New To Squad 44? Let's Get You Up to Speed!
We’re celebrating our free weekend in Squad 44, and with that comes a lot of new recruits to the battlefield. We’re here to help provide you with some tips on how best to understand Squad 44 if it's your first time playing!
This write-up was made possible thanks to the incredibly thorough guide created by Sgt. Bagel and Kermit. A must-read if you're looking for in-depth details and insights, which we will link below.
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We also want to extend our appreciation to our amazing Content Partners, Boogie5 and Bushwicks, and Community Members, Elise and Herr Wolf Gaming for their continued support and contributions to this as well!
With that, we hope this small guide gets you off on the right foot for battle recruits! If you want to speak to some fellow Squad 44 players we also suggest joining the Squad 44 Discord!
For an Italian localization, please check out this version by Balumba - Guida per nuovi giocatori di Squad 44
Beginner Kits/Classes
In Squad 44, players must choose a role (Kits/Classes) before they can spawn in. Each role determines the soldier’s loadout, including their primary weapon, sidearm, grenades, and specialized equipment. Your chosen role significantly shapes your responsibilities on the battlefield and within your squad.
Infantry Classes Overview
Infantry classes in Squad 44 are divided into three main categories:
1. Lead Roles
These include the Platoon Leader and Squad Leader. Leadership roles are crucial for coordinating the team and rely heavily on player experience and communication skills. Each of these roles is limited to one per squad and is best suited for players comfortable with making strategic decisions under pressure.
Still on the fence about taking command? Our partner Boogie5 has you covered with a tactical briefing. Check out his video guide on how to lead your squad into battle on the Pacific Front!
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2. Standard Roles
Standard roles make up the bulk of the squad and are often more beginner friendly due to their more simple playstyle. (Shoot, Rearm, Revive or shoot a lot!) These include:
Riflemen – No limit per squad.
Medics – Up to 2 per squad.
Gunners – Typically limited to 1 per squad, except for specific factions (e.g., the 1940 French can have both an LMG and an Automatic Rifle in the same squad).
These standard roles are heavily recommended for new players until you understand the basics of how Squad 44 plays!
If you want to dive deeper into these roles, our partner Bushwicks has put together comprehensive guides that we strongly suggest you check out!
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3. Specialist Roles
Specialist roles offer access to unique weapons and equipment. Examples include:
Anti-Tank
Marksman
Sapper
Flamethrower
Grenadier
Each squad may only have up to 2 specialist roles, and many of these roles are further restricted on a team-wide basis. Typically limited to 2–4 players depending on the faction and time period.
These roles are among the most challenging to master, often requiring a significant investment of time, practice, and tactical understanding. There's usually high expectation from teammates for players in these roles to perform well, which can make the learning curve steep.
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The Logistic Role
In Squad 44, logistics isn't just a support role, it's the foundation of your team's success. A well-organized logistics effort keeps the frontline supplied, the defenses reinforced, and the team in the fight. Without it, even the best squads can crumble due to lack of spawn points, ammo, or fortifications.
The Logistics Squad plays this vital role, specializing in building and maintaining Forward Operating Bases (FOBs) that act as player spawns and other strategic positions. Typically made up of four players, this squad operates with dedicated vehicles and tools designed specifically for transporting supplies, constructing emplacements, and resupplying both infantry and armor.
Whether you're hauling materials across contested ground or fortifying a critical objective, logistics is what keeps the war machine running. Neglect it, and the consequences are swift and unforgiving.
Vehicle Classes Overview
Operating a tank isn’t a solo job. It’s a team effort. Every tank, regardless of nation or model, shares a set of core crew positions. Each plays a vital role in keeping the vehicle combat-ready, though some are more central to the tank’s function than others.
Driver
Hull Gunner
Main Gunner
Tank Commander
While you can get by with just two crew members, a full crew of three or four significantly boosts effectiveness, especially in combat-heavy situations where manoeuvrability, target selection and positive communication is critical. Whether you're behind the gun or patching up damage under fire, each position has its part to play in turning your armored beast into a battlefield force.
As each tank is unique, Herr Wolf Gaming has created a Newbie Guide that goes over a lot of their strengths and weaknesses, helping Tankers and Anti-Tank players get to grips with the mechanics!
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Communication is Highly Recommended!
Communication is the key to victory. By default, you can chat locally with your team using the “V” key, and communicate with your squad using the “B” key. You can adjust right/left audio channels and keybinds in the Settings menu to fit your playstyle.
