Tears of Metal: Battle Command & Roguelike Survival

Welcome to the definitive strategy guide for Tears of Metal, Paper Cult’s visceral medieval hack-and-slash co-op roguelike. Lead your Scottish clan against corrupted legions spawned by the sinister Dragon Tear meteorite fallen upon the island.

Essential Commander Principles

1. Stamina & Charge Mastery: Never completely drain your stamina. Reserve the final tick of energy for dynamic dodge-rolls or heavy sweeping charge attacks that knock back armored enemy ranks.
2. Battalion Synergies: Position your Schiltron Spearmen to halt charging heavy cavalry while your Highland Archers rain bodkin arrows from elevated ridges. Soldiers retain permanent combat skills across campaigns!
3. Camp Settlement Evolution: Return with salvaged timber and meteorite shards to develop your home camp. Level up Gordon McTavish's mess hall for stamina-boosting haggis feasts and upgrade Hamish's forge for steel weapon evolutions.

Combat Tip: Combine the Dragon Tear: Searing Meteor active skill with high-combo flurry slashes to wipe out dense waves before they breach your camp perimeter.

Compendium: Weapon Evolutions & Squad Tactics

In Tears of Metal, weapons don't just act as static loot—they evolve dynamically run after run as commanders score thousands of kills.

Weapon Quality & Evolution System

| Quality Tier | Emblem Sockets | Combat Characteristics | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Common Steel | 1 Emblem Slot | Reliable foundation, low stamina consumption | | Rare Tempered | 2 Emblem Slots | Enhanced cleave arc and increased poise breaking | | Plagued Cursed | 3 Emblem Slots | Massive elemental burst offset by gradual health drain | | Unique Clan Relic | 4 Emblem Slots | Handcrafted moveset (e.g., Wallace’s Whirlwind Cleave) |

Scottish Battalion Unit Roles

• Schiltron Spearmen: Unflinching anti-cavalry defense; creates protective bastions.
• Highland Archers: High-elevation armor-piercing artillery volleys.
• Armored Heavy Vanguard: Unstoppable frontline shock troops designed to breach castle gatehouses.

Quartermaster Dossier: Gordon McTavish — The Master Camp Cook

Gordon McTavish is the backbone of the Highland camp's endurance. Without his wholesome provisions, sustaining lengthy campaigns across rugged glens and storming enemy forts is nearly impossible.

How to Rescue Gordon

1. Deploy to the Highland Valley in Act I (Mission 2).
2. Push through the vanguard of corrupted raiders guarding the prisoner convoy.
3. Slay the armored bandit captain to secure the cage keys.
4. Escort Gordon back to the Highland Settlement Central Campfire.

Camp Upgrade Tiers

• Tier 1 (Hearth Fire): Supplies freshly baked oat bannocks and basic salt curing.
• Tier 2 (Mess Hall Extension): Adds authentic Scottish Haggis and Smoked River Salmon, providing +30% Maximum Stamina for entire runs.
• Tier 3 (Grand Highland Feast Kitchen): Unlocks master clan recipes combining multi-stat regeneration and squad morale boosts.