Briefing
Establish the mission’s purpose, who is asking for help, what is known and what is at risk. Ask questions before deployment; information can shape the plan.
The objective is the mission.
A mission has a goal and stakes. Combat is one possible part of it, but the objective gives the encounter its purpose and determines what success means.
Plan and prepare
Pilots may gather intelligence, secure assistance or arrange useful resources. The exact preparations depend on the campaign and the GM’s framing.
Execute and adapt
Once on the ground, conditions can change. New information may alter the objective or reveal additional stakes. Adapt the plan while keeping the original mission in view.
Debrief
After the operation, resolve its consequences and look at what the squad learned or changed. Mission results lead into downtime and the next deployment.
These editorial notes paraphrase concepts from the free player-facing LANCER Core Rulebook. They omit exceptions and full mechanics; the published book and your GM are authoritative.