Beginner's Guide to Battlefield REDSEC
Welcome to Battlefield REDSEC! This comprehensive guide will teach you everything you need to know to survive your first matches, understand core mechanics, and start climbing the ranks. Read time: 15 minutes.
1. Installation & System Requirements
Getting Started
Battlefield REDSEC is 100% free-to-play on Steam with no hidden costs or pay-to-win mechanics. Simply download, install, and jump into the action.
Download Steam
If you don't have Steam installed, download it from store.steampowered.com
Search for Battlefield REDSEC
Or use direct link: Steam Store Page
Click "Play Game" (Free)
Game will download automatically (~45GB)
Launch and Create Account
Follow the in-game setup wizard
System Requirements
Minimum (720p Low Settings)
- • OS: Windows 10 64-bit
- • CPU: Intel i5-6600K / AMD Ryzen 5 1600
- • RAM: 8 GB
- • GPU: NVIDIA GTX 1050 Ti / AMD RX 560
- • Storage: 50 GB SSD
Recommended (1080p High Settings)
- • OS: Windows 11 64-bit
- • CPU: Intel i7-9700K / AMD Ryzen 7 3700X
- • RAM: 16 GB
- • GPU: NVIDIA RTX 3060 / AMD RX 6700 XT
- • Storage: 50 GB NVMe SSD
2. Controls & Basic Mechanics
PC Keyboard & Mouse Controls
Movement
W A S D - Move
Space - Jump
Shift - Sprint
Ctrl - Crouch (Hold)
C - Slide
Z - Prone
Combat
Left Click - Fire
Right Click - Aim Down Sights
R - Reload
G - Throw Grenade
V - Melee
1-4 - Weapon Switch
Utilities
E - Interact / Loot
Tab - Inventory
M - Map
X - Ping System
F - Enter / Exit Vehicle
Q - Gadget
Communication
T - Text Chat
B - Voice Chat (Push-to-Talk)
H - Quick Comms Menu
Pro Tip: Movement Techniques
Slide-Jump: While sprinting, press C then immediately Space. This maintains momentum and covers distance faster than sprinting alone. Essential for rotations and dodging fire.
Tactical Sprint: Double-tap Shift for tactical sprint - 20% faster but you can't ADS. Use for emergency rotations only.
Crouch Peeking: While behind cover, tap Ctrl to peek. Don't hold crouch during fights - it slows movement and makes you an easy target.
3. Understanding Game Modes
REDSEC offers three distinct modes. For beginners, we recommend starting with Battle Royale to learn the fundamentals before trying competitive Gauntlet or creative Portal.
🎯 Battle Royale (Recommended Start)
100-player tactical warfare with squads of 4. Drop into Fort Lyndon, loot weapons, survive the closing ring, and become the last team standing. Features destructible environments and vehicle combat.
Read Full Battle Royale Guide →⚡ Gauntlet (Competitive)
High-stakes knockout elimination where 8-12 squads compete in mission-based rounds. Bottom performers are eliminated each round until one squad remains. Requires advanced coordination and skill.
Read Gauntlet Guide →🛠️ Portal (Creative)
Build custom game modes using professional creation tools. Design unique rules, modify maps, and share experiences with the community. Perfect for casual fun and aim training.
Read Portal Guide →4. Your First Drop
Drop Strategy for Beginners
Your first priority is learning the game mechanics without constant combat pressure. Follow this beginner-friendly drop strategy:
Drop Away from Flight Path
When the match starts, immediately deploy and fly perpendicular to the C-130 flight path. This reduces early confrontations. Aim for outer zones like Agricultural Areas or outlying Residential Districts.
Land on Building Roofs
Weapons spawn on rooftops. Landing on a roof guarantees you find a gun before encountering enemies. Check the entire roof before descending.
Loot Methodically
Clear one building completely before moving to the next. Rushing between buildings leaves you exposed and under-equipped.
Stay with Your Squad
Always land within 50 meters of teammates. Mark your landing spot with X before deploying. Lone wolves die fast.
⚠️ Hot Zones to Avoid (First 10 Matches)
• Military Complex: Highest player density, instant combat
• Research Labs: Best loot = most competition
• Beachfront Operations: Open terrain, no cover for new players
• Testing Grounds: Vehicle chaos and long-range snipers
Drop here once you're comfortable with combat mechanics. For now, prioritize survival and learning.
5. Looting & Inventory Management
Loot Priority System
Not all loot is equal. Follow this priority system for efficient looting:
1. Armor (Critical)
Level 3 armor = 200 HP total. Without it, you're dead in 3-4 body shots. Always upgrade armor first. Blue > Purple > Gold (self-healing).