Having a microphone is highly recommended. It lets you quickly call out enemy positions, vehicle movements, incoming fire, and more. Spotting an enemy FOB or a marksman watching your spawn? Relay that intel to your team for your Squad Leader or Radioman to mark, allowing you to focus your firepower and crush the opposition before they get the upper hand.
It’s OK to Make Mistakes!
Mistakes are part of the learning process, especially if you’re new, but it's important to approach them with a genuine desire to improve. Don’t hesitate to use your comms and ask your fellow recruits for help if you’re ever unsure or lost. Most are happy to guide you, especially if they see you're making an effort to learn.
Your Map is Your Friend!
By default, you can open the map with the “M” key, and access a larger, more detailed version with the “N” key. The map displays all intel your team has gathered such as incoming artillery strikes, discovered FOBs, enemy infantry movements, enemy tank positions, and, most importantly, your teammates’ positions. Make it a habit to check your map regularly to reduce the risk of friendly fire and stay one step ahead on the battlefield. In addition there is a compass so use the degrees and cardinal directions if you’re next to your teammates for better call-outs!
Tip from the devs: If you’re using the old pop up compass you can bind the map to the same key for quicker and easier navigation on the battlefield.
Follow the Server Rules!
Since Squad 44 servers are community-run, many have their own specific rules and regulations. It’s always best to read through the server rules on the faction selection page before you start as breaking them; could get you kicked or banned!
One rule you'll always find: if you team-kill a friendly, make sure to apologize in chat. It goes a long way!
Unsure what server to join? We have some suggestions below!
Infanterie Regiment 9 IR9 - EU/German
"The IR9 is a Squad44 Regiment established in June 2018. We consider ourselves what is internationally known as a "Realism Unit." This means we drill based on historical Wehrmacht regulations and regularly compete in friendly clan matches against other international units in vanilla and PSRM events. With our pool of an average of 30 active players and weekly events and training programs, we are one of the largest and most active communities in the German WW2 Realism scene" - Discord
Corrupted Infantry CI - EU
"Who are we? We are a casual, new player-friendly community that loves to play games and have fun together. Established in 2020, we have since grown to nearly 6000 members (on our Discord) and represent one of the top EU Squad 44 and Squad communities. Who are we looking for? Be at least 18 years of age, have a microphone, and have a positive attitude. It doesn't matter if you just got the game or have already hit 1000+ hours, everyone is welcome!" - Discord
Sitzkrieg SK - EU/German
"Sitzkrieg is a German-speaking community of Squad 44 and thus can be found in the EU region, but also allows English-speaking players. We strongly emphasize structured teamplay and communication to ensure top-quality gameplay on our servers. We are very open towards new players and offer training sessions and guidance for them; all they have to do is reach out to us via Discord or in-game." - Discord
Additional Tips and Videos!
Drink your canteen! (Depending on the game mode) Squad 44 uses a stamina system to restore your stamina, every soldier in their loadout has a canteen, with which stamina can be replenished faster than not moving.
You can queue for a server while playing in another! If your preferred server is full, no worries! Join a different one for now, then open the server browser to queue up for your desired server. That way, you won’t miss your spot in your preferred server, while honing your skills elsewhere.
Smoke grenades are your best ally on the battlefield. If you’re taking fire and can’t pinpoint the enemy’s exact location, throw it in their general direction, deploying smoke can give you the cover you need to survive. Use them wisely!
Headshots make a distinct helmet noise but while pistol headshots will kill in one shot, the sound will not trigger. SMG headshots, however, will give you that satisfying audio cue.
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Free Weekend and Sale!
If you haven't already noticed, Squad 44 is running a Free Weekend Operation from Thursday, July 31st, through Sunday, August 3rd. During this time, we're also proud to celebrate 10 Years of Offworld with a major sale event.
Now's the time to try out Squad 44 for free and try out the newest gamemode Conquest in Update V2.3. For those who try out the game mode, we welcome your feedback on our Google Form!
All of our titles are available at a discount including Squad 44, which will be marked down by 50%. If you've enjoyed your time with Squad 44, now’s the perfect moment to secure it at a fraction of the price.
Don’t miss out!
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Join your fellow recruits and check out the latest in Squad 44:
Join your fellow recruits and check out the latest in Squad 44:
See you there!
