Permadeath is optional but locks when a campaign starts. Beskar Mode, a separate setting, allows one save and no manual saving; changing either requires a restart from scratch.
Permadeath is on by default, but you can turn it off before starting a campaign. Once you select Start Campaign, the setting is locked for that save; changing it means starting a new campaign from scratch.
Do not confuse permadeath with Beskar Mode. EA says Beskar Mode is the setting that limits the campaign to one game save and removes manual saving.
Permadeath: the direct answer
| Question | Official answer |
|---|---|
| Is permadeath on by default? | Yes |
| Can it be disabled? | Yes, before starting the campaign |
| Can it be changed later? | No; start a new campaign to use a different setting |
| Does it force one save? | No; the one-save rule belongs to Beskar Mode |
| When is an Operator killed? | With permadeath on, an Operator is Killed in Action after three injuries |
| What happens if Hawks falls? | The mission fails and must be restarted; Hawks is not permanently removed |
Choose the setting on the Difficulty Settings screen before selecting Start Campaign. Those choices apply to that campaign for its entire run.
With permadeath on, being Downed causes an Injury. A squadmate can Rally the Operator back into the fight, but the Injury remains. An Operator who reaches three injuries is Killed in Action and permanently leaves the squad. Hawks is the exception: if Hawks is defeated, the mission immediately fails and must be restarted instead of removing Hawks from the campaign.
Permadeath, Beskar Mode, and restarting
| Setting or event | Save consequence |
|---|---|
| Permadeath on | Three injuries permanently remove a non-Hawks Operator |
| Permadeath off | EA ties the three-injury KIA rule specifically to permadeath being on |
| Beskar Mode on | The campaign has one game save and no manual saving |
| Change either locked setting | Start a new Campaign from the main menu |
| Hawks defeated | Restart the failed mission, regardless of permadeath setting |
EA describes a Campaign as a game save. Starting an additional Campaign creates another save, so restarting with different settings does not mean the game only permits one campaign overall. The one-save restriction applies to a campaign using Beskar Mode.
What remains unverified
EA has not published a full table comparing every difficulty setting. The supplied official sources also do not tie a specific difficulty or permadeath choice to an achievement, so this page does not claim one is required.
For the official 30–40 hour range, read campaign length and what it covers. For the wider loop at the Den and on the battlefield, use gameplay and campaign structure.
Sources & evidenceOpen the references used for this page
QUICK ANSWERS
Questions players ask next
Can you turn off permadeath in Star Wars Zero Company?
Yes, but choose before starting the campaign. Once the campaign begins, the permadeath setting is locked; changing it requires a new campaign from scratch.
Does permadeath force a single save?
No. EA ties the one-save and no-manual-save rules to Beskar Mode, which is a separate campaign setting.
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