Hell Let Loose: Vietnam has 17 official roles across six unit types: Command, Infantry, Recon, Armour, a US-only Helicopter unit and a Mortar Squad. A good first role is one whose immediate task you can understand and whose mistakes do not block an entire squad’s movement, logistics or communication.
This pre-release guide uses the official role list published on Steam. The responsibility summaries and beginner ratings are editorial guidance based on the unit structure and official descriptions, not final loadout documentation. Exact weapons, equipment limits, progression and controls require launch verification on August 13.
Fast role picker
If you are entering your first match:
- Join an Infantry unit and ask what the squad needs.
- Choose Rifleman when available if you want the smallest coordination burden.
- Consider Medic after you understand voice channels and can stay with the squad.
- Use Machine Gunner or Grenadier only when you can listen for positioning and fire-direction requests.
- Leave Commander, Squad Leader, Spotter, Tank Commander, Logistics Officer, Pilot and Observer to experienced or actively coached players.
- Do not take a specialist seat only because its weapon looks interesting.
Our first-match beginner guide covers spawning, communication and movement before role-specific detail.
All 17 roles at a glance
| Unit | Role | Working responsibility | Communication load | Logistics impact | Beginner fit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Command | Commander | Coordinate the whole team and strategic resources | Very high | Team-wide | Not recommended first | Role confirmed; procedures unverified |
| Infantry | Squad Leader | Direct an infantry squad and connect it to command | Very high | Squad-wide | Learn later | Role confirmed; procedures unverified |
| Infantry | Rifleman | Stay with the squad and execute its immediate task | Low to medium | Low | Best provisional start | Role confirmed; loadout unverified |
| Infantry | Grenadier | Deliver explosive support against designated threats | Medium | Medium | Coached start | Role confirmed; official showcase mentions vehicles |
| Infantry | Engineer | Handle construction or technical squad tasks | Medium to high | Potentially high | Learn later | Role confirmed; equipment unverified |
| Infantry | Medic | Keep casualties recoverable and the squad together | Medium | Low | Possible second role | Role confirmed; equipment unverified |
| Infantry | Specialist | Fill a specialized infantry capability | Medium to high | Unknown until launch | Learn later | Role confirmed; function requires verification |
| Infantry | Machine Gunner | Provide sustained fire from a useful position | Medium | Low | Coached start | Role confirmed; loadout unverified |
| Recon | Spotter | Lead reconnaissance and turn observations into action | High | Recon-wide | Learn later | Role confirmed; procedures unverified |
| Recon | Sniper | Support the recon plan from a precision-fire role | Medium to high | Low | Learn later | Role confirmed; loadout unverified |
| Armour | Tank Commander | Direct an armoured crew, route and target priorities | Very high | Vehicle-wide | Not recommended first | Role confirmed; controls unverified |
| Armour | Crewman | Operate an assigned armoured-vehicle station | High | Vehicle-wide | Only with coaching | Role confirmed; controls unverified |
| Helicopter, US only | Logistics Officer | Coordinate helicopter logistics and its battlefield purpose | Very high | High | Not recommended first | Role confirmed; procedures unverified |
| Helicopter, US only | Pilot | Fly the helicopter and execute the assigned mission | Very high | High | Practice before live use | Role confirmed; controls unverified |
| Mortar Squad | Observer | Direct the mortar squad’s information and tasking | High | Squad-wide | Learn later | Role confirmed; procedures unverified |
| Mortar Squad | Support | Sustain the mortar squad’s operation | Medium to high | High | Coached start | Role confirmed; equipment unverified |
| Mortar Squad | Gunner | Deliver mortar fire from verified direction | High | Medium | Learn later | Role confirmed; controls unverified |
“Beginner fit” is our risk-based recommendation, not an official tier list. A helpful squad can teach any role, but scarce leadership, vehicle and logistics seats have larger consequences when left unused.
Command
Commander
The Commander is the only role in the Command unit. Steam describes a chain-of-command game in which teams coordinate objectives and tactics, so this seat should be treated as team-wide infrastructure rather than a powerful solo class.
A prospective Commander should be ready to:
- listen across the relevant command channel;
- turn information into priorities;
- coordinate squads rather than micromanage every player;
- understand faction logistics;
- keep the team oriented when a plan fails.
The exact commander abilities, resource costs and interface remain launch-verification items. New players can prepare by learning the tactical map, squad structure and the differences in US and NVA logistics.
Infantry
Infantry offers seven of the 17 roles and is the most practical place to learn the match.
Squad Leader
The Squad Leader connects the squad to the wider plan. The official roles showcase describes this role as leading the charge, but the important work is keeping the unit purposeful: communicating, choosing a task and helping members arrive together.
Avoid opening a new squad if you cannot yet use voice or interpret the map. If a team lacks open squads, say that you are learning and ask for concise help.
Rifleman
Rifleman is the safest provisional first choice because the name suggests a general infantry function and it is not labeled as a command, vehicle or logistics seat. Stay close, acknowledge instructions and watch the squad’s direction of travel.
The final loadout and any faction differences must be confirmed at launch. “Beginner-safe” does not mean disposable: you still occupy one of 50 team positions.
Grenadier
The official roles showcase specifically describes the Grenadier taking out vehicles, which signals a threat-focused support role. Use explosives only with a clear target and awareness of teammates. Exact ammunition, weapon behavior and anti-vehicle procedure require verification.
