Among all the combat roles in Hell Let Loose, few are as grounded, accessible, and vital as the humble Rifleman. Whether you’re new to the battlefield or just trying to refine your fundamentals, this role gives you the perfect space to master the essentials of the game—engaging the enemy, supporting your team, and learning how to play the objective. This guide breaks down everything you need to know to become an effective Rifleman, with emphasis on weapon usage, positioning, loadouts, grenade tactics, and communication.

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Role and Responsibilities

The Rifleman’s primary objective is straightforward: engage enemy infantry while pushing or defending sectors. This makes it ideal for newer players who want to learn the rhythm of the game without managing additional tools like spawn placements or supplies. As Rifleman, you’re also equipped to support your teammates through ammo resupply and, with the right loadout, explosive resupply.

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Loadouts and Weapons Breakdown

Each faction has unique weapons and loadout configurations:

• U.S. Rifleman (Standard): M1 Garand, two frag grenades, bandages, small arms ammo box, hammer, knife/shovel.
• German Rifleman (Standard): Kar98k, same utility.
• Soviet Rifleman (Standard): Mosin-Nagant 1891, same utility.

Level 3 Loadouts:

• U.S. Point Man: M1 Carbine, four frag grenades, two smokes, no ammo box.
• German Stormtrooper: Kar98k, P38 pistol, four frags, two smokes.
• Soviet Grenadier: Mosin M38, four frags, two smokes, explosive ammo box.

Level 6 (German Only):

• Elite Loadout: Gewehr 43, two frags, explosive ammo box. A standout setup combining powerful firepower and utility.

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Weapon Strengths and Playstyle Tips

• Kar98k: A bolt-action powerhouse ideal for medium-to-long range. However, it requires precise aim due to its slow rate of fire. Engage from cover, reposition often, and don’t linger in one spot. Ideal for overwatch roles.
• Mosin-Nagant Series: Similar playstyle to the Kar98k but often hindered by difficult iron sights. Better on open maps like Kursk and Stalingrad.
• M1 Garand: Exceptionally versatile. Semi-automatic, accurate, powerful. Excellent at all ranges. Fire fast or slow, depending on the situation, but always aim to land your first shot.
• G43 (German Elite): Arguably the best rifle in the game. Accurate, high-damage, semi-auto, and paired with explosive ammo resupply. Devastating in the right hands.
• M1 Carbine: Lighter punch, but easy to control and offers 15-round mags. Best for short-to-mid range. Perfect for those who favor agility and rapid follow-up shots.

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Defensive and Offensive Utility

Rifles naturally lend themselves to defensive play. From behind cover, you can punish any enemy crossing open terrain or funneling through tight gaps. Always reload between firefights—discarded mags aren’t lost in Hell Let Loose. Keep yourself topped up and ready.

When attacking, use grenades and positioning to clear enemies from cover. Smoke grenades allow safe movement or escape, and frag grenades can be the key to clearing buildings or chokepoints.

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Grenade Use: Smoke and Frag Tactics

• Frag Grenades: Effective up to 40 meters. Use pings to measure range. Toss two at varying angles to widen your kill zone.
• Cooking (German Frags): Hold the button before throwing to limit enemy escape. Master this for surprise wipes.
• Underhand Throws: Useful for bunker entrances or low windows. Right-click (or L2) to use.
• Smoke Grenades: Deploy offensively to blind enemies while you push, or defensively to escape from tanks.

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Ammo Support and Team Utility

Riflemen can support the team through two types of resupply:

• Small Arms Ammo Box: Refill for rifles, pistols, MGs. Best placed near strongpoints or static positions (like MG nests), not by garrisons. Each box supports five players, one use per player per life. Five-minute cooldown, halved near a munitions node.
• Explosive Ammo Box: Refill for AT rockets, satchels, mines, grenades. Essential for tank hunting with AT teammates. One use per player, five-player limit. Same cooldown mechanics.

Use voice or local chat to let teammates know when and where you’ve dropped a box. Ask around if anyone needs ammo—it earns XP and builds team cohesion.

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Communication: Your Most Valuable Tool

You’re the eyes and ears of your squad. Communicate clearly:

• Enemy spotted? “Infantry south, hedgerow, moving left to right.” Then ping the location.
• No defensive garrison? Let the squad leader know. Fall back if needed.
• See enemy spawns or nodes? Call them out.

Even without a mic, use pings and text chat. Don’t lone wolf—stick to your squad and support the team. That’s how objectives are won.

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Bonus: Building with the Hammer

Your Rifleman loadout includes a hammer. If there’s an Engineer building something—barbed wire, bunkers, nodes—offer to help. You’ll earn XP and speed up construction. Suggest ideas when you see opportunities: “Barbed wire here would slow them down.” Collaborate.

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Tactical Mindset and Progression

You’re not just a shooter—you’re part of the objective machine. Learn how Warfare and Offensive modes function. Know when to push, when to fall back, when to support. Watch your team’s flanks, defend garrisons, and stay mobile when needed.

When you’re ready to do more, graduate to Support. It’s one of the most important and underplayed roles in the game. Drop supplies, enable garrison building, and help drive the team’s momentum. (Check the Ultimate Support Guide when you’re ready.)

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Final Thoughts

The Rifleman might look like the simplest role on paper, but it’s a gateway to understanding the deeper mechanics of Hell Let Loose. You’re in the fight, you’re supporting the team, and you’re learning how the game really works. Embrace that. Learn to shoot well, think tactically, and work as a unit. Do that, and you’ll be the kind of Rifleman who racks up commendations every match.

So load up, communicate, and take the field like it’s yours. Because this rifle—it is yours.