Welcome to the definitive guide on artillery in Hell Let Loose. If you’ve ever been obliterated by an unseen barrage and wondered how to return the favor, this guide is your ticket to raining death from above. We’ll break down every aspect of effective artillery operation—whether you’re solo, working in a team, or facing recon interference.

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1. Setup and Preparation

Before firing your first shell, decide if you’ll run solo or with a team. If solo, join an existing squad and select the Engineer role. This allows you to build resource nodes (Manpower, Fuel, and Munitions), which support your team and compensate for your munitions use. Each HE shell costs 3 munitions, and smoke shells cost 5.

• Always monitor your team’s Munitions balance at the top of the tactical map.
• If you’re in a team, create a locked squad, assign an engineer to build nodes, and mark your unit as an artillery squad for clarity.

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2. Operating the Guns

Each team has three artillery guns at HQ. To operate one:

• Press F to enter.
• Use F1 for the gunner seat and F2 for loader.
• Press R to load shells (can switch back to gunner as soon as the loading bar nearly finishes).
• Use W/S to adjust vertical angle (mils) and A/D to rotate the gun.
• If needed, use loader seat (F2) to rotate the entire gun base.

Dedicated loaders slightly improve fire rate, but multiple guns firing is more effective than one firing faster.

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3. Defending Against Recon

Recon squads will target artillery.

• Place an OP nearby. If it lights up red, enemies are close.
• Use AP mines or fortifications for protection.
• Don’t respawn at Center HQ if killed—flank from another HQ.
• Hunt enemy OPs after wiping recon squads.

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4. Finding and Marking Targets

Two approaches:

• Stay back and rely on squad leaders/commander to mark targets.
• Go frontline and spot with binoculars while your squad fires.

Learn to read “blueberries” (teammates): if they’re all staring in one direction, assume enemies are there.

Use map markers: infantry, armor, garrisons, outposts, and light vehicles.

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5. Calculating Range (Mils)

Each gun has a mil scale (angle control). Use the mil conversion chart (found on the left when gunning):

• Each 100m = 24 mil change.
• For 1220m: find midpoint between 1200m (717 mils) and 1300m (693 mils): ~705 mils.
• Use artillery calculator apps (linked in YouTube description) for ease.

Adjust horizontally using A/D until the scope aligns with your marker.

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6. Firing and Adjusting

• Fire using left click.
• Expect 20m dispersion.
• Make minor adjustments between shots to create unpredictability.
• Pause after a few volleys to conserve munitions and prevent counter-artillery.

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7. Communicate with Your Team

• Tell squad leaders where shells are landing.
• Warn if rounds are still in the air after ceasing fire (~25s flight time).
• Ask if strikes are on target or need adjustment.

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8. Artillery vs. Other Assets

• Tanks: Require multiple direct hits—not reliable.
• Trucks: One hit kills, but hard to hit.
• Garrisons: Cannot be destroyed by arty, but can kill spawning infantry.

Avoid shelling friendly infantry near garrisons!

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9. Using Smoke Shells

Two common (and conflicting) public tactics:

• Last shell is smoke: indicates end of HE volley.
• First shell is smoke: warns HE is coming.

Both are confusing in public matches. Instead:

• Use smoke on enemies to obscure their vision during an assault.
• Use to blind tanks or cover bridge crossings (e.g., Remagen).

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Conclusion

Mastering artillery in Hell Let Loose takes patience, communication, and precision. Whether you’re a solo gunner supporting the front line or a coordinated squad raining coordinated destruction, follow this guide and the enemy will feel the thunder.

Want to expand your skills? Check out the [Ultimate Armor Guide] and keep dominating the battlefield.

Stay frosty, artillery commander.