★★★★★
Finally a war game that does not punish you for being new. The class system is intuitive and the maps are huge.
Tomás R.Verified player
Enlisted: The Complete Beginner's Guide
Everything a new player needs to know about Enlisted — the best classes to pick, the weapons that carry, and the strategies that turn a casual squad into a winning one.
What is Enlisted?
Enlisted is a large-scale, squad-based tactical shooter set across the theatres of the Second World War. Unlike fast-paced arena shooters, Enlisted rewards patience, positioning, and teamwork. You join a squad against another team, fighting across wide open maps where a single well-placed rifle can decide an entire battle. If you have ever wanted the feel of a real war game without the punishing skill ceiling of a hardcore title, this is it.
The game is built around a simple but deep loop: pick a class, equip the right gear, and work with your squad to hold or take objectives. Because matches are long and team-based, no single player can carry the game alone — which is exactly what makes it so satisfying to learn. The more you understand the classes and weapons, the more your contribution to the squad grows.
Choosing Your Class
Every Enlisted squad is made up of four core classes, each with a distinct role. For a new player, the class you pick shapes how you learn the game, so it is worth choosing one that matches your playstyle.
Rifleman
The all-rounder. Balanced stats, a reliable rifle, and a grenade. The safest first class for beginners.
Grenadier
Carries extra grenades and a shotgun. Great for clearing rooms and flushing enemies from cover.
Medic
Revives fallen teammates and keeps the squad alive. A team player's pick — very forgiving for new players.
Engineer
Deploys and repairs equipment like sandbags and barriers. Strong on objective maps.
If you are brand new, start with the Rifleman or the Medic. The Rifleman teaches you the fundamentals of aiming and movement, while the Medic keeps you close to your squad and out of the worst firefights. Both are forgiving and let you learn the map without being punished for every mistake.
Best Weapons for New Players
You do not need the most expensive loadout to be effective. A handful of weapons are consistently the best starting points because they are forgiving, accurate, and available to every class.
M1 Garand
The classic American rifle. Semi-automatic, accurate at mid-range, and a joy to fire. The single best all-round weapon for a new Rifleman.
Kar98k
A reliable bolt-action. One shot, one kill if you hit your mark. Great for learning patience and aim.
M1911
A dependable sidearm. Fast to draw and easy to control in close quarters. A solid backup for any class.
M1 Carbine
Light, fast, and accurate at short to mid range. Excellent for the Medic and for aggressive play.
A good rule of thumb: pick a semi-automatic rifle as your primary and a reliable pistol as your backup. Avoid fully-automatic weapons early on — they spray and are hard to control until you have built up your aim. As you improve, you can experiment with shotguns for close-quarters or sniper rifles for long-range support.
Core Strategies
Winning in Enlisted is less about raw aim and more about smart decisions. These are the strategies that separate a struggling new player from one who is actually helping the squad.
Five habits that win matches
- 1
Stay with your squad
The single biggest mistake new players make is playing alone. Move with your team, share information, and do not push objectives by yourself.
- 2
Use cover and angles
Never stand in the open. Peek, fire, and return to cover. Use walls and buildings to break up enemy sightlines.
- 3
Hold your ground on objectives
When your team takes a point, defend it. A held objective is worth more than a dozen kills. Position to cover the approach.
- 4
Communicate
Call out enemy positions, low ammo, and where you are going. Even a few words of comms make a squad dramatically more effective.
- 5
Play the map, not the enemy
Learn the common routes and choke points on each map. If you know where enemies are likely to come from, you can pre-aim and save yourself.
One more thing that matters more than any single weapon: know when to disengage. If you are outgunned, fall back to cover, let your squad handle the fight, and re-engage from a better angle. Playing smart and staying alive is how you keep contributing to the match.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
What to avoid
- Avoid: Rushing objectives alone and getting picked off before your squad arrives.
- Avoid: Standing in the open to 'hold' a point with no cover behind you.
- Avoid: Spraying a fully-automatic weapon at close range and missing everything.
- Do: Instead: move in pairs, use hard cover, and keep your aim tight with controlled bursts.
Player Reviews
What players are saying
★★★★☆
I came in from other shooters and the learning curve was gentle. The M1 Garand is a dream to fire.
Lena K.Verified player
★★★★★
Teamwork actually matters here. My squad and I started winning within a week of playing together.
Marcus D.Verified player
Reviews reflect individual experiences and may vary.
Final Thoughts
Enlisted is one of the most rewarding tactical shooters you can play, and it is very forgiving to new players if you follow the basics: pick a forgiving class like the Rifleman or Medic, start with a reliable semi-automatic rifle, stay with your squad, and use cover. Master those five habits and you will be winning matches in no time.