Crossout: A Complete Beginner's Tutorial

Everything you need to know to go from a brand-new player to a confident battlefield commander in Crossout, the free-to-play vehicular combat MMO from Targem Games.

Crossout drops you into a post-apocalyptic world where the only thing standing between you and total destruction is the vehicle you build. Unlike most shooters, you are not a character running around with a gun — you are the machine itself. Every bolt, every weapon mount, and every piece of armor is something you choose, and that choice decides whether you walk away with a victory or a pile of scrap.

This tutorial walks you through the entire journey: creating your account, picking your first vehicle, understanding the core combat loop, managing your workshop economy, and the tactics that separate casual players from the ones who consistently climb the leaderboards. Whether you are jumping in for the first time or returning after a long break, the information here will save you hours of trial and error.

Crossout is free to download and play on PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and mobile devices. The game uses a cross-platform account system, so your progress and garage carry over between platforms. When you first launch the game you will be asked to create a nickname, choose a home base, and select a starting vehicle. Do not overthink this choice — every vehicle can be fully customized, and you will have access to the full blueprint library within a few hours of play.

The home base is where you build, repair, and upgrade your vehicles. It also serves as your hub for accessing the workshop, the marketplace, and the mission board. Take a moment to explore the base layout early on; knowing where the forge, the blueprint terminal, and the garage bays are located will make your daily routine much smoother.

Crossout offers several vehicle classes, each with a distinct role in combat. The main classes are: Assault (balanced all-rounders), Heavy (armored tanks and brutes), Light (fast scouts and strikers), and Special (unique vehicles with specialized abilities). For a brand-new player, an Assault-class vehicle is the most forgiving choice because it handles well, has decent armor, and can carry a versatile weapon loadout.

When you open the garage, you will see a chassis, a set of wheels or tracks, and empty slots for weapons and armor. The chassis determines your vehicle's base stats — speed, armor rating, and weight capacity. Wheels affect handling and top speed. Weapons are where the real fun begins: you can mix cannons, machine guns, rocket launchers, and even special weapons like mines and turrets.

A good rule of thumb for your first build: keep it simple. One primary weapon, one secondary, and a balanced set of armor plates. You can always experiment with more exotic combinations once you understand how damage types and armor penetration work.

Crossout battles are typically 8v8 or 12v12 team fights on large, destructible maps. The objective is usually to destroy the enemy team or capture and hold key points on the map. The maps themselves are a critical part of the gameplay — buildings can be blown up to create new lines of sight, terrain can be used for cover, and environmental hazards like oil slicks and explosive barrels add an extra layer of chaos.

Movement is your best friend. A stationary vehicle is a target. Use the terrain to your advantage: stay behind cover when reloading, peek out to fire, then fall back. The game rewards aggressive positioning, but it punishes reckless charges. Learn to read the map, identify high-ground positions, and control key chokepoints.

Communication matters. Crossout has a built-in voice chat and a quick-chat system. Coordinating with your team — calling out enemy positions, requesting support, or planning a push — will dramatically improve your win rate. Even if you are playing solo, listening to your teammates and responding to their calls will make you a much more effective player.

Crossout's economy revolves around two main currencies: Screws (earned in battle and from missions) and Credits (premium currency, purchasable with real money but also earnable through in-game activities). Screws are used to buy blueprints, parts, and upgrades. Credits are used for cosmetics, special offers, and premium blueprints.

You do not need to spend real money to enjoy Crossout. The game is designed so that a dedicated player can earn enough Screws to unlock every vehicle and part through regular play. Daily missions, weekly challenges, and event rewards provide a steady stream of Screws and other resources. The key is consistency: log in every day, complete your missions, and participate in events.

Upgrading your vehicle is a gradual process. Start by improving your primary weapon — a better cannon or machine gun will have the biggest impact on your kill rate. Next, focus on armor: adding more plates and upgrading their quality will keep you alive longer in fights. Finally, invest in mobility: better wheels or a more powerful engine will make your vehicle harder to hit and easier to reposition.

Once you are comfortable with the basics, it is time to refine your playstyle. One of the most important skills in Crossout is target selection. Not every enemy is worth engaging. Focus on the weakest or most isolated opponents, and avoid picking fights with heavily armored vehicles unless you have a clear advantage. A single well-placed shot on an exposed engine or turret can turn the tide of a battle.

Map control is another advanced concept. The team that controls the center of the map and the key capture points usually wins. Do not get distracted by side fights — if your team is pushing a point, join the push. If your team is defending, hold your position and provide covering fire. Discipline wins more battles than raw skill.

Finally, learn to adapt. Crossout is a constantly evolving game with regular updates, new vehicles, and balance changes. What works today may not work next month. Stay engaged with the community, watch patch notes, and be willing to adjust your build and playstyle. The best players are not the ones who know the most — they are the ones who adapt the fastest.

Crossout is a deep, rewarding game that can take years to master. The tips in this tutorial will get you through the initial learning curve, but the real education happens in the battlefield. Play regularly, learn from your losses, and enjoy the ride. The scrapyard is waiting.