Red exclamation mark on my merc's portrait. What does that mean?

[Otto Abnormalverbraucher]

So I've just been to the witch south of Wassergrab and agreed to keep her secret. Now I have two fat red question marks on the portraits of Fox and Fauda. And no explanation on what that means or what I can or should do now. I've never seen one before. Throughout the whole conversation Fox remarked her approval of the witch's actions, so I'd be surprised if that meant they're disgruntled with my choice, even though it really looks like it. I also don't see any action I can take with either Fox or Fauda, talking to the witch with them doesn't do anything. What's going on here?

Also, what do the stars next to the soldiers' names in the tactical screen mean? Both Shadow and Fox are level 5 and they have one star, Raven and my character are level 6 and have two stars, and Fauda and Livewire are level 7 and they have three stars. Do they represent the character levels in relation to each other? What if I add a level one character into the squad? Does Fauda then suddenly get 7 stars?

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3022695919

[Magicsimmer]

I remember this sector. The crocodiles are potential enemies and sees you as a threat. But since the Witch treats them as pets, they won't attack you unless you choose to be enemies with the Witch.

The red exclamation points just means your mercs can see crocodiles as enemies

[RunDee]

Red exclamation mark just means, that you're visible to an enemy (also when you're in a spotlight). Then the red bar underneath the portrait (and the character) is beginning to fill. If it's full, the enemy has completely noticed you and turn-based combat is started.

Regarding the levels: The level symbol next to the name should somehow resemble "real" rank insiginias. Notice the white triangle (chevrons) beneath the stars? The combination of stars and triangles (+ triangle width) is showing the level of the character.

Level 1 has a blank symbol without triangle
Level 2 has 1 star without triangle
Level 3 has 1 star with 1 thin triangle
Level 4 has 1 star with 2 thin triangles
Level 5 has 1 star with 1 thick triangle

To be honest, my characters only reached level 5 - so referring to your screenshots and description, level 6 and level 7 have 2 and 3 stars respectively with 1 thick triangle.

[Otto Abnormalverbraucher]

Originally posted by Magicsimmer:

I remember this sector. The crocodiles are potential enemies and sees you as a threat. But since the Witch treats them as pets, they won't attack you unless you choose to be enemies with the Witch.

The red exclamation points just means your mercs can see crocodiles as enemies

The quest was resolved and the crocodiles disappeared, though. There was no enemy around anywhere.

Also the exclamation marks usually appear at the characters themselves. Do they also appear at the portraits? I've never noticed.

[Otto Abnormalverbraucher]

Originally posted by RunDee:

Red exclamation mark just means, that you're visible to an enemy (also when you're in a spotlight). Then the red bar underneath the portrait (and the character) is beginning to fill. If it's full, the enemy has completely noticed you and turn-based combat is started.

Yes, I know that. But I've never noticed the exclamation mark on the portraits. Also, the quest was resolved and the crocs disappeared... there was no enemy anywhere. After going back into the game the marks were gone. Odd.

Originally posted by RunDee:

Regarding the levels: The level symbol next to the name should somehow resemble "real" rank insiginias. Notice the white triangle (chevrons) beneath the stars? The combination of stars and triangles (+ triangle width) is showing the level of the character.

Level 1 has a blank symbol without triangle
Level 2 has 1 star without triangle
Level 3 has 1 star with 1 thin triangle
Level 4 has 1 star with 2 thin triangles
Level 5 has 1 star with 1 thick triangle

To be honest, my characters only reached level 5 - so referring to your screenshots and description, level 6 and level 7 have 2 and 3 stars respectively with 1 thick triangle.

I see. Thanks. I basically do the whole map with one squad, guess that's why they've leveled up that much.

[LArc7thHeaven]

Detection meter, when they are under enemy sight that mark will appear alongside bar that gonna fill until it full and you're entering combat. the next to soldier name is equal to their "military" rank