Weapons

Introduction

The Weapons category covers the era-specific arsenals of Hell Let Loose: Vietnam, split cleanly between the US Armed Forces and the North Vietnamese Army. The US fights with the iconic M16A1 assault rifle, the M60 general-purpose machine gun, the M79 single-shot grenade launcher and the M72 LAW anti-armor rocket, supported by the M40 sniper rifle, Claymores, M18 smoke grenades and flamethrowers. The NVA answers with the RPG-2 anti-armor rocket, the RPD machine gun, the K50M submachine gun and the Type 56 assault rifle, backed by the Type 53, Type 54 and Type 67 and the LPO-50 flamethrower. This category breaks down each weapon's role, effective range and best use, compares US and NVA options directly, and recommends the best weapon for each role. All weapon names come from the Steam store page and the Dexerto wiki, the authoritative pre-launch sources.

US vs NVA Weapons

Arsenal Spotlight

Core Mechanics

Hell Let Loose: Vietnam's weapons are built around faction identity and era realism. The US arsenal centers on the M16A1, a lightweight, accurate assault rifle that is the backbone of US squads, supported by the M60 for suppression, the M79 for close-range explosive fire and the M72 LAW for one-shot tank threats. The NVA fights with the Type 56 — a rugged, reliable assault rifle that appears everywhere from the tunnels to the front line — alongside the RPG-2 anti-armor rocket, the RPD machine gun and the K50M submachine gun for close-quarters tunnel fighting. Each weapon has an effective role: machine guns hold lanes and cut off pushes, anti-armor weapons counter tanks and patrol boats, and grenade launchers provide mobile explosive power. Understanding which weapon fits which role and which faction is the core of this category.

Advantages

The weapons category gives players a real tactical advantage because the two factions are deliberately asymmetric. The US has superior air support and the flexible M16A1, while the NVA has the rugged Type 56 and the devastating RPG-2 — a one-shot threat to the tanks and patrol boats that would otherwise dominate. This asymmetry makes weapon choice a strategic decision, not just a preference. The category also covers the tools that define niche playstyles: flamethrowers for clearing tunnel entrances and fortified positions, Claymores and anti-personnel mines for defensive ambushes, and smoke grenades for crossing open ground. For players who want to win gunfights and counter enemy vehicles, knowing these weapons and their effective ranges is essential.

Challenges

The main challenge is that pre-launch weapon data is incomplete. The names, factions and general roles come from the Steam store page and Dexerto wiki, but exact damage numbers, fire rates, recoil patterns and ranges are not confirmed before the August 13, 2026 launch. Guides must describe weapons by role and faction rather than quoting stats that may change. The game also has a steep weapon learning curve: bolt-action and semi-automatic weapons punish missed shots, and recoil management matters far more than in arcade shooters. New players will lose gunfights they would win in other games until they learn each weapon's rhythm and effective range.

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick Tips