Why the FOB is the most important building
In Defilade, the FOB is not a decorative forward spawn. It is:
- a fighting position — troops fight from it;
- a resupply point — ammo and supply come through it;
- a unit-cap source — it raises how many units you can field;
- a capturable objective — the enemy can take it;
- your loss condition — losing your last FOB ends the match.
That combination makes FOB placement the single most important decision in a match. A FOB too far forward is exposed; a FOB too far back does nothing.
Where to put a FOB
- Near the capture point you intend to hold, not at your spawn.
- On a road — a FOB that is not connected to your lines by a road cannot be supplied.
- Behind an obstacle — wire, mines, tank traps and a trench line between the FOB and the enemy.
- Within supporting distance of your army — a FOB alone is a gift to the enemy.
- With a second FOB in mind — do not over-extend before the first is safe.
How supply reaches a FOB
A completed FOB connects to friendly lines by roads used by supply trucks. The supply chain is the weak point:
- if the road is cut, the FOB stops being supplied;
- if the trucks are ambushed, the FOB stops being supplied;
- the AI commander guards its own supply trucks and raids yours — expect it to attack the road.
So a FOB is only as good as the road behind it. Guard the road with a cheap infantry squad, a watchtower or a minefield, and keep a repair party near the base.
FOBs and unit cap
The FOB raises your unit cap. That means your army size is tied to how many FOBs you hold, not only to manpower. If you are at the cap and cannot build more units, you need another FOB — and another road to supply it.
Do not build a third FOB before the first two are connected and defended. An unsupplied FOB is a liability, not a cap increase.
Capturing and losing FOBs
- FOBs are capturable. If the enemy takes one, you lose the cap and the position.
- Losing your last FOB is game over, even if you still have units.
- That makes a counter-attack on an enemy FOB a real win condition, not a side show.
When you attack, ask: can I take the FOB, or can I cut the road? Cutting the road is often cheaper than assaulting the FOB.
FOB checklist
- Placed near a capture point, not at spawn
- Connected to a road
- Wire / mines / tank traps between it and the enemy
- A squad guarding the road
- A repair party near the base
- A second FOB planned, not built early
We will add exact FOB costs, build times and cap values after the December 1 demo.