complete Walkthrough

Your first day as Dispatch commander. Make critical decisions, assign missions, and establish relationships.

By Walkthrough Team

Published: October 25, 2023

Last Updated: November 3, 2024

18 min read

⚠️ Spoiler Warning

This walkthrough contains detailed story information for Episode 1. Proceed with caution if you prefer blind playthroughs.

📋 Episode Overview

Episode Stats

Duration: 2-3 hours
Missions: 5 main, 2 optional
Key Decisions: 8 major choices
Unlockable Heroes: 3

Episode Goals

Complete your first day as commander
Establish hero relationships
Make key policy decisions
Set up Episode 2 storylines

Act 1: Morning Briefing

Choice #1: First Impression

Context:

Captain Rodriguez introduces you to the team. Your first words set the tone for your leadership style.

Option A: "Glad to be here. Let's make this work together."

Tone: Collaborative, diplomatic

Relationship Impact: +5 with all heroes

Long-term Effect: Unlocks "Team Player" dialogue options in Episode 3

✅ Recommended for first playthrough - Builds positive foundation

Option B: "I expect professionalism and results."

Tone: Authoritative, direct

Relationship Impact: +3 with Titan, Shadow / -2 with Blaze, Oracle

Long-term Effect: Unlocks "Disciplinarian" path in Episode 4

ℹ️ Viable alternative - Creates different team dynamics

Option C: "I'm here to clean up this mess."

Tone: Confrontational, reformist

Relationship Impact: -5 with all heroes

Long-term Effect: Hard difficulty relationship management

⚠️ Challenge mode - Makes relationship building much harder

Choice #2: Equipment Budget Priority

Context:

The Chief offers additional budget. You must choose how to allocate resources.

Option A: Combat Equipment (Weapons, Armor)

Effect: +1 Strength for all heroes permanently

Best for: Combat-focused playstyle

Unlocks: "Advanced Arsenal" mission in Episode 2

Option B: Tech Equipment (Surveillance, Hacking Tools)

Effect: +1 Tech for all heroes permanently

Best for: Stealth/Tech playstyle

Unlocks: "Cyber Ops" mission in Episode 3

✅ Recommended - Tech is harder to level naturally

Option C: Training Facilities

Effect: All heroes gain +20% XP permanently

Best for: Long-term optimization

Unlocks: "Team Building" side missions

Act 2: First Missions

🎯 Mission 1: Warehouse Raid

Mission Details

Type: Combat

Difficulty: Medium

Optimal Team Size: 2-3 heroes

Tags: Combat, Speed

Required Skills

• Strength: 15+ (combined)

• Speed: 10+ (combined)

• Investigation: 5+ (optional)

✅ Recommended Team Composition

Slot 1: Titan

Strength: 9

Speed: 5

Role: Tank

Slot 2: Blaze

Strength: 8

Speed: 7

Role: DPS

Slot 3: Optional

Add Detective for intel bonus

Not required for success

Expected Success Rate: 85-95% with this composition

Mission Outcome

Success: Recover stolen goods, +10 Department Reputation, unlock "Supplier Network" investigation

Failure: Criminals escape, -5 Reputation, Captain Rodriguez questions your judgment

Bonus Objective: Complete with Investigation hero present → Discover weapons cache location for Episode 2

🎯 Mission 2: Hostage Negotiation

Mission Details

Type: Negotiation

Difficulty: High

Optimal Team Size: 2 heroes

Tags: Negotiation, Stealth

Required Skills

• Negotiation: 18+ (combined)

• Stealth: 8+ (combined)

• Strength: 6+ (backup)

✅ Recommended Team Composition

Slot 1: Diplomat

Negotiation: 10

Investigation: 6

Role: Lead Negotiator

Slot 2: Oracle

Negotiation: 8

Tech: 8

Role: Support + Intel

⚠️ Critical Warning:

Do NOT send heroes with the "Hotheaded" or "Reckless" flaw. Failure rate increases by 30%.

Mission Outcome

Success: All hostages safe, criminal surrenders peacefully, +15 Reputation, Oracle +10 relationship

Partial Success: 1 hostage injured, criminal captured, +5 Reputation

Failure: Hostages harmed, media backlash, -15 Reputation, hero trauma debuff (3 missions)

Story Impact: Success unlocks "Reformed Criminal" storyline in Episode 3

OPTIONAL

🎯 Mission 3: Tech Heist (Optional)

Unlock Condition

Only available if you chose "Tech Equipment" in Choice #2. Appears after Mission 2.

Mission Details

Type: Stealth/Tech

Difficulty: Medium

Optimal Team Size: 2 heroes

Tags: Tech, Stealth

Required Skills

• Tech: 16+ (combined)

• Stealth: 12+ (combined)

Rewards

• Unlock "Cipher" hero (Tech specialist)

• +10 Tech Equipment cache (permanent resource)

• "Master Hacker" achievement

Act 3: First Crisis

⚡

CRITICAL CHOICE #3: The Heist Dilemma

Context:

Intelligence reveals a major heist in progress. You have two simultaneous situations:

Bank Robbery: Armed criminals, civilians in danger (high profile)
Underground Lab: Criminal syndicate HQ, low risk but long-term impact

You can only respond to ONE. This choice defines your Episode 2 storyline.

Option A: Prioritize Bank Robbery

Immediate Impact:

Save civilians → +20 Public Reputation
High-stakes combat mission
Media coverage (positive if success)

Episode 2 Consequence:

Criminal syndicate grows stronger
Face more organized crime missions
"Public Hero" storyline path

ℹ️ Playstyle: High action, public-facing, shorter battles

Option B: Prioritize Underground Lab

Immediate Impact:

Dismantle syndicate operations
Stealth/investigation heavy mission
Bank gets robbed (casualties) → -10 Public Reputation

Episode 2 Consequence:

Weaker criminal network in future
Unlock "Deep Cover" investigation arc
"Strategic Commander" storyline path

✅ Recommended for strategy players: Tactical depth, long-term payoff

❗ This decision cannot be undone and affects:

• Available missions in Episodes 2-4
• Department reputation trajectory
• Which endings are accessible
• Hero recruitment opportunities

Episode Conclusion

Debrief & Preparation

After completing your chosen crisis mission:

Captain Rodriguez reviews your performance
Hero relationships are evaluated (check relationship screen)
Budget allocation for Episode 2 is determined

Episode 1 Performance Grades:

S-Rank (Perfect)All missions success + all relationships positive

A-Rank (Excellent)4/5 missions success + mostly positive relationships

B-Rank (Good)3/5 missions success + mixed relationships

C-Rank (Passing)2/5 missions success + low reputation

📊 Quick Reference Summary

Key Choices Recap

Choice #1: Leadership style → Affects all relationships

Choice #2: Equipment budget → Permanent stat bonus

Choice #3: Crisis priority → Defines Episode 2 path

Unlockables Checklist

Complete all 5 main missions with 80%+ success

Establish +10 relationship with at least 3 heroes

Unlock optional Mission 3 (if applicable)

Discover weapons cache bonus intel

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