Squad is a large scale military shooter where two teams of up to 50 players fight over objectives with real logistics and command structure. Offworld Industries built it around teamwork, so a coordinated squad usually beats individual skill.
New to the game? Start with our beginner's guide first.
Quick Progression Summary
| Phase | Area | Focus | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Start | Al Basrah urban map | Large scale 50v50 battles basics | Rifleman |
| 2. Early | Gorodok open terrain | Squad and fireteam command mastery | Rifleman |
| 3. Mid | Yehorivka large map | Logistics and fortification + gear | Squad Leader or Rifleman |
| 4. Late | Narva mixed terrain | Build optimization | Squad Leader |
| 5. Endgame | Logar Valley infantry | Min-max | Squad Leader or Crewman and pilot |
See our maps guide for detailed area breakdowns.
Phase 1: Getting Started (Al Basrah urban map)
Al Basrah urban map is the starting area where you learn fundamentals.
Level/Difficulty: Beginner Key Rewards: Progression materials and gear upgrades
What to Do in Al Basrah urban map
- Learn Large scale 50v50 battles. Matches put up to 100 players on kilometers wide maps, so map control and coordination matter more than raw aim.
- Pick Rifleman as your starting role. See our builds guide for why.
- Acquire your first weapons upgrade: RPG-7 launcher or whatever's available.
Phase 1 Checklist
- Understand Large scale 50v50 battles fundamentals
- Rifleman selected and functional
- Al Basrah urban map main content cleared
- Ready for Gorodok open terrain
Phase 2: Early Game (Gorodok open terrain)
Gorodok open terrain is the first real challenge beyond the basics.
Level/Difficulty: Early Key Rewards: Progression materials and gear upgrades
What to Do in Gorodok open terrain
- Work on Squad and fireteam command. Players group into squads led by a squad leader who places spawn points and coordinates with command.
- Farm for RPG-7 launcher if you haven't already.
- Complete all objectives before pushing to Yehorivka large map.
- Consider whether Squad Leader might suit your playstyle better than Rifleman.
Phase 2 Checklist
- Squad and fireteam command integrated into gameplay
- RPG-7 launcher acquired
- Gorodok open terrain fully cleared
- Ready for Yehorivka large map
Phase 3: Mid Game (Yehorivka large map)
Yehorivka large map is the mid-game skill check.
Level/Difficulty: Intermediate Key Rewards: Progression materials and gear upgrades
What to Do in Yehorivka large map
- Master Logistics and fortification. Teams haul ammo and build materials to construct forward bases, HABs and defensive emplacements.
- Start working toward M4 and AK service rifles. It's the best weapon and becomes accessible around now.
- Start investing in Combined arms vehicles for the tactical depth you'll need going forward.
Phase 3 Checklist
- Logistics and fortification mastered
- M4 and AK service rifles acquired or in progress
- Yehorivka large map fully cleared
- Ready for Narva mixed terrain
Phase 4: Late Game (Narva mixed terrain)
Narva mixed terrain is the late-game area with advanced content.
Level/Difficulty: Advanced Key Rewards: Progression materials and gear upgrades
What to Do in Narva mixed terrain
- Finalize your build. You should be running Squad Leader or Rifleman with optimized gear.
- M4 and AK service rifles should be your primary. If you don't have it yet, prioritize getting it.
- Proximity and radio voice optimization starts here.
- Farm this area for the resources needed to push into Logar Valley infantry.
Phase 4 Checklist
- Build fully optimized
- M4 and AK service rifles upgraded to max
- Narva mixed terrain fully cleared
- Ready for Logar Valley infantry
Phase 5: Endgame (Logar Valley infantry)
Logar Valley infantry is the endgame zone with the hardest challenges.
Level/Difficulty: Expert Key Rewards: Progression materials and gear upgrades
What to Do in Logar Valley infantry
- Logar Valley infantry tests everything. Come prepared with your best build and gear.
- The endgame loop: run Logar Valley infantry, optimize gear, push harder content.
- Experiment with Crewman and pilot for a fresh take once you've mastered the standard builds.
- This is where Proximity and radio voice mastery separates good players from great ones. See our tips guide for advanced strategies.
Phase 5 Checklist
- Endgame content on farm
- Best-in-slot gear acquired
- Logar Valley infantry fully cleared
- Ready for challenge content
Common Progression Mistakes
- Lone wolfing away from the squad and dying far from any friendly spawn point.
- Ignoring logistics so the team never builds forward HABs and loses the spawn race.
- Pushing armor without infantry support and losing it to a hidden anti tank shooter.
- Giving up instantly when downed instead of waiting for a nearby medic.
- Staying silent on voice and missing the contact calls that keep the squad alive.
Key Tips for Smooth Progression
- Stay close to your squad leader, since their rally point is your fastest respawn back into the fight.
- Help build HABs in good positions so the squad spawns forward instead of running from the main base.
- Call contacts with a clear direction, distance and description so the squad can react fast.
- Wait for a medic when downed instead of giving up, because a revive keeps your ticket and position.
- Coordinate vehicles with infantry escorts, since lone armor dies fast to flanking anti tank.
For more advanced strategies, see our tips & tricks guide.
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