Hell Let Loose Vietnam All Classes Guide — Every Role Explained

TL;DR

• Hell Let Loose Vietnam launched August 13, 2026 with 17 classes across 6 unit types.
• Classes cover Command, Infantry, Recon, Armor, Helicopter (US only), and Mortar squads.
• A new weight-based loadout system replaces fixed kits — your carry capacity grows as you level up.
• US forces get helicopters; NVA forces get tunnel networks as their fast-travel advantage.
• Rifleman is the best starting class. Squad Leader and Engineer have the biggest team impact.
• Teamwork and communication matter more than individual aim in every single role.

Hell Let Loose Vietnam All Classes Guide

Hell Let Loose Vietnam all classes guide is what you need before you drop into a 50v50 match. Hell Let Loose Vietnam launched on August 13, 2026, and unlike most shooters, your class choice here is not just a cosmetic decision. It decides whether your squad holds an objective or gets wiped trying to take it. There are 17 specialized roles across 6 unit types, and every one of them has a clear job to do. Pick the wrong class for your squad and you will feel it immediately.

This guide breaks down every class in plain language — what they do, what they carry, and how to play them well. We will also cover the new weight system, the key differences between US and NVA roles, and which classes are best for beginners. If you are new to the game entirely, check out our Hell Let Loose Vietnam beginners guide before diving into the class details below.

How Many Classes Are in Hell Let Loose Vietnam?

Hell Let Loose Vietnam launches with 17 specialized roles spread across six battlefield units. The Steam store page lists 17 roles while the official Hell Let Loose site mentions 19 — the discrepancy likely accounts for faction-specific variants or post-launch additions.

Here is a quick overview of all unit types and roles:

• Command: Commander
• Infantry: Squad Leader, Rifleman, Grenadier, Engineer, Medic, Specialist, Machine Gunner
• Recon: Spotter, Sniper
• Armor: Tank Commander, Crewman
• Helicopter (US only): Logistics Officer, Pilot
• Mortar: Mortar Gunner, Mortar Observer

The New Weight-Based Loadout System Explained

Team17 and Expression Games have introduced a brand-new weight-based loadout system that gives players much more freedom in how they build their role. Instead of every class having a fixed kit forever, your equipment options grow as you level up, allowing veterans to carry heavier and more specialized gear without locking newcomers out of learning the basics.

Instead of every class spawning with one fixed kit, nearly everything you carry now has its own weight value. Weapons, ammunition, grenades, medical supplies, utility items, tools, and equipment all contribute toward your total carrying capacity.

The practical effect of this is significant. During testing, equipping a LAW rocket launcher prevented you from carrying a primary weapon simultaneously — a decision that frustrated some players who wanted more flexibility. Plan your loadout around your squad’s needs, not just what looks cool.

Hell Let Loose Vietnam Infantry Classes

Commander

The Commander calls in artillery strikes, coordinates airstrikes, manages supply drops, and sets the overall strategic direction. The Commander does not fight on the frontline — instead, they read the map, identify weak points, and coordinate with officers.

The Commander’s toolkit revolves around three core abilities: the Supply Drop, Airhead, and Precision Strike. The Supply Drop is your primary logistics tool, delivering 50 supplies per crate to establish forward garrisons — critical in Vietnam’s dense jungle maps where vehicle access is often blocked. The Airhead acts as a mobile spawn point, allowing a full squad to flank enemy defensive lines, but it is vulnerable to destruction and requires careful timing.

Commanders also gain new abilities including napalm strikes, strafing runs, and personal outposts. One piece of advice every experienced player will give you: a Commander who communicates constantly can completely change the pace of an entire match.

Best for: Experienced players who understand the full map and can handle constant communication pressure.

Squad Leader

The Squad Leader is the most important role in any match. The Squad Leader is the link between Commander and troops. Officers direct their unit, ensure cohesion, and place Outposts, Garrisons, and Forward Positions to keep the team in the fight.

