dusky lance
I have around 900 hours in Squad and wanted to share some feedback regarding new player training.
When I first started playing Squad, I completed the tutorial. Technically, it exists. But once I joined my first public match, I felt completely lost. I had to constantly ask other players about very basic things: how FOBs and HABs actually work in real matches, what my role was supposed to do, how logistics functions in practice, where to go and, more importantly, why.
I understand that Squad is a teamwork-focused game and that asking other players questions is part of the experience. That is normal, and some level of communication and learning from others will always be necessary. However, new players should be asking about tactical nuances and decision-making — not about fundamental mechanics.
Right now, many new players simply do not understand:
how infantry combat in Squad actually works
what suppression is and why it matters
how stamina and movement affect gameplay
what responsibilities come with each role
This is not because players are bad, but because the game does not clearly explain what Squad is and how it is meant to be played.
The main purpose of onboarding should be to make the game understandable from the very beginning. Things should be explained clearly, step by step, without assuming any prior knowledge. In many ways, the game needs to “walk players through” its core ideas and mechanics in a way that is engaging and easy to follow.
A good example is Arma. It offers proper training missions and a field manual that can be accessed at any time. If you forget something, you can simply open it and look it up. That is how training in Squad should work as well.
A mentorship system or simply highlighting new players does not solve the core problem. If basic knowledge is still being explained by other players during live matches, then the tutorial is not doing its job.
Many experienced players join Squad after work to relax and enjoy coordinated gameplay. Instead, they often end up repeatedly explaining basic mechanics, which directly affects match quality and leads to frustration.
What would genuinely help new players:
proper, structured training (infantry basics, roles, logistics, FOB/HAB mechanics)
explanations tied to real gameplay situations
an in-game field manual accessible at any time
training that teaches how Squad is actually played, not just how to shoot
Experienced players and mentors should help with tactics, coordination, and advanced knowledge — not with fundamentals that the game itself could and should teach.
I am sharing this feedback not out of negativity, but because I genuinely enjoy Squad and want to see it continue to improve.
celest hamlet
lucid tapir