[p]Welcome to another edition of our development update series. In this edition, we're diving into the commander role and its abilities within '83.[/p][p]A crucial role to bring your team to victory, equipped with the ability to call in powerful off map abilities that can turn the tide of battle.[/p][p][/p][previewyoutube][/previewyoutube][p]In ’83, each team can field a single Commander, one of the most powerful roles on the battlefield. While technically an infantry class, your primary job isn’t to fight, it’s to lead. As Commander, you’ll spend much of the match in an overhead command view, directing the battle like a real-time strategy game: managing squads, deploying support abilities, and reading the flow of combat from above. [/p][p][/p][h2]
Setting up[/h2][p]Your first priority is placing your Command Post. This position is vulnerable, so choose somewhere with strong cover and minimal exposure. From your post you can open the Command Screen, giving you a live top-down view of the entire map. You’ll see squad positions, objectives, enemy markers, and key updates in real time. Think of it as your war room, everything important flows through this interface.[/p][p][/p][p]
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Giving orders[/h2][p]
You can select squads in several ways: [/p]
- [p]Click squad names or icons on the Command Screen [/p]
- [p]Use hotkeys 1-9 to cycle quickly [/p]
- [p]Click and drag to select multiple players on the map, RTS-style [/p]
[p]To issue orders, select one or more squads and right-click the map: [/p]
- [p]Right-click an objective to assign attack or defend [/p]
- [p]Right-click open ground to issue a move command [/p]
- [p]Hold Shift to adjust selections on the fly [/p]
[p]To coordinate efficiently, Commanders have a dedicated VOIP channel shared only with squad leaders. Use it to plan and direct without the noise of general team comms. [/p][p][/p][p]
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Support abilities[/h2][p]Commanders also bring a suite of battlefield support options, including: [/p]
- [p]Artillery and rocket barrages to clear or suppress positions [/p]
- [p]Smoke shells to block enemy sightlines [/p]
- [p]Recon aircraft to reveal enemy activity from above [/p]
- [p]Reinforcement Wave, enabling an instant team-wide respawn [/p]
[p]Here’s how some of these work in practice: [/p][p]
Artillery and rocket barrages: From the Command Screen, click a target position selected by you or your squad leaders and call in the relevant strike. You’ll need to wait for confirmation, so remain at your post until you hear it. [/p][p]
Creeping Barrage: An artillery strike that advances along a path you define. Click and drag across the map to plot the route the salvos will follow, allowing the barrage to progress in stages. [/p][p]
Smoke Screens: Fired as a line of White Phosphorus. Click and drag to set the direction and shape of the screen so it blocks the sightlines you intend. White Phosphorus smoke burns unarmoured targets caught in the blast and produces choking fumes that damage players who attempt to move through it. [/p][p]
Aerial Recon: Call in a reconnaissance aircraft to generate a heat map on your team’s overhead maps, showing approximate enemy positions and troop density for a few minutes, as long as you remain at your post. [/p][p]Abilities may cost resources such as fuel or munitions and come with cooldowns, so timing and prioritisation are key. Some can even be adjusted mid-use; for example, shifting an artillery target zone between salvos. [/p][p][/p][p]
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Do you have what it takes?[/h2][p]Playing Commander is about situational awareness, coordination, and decisive tactical calls. You shape the battlefield, direct the momentum of each push, and guide your team toward victory, or defeat. If you enjoy the bigger picture, making clutch decisions, and enabling your team through smart support rather than raw firepower, the Commander role is for you.[/p][p][/p][p]As the game evolves beyond Early Access, we plan to expand the Commander’s capabilities to deliver even more tactical depth. More updates from the frontlines soon. [/p][p][/p][p]Stay tuned to our channels to not miss upcoming Developer Tapes on our road to Early Access Launch. [/p][p][/p][p]Make sure to support & follow us on social media and wishlist us below for more updates! [/p][p]Discord:
https://discord.gg/83thegame[/p][p]TikTok:
https://www.tiktok.com/@83thegame [/p][p]Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/83thegame/ [/p][p]BlueSky:
https://bsky.app/profile/83thegame.bsky.social [/p][p]Youtube: [dynamiclink][/dynamiclink][/p][p]Twitter (X):
https://x.com/83thegame [/p][p]Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/83TheGame/ [/p][p][/p][h2]Wishlist '83 Today![/h2][p] [dynamiclink][/dynamiclink][/p]