Battles use a top-down grid and alternate turns. The objective varies by map, but commonly involves destroying enemy forces, capturing every property, or surviving a set condition.

Players move infantry, tanks, artillery, ships, aircraft, and transport units, while cities and bases provide income and repairs. Fog-of-war maps limit visibility. Commanders build power during combat and can activate unique abilities that change damage, movement, weather, or other battlefield conditions.

The campaign advances through branching missions and unlocks additional commanders, maps, and features. Versus, War Room, Design Maps, and multiplayer modes provide more scenarios beyond the main story.

Protect high-value units rather than trading them carelessly. Use terrain, chokepoints, forests, and rivers to control engagements, and keep damaged units near cities or bases for repairs.

Capture properties early to increase income, but do not send infantry unsupported. Combine indirect fire with direct units, use transports to exploit mobility, and scout carefully on fog-of-war maps.

Save CO Power for a decisive turn. A well-timed power can secure a capture, break a defensive line, or reverse an otherwise losing battle.