Engineer
Treat Engineer as a task role rather than a weapon choice. Before selecting it, ask whether the squad or team needs construction, repair, demolition or another technical job. We will replace this general description with verified equipment and procedures after launch.
Medic
Medic is a reasonable second role for a communicating beginner who can stay behind the leading edge and respond to nearby casualties. It is a poor choice if you intend to wander alone. Revival, healing, equipment and capacity details are not yet documented here.
Specialist
The official list names Specialist but does not explain enough on the Steam page to publish a definitive job or loadout. Choose it only after checking the in-game description and asking the Squad Leader what capability is needed.
Machine Gunner
The Machine Gunner should provide useful suppression or area control from a position connected to the squad. It is not permission to fire continuously without a target. The weapon model, deployment controls and ammunition system need release-build testing.
Recon
Spotter
Spotter is the leadership role within the two-person Recon unit. The working task is to observe, communicate and turn information into a useful recon plan. A player who cannot use voice or the map can strand the Sniper and waste a scarce unit.
Sniper
Sniper supports the Spotter’s plan. Precision shooting is only one part of the seat; coordination and target relevance matter more than a distant kill count. Do not create or join Recon solely to play away from the team.
Exact observation tools, marks, spawn behavior and weapon choices require launch verification.
Armour
Tank Commander
The Tank Commander should choose routes, assign attention and connect the crew to the wider battle. The official tactical-map explanation says the 3D map is designed to give vehicle crews better terrain information, including hills, valleys and obstacles.
Crewman
Crewman operates within the Tank Commander’s plan. Before taking the role, be prepared to communicate, learn an assigned station and stay with the vehicle crew.
Vehicle selection, crew-station controls, damage, repair and ammunition procedures remain outside the confirmed pre-release evidence. Use the tactical map guide to learn route questions without inventing controls.
Helicopter unit — US only
Steam lists Logistics Officer and Pilot under a US-only Helicopter unit. The developer says US logistics include helicopters for carrying supplies, and a July Q&A describes improvements to handling and resilience after beta feedback.
Logistics Officer
Treat the Logistics Officer as the mission coordinator, not a passenger. The role should connect helicopter capacity with a team need, a viable destination and a safe return. Exact field-pad, supply and seat behavior must be verified against the launch build.
Pilot
The Pilot is a high-consequence role because a mistake can cost the vehicle, mission and other players’ time. Learn the controls in the safest available environment before taking a live logistics task. Do not publish or follow an unverified control scheme from a beta video.
Mortar Squad
The official Mortar Squad contains Observer, Support and Gunner. That structure implies a coordinated fire-support workflow rather than an independent gun position.
Observer
The Observer should connect information, priorities and the mortar team. Confirm targets and friendly positions before requesting fire.
Support
Support should sustain the unit’s operation. The exact supply resource, carrying capacity and replenishment procedure need launch verification.
Gunner
The Gunner executes the firing task. Accuracy depends on verified information and current controls, so we will not publish a beta-derived aiming table as a launch fact.
If your squad needs X, choose Y
| Squad need | Candidate role | Check before selecting |
|---|---|---|
| A straightforward extra infantry player | Rifleman | Is the seat available and does the squad have another priority? |
| Casualty support while moving together | Medic | Can you communicate and remain near the squad? |
| Explosive support against a called target | Grenadier | Does the current loadout match the threat? |
| Sustained fire from a planned position | Machine Gunner | Has the squad identified a useful lane and ammunition plan? |
| A technical or construction task | Engineer | What exact task and equipment are required? |
| Reconnaissance | Spotter and Sniper | Can both players coordinate and serve the team plan? |
| Armoured vehicle operation | Tank Commander and Crewman | Does the crew have voice and station knowledge? |
| US helicopter logistics | Logistics Officer and Pilot | Is there a mission, route and practiced pilot? |
| Mortar support | Observer, Support and Gunner | Is the target verified and the full workflow staffed? |
Best roles for beginners
Our provisional order is:
- Rifleman in a communicating Infantry squad.
- Medic after learning movement and voice basics.
- Machine Gunner or Grenadier with direct squad guidance.
- Engineer or Specialist after verifying the needed task and equipment.
- Leadership, Recon, Armour, Helicopter and Mortar seats after understanding the map and communication chain.
This order will change if launch loadouts reveal a different responsibility profile. The principle will remain: start where a mistake is local, then learn roles whose mistakes affect an entire system.
What still needs launch verification
- every weapon and equipment loadout;
- role limits and unlock progression;
- faction-specific variations;
- command abilities and resources;
- construction, supply and repair procedures;
- vehicle and helicopter controls;
- mortar controls and firing workflow;
- official role descriptions in the final tutorial.
We will not create 17 thin role pages from this list. Individual pages will be justified only when each can offer verified equipment, procedures, original testing and distinct search demand.
For the larger launch plan, visit the Hell Let Loose: Vietnam guide hub. If you are deciding how faction systems change a role’s job, read US Forces vs NVA.
Sources and verification
- Official Steam store page — 17 roles, six unit types and US-only Helicopter unit.
- Official gameplay roles showcase, May 28, 2026 — role-play examples and official video playlist.
- Official Dev Q&A, July 23, 2026 — logistics, helicopters and tactical-map context.
Next verification: August 13, 2026 release build and final in-game role descriptions.