There are no romance options in Star Wars Zero Company. Developer Bit Reactor has confirmed this explicitly. Instead, the game uses a Bond system (levels 1-8) that tracks professional, platonic relationships between every pair of operatives. Maxing bonds unlocks permanent Cross Training passive bonuses and extra Focus Points. You cannot romance Cly, Tel-Rea, Jae, or any other companion.
Are There Romance Options?
No. This is the single most asked question about relationships in Zero Company, and the answer is clear:
- No romantic storylines or branching romance paths
- No romance dialogue options with any companion
- No dating, flirting, or relationship progression beyond professional bonds
- No sex scenes or romantic cutscenes
Bit Reactor designed Zero Company as a gritty mercenary company simulator where relationships are built on trust in combat, not romance. The Bond system captures this professional camaraderie without venturing into romantic territory.
What Is the Bond System?
The Bond system tracks how well every pair of operatives works together. It is not just Hawks' relationship with NPCs — every single two-character combination has its own dedicated bond level, creating a complex web of squad dynamics.
Bonds are measured on a scale of 1 to 8, with descriptive labels:
| Bond Level | Label | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| 1-2 | Very Low / Low | The pair actively dislikes each other. Meter can fall further from bad decisions. |
| 3-4 | Neutral | Common starting point for most pairings. Professional but no special synergy. |
| 5-6 | High | The pair works well together. Increased Focus Point rewards. |
| 7-8 | Very High | Maximum synergy. Largest Focus Point payouts and Cross Training unlocked. |
How to Increase Bond Levels
Bonds grow through several activities:
- Fighting together on missions: The primary way to build bonds. Keep the same pair on every operation.
- Surviving without injuries: Operatives who complete missions unscathed gain more bond experience than those who get downed or injured.
- Correct dialogue choices: During story dilemmas, choosing responses that align with a character's values increases their bond with Hawks.
- Shared base tasks: Assigning pairs to work together at The Den facilities builds bond over time.
- Supporting each other in combat: Using abilities that buff or heal a teammate increases their mutual bond.
Bond Rewards: Focus Points
As bond levels increase, pairs earn Focus Points — the currency used to unlock abilities in the Focus Tree. Higher bond levels grant more Focus Points, making bond farming essential for unlocking your operatives' full potential.
The Focus Tree is where you unlock specializations, talents, and passive abilities. Without enough Focus Points, your operatives will be underpowered in the late game.
Cross Training: The Maximum Bond Reward
When a pair reaches maximum bond level (8), they unlock Cross Training — a unique passive ability that applies to both characters in the pairing. Each pairing has its own exclusive Cross Training bonus that cannot be obtained through the Focus Tree or any other progression system.
Once you select a Cross Training bonus, it cannot be reset or changed. Unlike Focus Tree specializations (which can be respecced), Cross Training is designed as the lasting payoff for building a relationship. Choose your pairings and Cross Training selections carefully before confirming.
Examples of Cross Training bonuses include increased grenade damage, critical hit chance, health boosts, movement range, and ranged damage modifiers — each unique to the specific character pairing.
Efficient Bond Farming Strategy
To maximize bonds efficiently:
- Pick your core squad early: Choose 4-6 operatives you want to use throughout the campaign and keep them together.
- Repeat tactical missions: Replayable tactical operations are the fastest way to farm bond experience. Use the same pair every time.
- Prioritize survival: No injuries = maximum bond gain. Use cover, Medics, and defensive abilities.
- Use support abilities: Have operatives buff and heal each other to accelerate bond growth.
- Check the Personnel Terminal: View bond levels and progress at the Personnel Terminal in The Den to track your farming.
- Don't spread too thin: Focus on maxing a few key pairings rather than trying to raise every combination.
Best Bond Pairings to Prioritize
While every pairing has value, these combinations are particularly strong:
| Pairing | Why It Works |
|---|---|
| Hawks + Cly | Cly's Combat Leap pairs well with Hawks' leadership abilities. High bond unlocks mobility-focused Cross Training. |
| Hawks + Tel-Rea | The Jedi Padawan's Force abilities complement Hawks' tactical command. Focus on Force-powered Cross Training. |
| Trick + Kabb | The clone trooper and the Felshi boxer form a durable frontline pair with melee-focused bonuses. |
| Jae + Luco | The former noble and the Umbaran sniper create a deadly ranged combination with precision bonuses. |
| Medic + Heavy | A sustain + crowd control pairing that keeps the squad alive while dealing area damage. |