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The first-run guide

FIELD MANUAL
GROW · STEER · EXPERIMENT

From a small fortress
to a siege engine.

Start in Green Plains, learn your controls and attacks, then prepare for your first boss.

Choose your starting loadout

Begin in Green Plains and review its objectives before entering. Choose an available vehicle, captain, crew, starting module and artifact. Your first goal is to learn how this loadout moves and attacks.

Keep the first attempt simple

Use an available starter captain and crew. Cannon gives you side-facing fire; Ram rewards driving into targets with speed. Pick one, read its automatic attack and active ability, and keep that distinction in mind during the run.

Match the starting artifact

Read what your artifact improves. A melee effect supports collisions, while a bonus tied to another slot may have no target in your starting loadout. Choose something you can already use.

Know what silver is for

Silver opens more loadout options between runs. You do not need every unlock to practise your first stage. Check a desired item’s requirement before choosing a longer-term goal.

Next: Learn movement and boost →

Learn movement and boost

Start in open ground and check the movement, boost and ability bindings shown for your input device. Controller and mouse/keyboard bindings differ, so use the prompts in your own game.

Turn, leave and return

Pick an isolated small target. Approach, turn away and return once. Leave enough ground beyond it to finish the turn; do not make a crowded fortress your first steering test.

Keep boost for an exit

Boost uses nitro. Try a short burst, then watch the gauge. Save some for an escape or a deliberate Ram approach instead of holding boost throughout ordinary travel.

Reassess your turning space

As the run develops, check whether your route still gives the castle enough room. If you get trapped against traffic or the map edge, leave earlier on the next pass.

Next: Separate automatic and active attacks →

Separate automatic and active attacks

Modules can have an automatic attack and a separately activated ability. Waiting for automatic fire alone misses part of your loadout; pressing the active without considering its direction can waste an opening.

Watch one automatic attack

With Cannon, bring the side weapons into a useful position. With Ram, automatic damage comes from driving into enemies. Watch a manageable encounter and identify which attack actually connects.

Use the active deliberately

Check the ability bar, line up the target and activate once. Then notice the cooldown. For Ram, allow space to accelerate and leave; for Top Mortar, its volley targets an area behind the vehicle.

Test each new module

When a module is offered, check its slot and attack description. After equipping it, test the active on a safe target before relying on it in a boss fight.

Next: Make your first upgrade choices →

Make your first upgrade choices

Collecting gold advances your level during a run and brings upgrade choices. This differs from spending silver on future loadouts. Pause your steering inputs when a reward selection appears so you can read it carefully.

Identify the affected equipment

Read the module name first, then whether the choice improves its active attack, automatic attack or cooldown. Improve an attack that is already helping you.

Treat artifacts as a separate decision

An artifact can affect a slot, a damage type or a specific action. Check that your equipment fulfils the condition; a side-module cooldown bonus will not help a loadout without side modules.

Check the result

In the next encounter, see whether the improved attack connects and whether its timing fits your approach. If positioning was the problem, correct your route before repeatedly choosing damage.

Next: Prepare for the first boss →

Prepare for the first boss

Green Plains has a boss objective. Use the opening encounters to gather upgrades and learn your attacks, then pay attention to the approaching boss rather than treating the run as an endless collection route.

Enter with room and resources

Check health, nitro and active cooldowns before committing. Choose a route that lets you leave after attacking. A healing pickup along a clear path can be more useful than another risky detour.

Attack, inspect, reposition

Use a prepared active, watch where damage is coming from and move out when the exchange becomes costly. Return from a better angle instead of repeating the same failed collision.

Read the vehicle upgrade

A defeated boss can lead to a vehicle upgrade choice. Compare health, movement and handling together. Higher speed helps only if you can still make the approach and turn away.

Next: Plan the next run →

Plan the next run

After the run, review the silver and unlock progress you have earned. Progression within a run and new equipment available between runs serve different purposes.

Choose one change

Name what ended the attempt: missed attacks, no nitro to escape, sustained health loss or an unsuitable bonus. Change one major loadout choice or habit on the next attempt.

Choose the next lesson

If movement and automatic/active attacks now feel familiar, continue to an advanced guide: collision tactics, mortar positioning, artifact synergy or survival planning. Use the database to check an item and the workshop to compare upgrades.

Resolve input problems first

If an action does not behave as expected, reopen the current control settings and test it in open space. For technical issues, record your version, device and the steps that reproduce the problem before using Steam discussions.

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