Bonds are more than a friendship meter. Deploying squadmates together can build relationships, unlock combat synergies, and provide shared training benefits that improve Operator abilities and stats.

What you can plan now

• Deploying Operators together strengthens their relationship.
• Bond progression can unlock combat synergy and shared training benefits.
• Talking to teammates in the Den can reveal backstory and unlock personal missions.
• Campaign choices can affect relationships, so deployment is not the only planning input.

Those rules support a pair-first build method even before every number is on the screen.

Pair-build decision matrix

Pair goal	What to look for in a training offer	Why it is useful
Assist engine	Assist damage, accuracy, or a setup effect both Operators can trigger	More free attacks turn shared setup into action economy
Ranged lane	Hit reliability, cover control, or ranged damage used by both	Avoids spending a pair benefit on one active member
Frontline pair	Defense, Health, rescue, or control	Keeps both halves available to realize the Bond benefit
Grenade pair	Area damage, throw range, or utility used by both	Only valuable when both loadouts actually use explosives
Campaign economy	A shared reward that changes mission cadence	Compare it against an immediate combat benefit, not in isolation

Use this matrix as a checklist for the choice in your campaign. A strong offer should help both Operators do their job.

Bond details still to be added

Detail	What to do for now
Named Bond thresholds and XP required	Treat the next Bond tier as a campaign goal rather than a fixed grind target.
Every shared training offer	Pick the offer that benefits both members of the pair.
Exact bonus values and upgrade scaling	Check the current tooltip before spending around a narrow breakpoint.
Whether offers vary between campaigns	Keep a flexible pair plan rather than expecting one specific reward.
Whether a buff persists when the pair separates	Build the pair around its active mission role first.
Effect of a partner’s death on acquired benefits	Avoid relying on one pair bonus as your only answer in Permadeath.
Dilemma reaction and Bond change	Consider the relationship consequence before making a campaign choice.

The useful decision is still the same: build a pair around a shared job, then choose training that makes both halves better at it.