🎮 EpisodesEpisode 1: Pivot

Episode 1: Pivot - Complete Walkthrough

Episode 1 Pivot - Mecha Man Cockpit

Release Date: October 22, 2025

Episode Overview

Episode 1 “Pivot” serves as the introduction to Dispatch, where you experience Robert Robertson III’s transition from active superhero Mecha Man to dispatcher. This episode teaches core game mechanics while establishing key relationships and your leadership style.

Part 1: Opening Sequence - The Goon Interrogation

Mecha Man Combat

The Hanging Goon Scene

Situation: You’re confronting a Soothing Goon, hanging him off a building to extract information about Shroud’s location.

CHOICE 1: The Goon’s Fate

Option A: Let Him Drop

  • Result: Goon survives via convenient mattress below
  • Impact: Establishes ruthless, fear-based reputation
  • Long-term: Opens aggressive dialogue options in future episodes
  • Character Perception: Blonde Blazer and civilians see you as intimidating
  • Recommended For: Players wanting aggressive/pragmatic Robert

Option B: Pull Him Back

  • Result: You show mercy and restraint
  • Impact: Builds compassionate reputation
  • Long-term: Better civilian relations, more diplomatic options
  • Character Perception: Blonde Blazer respects your morality
  • Recommended For: Players wanting heroic/moral Robert

Guide Recommendation: Pull Him Back for best long-term relationships and romance options.

Part 2: Combat Sequence

Hacking Mini-Game

Objective: Navigate data squares and open paths

Instructions:

  1. Move right across the screen
  2. Press buttons as they appear (timing based)
  3. Open path to first data square
  4. Return and open path to second data square
  5. Access remaining data squares

Tips:

  • Higher Intellect stat makes this easier
  • Failed hacks can be retried
  • Take your time - speed isn’t critical here

Confronting Toxic

Boss Fight Preparation

Dialogue Choices (minimal impact):

  • “It’s over, Shroud.”
  • “Prepare to die.”
  • “I’m here to f*** you up.”

CHOICE 2: Finishing Move

Option A: PUNT

  • Result: Spectacular, cartoonish moment where Toxic flies across room
  • Impact: Purely visual/comedic
  • Memorable for: Flashy players

Option B: STOMP

  • Result: Grounded, brutal finishing move
  • Impact: Purely visual/dramatic
  • Memorable for: Serious players

Note: This choice is cosmetic only - choose based on your preferred style.

Power Diversion Sequence

QTE Section

Toxic warns that diverting pulse power won’t work.

Dialogue Options (no mechanical impact):

  • “Bullsh*t.”
  • “IGNORE HIM.”
  • “You’re bluffing.”

Note: Choose any option - all lead to same cutscene outcome.

Part 3: Bar Scene and Public Perception

Reporter Interview

Situation: Reporters ask about your identity and motivations

Key Interview Questions:

Question 1: Who Are You?

  • “I’m Mecha Man. Someone with nothing to lose.”
  • “Honestly, not sure anymore.”
  • [Other options available]

Impact: Shapes public perception and media coverage

Question 2 & 3: Various personal questions

Strategy:

  • Confident answers → Strong public image
  • Uncertain answers → Vulnerable, relatable image
  • Choose based on desired Robert personality

Bar Interactions

Alcohol Choice:

  • Impacts social dynamics
  • Creates memorable moments
  • Affects character perception

Relationship Tip: Your behavior at the bar influences potential romance paths in later episodes.

Part 4: Robber Encounter

Blonde Blazer Rescue

Situation: Robbers beat you until Blonde Blazer arrives

CHOICE 3: Accept Help

When Blonde Blazer offers to fix your arm:

  • Accept Help: Shows willingness to rely on others (builds Blonde Blazer relationship)
  • Refuse Help: Demonstrates independence (affects perception)

Romance Path: Accepting help starts positive dynamic with Blonde Blazer.

Combat Choice

CHOICE 4: Punch Direction

Option A: PUNCH WITH LEFT

  • Result: Solid hit, effective combat
  • Impact: Tactical efficiency
  • Recommended: Yes - better combat outcome

Option B: PUNCH WITH RIGHT

  • Result: Less effective approach
  • Impact: Suboptimal but viable

Combat Tip: Left hand punch is mechanically superior.

