How to read a strategy map before you move

Gridwarden taught me to slow down. My first dozen missions were full of rash moves and dead units. Once I started reading the whole map before committing, everything changed.

The first habit is checking threat ranges. Before you move any unit, look at where every enemy can reach next turn. Half my early mistakes were walking into obvious danger I simply hadn't looked for.

Second, use terrain as part of your plan, not an afterthought. High ground, cover, choke points. In a tight tactics game these little bonuses stack up and decide fights before anyone swings.

Finally, don't be afraid to retreat. Baiting an enemy out of position and then collapsing on it is often stronger than charging in. Patience is a weapon in these games, and Gridwarden rewards it generously.