Your kit includes a field pad for building structures, binoculars for marking targets, and a hammer for constructing fortifications. The NVA Squad Leader has an extra advantage: they can build tunnel entrances, which function as fast-travel points. Link these with garrisons to create a repositioning network that is a major advantage over US forces relying on helicopters.

Squad Leaders and Commanders who want to control the map instead of reacting to it should focus on outpost placement before worrying about Commander abilities. A Squad Leader with a well-placed outpost contributes more to a push than most other roles.

Best for: Players who are ready to lead, communicate constantly, and accept that their job is to enable others — not to chase kills.

Rifleman

The Rifleman may sound basic, but do not underestimate this class. Reliable assault rifles like the M16A1, AK-47, and Type 56 make the Rifleman effective in almost every engagement. More importantly, Riflemen carry extra ammunition — that does not sound exciting until your Machine Gunner runs dry while defending an objective.

For anyone jumping into Hell Let Loose Vietnam for the very first time, Rifleman remains the perfect starting point. The role lets you learn the fundamentals without overwhelming you with logistics or leadership responsibilities.

The US Rifleman uses the M16A1 as their primary weapon. NVA Riflemen can choose between the Type 56 for full-auto engagements or the Mosin-Nagant for longer-range precision shooting.

Best for: New players and anyone who wants to learn the game without the pressure of a specialist role.

Grenadier

The Grenadier exists to remove enemies from cover. Smoke rounds create safe pushes, while explosive grenades clear bunkers, trenches, and fortified compounds before your teammates move in. This class rewards patience and good positioning far more than aggressive rushing.

The US Grenadier can equip an M79 grenade launcher, giving them standoff range to flush out defenders without exposing themselves. NVA Grenadiers carry similar explosive options. This is not a run-and-gun role. Sit back, identify chokepoints, and clear them before your squad advances.

Best for: Players who like support roles and can resist the urge to go aggressive in every engagement.

Engineer

Engineers quietly win games. Many players focus entirely on firefights, but Engineers shape the battlefield itself. A smart Engineer can completely change how an objective is attacked.

Your priority list as an Engineer should be: build resource nodes early so the Commander has supplies, construct defensive positions on key objectives, lay mines on approach routes, and repair friendly vehicles. Your wrench is your best friend — use it to build and repair structures.

If your team has no Engineer in the first few minutes of a match, you are already at a disadvantage. The resource nodes Engineers build are what allow Commanders to place garrisons and call in support abilities.

Best for: Players who like strategic impact without needing to top the scoreboard. Excellent choice for veterans.

Medic

The Medic keeps your squad alive by reviving downed teammates and providing bandages during intense firefights. This role focuses entirely on keeping your squad alive by reviving fallen teammates and providing bandages during intense firefights. A squad with a reliable Medic survives longer and holds objectives better than one without.

One of the biggest additions in HLL Vietnam is the dragging mechanic. You can now pull wounded soldiers out of open areas before treating them. This is huge on open jungle maps where stopping to revive someone in the middle of a clearing is a death sentence for both of you.

Public matches rarely have enough players willing to run Medic. If you pick this class, you are already more valuable than most people in the lobby. The key rule: stay alive. A dead Medic helps nobody.

Best for: Team-focused players who get satisfaction from enabling others to stay in the fight.

Specialist

The Specialist slot is for experimental and unique loadouts that do not fit neatly into other categories. The Specialist role offers more experimental weaponry and equipment. In the beta, Specialists had access to weapons like the K50M with a drum magazine and a double-barrel shotgun for the NVA.

This is also a good choice if you want to operate more independently. The unique gear options let you adapt to situations other classes cannot handle as well.

Best for: Experienced players who want to experiment and are comfortable operating without a fixed playbook.

Machine Gunner

Suppression is your entire job. The Machine Gunner pins enemies down so your squad can maneuver. Your aim matters less than your position. Find a good firing lane with cover, set up, and make the enemy keep their heads down.

