Give your first life one job
The developer FAQ explains that roles come from purchased equipment rather than locked classes. Start by deciding what you will actually do: accompany an infantry group, bring medical supplies, help construction, or transport people. Trying to cover every job immediately makes it harder to identify why a life succeeded or failed.
For a first session, our recommendation is ordinary infantry with one useful support function. This is an editorial learning plan, not a tested strongest loadout. Ask a nearby group where they are going, follow their route, and learn the difference between traveling toward the objective and contributing inside it.
Learn one complete loop
Before spending heavily, complete a simple cycle: select equipment, reach friendly players, perform your chosen job, and review the result. Notice what you lacked when it mattered. Was the problem ammunition, medical help, unclear directions, or choosing a dangerous approach? Buy for that problem on the next life.
BULKHEAD explicitly includes transport, medical, construction, and demolition work in its role overview. You do not need to become a pilot or master every weapon to have a purpose.
Keep the first session diagnostic
Do not treat an impressive kill count or one profitable run as proof of a build. The August independent playtest report describes team tools and spending decisions as central to the experience. Track repeated mistakes before copying expensive purchases, and leave complicated vehicle experiments until you understand the route they would serve.