Upgrading your base in Star Wars: Zero Company is crucial for mission success. The game categorizes upgrades into Facilities, Crew, and Weapons, with certain enhancements offering significant advantages early on, including the ability to unlock new unit types. While progress can be slow and upgrades are often limited to one at a time, strategically choosing initial improvements can provide a substantial edge.
Medbay
The first upgrade available in the Medbay, found under the 'Facilities' tab, should be a priority. This upgrade allows for the simultaneous healing of two crew members, reducing downtime. While less critical in the early stages with less aggressive enemies, this becomes vital when facing more formidable foes, such as those encountered during 'The Coil' missions, who possess supernatural abilities. Prompt recovery of injured units is essential, as injured personnel are unusable until healed.
Crew Quarters
Expanding the Crew Quarters, located in the 'Crew' tab, is equally important for increasing the total number of personnel Zero Company can house. The initial capacity of eight, including Hawks, is sufficient for two full squads but offers limited flexibility for squad composition, especially when considering droids. A larger crew allows for more personnel to be assigned to influence gathering or operations, and opens up a wider range of tactical options for main story missions.
Droid Repair Bay
Unlocking the Droid Repair Bay upgrade under the 'Facilities' tab enables the recruitment of astromech droids. Although they cannot engage in combat, these droids serve as highly effective support units.
Teamwork Enhancement
The Teamwork enhancement within the 'Crew' tab unlocks the Crew Lounge. Here, off-duty crew members can interact and gain bond points, fostering inter-crew relationships and cross-training opportunities without the need to cycle through personnel for specific missions. Higher-tier upgrades in this tree also boost assist damage, making it a worthwhile upgrade to revisit as your den level increases.
Weapon Mods
Each of the four primary weapon types—pistol, repeating rifle, and others—features a small upgrade tree with three distinct enhancements. These can improve damage and critical damage for all weapons of that type. While generally beneficial, especially if black market weapon mods are scarce, the decision to invest in these upgrades depends on your playstyle. For squads relying heavily on multiple members specializing in a particular weapon type, such as repeating rifles, investing in their respective enhancements can be advantageous.
Networking
While not as immediately critical as other upgrades, the Networking enhancement under the 'Facilities' tab offers benefits by providing influence when placing a contact. This influence can be used to increase reputation and unlock helpful bonuses, making it a valuable long-term investment.