2. Primary Weapon (Essential)
Grab any assault rifle or SMG immediately. Beginner-friendly: M4A1 (balanced), MP7 (close range), SCAR-H (mid-range).
3. Ammo (High Priority)
Carry 240+ rounds for primary weapon, 120+ for secondary. Running out mid-fight = guaranteed death.
4. Healing Items (Critical Late-Game)
Carry 2 med kits minimum, 4+ bandages, 2+ shield cells. Ring damage in final circles requires constant healing.
5. Attachments (Medium Priority)
Priority order: Optics (2x-4x for AR) > Extended Mag > Barrel (reduces recoil) > Grips.
6. Grenades (Tactical)
Frag grenades for offense, smoke grenades for revives/rotations. Carry 2-3 total.
Inventory Management Tips
• Press Tab to open inventory - Drag items to swap or drop
• Auto-pickup ammo is ON by default - You'll grab ammo automatically
• Drop unnecessary attachments - Ping them for teammates with X
• Armor doesn't stack - Only your equipped armor counts
• Use healing wheel - Hold 4 to select heal item
6. Combat Fundamentals
✅ Do This
- • Always aim for the head - 2x damage multiplier
- • Use cover constantly - Peek, shoot, hide, repeat
- • Burst fire at range - 3-5 round bursts for accuracy
- • Communicate enemy positions - "Enemy 180, behind blue building"
- • Use destruction tactically - Blast walls to create new angles
- • Reload in cover - Never reload while exposed
- • Track ring location - Press M frequently
❌ Never Do This
- • Don't sprint in the open - You're an easy target
- • Don't chase kills - Third parties will kill you both
- • Don't stand still while shooting - Strafe left/right constantly
- • Don't ignore the ring - It deals massive damage
- • Don't spray full-auto at range - Waste of ammo
- • Don't revive in the open - Use smoke grenades first
- • Don't loot during fights - Kill first, loot later
Winning Your First Gunfight
Most beginner deaths happen because of poor positioning, not bad aim. Follow this combat checklist:
Before Engagement:
- • Check your armor level and healing items
- • Ensure you have cover within 2 seconds of movement
- • Communicate with squad: "I'm pushing" or "I'm holding"
- • Reload weapons to full magazine
During Fight:
- • Peek from different angles - never the same spot twice
- • Call out armor breaks: "Enemy cracked!" = damaged armor
- • If you take 50+ damage, disengage and heal immediately
- • Use grenades to flush enemies from cover
After Fight:
- • Heal to full health before looting
- • Watch for third parties - they're coming
- • Loot quickly: armor, ammo, heals only
- • Reposition immediately if you hear nearby gunfire
7. Beginner-Friendly Loadouts
These loadouts are forgiving for new players with easy recoil patterns and versatile range coverage:
🎯 All-Rounder
Primary: M4A1 Assault Rifle
Low recoil, 30-round mag, effective 0-50m
Attachments: 2x Red Dot, Vertical Grip
Secondary: MP7 SMG
Fast fire rate, CQC specialist, 0-20m
Attachments: Holographic, Extended Mag
Utility
2 Frag Grenades, 2 Med Kits, 6 Bandages
Best for: New players learning all aspects of combat. Versatile in any situation.
🏃 Close Quarters
Primary: R99 SMG
Highest DPS in game, melts in CQC, 0-15m
Attachments: 1x Reflex, Extended Mag (critical)
Secondary: EVA-8 Shotgun
Devastating up close, 200+ damage per shot
Attachments: Bolt, Shotgun Choke
Utility
3 Smoke Grenades (rotations), 3 Med Kits
Best for: Aggressive players who like hot drops and pushing fights in buildings.
🎯 Safe & Steady
Primary: SCAR-H Battle Rifle
High damage, slower fire rate, 20-80m optimal
Attachments: 3x Scope, Compensator
Secondary: M4A1 AR
Backup for close range, reliable damage
Attachments: Red Dot, Foregrip
Utility
1 Frag, 2 Smokes, 4 Med Kits (defensive)
Best for: Defensive players who prefer positioning and mid-range fights.
Pro Tip: Don't stress about finding the "perfect" loadout. Any assault rifle + SMG combo will work for your first 50 matches. Focus on positioning and survival over optimal gear.
8. Survival Tips
🔄 Rotation Management
Always rotate early: Move to the next safe zone when the ring warning appears, not when it's closing. Late rotations = guaranteed third parties.
