Arma Reforger is Bohemia Interactive's bridge between Arma 3 and the future Arma 4, built on the new Enfusion engine. Set during a Cold War confrontation on the fictional island of Everon, it pits US and Soviet forces against each other in large-scale combined arms warfare. The Conflict game mode provides a persistent multiplayer experience where squads capture points, build forward bases, and coordinate vehicle operations across a 51 km² map. Reforger emphasizes squad communication and realistic military tactics over twitch shooting skills, with a thriving modding community that has already produced impressive custom content.
Picking the right build determines how your experience plays out. These builds are ranked by overall effectiveness — factoring in damage, survivability, gear requirements, and how well they scale into endgame.
Quick Rankings
| Role | Tier | Playstyle | Core Gear |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rifleman | A | Stay with your squad, engage at medium range, provide suppressive fire, and share ammo with specialists. | M16A2 or AKM, 8 magazines, 2 bandages, 2 grenades |
| Medic | S | Stay behind the front line, sprint to wounded teammates during lulls, prioritize keeping the squad alive over getting kills. | M16A2 or AKM (reduced ammo), Medical Kit, Extra Bandages, Morphine, Tourniquets |
| Machine Gunner | A | Set up on overwatch positions with good fields of fire, lay suppressive fire on enemy positions to enable squad movement. | M60 or PKM, 400 rounds belted, bipod |
| Anti-Tank | A | Identify enemy vehicle threats, position for side or rear shots where armor is weakest, coordinate with squad for distraction. | RPG-7 with 3 rockets or 2x M72 LAW, rifle with reduced ammo |
| Squad Leader | S | Coordinate squad movement via voice comms, place spawn points in safe but forward positions, direct fire and movement. | Rifle, Radio Backpack, Binoculars, Map |
A-Tier: Rifleman
The backbone of any squad with a versatile loadout suitable for all engagements. Carries extra ammunition that can be shared with teammates. Simple to play effectively, making it the best role for learning the game.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Weapon | M16A2 | The standard US rifle with 3-round burst and semi-automatic fire modes. |
| Core Gear | M16A2 or AKM, 8 magazines, 2 bandages, 2 grenades | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Rifle Marksmanship, Stamina, Situational Awareness | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | military simulation | Arma Reforger simulates realistic ballistics with bullet drop, wind deflection, and penetration through materials. |
How to Play Rifleman
Stay with your squad, engage at medium range, provide suppressive fire, and share ammo with specialists.
The backbone of any squad with a versatile loadout suitable for all engagements. Carries extra ammunition that can be shared with teammates. Simple to play effectively, making it the best role for learning the game.
What makes this role work: The synergy between M16A2 and military simulation creates a gameplay loop that outperforms other options. Core gear like M16A2 or AKM, 8 magazines, 2 bandages, 2 grenades amplifies this further.
Pros:
- Highest overall performance
- Clear stat priority (Rifle Marksmanship, Stamina, Situational Awareness) makes gearing straightforward
- Works in all content types
Cons:
- Popular pick, resources may be contested
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
S-Tier: Medic
The most critical role in any squad. Without a medic, wounded players must respawn and lose their position. Medics carry extended medical supplies and can perform full treatments that restore soldiers to combat-ready status.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Weapon | AKM | The Soviet standard rifle with full-auto and semi-auto modes. |
| Core Gear | M16A2 or AKM (reduced ammo), Medical Kit, Extra Bandages, Morphine, Tourniquets | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Medical Skill, Stamina, Positioning | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | conflict game mode | The main multiplayer mode where two factions compete to control strategic points across Everon. |
How to Play Medic
Stay behind the front line, sprint to wounded teammates during lulls, prioritize keeping the squad alive over getting kills.
The most critical role in any squad. Without a medic, wounded players must respawn and lose their position. Medics carry extended medical supplies and can perform full treatments that restore soldiers to combat-ready status.
What makes this role work: The synergy between AKM and conflict game mode creates a gameplay loop that offers reliable performance. Core gear like M16A2 or AKM (reduced ammo), Medical Kit, Extra Bandages, Morphine, Tourniquets amplifies this further.
