Aliens Dark Descent: How to increase squad size? Aliens Dark Descent guide, walkthrough

The initial size of a squad of marines in Aliens Dark Descent is 4 people. From this page of the guide you will find out whether you can expand your squad and what is the maxi squad size taking part in missions.

Last update: 21 June 2023

In Aliens Dark Descent, the marines squad can expand as you progress through the campaign. On this guide page, we answer the question of what is the maximum team composition and when the option to expand the squad will be unlocked. Having a full squad can make it easier for you to complete missions and return to old locations.

• Initial squad size
• How to get maximum squad size?

Initial squad size

1. After starting the prologue in Aliens Dark Descent, you only have 1 playable character - administrator Maeko Hayes. It will stay like this throughout a part of the introduction. After avoiding the first xenomorph in the server room, the heroine encounters 3 marines from the Otago ship and together they try to escape from the Pioneer station.
2. Starting from mission 1, your squad can consist of 4 marines. You select soldiers on board the USS Otago when preparing for landing and embarking on a mission on the surface of moon Lethe. Every person in the squad has their own name and detailed statistics, and can also individually accumulate XP, unlock abilities, and represent a different class.

How to get max squad size?

1. Fortunately, the 4-person squad composition does not last until the very end of the game. Ultimately, your team can consist of 5 marines, but you'll have to wait a bit to unlock the slot for the fifth character.
2. You need to advance to mission 6 (Atmospheric Nightmare). Ultimately, you will receive the mission objective to reach the atmospheric processor generator and your marines will go down to the basement. In its eastern part, there is a garage with an M577 personnel carrier.

1. The heroes will immediately use the new APC to return to the USS Otago (mission 6 will be aborted). You will find out that the M577 can accommodate more marines.
2. From this moment on, you can travel with 5 characters. You can complete mission 6 and all subsequent ones with a bigger squad.