🖥️ User Interface (UI) & HUD Guide

The UI in Holdfast: Nations At War adapts dynamically between the Napoleonic Era and the Frontlines (WW1) Era. It is divided into the Main Menu (out-of-game management) and the HUD (in-game tactical information).

1. Main Menu System

The main menu is your staging area before entering the fray.

Barracks: View and customize classes, unlock weapons via Experience (XP), and equip cosmetics earned through Feats.
Regiment Registry: The central hub for the Holdfast community. Join or manage player-run regiments (clans) to participate in organized "Line Battles."
Server Browser: Filter by Era (Napoleonic or Frontlines), Game Mode (Army Siege, Naval, Coastal Siege), and Region.
Settings (Controls): * PC: Adjust Melee Sensitivity Type (Raw or Smooth) and Auto Bayonet Switch.
Console: Adjust Deadzone, Look Acceleration, and Button Layouts.

2. In-Game Heads-Up Display (HUD)

HUD Elements Reference

Element	Description	PC / Console Access
Health & Ammo	Located in the bottom right. Shows HP bar and "Loaded/Unloaded" status.	Always Visible
Compass & Wind	(Naval Only) Shows ship heading and wind direction arrow.	Bottom Left
Objectives	Shows capture progress (bars) and the Match Timer.	Top Center
Reinforcements	Displays remaining team "Tickets" (lives).	Top Center (below timer)
Mini Map	Displays terrain, objectives, and friendly positions.	`M` / `View Button` (Xbox)
Kill Feed	Lists kills, weapon used, and distance (top right).	Toggle in Settings
Scoreboard	View player scores, pings, and classes.	`TAB` / `Options` (PS)

3. Communication & VoIP

Communication is the most powerful tool in Holdfast.

Proximity Voice (VoIP): A speaker icon appears over a player's head when they speak. It is directional and fades with distance.
Text Chat: * Round: All chat.
Team: Strategic chat for your faction.
Command: Exclusive to Officers and High Command for coordinating movements.
Command Radial: * PC: Q (Napoleonic) or V (Frontlines).
Console: RB / R1 (Hold). Allows for quick callouts like "Follow Me!", "Fire!", or "Charge!"

4. Era-Specific UI Differences

Napoleonic Era (Nations at War)

Reload Progress: Because muskets take ~15 seconds to load, a circular or bar progress indicator is vital. Moving while the indicator is active will cancel the reload.
Melee Mode Indicator: A bayonet icon appears when you switch to melee mode (X on PC / D-Pad Right on Console).
Officer Orders: Visual markers (circles on the ground or arrows) appear when an Officer issues an order like "Line Up" or "Fire."

Frontlines Era (World War 1)

Stamina Bar: WW1 combat involves sprinting and trench clearing, adding a stamina bar near the health indicator.
Squad UI: Players are grouped into squads. Friendly squad mates appear with green icons instead of blue.
Artillery UI: When using Field Guns or Mortars, a detailed range-finding UI or "Level" indicator appears to help calculate trajectory.

5. Console UI Optimizations

On Console, the UI is optimized for controller navigation:

Radial Menus: Holding specific buttons (like the Command or Sail menus) brings up a wheel selection rather than key-presses.
Aim Assist Indicator: A subtle reticle change may occur when aiming near an enemy (can be disabled in settings for a more hardcore experience).

Pro Tip: You can toggle the entire HUD off (PC: H) (Xbox / PS5: Hold the Menu button (Xbox) or Options button (PS5) for approximately 2 seconds.) for cinematic "Hardcore" gameplay or taking high-quality screenshots/recordings.

User Interface

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