NiC: Cold Front Guide: Controls for keyboard and console
About
OverviewNoobs in Combat: Cold Front is a turn-based military strategy game set on the fictional continent of Palet, where you command units across a range of campaigns with different objectives. This guide covers the controls, how campaigns are structured, how to unlock new units, and how to earn every badge.
What is on this page
Contents
Controls for keyboard and console
Table
Every action in the game maps to a specific key or button. The two most important things to keep straight are that Tab skips your turn and right-click inspects a tile — confusing them can throw away a move.
| Action | Keyboard / Mouse | Xbox Controller |
|---|---|---|
| Select / Deselect unit | Left-click | RT / B |
| Choose weapon | Keys 1–5 | Left / Right D-pad |
| Choose transport passenger | Shift + number | D-pad Up / Down |
| Inspect terrain | Hold or double-tap Ctrl | X (toggle) |
| Inspect tile / transfer unit | Right-click | LT |
| Skip turn | Double-tap Tab | Double-tap Y |
| Free camera | Shift + P | LB |
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How campaigns are structured
Summary
The game organises its missions into several campaign folders on the continent of Palet. Standard campaigns cover wars between factions such as Viridian-Basilian and Sangrian-Velkurian. The Skirmish folder holds its own set of missions, and the Hardcore tab contains tougher maps like Citysweep and The Death of Aakensburg. Finishing a campaign folder earns you a badge.
- Introduction campaign leads into the Viridian-Basilian war story
- Aurelian-Tangalese war a separate campaign arc with its own badge
- Northos invasion of Vioela another standalone campaign
- Viridian-Basilian war the full arc that follows the introduction
- Sangrian-Velkurian conflict an independent campaign set
- Skirmish folder a distinct collection of shorter missions
- Hardcore tab contains Citysweep and The Death of Aakensburg
Glossary
Glossary- Turn-based
- You and the enemy act in alternating turns rather than simultaneously, so you have time to plan each move.
- Campaign
- A collection of missions grouped under one story arc, each with its own objective and badge reward.
- Research
- The in-game process of unlocking new military units over time before you can field them in battle.
- Terrain inspection
- A map-reading action (Ctrl on keyboard, X on Xbox) that reveals tile properties and enemy positions before you move.
- Free camera
- A view mode (Shift+P or LB) that lets you pan across the whole map without being anchored to a unit.
Common questions
FAQCan I play with a controller?
Yes — every action in the game has a full Xbox controller mapping. The table in this guide lists both the keyboard shortcut and the controller button for each action side by side.
When does the XP bonus apply?
XP is multiplied by 1.25 during weekends.
Game updates can change what is on this page. If you spot something, get in touch and let us know.