Use natural cover: Rotate along ridges, buildings, and tree lines. Never cross open fields unless absolutely necessary.
Listen for gunfire: Fights attract third parties. If you hear shooting on your rotation path, find an alternate route.
Vehicles for long rotations only: Use vehicles when the ring is 300+ meters away, then abandon before reaching the safe zone.
👥 Squad Coordination
Stick together: Squads win fights through numbers advantage. If you're 50+ meters from teammates, you're out of position.
Assign roles: 1 shot-caller (makes rotation decisions), 3 follow. Too many leaders = chaos.
Ping constantly: Ping loot for teammates, enemies you see, where you're moving. Communication wins games.
Trade damage, not lives: If a teammate gets knocked, don't instantly rush to revive. Eliminate the threat first.
⚠️ Ring Awareness
Ring damage escalates: Early rings tickle (5 dmg/sec). Ring 4+ kills in 10 seconds (40+ dmg/sec). Plan accordingly.
Late-game healing is critical: Final circles require constant med kit usage. Carry 4+ med kits for rounds 5-6.
Never fight in ring: If caught by ring, disengage immediately and heal while running to safe zone.
Check map every 30 seconds: Press M frequently. Knowing next ring location = winning positioning.
🎯 Third Party Awareness
Every gunshot is a beacon: Prolonged firefights (30+ seconds) attract 2-3 third parties. Finish fights FAST.
Loot quickly after kills: Take armor, ammo, heals only. Spending 60+ seconds looting = death sentence.
Reposition after fights: Don't stay in the same building. Move 50-100 meters and heal/loot there.
BE the third party: When you hear distant fights, rotate toward them and attack the winner when they're weak.
9. Common Beginner Mistakes to Avoid
❌ Mistake #1: Landing in Hot Zones
New players drop Military Complex or Research Labs because "best loot." They die in 30 seconds to experienced players.
Solution: Drop on map edges (Agricultural, Residential) for your first 20 matches. Learn mechanics in low-pressure environments.
❌ Mistake #2: Looting Too Long
Spending 10 minutes looting to find "perfect loadout" then dying to ring or first fight.
Solution: "Good enough" loadout in 3 minutes > "perfect" loadout in 10. AR + armor + heals = ready to fight.
❌ Mistake #3: Fighting Every Team
Chasing kills aggressively, getting third-partied, and finishing 50th place with 3 kills.
Solution: You win by being last alive, not most kills. Avoid unnecessary fights. Top 10 with 0 kills > dying at #50 with 5 kills.
❌ Mistake #4: Ignoring Audio Cues
Not using headphones or playing with music, missing footsteps and gunfire directions.
Solution: ALWAYS use headphones. 60% of information comes from audio. Footsteps = enemy nearby. Act accordingly.
❌ Mistake #5: Solo Rambo Syndrome
Running 200 meters ahead of squad to "scout," getting ambushed, dying, blaming teammates.
Solution: Stay within 30 meters of squad at all times. If you can't see them on screen, you're too far.
10. Next Steps & Learning Path
🎯 Your First 10 Matches
Don't expect to win immediately. Here's what to focus on in your first 10 matches:
Matches 1-3: Learn Mechanics
- • Practice movement (slide-jump, sprinting, crouching)
- • Get comfortable with controls
- • Learn inventory management
- • Goal: Survive to top 50
Matches 4-6: Combat Basics
- • Take 2-3 fights per match
- • Practice recoil control in firing range
- • Learn to use cover effectively
- • Goal: Get 1 kill per match
Matches 7-9: Positioning
- • Practice early rotations
- • Learn to third-party fights
- • Study final circle positioning
- • Goal: Survive to top 10
Match 10+: Competitive Play
- • Start dropping in medium-tier zones
- • Work on squad coordination
- • Develop your playstyle
- • Goal: First win!
📚 Advanced Guides to Read Next
🎮 Practice Resources
Firing Range: Access from main menu. Practice recoil control and test weapons.
Portal Aim Trainers: Community-created modes for aim practice. Search "aim trainer" in Portal.
Watch Pro Streams: Learn positioning and decision-making from top players on Twitch.
💬 Join the Community
Official Discord: Find squads, ask questions, get help from experienced players.
Reddit Community: Strategy discussions, patch notes, memes at r/BattlefieldREDSEC
YouTube Tutorials: Video guides for visual learners available on our blog.
Ready to Start Your Journey?
You now have all the knowledge needed to survive and thrive in Battlefield REDSEC. The battlefield awaits, soldier.