Part 5: Dispatcher Training

Mecha Man Cockpit View

Training Heroes

Important: The 6 heroes in training segment:

  • Do NOT have abilities yet
  • Do NOT gain experience from training missions
  • This is purely tutorial

Mission 1: Chase Scene

Requirements: Speed + Combat

Recommended Team:

  • Pom Pom (High Mobility)
  • Equilibrium (Combat support)

Strategy: Deploy both for guaranteed success

Success Rate: 85-95% with recommended team

Mission 2: Hospital Attack

Requirements: High Vigor + Combat

Recommended Hero:

  • Phenomaman (Best for endurance + combat)

Strategy: Solo deployment works well

Success Rate: 80-90% with Phenomaman

Mission 3: Monster Attack

Requirements: Team coordination, Vigor + Charisma

Recommended Team:

  • Pom Pom (Coordination)
  • Sweettalker (Charisma for crowd control)
  • Brainbook (Vigor for endurance)

Strategy: Full 3-hero deployment

Success Rate: 90-95% with full team

Learning Objectives

Core Mechanics Introduced

  1. Hero Stats: Understanding Combat, Vigor, Charisma, Mobility, Intellect
  2. Mission Matching: Matching hero strengths to mission requirements
  3. Timer Management: Making quick decisions under pressure
  4. Success Probability: Using the simulator before deployment

Key Gameplay Lessons

Stat Matching:

  • Combat → Fighting missions
  • Mobility → Chase/speed missions
  • Vigor → Endurance/dangerous missions
  • Charisma → Social/crowd control
  • Intellect → Technical/hacking

Team Deployment:

  • Solo for simple missions
  • 2-hero for medium complexity
  • 3-hero for high-risk missions

Character Relationships Established

Blonde Blazer

Starting Relationship: Professional superior

Key Moments:

  • Rescue scene
  • Arm repair offer
  • Training oversight

Romance Potential: Yes (develops in Episode 3)

Building Relationship:

  • Accept her help
  • Show competence in training
  • Respectful dialogue choices

Other Characters Introduced

  • Flambae: Initial team member
  • Training Heroes: Tutorial roster
  • Civilians: Public perception established

Episode 1 Strategy Guide

Optimal Choices for Best Outcomes

  1. Goon Interrogation: Pull Him Back (compassion)
  2. Toxic Fight: Either option (cosmetic)
  3. Power Diversion: Any option (no impact)
  4. Reporter Interview: Confident answers (strong image)
  5. Accept Blonde Blazer’s Help: Yes (relationship building)
  6. Combat Punch: Left Hand (tactical efficiency)
  7. Training Missions: Follow recommended teams above

Achievement/Trophy Tips

Perfect Dispatcher:

  • Complete all 3 training missions successfully
  • Use recommended hero combinations
  • Pay attention to stat requirements

Good First Impression:

  • Make choices that build positive relationships
  • Show competence in dispatcher role

Consequences and Long-Term Impact

Immediate Consequences (Episode 1)

  • Goon Choice: Affects dialogue with Blonde Blazer
  • Reporter Interview: Shapes media coverage
  • Training Performance: Establishes competence level

Long-Term Consequences (Future Episodes)

Compassionate Path (Pull Back, Accept Help):

  • Better civilian relations
  • Diplomatic options in conflicts
  • Stronger Blonde Blazer relationship
  • Romance path accessible

Ruthless Path (Drop, Independence):

  • Fear-based respect
  • Aggressive options available
  • Intimidation tactics
  • Different relationship dynamics

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Gameplay Mistakes

  1. Ignoring Stat Requirements: Don’t send Combat heroes to Charisma missions
  2. Solo on Monster Attack: Always use full team for this training mission
  3. Rushing Decisions: Take time to understand hero stats

Story Mistakes

  1. Inconsistent Personality: Mixing compassionate and ruthless randomly
  2. Ignoring Relationships: Not building foundation for future romances
  3. Skipping Dialogue: Missing important character development

Episode 1 Completion Checklist

Before moving to Episode 2, ensure you’ve:

  • Completed goon interrogation sequence
  • Finished combat training (all QTEs)
  • Attended bar scene and reporter interview
  • Experienced Blonde Blazer rescue
  • Completed all 3 training missions
  • Understood basic dispatch mechanics
  • Established initial character relationships
  • Chosen your Robert personality direction

Tips for Episode 2

Preparation:

  • Your Episode 1 choices set the tone for Robert’s character
  • Blonde Blazer relationship will develop further
  • Real Z-Team members introduced (not training heroes)
  • Missions become more complex
  • Start thinking about Episode 3 romance choice

What to Focus On:

  • Consistency in character choices
  • Building 3-4 core heroes
  • Learning advanced stat matching
  • Developing relationships

Quick Reference

Episode 1 Stats

  • Duration: 2-3 hours
  • Number of Missions: 3 (training)
  • Major Choices: 4-6 impactful
  • Heroes Introduced: 6 (training roster)
  • Difficulty: Easy (Tutorial)
  • Recommended Level: First playthrough friendly

Next Episode

Episode 2: Onboard - Released October 22, 2025 (same day as Episode 1)

Continues Robert’s adaptation to dispatcher role with increased complexity and real Z-Team introduction.

Navigation

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Episode 2: Onboard