Pros:
- Most versatile option
- Clear stat priority (Medical Skill, Stamina, Positioning) makes gearing straightforward
- Works in all content types
Cons:
- Lower peak damage than S-tier
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
A-Tier: Machine Gunner
Provides sustained suppressive fire that pins enemies behind cover, enabling squad movement. The M60 or PKM devastates at medium range but the weight slows movement significantly. Deploying the bipod on terrain features improves accuracy dramatically.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Weapon | M60 | US general purpose machine gun with devastating sustained fire capability. |
| Core Gear | M60 or PKM, 400 rounds belted, bipod | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Suppression, Ammo Management, Position Selection | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | vehicle operations | Vehicles range from jeeps and trucks to APCs and helicopters. |
How to Play Machine Gunner
Set up on overwatch positions with good fields of fire, lay suppressive fire on enemy positions to enable squad movement.
Provides sustained suppressive fire that pins enemies behind cover, enabling squad movement. The M60 or PKM devastates at medium range but the weight slows movement significantly. Deploying the bipod on terrain features improves accuracy dramatically.
What makes this role work: The synergy between M60 and vehicle operations creates a gameplay loop that offers reliable performance. Core gear like M60 or PKM, 400 rounds belted, bipod amplifies this further.
Pros:
- Best survivability
- Clear stat priority (Suppression, Ammo Management, Position Selection) makes gearing straightforward
- Works in all content types
Cons:
- Slower clear speeds
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
A-Tier: Anti-Tank
Carries the RPG-7 or M72 LAW to counter enemy vehicles. Without AT soldiers, a single enemy APC can dominate an area. The RPG-7 is reloadable but heavy; the M72 LAW is single-use but lightweight.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Weapon | RPG-7 | Soviet reusable rocket launcher effective against vehicles and fortifications. |
| Core Gear | RPG-7 with 3 rockets or 2x M72 LAW, rifle with reduced ammo | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Range Estimation, Vehicle Identification, Flanking | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | squad tactics | Squads of up to 6 players operate semi-independently within the larger team. |
How to Play Anti-Tank
Identify enemy vehicle threats, position for side or rear shots where armor is weakest, coordinate with squad for distraction.
Carries the RPG-7 or M72 LAW to counter enemy vehicles. Without AT soldiers, a single enemy APC can dominate an area. The RPG-7 is reloadable but heavy; the M72 LAW is single-use but lightweight.
What makes this role work: The synergy between RPG-7 and squad tactics creates a gameplay loop that provides a unique approach. Core gear like RPG-7 with 3 rockets or 2x M72 LAW, rifle with reduced ammo amplifies this further.
Pros:
- Strong in group/team content
- Clear stat priority (Range Estimation, Vehicle Identification, Flanking) makes gearing straightforward
- Excels in its niche
Cons:
- Weaker solo performance
- Requires deep game knowledge
S-Tier: Squad Leader
Carries the radio backpack that enables squad respawns. If the squad leader dies in a bad position, the entire squad loses their spawn point. Must balance leading from the front with staying alive for spawn access.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Weapon | M21 Sniper | Semi-automatic sniper rifle with a scope effective at 600+ meters. |
| Core Gear | Rifle, Radio Backpack, Binoculars, Map | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Communication, Map Reading, Tactical Decision-Making | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | workshop mods | The Enfusion Workbench allows creation of custom maps, weapons, vehicles, and game modes. |
How to Play Squad Leader
Coordinate squad movement via voice comms, place spawn points in safe but forward positions, direct fire and movement.
Carries the radio backpack that enables squad respawns. If the squad leader dies in a bad position, the entire squad loses their spawn point. Must balance leading from the front with staying alive for spawn access.
What makes this role work: The synergy between M21 Sniper and workshop mods creates a gameplay loop that provides a unique approach. Core gear like Rifle, Radio Backpack, Binoculars, Map amplifies this further.
Pros:
- Unique, rewarding playstyle
- Clear stat priority (Communication, Map Reading, Tactical Decision-Making) makes gearing straightforward
- Excels in its niche
Cons:
- High skill floor, punishing when misplayed
- Requires deep game knowledge
Build Progression Path
- Start with Medic — the most forgiving option for learning the game
- Transition to Rifleman once you understand core mechanics and have access to M16A2
- Keep a Machine Gunner setup for content that keeps killing you
- Try Squad Leader for a fresh experience once you've mastered the basics
Gearing Tips
- Invest in your primary weapon first — it gives the biggest power spike
- Always join a squad and use voice communication. Solo players contribute almost nothing to the team and die repeatedly without spawn points.
- The compass (double-tap middle mouse) and map (M key) are essential for navigation. Call out bearings when reporting enemy contacts — 'enemy infantry, bearing 270, 200 meters.'
- Don't spread upgrade resources across multiple builds until endgame
See our tier list for current meta rankings, or the beginner's guide if you're just getting started.
