Beginner's Guide

	A technical manual for new recruits. Master the cross-platform controls, class roles, and directional combat mechanics of the Napoleonic and Great War eras.

Beginner’s Guide • Gameplay

Game Types

Holdfast, features two distinct historical theaters. While the core movement remains the same, weapon handling varies significantly:

Nations At War

The original Napoleonic-era setting for Holdfast. Players fight as 18th–19th century armies and navies using muskets, bayonets, cannons, and sailing ships. Nations At War features classic line battles, sieges, naval engagements, and conquest modes.

Frontlines WW1

A World War I–themed experience within Holdfast. Players take on the role of early 20th-century soldiers with bolt-action rifles, pistols, machine guns, and artillery. The gameplay emphasizes trench warfare, attrition, and combined arms tactics.

Class System

Command

Army Officer: Coordinates the "Line of Battle." Issues orders (Fire, Charge, Form Line) that provide accuracy and damage resistance buffs to nearby Rank & File.

Naval Captain: The soul of the ship. Manages sail height and heading. Can toggle between first-person (precision steering) and third-person (situational awareness).

Rank & File

Line Infantry: The versatile backbone. Gains significant reload and accuracy bonuses when standing near a Musician or Officer.

Guards & Grenadiers: Elite shock troops. Guards provide a "Bodyguard" buff to Officers, while Grenadiers possess the highest natural melee resistance in the game.

Skirmisher

Rifleman: Equipped with rifled barrels. They lack the reload speed of Line Infantry but offer superior lethality at long ranges (200m+).

Light Infantry: High-mobility units capable of "Skirmishing" (firing from crouched or unconventional positions) without the movement penalties of heavier classes.

Support

Artilleryman: Operates cannons, mortars, and rocket launchers. Must master the "Sighting Notch" for long-distance trajectory.

Carpenter / Sapper: The "Lifeblood" of defense. Carpenters repair ship hulls to prevent sinking; Sappers construct earthworks and swivel gun emplacements.

Combat Mechanics

Aiming & Ballistics

Projectile Drop: Smoothbore muskets are subject to heavy gravity and "bloom." At 50m, aim at the chest; at 100m+, aim slightly above the head.

Vulnerability: Any player caught reloading or aiming is in a "Vulnerable State"—they will be killed by a single melee strike regardless of their health pool.

Melee System

Holdfast utilizes a 4-Directional Combat System (Up, Down, Left, Right).

Blocking: You must match the direction of your opponent's strike. Moving the Mouse or Right Stick Down while holding Block will counter a downward bayonet thrust.

Feinting: Start an attack, then quickly tap Block to cancel it. This baits your opponent into a defensive stance, leaving them open to a follow-up strike.

Drags: Moving your camera during the "Thrust" phase can alter the strike's path, though excessive "dragging" reduces damage dealt.

Naval Operations

Sailing: Wind direction is indicated on the HUD compass. Sailing "Into the Wind" (against the arrow) will stall the vessel.

Gunnery: Use Round Shot for hulls, Chain Shot for masts (crippling speed), and Grapeshot for clearing enemy decks.

Survival: If a ship is foundering, deploy the Rowboat (Capacity: 7). It is the only way to retain your "Life" ticket if the mother ship sinks.

Damage & Repair

Hull Damage: Causes leaks. Only Carpenters can repair these using their specialized hammers.

Sinking: If a ship reaches critical water levels, it becomes "Foundering." Use Rowboats (Capacity: 7) to evacuate.

Pro Tips

Musicians: Standing near a Musician playing a song provides a reload speed buff to all nearby infantry.

Surgeons: Always protect your Surgeon; they are the only class that can replenish the team's health without respawning.

HUD Toggle: For cinematic gameplay, hold "H" (PC) or the Menu/Options button (Console) to hide the UI.

Tools