Ready or Not is a tactical SWAT simulator where you command a police team clearing dangerous locations. Unlike arcade shooters, RoN punishes shooting first — you lose points for unauthorized use of force. Suspects must be given a chance to surrender before engagement. The missions range from drug lab raids to active shooter responses, each requiring different loadouts and tactics. The AI (both enemies and teammates) behaves unpredictably, creating tense room-clearing sequences where a suspect might surrender or open fire. The 1.0 release added a full campaign connecting missions narratively.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Point Man | S | Stack on doorways, enter first after breach, engage immediate threats, and call clear for the team to follow. | M4A1 or G36C, flashlight, light armor for mobility, flashbangs |
| Breacher | S | Mirror under doors, select appropriate breach method, coordinate timing with the team, then breach and immediately clear your corner. | Breach tools (C2, shotgun, lockpick), MP5 for CQB, flashbangs |
| Negotiator | A | Shout for compliance first, use non-lethal weapons on non-compliant suspects, and zip-tie everyone for maximum arrest score. | Beanbag Shotgun, Pepperball Gun, Taser, zip-ties (extra supply) |
| Rear Guard | A | Follow the team, watch previously cleared areas, secure doors behind the team, and alert to threats from behind. | MP5 or M4A1, flashlight, extra zip-ties, mirror gun |
| Sniper | B | Set up an overwatch position outside the building, identify and call out suspect positions, and provide precision fire support when authorized. | Scoped rifle, radio communication, observation position |
S-Tier: Point Man
The Point Man enters rooms first, engaging threats immediately. This role requires fast reflexes and accurate snap-shooting. The M4A1 or G36C provides stopping power for immediate threats. Point Man is the most dangerous role but sets up the team for success.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Weapon | G36C | A versatile assault rifle with good accuracy, moderate recoil, and high damage. |
| Core Gear | M4A1 or G36C, flashlight, light armor for mobility, flashbangs | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Reaction time, weapon accuracy, breaching speed | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | door breaching | Every locked door can be breached multiple ways: kick (fast, loud), shotgun breach (fast, damages behind door), C2 explosive (fast, stuns room occupants), lockpick (slow, silent), or ram (moderate speed). |
How to Play Point Man
Stack on doorways, enter first after breach, engage immediate threats, and call clear for the team to follow.
The Point Man enters rooms first, engaging threats immediately. This role requires fast reflexes and accurate snap-shooting. The M4A1 or G36C provides stopping power for immediate threats. Point Man is the most dangerous role but sets up the team for success.
What makes this role work: The synergy between G36C and door breaching creates a gameplay loop that outperforms other options. Core gear like M4A1 or G36C, flashlight, light armor for mobility, flashbangs amplifies this further.
Pros:
- Highest overall performance
- Clear stat priority (Reaction time, weapon accuracy, breaching speed) makes gearing straightforward
- Works in all content types
Cons:
- Popular pick, resources may be contested
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
S-Tier: Breacher
The Breacher handles door entry tools: C2 explosives, shotgun breach, ram, or lockpick. Choosing the right breach method based on door type and intel is critical. The Breacher sets up the entry for the entire team.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Weapon | MP5 | A submachine gun with excellent handling and low recoil. |
| Core Gear | Breach tools (C2, shotgun, lockpick), MP5 for CQB, flashbangs | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Breach tool selection, door assessment, timing coordination | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | suspect compliance | Shouting at suspects (press F) orders them to comply (drop weapons, get on ground). |
How to Play Breacher
Mirror under doors, select appropriate breach method, coordinate timing with the team, then breach and immediately clear your corner.
The Breacher handles door entry tools: C2 explosives, shotgun breach, ram, or lockpick. Choosing the right breach method based on door type and intel is critical. The Breacher sets up the entry for the entire team.
What makes this role work: The synergy between MP5 and suspect compliance creates a gameplay loop that offers reliable performance. Core gear like Breach tools (C2, shotgun, lockpick), MP5 for CQB, flashbangs amplifies this further.