Machine Gunners using the M60 or RPD suppress enemies so others can move. If you break position to chase kills, you are wasting the class. Stay put, communicate your firing lines to the Squad Leader, and let your teammates do the moving.

Best for: Patient players who understand the value of area denial over personal kill count.

Hell Let Loose Vietnam Recon Classes

Spotter

The Spotter is one half of the two-player Recon team. Your job is to locate enemy garrisons, resource nodes, and command structures, then feed that information to your Sniper and Commander. You carry binoculars and coordinate with the wider team rather than engaging directly.

This role requires strong communication skills and map awareness, making it unsuitable for players who prefer direct combat. The Recon Squad operates as a two-player team with a Spotter and Sniper.

Best for: Players who enjoy a detective role — gathering information and setting up kills rather than taking them.

Sniper

The Sniper works with the Spotter to eliminate high-value targets and harass enemy positions. You operate deep behind enemy lines, targeting Squad Leaders, Commanders, and Engineers to disrupt the opposing team’s infrastructure.

The key to good Sniper play is patience. Do not engage unless you have a clean shot and a safe exit route. Moving after every shot is essential — staying in one spot in dense jungle turns you into an easy flanking target.

Best for: Players who are comfortable with slow, deliberate play and high individual skill demands. Also check our guide on how to destroy helicopters in Hell Let Loose Vietnam since Recon units are often the ones doing it.

Hell Let Loose Vietnam Armor Classes

Tank Commander

The Tank Commander directs the vehicle, spots targets, and coordinates with infantry on the ground. A good Tank Commander knows the map, communicates with Squad Leaders, and — crucially — knows when to pull back. A smart Tank Commander knows when to attack and more importantly when to retreat. One mistake from either crew member can turn an expensive armored asset into a smoking wreck.

Testers reported that the T-54/55 felt superior because it was significantly harder to spot at distance, allowing NVA tank crews to engage from ambush positions. US tank crews in the M48 Patton need to be more careful about positioning since the vehicle is easier to spot.

Best for: Veterans who understand combined arms — using tanks alongside infantry, not instead of them.

Crewman

The Crewman operates the gun and drives the tank. Drivers navigate rough terrain while Gunners handle the vehicle’s devastating firepower. Communication between Crewman and Tank Commander is everything. A tank with poor internal comms is just an expensive target.

Best for: Players who enjoy technical roles and are willing to work closely with one other player.

Hell Let Loose Vietnam Helicopter Classes (US Only)

Helicopters are the defining feature of the US faction and one of the biggest new additions to the Hell Let Loose formula. Both helicopter roles are exclusive to US forces — helicopters are exclusive to US forces. The NVA compensates with tunnel networks that provide fast travel and ambush opportunities. Both factions can use patrol boats on maps with waterways.

For a full breakdown of aerial tactics, see our Hell Let Loose Vietnam US vs NVA comparison.

Pilot

The Pilot handles transport and aerial fire support. Skillful pilots can fly low through treetops to avoid detection, dropping squads behind enemy lines along map edges. Treat helicopters like flying half-tracks — they are extremely delicate and require cautious routing away from high-intensity zones.

Mastering air mobility takes practice. Do not try to be aggressive with the helicopter until you are comfortable with the flight controls. A crashed helicopter puts your squad in a terrible position and costs the team significant resources.

Best for: Experienced players who want a high-impact, high-skill-ceiling role with unique tactical options.

Logistics Officer

The Logistics Officer manages supply drops and coordination from the air. Supply helicopters carry 100 supplies per drop, while transport helicopters move personnel across the map. Commanders must carefully select the correct option from the map interface, as mixing them up wastes valuable resources.

The Logistics Officer and Pilot work as a team. Drop supplies in remote areas, then coordinate with the Commander to build garrisons in positions the enemy does not expect.

