Crossout: A Practical Guide for New Players

Crossout is a free-to-play vehicular combat MMO where you design, build, and battle in heavily armed vehicles. This guide walks through what the game is, how its vehicles and parts work, the main battle modes, and the tips that help new players survive their first weeks.

Crossout throws you into a world of improvised war machines — think armored trucks, rocket-launching buggies, and tank-like behemoths — all of which you can customize down to the individual part. Unlike many combat games where you pick from a fixed roster, here the chassis, armor, weapons, and even the paint job are yours to choose. That freedom is the core of the game, and it is also what makes the first few hours feel overwhelming if you do not know where to look.

This guide is written for players who have just created an account or are returning after a long break. It covers the basics you need to stop losing every match, the systems that reward long-term investment, and the mistakes that cost veterans points every single day.

At its heart, Crossout is a team-based shooter played from inside a vehicle. Matches are typically 7v7 (or larger in some modes), and the goal is to destroy the enemy team or hold objectives depending on the mode. What sets it apart is the depth of vehicle customization: every part on your machine — from the engine to the smallest bolt of armor — can be swapped, upgraded, or replaced.

The game is free to play. You can earn in-game currency (Scrap and Metal) by playing, and use it to buy parts, skins, and upgrades. There is also a premium currency (Gold) that can be bought with real money, but it is not required to progress. The game is available on PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and Xbox consoles, with cross-platform play supported on most modes.

Every vehicle in Crossout is built from a chassis plus a set of modular parts. The chassis defines the basic shape, weight, and number of part slots. On top of that you add armor plates, weapons, engines, suspension, and cosmetic parts. The combination is almost limitless, which is why two players can build completely different machines from the same chassis.

Parts are divided into classes. Light parts are fast but fragile; heavy parts are slow but tanky. Weapons range from machine guns and autocannons to rockets, mortars, and even flamethrowers. Each weapon has a different role: some shred light armor, others punch through heavy plating, and a few are designed to hit multiple targets at once.

A key concept is the difference between a vehicle's hit points and its armor. Hit points represent the structural integrity of the chassis, while armor plates absorb damage before it reaches the chassis. A well-armored vehicle with fewer hit points can outlast a lightly armored one with more hit points, which is why armor layout matters as much as the weapons you carry.

Crossout offers several battle modes, each with a different objective. The most common are:

New players should start with Battle mode. It is the most forgiving, the maps are smaller, and the objectives are simple. Once you are comfortable with the controls and the feel of your vehicle, try Capture to learn how positioning and map control work.

Here are the mistakes that cost new players the most, and how to avoid them:

If you are brand new, the in-game tutorial is the best first step. It walks you through the controls, the garage, and your first battle in a low-pressure environment. After that, spend a few matches in Battle mode with a simple, well-rounded vehicle before you start experimenting with exotic builds.

As you earn Scrap, invest in a second vehicle that complements your first. A fast light vehicle for flanking and a heavy armored vehicle for holding ground is a classic pairing that covers most situations. Once you have two reliable builds, you can start experimenting with specialized vehicles for specific modes.