Community Wishlist: B-52 Arc Light Strikes, ARVN, and Late-War Armor in Hell Let Loose: Vietnam

As Expression Games and Team17 gear up for the highly anticipated launch of Hell Let Loose: Vietnam on August 13, 2026, the dedicated player base is already deeply engaged in discussions about the future of the franchise. Transitioning the 50v50 hardcore tactical shooter format from the battlefields of World War II to the asymmetric warfare of the Vietnam conflict (1965–1973) is a monumental task. The introduction of UH-1 Huey helicopters, extensive NVA and Viet Cong tunnel networks, and riverine combat has fundamentally altered how squads maneuver and commanders dictate the flow of battle.

Despite the wealth of content confirmed for the launch window, veterans of the tactical shooter genre are taking to forums and platforms like Reddit to outline their ultimate wishlists. Based on recent community discussions, a few major requests have surfaced that could significantly expand the strategic depth of the game. Chief among these are the implementation of devastating B-52 Arc Light strikes for the Commander role, the introduction of the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) as a fully playable allied faction, and the inclusion of late-war armor engagements modeled after the 1972 Easter Offensive.

The Commander’s Arsenal: The Request for B-52 Arc Light Strikes

In the original World War II iteration of the series, the Commander role was defined by off-map support abilities—most notably, the bombing run, which could single-handedly clear an objective if timed correctly. For Hell Let Loose: Vietnam, players are expecting the Commander’s toolkit to reflect the overwhelming air superiority maintained by US forces during the era. A recently trending community thread highlighted a specific desire: the ability to call in B-52 Arc Light strikes.

Operation Arc Light was the historical deployment of B-52 Stratofortresses to provide close air support and conduct massive area bombardment. In terms of gameplay mechanics, the community envisions the B-52 strike as the ultimate, high-cost Commander ability. Unlike standard artillery or localized napalm drops, an Arc Light strike would theoretically cover a massive grid sector, obliterating surface-level foliage, destroying enemy garrisons, and neutralizing any exposed infantry.

However, implementing such a catastrophic event in a 50v50 multiplayer environment requires extreme caution. If introduced, this ability would likely require a massive expenditure of Munitions nodes and feature a lengthy cooldown timer to prevent spamming. Furthermore, it introduces a fascinating layer of airspace management. Because Hell Let Loose: Vietnam features active airspace populated by helicopters for troop transport and logistics, a Commander calling in a B-52 strike would need to coordinate tightly with their air cavalry. Failing to warn Huey pilots via proximity or command voice chat could result in devastating friendly fire incidents, pulling helicopters right out of the sky. For players looking to understand how the leadership meta is currently evolving, checking our coverage on mastering the Commander role provides excellent baseline strategies for resource management.

Strategic Implications: Tunnels vs. Heavy Bombardment

If a mechanic as powerful as the B-52 strike were to be officially confirmed by Expression Games, it would beautifully complement the game’s asymmetric design philosophy. The US faction’s reliance on overwhelming firepower is directly countered by the NVA and Viet Cong’s mastery of the terrain.

An Arc Light strike would decimate the surface, but it would also force the North Vietnamese forces to lean heavily into their unique faction mechanics. When the sirens blare or the command radio crackles with an incoming bomber warning, NVA players would need to immediately retreat into their subterranean networks. This dynamic creates a thrilling cat-and-mouse game. The US Commander spends resources to flatten an objective, but if the NVA Squad Leaders have properly fortified their underground outposts, they can simply wait out the bombardment and emerge from hidden trapdoors to retake the ruins. You can read more about how these underground systems function in our comprehensive tunnel guide.

Faction Expansion: The Case for the ARVN

While the current launch roster understandably focuses on the United States military clashing with the North Vietnamese Army and the Viet Cong, the Vietnam War was a coalition effort. One of the most vocal community requests is the post-launch addition of the ARVN (Army of the Republic of Vietnam) to diversify the allied side of the conflict.

Currently, playing as the US forces means utilizing highly standardized, modern (for the 1960s) equipment, relying on air mobility, and leveraging superior logistics. The addition of the ARVN would offer a compelling alternative playstyle. Historically, early-war ARVN units operated with a fascinating mix of surplus World War II armaments and early Cold War weaponry. An ARVN faction could theoretically feature loadouts utilizing the M1 Garand, M1 Carbine, and Thompson submachine gun, before unlocking the M16 at higher class levels.

This would create a completely different infantry combat dynamic. An ARVN rifleman squad might lack the full-auto suppression capabilities of a US squad equipped with M16A1s and M60 machine guns, forcing them to adopt different tactical approaches when assaulting NVA positions. Additionally, the community has proposed the inclusion of elite ARVN Ranger units (Biệt Động Quân) as specialized recon squads, focusing on stealth and deep infiltration rather than brute force. While Expression Games has not yet confirmed any new factions beyond the initial US and NVA/VC split, the game’s architecture is primed for expansion. For a breakdown of the currently confirmed loadouts and roles, visit our factions guide.

Armor Warfare and the 1972 Easter Offensive

The final pillar of recent community discussions revolves around the role of heavy armor. In Hell Let Loose, tank squads are a vital component of the battlefield ecosystem, providing mobile cover, high-explosive support, and anti-vehicle capabilities. However, the restrictive, dense jungle terrain of Vietnam means that early-war maps are primarily focused on infantry skirmishes, riverine logistics, and helicopter insertions.

As noted in our recent analysis on how river boats are replacing half-tracks for amphibious troop transport, traditional tracked vehicles face significant mobility challenges in the current map rotation. To solve this, players are eagerly suggesting that the developers look toward the late stages of the war—specifically the 1972 Easter Offensive.

The Easter Offensive marked a significant shift in the conflict, characterized by large-scale, conventional mechanized warfare. The NVA deployed hundreds of Soviet-supplied tanks, including T-54s and PT-76 amphibious light tanks, across wider, more open terrain. Introducing maps based on this 1972 campaign would satisfy the community’s desire for the heavy tank-versus-tank brawls that defined the WWII iteration of the game.

Imagine a scenario where US or ARVN M48 Patton tanks are forced into a slugfest with advancing NVA T-54s across a battered, open landscape, completely changing the pacing and meta of the game for those specific map layers. While we know that basic armor mechanics are being adapted for the new Unreal Engine 5 framework—as confirmed in our earlier armor gameplay report—the specific inclusion of these massive 1972 mechanized operations remains a community-reported wishlist item.

Looking Ahead to Launch

As we approach the final weeks before Hell Let Loose: Vietnam deploys on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S, the passion of the player base is more evident than ever. The transition to the Vietnam War offers Expression Games an incredible canvas to explore asymmetric warfare, and the community is ready with a wealth of historical and mechanical suggestions.

Whether we eventually see the earth-shattering impact of B-52 Arc Light strikes, the unique infantry dynamics of the ARVN, or the heavy metal clashes of the 1972 Easter Offensive, it is clear that the foundation being laid is robust enough to support years of content. Until official announcements are made regarding post-launch roadmaps, players will continue to strategize, theorize, and prepare for the unique challenges of the jungle.

Be sure to stay connected to the Hell Let Loose: Vietnam wiki for all upcoming guides, patch notes, and developer updates as we count down to the August 13 release. For those looking to master the skies before launch, don’t miss our comprehensive helicopter guide.