Pros:
- Most versatile option
- Clear stat priority (Breach tool selection, door assessment, timing coordination) makes gearing straightforward
- Works in all content types
Cons:
- Lower peak damage than S-tier
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
A-Tier: Negotiator
The Negotiator prioritizes compliance commands and non-lethal options. Using Beanbag Shotgun and Pepperball Gun, they incapacitate suspects without lethal force. This role earns maximum mission scores through zero-casualty operations.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Weapon | M4A1 | The highest-damage assault rifle available. |
| Core Gear | Beanbag Shotgun, Pepperball Gun, Taser, zip-ties (extra supply) | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Compliance timing, non-lethal accuracy, de-escalation | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | non-lethal options | Beanbag Shotguns, Pepperball Guns, Tasers, and Flashbangs incapacitate without killing. |
How to Play Negotiator
Shout for compliance first, use non-lethal weapons on non-compliant suspects, and zip-tie everyone for maximum arrest score.
The Negotiator prioritizes compliance commands and non-lethal options. Using Beanbag Shotgun and Pepperball Gun, they incapacitate suspects without lethal force. This role earns maximum mission scores through zero-casualty operations.
What makes this role work: The synergy between M4A1 and non-lethal options creates a gameplay loop that offers reliable performance. Core gear like Beanbag Shotgun, Pepperball Gun, Taser, zip-ties (extra supply) amplifies this further.
Pros:
- Best survivability
- Clear stat priority (Compliance timing, non-lethal accuracy, de-escalation) makes gearing straightforward
- Works in all content types
Cons:
- Slower clear speeds
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
A-Tier: Rear Guard
The Rear Guard covers cleared rooms and watches the team's back. In large buildings, cleared rooms can have suspects re-enter from alternate pathways. The Rear Guard prevents ambushes from behind and secures escape routes.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Weapon | Beanbag Shotgun | A non-lethal shotgun firing fabric beanbag rounds. |
| Core Gear | MP5 or M4A1, flashlight, extra zip-ties, mirror gun | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Situational awareness, rear security, communication | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | team AI commands | Your team follows commands: Stack Up (form up at doorway), Breach and Clear (enter room), Fall In (follow you), Hold (stay position). |
How to Play Rear Guard
Follow the team, watch previously cleared areas, secure doors behind the team, and alert to threats from behind.
The Rear Guard covers cleared rooms and watches the team's back. In large buildings, cleared rooms can have suspects re-enter from alternate pathways. The Rear Guard prevents ambushes from behind and secures escape routes.
What makes this role work: The synergy between Beanbag Shotgun and team AI commands creates a gameplay loop that provides a unique approach. Core gear like MP5 or M4A1, flashlight, extra zip-ties, mirror gun amplifies this further.
Pros:
- Strong in group/team content
- Clear stat priority (Situational awareness, rear security, communication) makes gearing straightforward
- Excels in its niche
Cons:
- Weaker solo performance
- Requires deep game knowledge
B-Tier: Sniper
Limited to specific outdoor missions where long-range engagement is relevant. The Sniper provides overwatch on building exteriors, calling out suspect positions through windows. Not applicable to most indoor missions.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Weapon | Pepperball Gun | A semi-automatic non-lethal weapon firing irritant projectiles. |
| Core Gear | Scoped rifle, radio communication, observation position | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Long-range accuracy, target identification, communication | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | evidence collection | Missions contain evidence items (drugs, weapons, documents) that must be collected for bonus points. |
How to Play Sniper
Set up an overwatch position outside the building, identify and call out suspect positions, and provide precision fire support when authorized.
Limited to specific outdoor missions where long-range engagement is relevant. The Sniper provides overwatch on building exteriors, calling out suspect positions through windows. Not applicable to most indoor missions.
What makes this role work: The synergy between Pepperball Gun and evidence collection creates a gameplay loop that provides a unique approach. Core gear like Scoped rifle, radio communication, observation position amplifies this further.
Pros:
- Unique, rewarding playstyle
- Clear stat priority (Long-range accuracy, target identification, communication) makes gearing straightforward
- Excels in its niche
Cons:
- High skill floor, punishing when misplayed
- Requires deep game knowledge
Build Progression Path
- Start with Breacher — the most forgiving option for learning the game
- Transition to Point Man once you understand core mechanics and have access to G36C
- Keep a Negotiator setup for content that keeps killing you
- Try Sniper for a fresh experience once you've mastered the basics
Gearing Tips
- Invest in your primary weapon first — it gives the biggest power spike
- Mirror under every closed door before entering. The optical wand or mirror gun shows room layout, suspect positions, and civilian locations — knowledge that prevents friendly casualties.
- Flashbang doorways before entering EVERY time. The 2 seconds of flashbang stun gives your team a massive advantage for room clearing. Carry 3+ flashbangs per operator.
- 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.