Best for: Support-minded players who want to contribute to the big picture rather than individual firefights.

Hell Let Loose Vietnam Mortar Classes

Mortar Gunner

The Mortar Gunner is a new role replacing traditional artillery. Instead of random shelling, mortar squads require real teamwork. Observers locate enemy positions and calculate firing coordinates before passing them to the Gunner. They are essentially human targeting computers.

The key advantage of mortars over traditional artillery is flexibility. You can set up anywhere on the map — behind enemy lines for surprise bombardments, behind your own lines for area denial, or anywhere in between. Use explosive rounds to disrupt armor movement and smoke rounds to cover your squad’s pushes.

Best for: Strategic players who enjoy indirect fire and working in a tight two-person team.

Mortar Observer

The Observer spots targets and adjusts fire for the Mortar Gunner. Precision matters. After receiving coordinates, the Gunner adjusts elevation and direction before delivering explosive or smoke rounds exactly where friendly forces need them. Your accuracy determines whether the mortar team is useful or wasted.

This role demands patience and good map awareness. You need to be close enough to observe targets without getting spotted yourself, then relay accurate coordinates back to your Gunner.

Best for: Players with strong map reading skills who are comfortable with a support-only role.

US vs NVA: Key Class Differences

The faction differences in Hell Let Loose Vietnam go beyond weapons. The entire strategic playstyle changes based on which side you pick.

• Fast travel: US forces use helicopters; NVA forces use tunnel networks
• US signature weapons: M16A1 platform across most infantry roles
• NVA signature weapons: Type 56 (AK-pattern), Mosin-Nagant, K50M
• US unique units: Helicopter Pilot and Logistics Officer
• NVA unique ability: Squad Leaders can build tunnel entrances for rapid repositioning
• Camouflage: NVA forces blend into jungle terrain more effectively
• Armor: The T-54/55 felt superior because it was significantly harder to spot at distance, allowing NVA tank crews to engage from ambush positions.

For a full faction breakdown, read our detailed Hell Let Loose Vietnam US vs NVA guide.

Which Class Should You Pick? (By Playstyle)

If You Are Brand New

• Rifleman — learn the game without any specialist pressure
• Medic — always needed, always appreciated, clear purpose
• Machine Gunner — teaches positioning and map awareness without complex mechanics

If You Have Tactical Shooter Experience

• Squad Leader — biggest leadership impact per match
• Engineer — strategic impact through map control and resource generation
• Tank Commander — combined arms coordination with massive firepower

If You Prefer Playing More Independently

• Sniper — pair with a Spotter and operate behind enemy lines
• Specialist — unique gear options for self-sufficient play

Choose the role your squad is missing, not the one with the coolest gun. That single habit is what separates players who win matches from players who pad their own stats.

The Single Most Important Rule for Every Class

Winning is not about topping the scoreboard — it is about communication, teamwork, and making sure every role does its job when it matters most. One great Commander can turn a losing match around, while a single Engineer or Specialist can completely change how a frontline holds together.

A Commander who does not communicate loses much of their influence, while Engineers, Specialists, Observers, and Squad Leaders become dramatically more effective when they constantly coordinate with the rest of the team. Hell Let Loose Vietnam rewards teamwork above individual heroics, making communication the single most valuable skill regardless of which class you choose.

Hell Let Loose Vietnam All Classes — Frequently Asked Questions

Ready to jump in? Get Hell Let Loose Vietnam on PlayStation or on Xbox and test these classes for yourself.

Looking to sharpen your game further? Browse our other guides: all Hell Let Loose Vietnam maps, best PC settings for Hell Let Loose Vietnam, Hell Let Loose Vietnam PC requirements, crossplay details, and whether single player is available.

Also check individual map guides for tactical context on how each class performs: Cam Ranh Port, Dak To Airfield, Quang Ngai, Van Tuong, Hue Outskirts, and Thanh Hoa Bridge.