The Recruits system allows you to build your own squad of AI-controlled resistance fighters in Overthrow. These recruits can follow you into battle, help with operations, and grow stronger over time.
There are two ways to recruit civilians into your resistance:
- Approach any civilian on the street
- Look for the "Recruit Civilian" option in the interaction menu
- Cost: $250 (default, may vary by difficulty settings)
- The civilian will immediately join your group
- Build a Recruitment Tent at any FOB or base
- Access the tent to recruit from nearby town supporters
- Cost: $125 per recruit (50% discount compared to street recruitment)
- Requires: Available supporters in the nearest town
- Benefits: Cheaper recruitment and draws from your supporter base
- Open the Main Menu (U Key on PC)
- Select "Manage Recruits"
- View all your recruited fighters in one place
- Rename: Give your recruits custom names to identify them easily
- Dismiss: Remove unwanted recruits from your squad (with confirmation)
- Status Tracking: See real-time information about each recruit:
- Green: Alive and operational
- Red: Dead (permanent - no respawn)
- Distance indicator shows how far they are from you
- Maximum of 16 recruits per player
- Plan your squad composition carefully
¶ Commanding Your Recruits
¶ Using the Command Menu
- Open the command menu using the ~ key (tilde) on PC
- Issue orders to all your recruits
- Use standard Arma commands:
- Move to position
- Follow me
- Stop/Hold position
- Engage/Hold fire
A special command allows you to open a recruit's inventory remotely:
- Open the command menu (~) while looking directly at a recruit
- Choose the "Open Inventory" command to manage their equipment
Recruits start with civilian clothing and no weapons. You'll need to equip them:
- Manual Equipment: Give them weapons and gear from the ground or nearby containers using the "Open Inventory" command
- Loadout System: Use the Loadout Manager to save and apply equipment configurations
- Recruits can use any weapons and equipment available to players
- Consider their role when equipping them (sniper, assault, support)
- Don't forget ammunition, medical supplies, and armor
- Recruits follow the same wanted system as players
- They won't be targeted when unarmed unless in restricted areas
- Their combat effectiveness improves with experience (planned feature)
- Permanent death - recruits do not respawn
- Dead recruits are automatically removed from your roster
- Their equipment can be looted from their bodies
- Recruit wisely and protect your fighters
Your recruits are saved between game sessions:
- They'll respawn when you log back in
- Their equipment and inventory are preserved
- Position and health status are maintained
- Recruits despawn 10 minutes after you log out (to reduce server load)
- Start Small: Begin with 2-3 recruits to learn the system
- Equip Properly: Well-equipped recruits are much more effective
- Use Cover: Command recruits to use buildings and cover in combat
- Mixed Roles: Create a balanced squad with different weapon types
- Recruitment Tents: Build these at your bases for cheaper recruitment
- Protect Your Squad: Remember, death is permanent
- Each player manages their own recruits
- Recruits are tied to your persistent player ID
- Other players cannot command your recruits
The recruit system will continue to evolve with planned additions:
- Experience and leveling system
- Specialized training options
- Squad-based operations
- Automated patrol assignments
- Loadout Manager - Save and apply equipment configurations to your recruits
- FOB - Learn how to establish forward-operating bases where you can build Recruitment Tents
- Economy - Understand how to earn money for recruitment and equipment