Overview
Hell Let Loose Vietnam weapons are split between US Armed Forces and NVA loadouts. This page focuses on confirmed weapon names, faction identity, and practical use cases. It does not include damage numbers, recoil charts, unlock levels, or role restrictions until those can be tested cleanly.
The broad design is asymmetry. US forces lean into helicopters, aerial support, and iconic weapons such as the M16, M60, and grenade launchers. NVA forces use tunnels, anti-air pressure, boat utility, and their own weapon set including Type 53, K50M, RPD, RPG, and Type 56 variants.
US Armed Forces Weapons
| Weapon | Type or Use Case | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| M16A1 rifle | Standard rifle | Core US infantry rifle. |
| M16A1 rifle with bayonet | Rifle with bayonet | Rifle variant for close-pressure loadouts. |
| M16A1-M203 rifle | Rifle launcher platform | US rifle launcher option. |
| M1911A1 pistol | Sidearm | Listed for US forces. |
| M2A1-7 flamethrower | Flamethrower | Specialist close-area weapon. |
| M40 sniper rifle | Sniper rifle | Vegetation can limit long sightlines. |
| M60 machine gun | Machine gun | Listed and mentioned as a classic US weapon. |
| M72 rocket launcher | Anti-armor launcher | US launcher for armor pressure. |
| M79 grenade launcher | Grenade launcher | Listed separately from M203. |
| Model 77E shotgun | Shotgun | Close-range weapon. |
NVA Weapons
| Weapon | Type or Use Case | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| IZH 58 shotgun | Shotgun | Listed for NVA forces. |
| K50M submachine gun | Submachine gun | Close-range automatic weapon. |
| K50M drum submachine gun | Drum submachine gun | Drum variant for close-range pressure. |
| LPO-50 flamethrower | Flamethrower | Listed for NVA forces. |
| RPD machine gun | Machine gun | Listed for NVA forces. |
| RPG-02 rocket launcher | Rocket launcher | NVA launcher for vehicle pressure. |
| Type 53 PU sniper rifle | Sniper rifle | Listed for NVA forces. |
| Type 53 rifle with bayonet | Rifle with bayonet | Rifle variant for close-pressure loadouts. |
| Type 53 rifle with N4 launcher | Rifle launcher platform | NVA rifle launcher option. |
| Type 54 pistol | Sidearm | Listed for NVA forces. |
| Type 56 rifle with bayonet | Rifle with bayonet | Listed for NVA forces. |
How the Factions Differ
Vietnam leans harder into asymmetry than the World War II game. US forces gain air mobility and fire support through helicopters, while the NVA compensate with tunnel networks, boat utility, and anti-air tools. Weapons should be understood inside that wider faction identity, not as isolated stat sticks.
For a new player, this means the best weapon is often the one that matches the squad’s job. A machine gun can help suppress an approach, a launcher can threaten vehicles or fortified positions, and a rifleman can keep the squad supplied with steady infantry pressure. Avoid choosing weapons by name alone; choose the role your squad needs.
Rifle Launcher Notes
The main rifle launcher weapons are the M16A1-M203 rifle for US forces and the Type 53 rifle with N4 launcher for NVA forces. Use rifle launchers for enemies behind cover, clustered infantry, or positions a direct rifle shot cannot solve. Fire from cover, communicate the target, and avoid wasting launcher rounds on isolated riflemen.
Beginner Weapon Advice
Start with a basic rifle or a simple squad role before taking a specialist weapon. Hell Let Loose: Vietnam punishes poor positioning, and a powerful weapon will not save you if you are crossing open ground alone. Learn how sightlines, foliage, sound, and squad spawns work before judging whether a weapon is strong.
Gunplay is more automatic-heavy than the original Hell Let Loose because the setting brings M16, AK-style rifles, machine guns and launcher options into more frequent contact. Positioning still matters more than raw firepower. Learn how sightlines, foliage, sound, and squad spawns work before judging whether a weapon is strong.