Enlisted is a squad-based online first-person shooter set during World War II. It focuses on authenticity, large-scale battles, and teamwork, with players commanding squads of AI soldiers alongside other real players. Unlike most shooters, Enlisted emphasizes tactical squad play, historical weaponry, and coordinated objectives.

This guide will walk you through everything from learning the basics and choosing squads to mastering infantry combat, vehicles, and advanced tactics that help you dominate the battlefield.

Getting Started: The Basics

When you first launch Enlisted, you’ll complete tutorials that explain movement, shooting, and commanding your squad. Controls may feel familiar if you’ve played other shooters, but squad mechanics set this game apart.

As a squad leader, you can switch between individual soldiers in your unit. If one dies, you immediately take control of another — keeping you in the fight. Your squadmates can also be ordered to defend, attack, or follow, giving you tactical flexibility.

At the beginning, focus on learning map layouts, capturing objectives, and keeping your squad alive as long as possible.

Choosing Your Faction and Campaign

Enlisted features multiple campaigns based on real WWII battles, such as Normandy, Stalingrad, and Tunisia. Each campaign has unique weapons, vehicles, and squads tied to the historical factions involved.

• Normandy: US vs. Germany, iconic D-Day battles.
• Moscow: Soviet Union vs. Germany, Eastern Front skirmishes.
• Tunisia: Britain vs. Germany/Italy, desert warfare.
• Stalingrad: Intense city battles with close combat.

Pick a campaign that excites you historically, or one that suits your preferred weapons and vehicles. Progression is campaign-specific, so your unlocks don’t carry over between them.

Understanding Squads

Each squad is built around a specific role, such as riflemen, engineers, machine gunners, or tank crews. As you progress, you’ll unlock new squads with specialized capabilities.

• Riflemen: Versatile, balanced soldiers.
• Engineers: Can build fortifications, ammo boxes, and spawn points.
• Snipers: Long-range specialists.
• Assault Troops: Close-range fighters with SMGs.
• Vehicle Crews: Operate tanks or aircraft.

Balancing your squad roster is critical. Engineers, for example, are essential for reinforcing objectives with spawn points and defenses.

Mastering Infantry Combat

Infantry battles are at the heart of Enlisted. Here are key tips:

• Cover and Positioning: Always move between cover and avoid open spaces.
• Aiming and Shooting: Weapons are realistic, with recoil and limited ammo. Short bursts are better than spraying.
• Grenades and Explosives: Effective for clearing rooms or objectives.
• Squad Utilization: Use AI squadmates as distractions, defenders, or extra firepower.

Close-quarters maps reward aggressive SMG users, while open maps benefit careful rifle and sniper play. Adapt based on terrain.

Vehicles: Tanks and Aircraft

Vehicles play a decisive role in battles.

Tanks

• Great for destroying enemy fortifications and infantry clusters.
• Weak against explosives, anti-tank weapons, and enemy armor.
• Use your crew efficiently: switch to gunner for shooting, or commander for spotting threats.

Aircraft

• Capable of devastating bombing runs or strafes.
• Fragile and vulnerable to anti-air fire.
• Learn to conserve ammo and retreat after each attack run.

Vehicles are powerful but not invincible. Good coordination with your squad ensures they survive longer and do more damage.

Building and Fortifications

Engineers make the difference between holding and losing objectives. They can:

• Construct sandbags for cover.
• Deploy barbed wire to block enemy advances.
• Set up ammo crates to resupply allies.
• Place rally points (spawn beacons) near objectives for reinforcements.

A well-placed rally point can turn the tide of a battle. Always prioritize building one for your team.

Playing the Objective

In Enlisted, personal kill counts matter less than capturing and defending objectives. Victory depends on teamwork.

• Capture Points: Push with your squad and allies, even if it means sacrificing your unit.
• Defend Positions: Build defenses and coordinate fire with teammates.
• Coordinate with Others: Use chat or pings to communicate threats, enemy tanks, or needed defenses.

Players who focus only on kills often lose matches. The best players know when to sacrifice stats for team victory.

Progression and Upgrades

As you play, you’ll earn experience to level up both your squads and soldiers. Progression includes:

• Unlocking Squads: Gain access to more specialized units.
• Weapon Upgrades: Improve accuracy, damage, or ammo capacity.
• Soldier Training: Enhance individual skills like stamina, accuracy, or speed.
• Squad Customization: Add new roles to squads as they level up.

Prioritize upgrading engineers, assault troops, and your favorite squad for consistent progress.

Advanced Tactics

Once you’ve mastered the basics, elevate your play with advanced strategies:

• Flanking: Instead of charging objectives head-on, attack from the sides or behind.
• Squad Sacrifice: Use AI soldiers to soak damage while you sneak around.
• Map Knowledge: Learn chokepoints, sniper perches, and rally point locations.
• Combined Arms: Coordinate infantry, tanks, and aircraft for maximum impact.

Experienced players think like commanders, not just shooters.

Long-Term Play and Community

The endgame of Enlisted is about mastery, teamwork, and progression. Joining active squads or clans enhances your experience, offering better coordination and social play.

Regular updates add new campaigns, weapons, and balance adjustments, keeping the game fresh. Staying involved in the community helps you keep up with evolving strategies and events.

Conclusion

Enlisted is more than just a shooter — it’s a squad-based, historically grounded battlefield experience. Success comes from mastering squads, building smart fortifications, coordinating with teammates, and playing objectives rather than chasing kills.

With patience, tactical thinking, and practice, you’ll not only survive but thrive in the chaos of WWII combat.