Mission 4, "It's War!", in Advance Wars 1: Re-Boot Camp marks a significant turning point for players. For the first time, the young Commander Andy must face the battlefield without the direct guidance and assistance of his mentor, Nell. While completing the mission with the fresh CO is generally straightforward, securing the coveted S-rank presents a distinct and satisfying challenge for strategy enthusiasts. This guide provides a detailed, turn-by-turn breakdown of a reliable strategy to achieve that perfect S-rank victory in this classic Nintendo Switch remake.

The core strategy for an S-rank in this mission revolves around a decisive northern offensive. Players must concentrate the majority of their forces along the top section of the map, pushing aggressively to capture the enemy's blue Headquarters (HQ) as swiftly as possible. While numerous tactical variations can lead to victory, the following sequence offers a precise and proven method to guarantee the high score.

Turn-by-Turn S-Rank Strategy

Day 1:

  • Begin by loading the bottom Infantry unit into the APC.

  • Move the top Artillery unit forward to establish an early position.

  • Advance the bottom Artillery unit upward.

  • Position the remaining Infantry units forward and up the map.

advance-wars-1-re-boot-camp-mission-4-s-rank-walkthrough-image-0

Day 2:

  • Use your Anti-Air unit to attack the enemy Infantry at the bottom.

  • Command your front Tank to also attack that same bottom Infantry unit.

  • Direct your top Artillery to fire upon the enemy Artillery unit.

  • Order your remaining Tank to attack the enemy Artillery as well.

  • Move your Medium Tank into position and attack an enemy Tank from the side for maximum damage.

  • Pull your remaining Artillery unit back slightly for safety.

advance-wars-1-re-boot-camp-mission-4-s-rank-walkthrough-image-1

Day 3:

  • Attack the weakened Anti-Air unit (at 8 HP) with your front Tank.

  • Finish off that Anti-Air unit (now at 1 HP) with your remaining Tank.

  • Use your own Anti-Air to attack an enemy Infantry unit that is capturing a city.

  • Have an Infantry unit attack that same capturing enemy Infantry.

  • Move your back Artillery forward to support the push.

  • Advance your remaining Artillery unit up.

  • Attack an enemy Anti-Air with your Medium Tank.

  • Send your bottom Mech unit forward.

  • Use your Medium Tank to attack an enemy Artillery piece.

  • Continue the assault by having your front Tank attack another Anti-Air unit.

  • Finally, have your remaining Tank attack that Anti-Air.

advance-wars-1-re-boot-camp-mission-4-s-rank-walkthrough-image-2

Day 4:

  • Push your Anti-Air unit forward into the fray.

  • Advance both your top and bottom Artillery units forward.

  • Continue moving your bottom Mech forward.

  • Crucially, start capturing the free, neutral city in the top-left corner of the map with an Infantry unit. This provides essential funds.

  • Use your top Artillery to attack an enemy Tank.

  • Complete the capture of the top-left city.

  • Maneuver your Medium Tank to attack an enemy Artillery unit.

  • Attack another Anti-Air unit with your remaining Tank.

  • Move your remaining Artillery forward.

  • Advance your remaining Tank forward as well.

advance-wars-1-re-boot-camp-mission-4-s-rank-walkthrough-image-3

Day 5:

  • Move both your top and remaining Artillery units forward to maintain pressure.

  • Use your Medium Tank to attack a front-line enemy Mech.

  • Start capturing the second free city on the map with an Infantry unit.

  • Attack another front Mech with your Medium Tank.

  • Move your own Mech unit down to support or block.

  • Have your bottom Tank attack the enemy Rocket units, which are a significant threat.

  • Advance your remaining Tank forward.

  • Push both your top and bottom Artillery units further up the map.

  • Complete the capture of the second city.

  • Execute a key move: advance your APC forward and drop the transported Infantry directly onto the enemy HQ.

advance-wars-1-re-boot-camp-mission-4-s-rank-walkthrough-image-4

Day 6 (Final Day):

  • Focus fire on the enemy Medium Tank with your bottom Artillery and then your remaining Artillery.

  • Attack the enemy Rocket units with your front Tank.

  • Move your remaining Tank into a forward position.

  • Most importantly, start capturing the enemy HQ with the Infantry unit you dropped.

  • Continue chipping away at the enemy Medium Tank with your bottom Artillery and a top Tank.

  • On this final day, the Infantry unit will complete the capture of the Blue Moon HQ, securing a decisive victory and the S-rank.

advance-wars-1-re-boot-camp-mission-4-s-rank-walkthrough-image-5

Key Tactical Insights & Unit Management

Success hinges on more than just following moves. Here are the underlying principles:

  • Aggression is Key: The S-rank requires a fast victory. Do not get bogged down in prolonged fights in the center or south. The northern path is the priority.

  • Protect Your Artillery: These units are slow but provide essential long-range support. Keep them behind your tanks and use terrain for cover.

  • APC Utilization: The APC is not just transport; it's a shield and a rapid deployment vehicle. Using it to ferry an Infantry unit directly to the HQ is the cornerstone of this speed-run strategy.

  • City Captures: Do not neglect the two neutral cities. The income they generate is vital for funding repairs and potentially building reinforcements if the battle drags on, though the goal is to finish before that's necessary.

  • Target Priority: Always eliminate enemy Rockets and Artillery first when possible, as they can devastate your clustered units. Anti-Air units are also prime targets to protect your ground forces.

By adhering to this structured approach, players can reliably conquer Mission 4 with a perfect S-rank, proving Andy's capabilities as a standalone commander and progressing the campaign with top marks. The strategy emphasizes speed, precision, and leveraging Andy's direct combat strengths to overcome Blue Moon's defenses.