Steel Hunters is an action-packed PvP and PvE mech combat game recently released on Steam. If you’re just starting, this Steel Hunters Beginners Guide will walk you through everything you need to know, from game mechanics and character selection to progression and battle strategies.
Main Menu
After completing the tutorial, you’ll be introduced to the game’s main menu. Here’s what each key section does:
- Play – Select and access different game modes.
- Hunters – View and unlock different characters (hunters).
- Battle Pass – Track seasonal progress and rewards.
- Codex – Access game lore and character backstories.
At the top-right corner, you can check your stats, account level, and progression. Leveling up grants rewards like gold, constructs, and platinum, which help in unlocking and upgrading hunters.
Game Modes & Missions
Steel Hunters offers multiple mission types to keep you engaged:
- Daily Missions – Refresh every day and reward gold for simple tasks.
- Combat Missions – Character-specific challenges that grant free experience points.
- Seasonal Missions – Provide Battle Pass points to progress through seasonal rewards.
Starvel Harvest (Main PvP Mode)
12 players (6 teams of 2) drop into a map.
Win by eliminating all opponents or capturing the extraction zone when time runs out.
Upgrade your hunter mid-game by collecting energy from drones and towers.
Loadout & Progression System
Each hunter has a unique loadout and progression system:
Systems – These are mods that modify your hunter’s weapons and abilities.
Tech Tree – Unlock new upgrades and passives using System Points and Gold earned in battles.
Abilities & Passives – Each hunter has three passive abilities that enhance their combat effectiveness. Prioritize unlocking these first.
Tips for Progressing Faster:
- Play daily missions for consistent XP and gold.
- Focus on unlocking passives first, as they provide the biggest advantage.
- Experiment with different hunters to find your preferred playstyle.
Tips
Use Control to Dash – Dash in all directions for better mobility, breaking line of sight, and closing the gap.
Avoid Fighting Level 3 Enemies If You’re Not – Higher-level enemies have extra abilities, making fights uneven.
Understand Positioning & Team Composition – Know how different mechs play to maximize teamwork and strategy.
Prioritize Mods with Wrench Icons – These mods significantly impact your build more than raw stat boosts.
Bait Your HP If You Have Shields – Mechs with shields (e.g., Razor Side, Orus) can trick enemies into wasting attacks.
Flank When Possible – Catch enemies off guard by attacking from unexpected angles.
XP Is Shared, But Enhancements Are Not – XP benefits the whole team, but enhancements (triangles, circles, squares) do not.
Stay Inside Capture Nodes Until 100% – Whoever starts capturing must stay inside or it resets.
Use Melee When Appropriate – Melee attacks can finish enemies, conserve ammo, and create space.
Keep Track of Your Cooldowns – Always be aware of your shield and ability timers before engaging.
Hold On to Dog Tags for Better Rewards – More dog tags = better drop pods, potentially summoning the Colossus.
Use the Colossus Wisely – It has full health, but when it dies, you revert to your original (possibly low) health.