In Hell Let Loose, the Squad Leader isn’t just another gun on the field. They are the nerve center of coordination, the architect of front-line strategy, and the critical bridge between Command and boots on the ground. If you’re stepping into the Squad Leader role, this guide will help you embrace the responsibility, master your tools, and learn how to guide your squad—and your team—to victory.

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Lead with Communication First

Leadership in Hell Let Loose is built on clear, calm, and consistent communication. The very first thing you should do when entering the role is break the ice with your squad. Set the tone: you’re here to work together. A bit of humor goes a long way, and initiating light conversation can turn a silent squad into a tightly-knit unit.

Your mic isn’t optional—it’s mandatory. Being able to relay information and respond to your squad and the command channel in real-time is the backbone of leadership. You don’t have to be a charismatic drill sergeant, but you must be present and vocal.

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Garrison Building: The Lifeblood of the Front

Garrisons are essential. Without them, your team wastes time running from HQ, bleeding map control and momentum. Aim to maintain at least three garrisons around the currently active objective and three defensive garrisons around the last secured objective.

In friendly territory, building is simple: request your Support to drop 50 supplies, take out your watch, scroll to Garrison, and place it. In enemy territory, things get trickier. It costs 100 supplies and places you in immediate danger. Use one of these options:

• Swap Support roles among your squad for a second supply box.
• Request a Commander drop (riskier due to visibility).
• Use a supply truck (slower and dangerous).

Avoid placing garrisons inside strongpoints. They’re obvious bombing targets. Instead, position them within the 2×2 sector grid around the strongpoint but outside its boundaries—this keeps them safer and still useful for capturing. Think of garrisons as an early warning system too: if one lights up red, enemies are nearby. React fast.

Remember: garrisons need 200m spacing. Always plan around this limitation when placing or requesting supplies.

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Resource Nodes: Fueling Victory

Your commander relies on manpower, fuel, and munitions to call in tanks, bombing runs, and more. Get an Engineer on your team early and prioritize node construction.

• Build inside the first friendly sector—they’re safe from sector loss.
• Each Engineer can build one full set (3 nodes). The team max is 3 sets.
• Each node costs 50 supplies. Use Support players, trucks, or Commander drops to gather 150 supplies.
• Start with the manpower node—it halves the Support drop cooldown, speeding up future supply placements.

A clever workaround for first-sector builds: drop the crate just into the second sector, then have your Engineer step back into the first—you’re still within 50 meters and can build safely.

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Outposts: Keep Your Squad in the Fight

Outposts are free squad-only spawn points. Faster cooldown (20 seconds vs. 40 for garrisons) and extremely flexible.

• Place one at all times.
• Can be built in friendly, neutral, and up to two grids into enemy territory.

Treat outposts like rally points. Use them for staging flanks, regrouping, or maintaining pressure. Losing one mid-fight can stall momentum, so place new ones proactively.

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Master the Map and Marker System

The map is your command center. Check it often—it tells you what your squadmates can’t.

• See other squads’ positions.
• Watch for enemy markers.
• Track friendly spawn point statuses.
• Spot threats to your outpost or nearby garrisons.

Use markers to communicate intent or warn others. Place Move, Attack, and Defend markers for your squad. Use Enemy and Request markers for coordination. Don’t clutter the map—if something’s already marked, let it stand.

You can mark through the map or by using your binoculars (middle mouse or D-pad hold) to ping in the field. Use this to direct your squad’s attention, call out tanks, or identify objectives.

Know who sees what: not all markers are visible to all players. Familiarize yourself with marker visibility for each role.

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Voice Channels: Three Layers Deep

As Squad Leader, you balance three comms channels:

• Local chat (proximity)
• Squad chat
• Command chat (squad leaders + commander)

Command chat is not your playground. Keep it clear. Only share vital information: enemy garrisons, tanks, when you’re pushing, or requesting assets.

“Enemy garrison marked. My squad is moving in to clear.” “Commander, requesting supply drop at move marker.”

This clarity keeps the command network functional and effective.

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Tactical Leadership in Action

Keep your squad updated. If you’re falling back, explain why. If flanking, share the plan. When defending, patrol the full 4-grid capture zone—not just the circle. Kill spawn points, not just soldiers.

The best leaders are those who:

• Communicate actively
• Make use of the map
• Adapt to flow of battle
• Prioritize spawn points
• Think team-wide, not just about their squad

Teach your squad what to watch for. Encourage them to call out enemies, pings, and threats. That builds habits and makes your job easier.

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Don’t Fear the Role—Grow Into It

You’re not going to nail Squad Leader on your first try. But if you play consistently, you’ll develop your leadership style over time. If the role ever feels too intense, consider trying the Spotter role in Recon. It uses the same tools but has less pressure with only one teammate.

Be the rare leader who doesn’t abandon defense. Be the one who holds the point when the rest zergs forward. Be the guy with three fallback garrisons when the enemy pushes. That’s how matches are won.

If Squad Leading still isn’t for you? Maybe machine guns are more your style. Either way, lead well—or lay down fire for someone who is.

Hell Let Loose doesn’t hand out victories. They’re built—by leaders like you.