
The player needs to assign Link Points (LP) for attack or defense Links and assign an action to be used in Link battles. Links allow for more than one unit to assist one another through offensive or defensive attacks, with a maximum of four units in any Link squad. The most noticeable addition is the Link system, which is an expansion of four team-based skills (Backup Melee, Backup Fire, Gang Beating, Firing Squad) seen in Front Mission 3 and the Honor skill Help from FM2.Additionally, Turbo backpacks now come with a small amount of item space, although not as much as dedicated Item backpacks. The latter function is made by designating an area five squares long and three squares wide, but the player must wait for two turns before the air strike commences. Radio backpacks have communications equipment that allows a Wanzer to act as a forward air controller by signalling the Durandal transport to drop supplies, armor coating, or call in an air strike. Jetpacks have built-in boosters that allow a wanzer to scale buildings and directly bypass obstacles such as water this becomes relevant since wanzers cannot jump up onto ledges any more. Repair backpacks fix damaged or destroyed parts and remove EMP status anomalies.

EMP backpacks are equipped with electromagnetic pulse (EMP) equipment that disables various functions on a wanzer.

Sensor backpacks are equipped with sonar and radar sensors that extend the firing range of missile launchers in varying weather and time conditions. In addition to the familiar Item and Turbo-type backpacks, Front Mission 4 introduces five new backpacks. New backpack types have been implemented into the battle system.If a weapon that can be fired twice runs out of ammo after the first attack, the attack ends and the weapon must be reloaded. Only melee (Knuckle, Pile Bunker, Rod) and support fire (Missile Launcher, Grenade Launcher, Rocket Launcher) weapons attack once per battle phase. Machine guns and shotguns are the main weapon classes that attack twice, although certain rifles and bazookas also have this ability.


The player completes missions, progresses the narrative, and customizes their units to prepare for the upcoming mission and so on. Template:Gameguide Front Mission 4's foundation is similar to that of its predecessors in terms of progression.
