Trench Decay Squad Roles Guide
Assign jobs so four players stop fighting the same trench corner.
TRENCH: DECAY does not ship a formal class system like some RPG shooters, but online co-op extracts improve instantly when squads adopt informal roles. This guide maps four repeatable jobs — Anchor, Breach, Flex, and Rear — to the game’s WW1 trench flow: push the line, survive gas, fight PvE waves, and extract together while advancing the Live War Map. Roles pair with loadouts from the Loadouts Tier List and weapons from the Weapons Tier List.
These roles are community-informed early-beta guidance, not menu selections. Assign them in lobby chat or Discord before queueing. New players should read Beginner Squad Tips first.
Role overview
| Role | Primary job | Ideal loadout reference |
|---|---|---|
| Anchor | Mid-range lane control, steady DPS | Standard Bearer from Loadouts Tier List |
| Breach | Interior clears, choke entry | Breach Cleaner loadout |
| Flex | Gas rotates, extract DPS | Fire Support Flex loadout |
| Rear | Gas watch, block, pistol finishes | Support-style kit + block melee from Melee Tier List |
One player can swap roles mid-run when ammo or casualties demand it — flexibility beats rigidity.
Anchor — hold the line
The Anchor is the squad’s pacing clock. You play slightly ahead of teammates with a reliable bolt-action or burst rifle (Weapons Tier List A/S tier). Your goals:
- Keep enemies pinned while others reload or interact
- Mark when not to push (gas telegraph, artillery from Big Bertha phases)
- Save pistol ammo for extract — primaries burn slower under discipline
Anchors die when they overpeek open craters post-Big Bertha. Use crouch and tilt (Q/E) instead of standing broadside. Communicate “hold” versus “push” clearly — public squads follow confident anchors.
Medals note: Anchors benefit most from consistent rifle unlocks rather than crate gambling. Redeem Codes for firearms crates before medal spending.
Breach — own the trench interior
The Breach player carries shotgun or SMG energy into narrow spaces. You pair with high-impact melee when ammo dips. Responsibilities:
- Enter trenches first only when Anchor confirms lane pressure is stable
- Clear corners so Rear can pass without body-blocking
- Kick (T) then light melee to finish stragglers during silent extract approaches
Breaches fail when they sprint ahead during gas — always rotate with Flex. Reference Melee Tier List for block tools if you solo-clear often.
Crate note: Enlisted Firearms Crates with shotgun bias and Enlisted Melee Crates feed this role fastest.
Flex — gas and extract specialist
Flex is the most movement-heavy role. You track gas timing, lead rotates through safe pockets, and spike DPS during extract timers with SMG-class primaries. When objectives complete, Flex calls extract now even if Breach wants one more fight.
After the Big Bertha update, Flex players scout crater lanes artillery opened — Anchors follow your rotate calls, not vice versa. Flex without communication becomes F-tier squad value; with calls, Flex wins wars.
Pair with Getting Started control drills for crouch/prone transitions under pressure.
Rear — eyes on the silent killer
Rear is the least glamorous role and the most wipe-preventing. You walk last, watch back gas and flanking PvE, block (B) while teammates reload, and finish low targets with pistol or fast melee. Rear players enable Breach to commit forward safely.
Rear gear prioritizes block melee (Melee Tier List S-tier block tools) over raw rifle DPS. If your squad lacks voice, Rear types “gas back” twice in chat — beginners listen when repetition is clear.
Rear is also the best role for players still learning aim — see Beginner Squad Tips.
Three-player and solo-queue adaptations
Three-stack: Drop Rear only if everyone agrees to check back gas on rotate — risky. Better: Anchor + Breach + Flex/Rear hybrid.
Two-stack: Alternate Flex and Rear each sector; never both breach forward simultaneously.
Solo queue: Play Flex/Rear hybrid — stay with the blob, do not hero push. Match strangers’ pace; recommend roles in chat politely.
Role assignment workflow
- Party leader calls roles in lobby (30 seconds).
- Confirm everyone redeemed latest Codes for baseline crates.
- Match roles to owned gear — do not assign Breach to someone with only a tutorial rifle.
- Mid-run swap if someone runs dry on ammo: Breach becomes Rear, Flex becomes Breach.
- Post-extract, note what failed — roles, not just guns.
Big Bertha role adjustments
Artillery-themed pacing from Big Bertha changed role value:
- Rear block timing mattered more during shell telegraphs
- Flex led crater rotates; Anchors held overwatch lips
- Breach lost solo hero value in open ground without Anchor suppression
Read the full patch context on Big Bertha Update and Updates Hub.
Role ↔ tier list cross-reference
- Anchor → Weapons Tier List bolt/burst A-tier
- Breach → shotgun/SMG S-tier + melee cleanup
- Flex → SMG S-tier, ammo discipline
- Rear → block melee S-tier, pistol A-tier
Full kits: Loadouts Tier List.
Related pages
- Beginner Squad Tips — Habits before roles
- Squad Tips Hub — Cooperation overview
- Tier List Hub — Gear rankings
- Getting Started — Controls foundation
Assign roles once, extract twice, then tweak loadouts — not the other way around. The Live War Map rewards squads that move like units, not mercenary clusters.
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to the most common questions.
Are squad roles official classes?
No. They are informal community labels for cooperation. The game does not lock you into classes.
Which role is best for new players?
Rear or Anchor with a stable rifle — lower mechanical pressure while you learn gas and extract timing.
Can one player swap roles mid-match?
Yes. Swap when ammo, casualties, or map geometry changes — especially after Big Bertha crater opens.
Do roles matter in public squads?
Even loose role habits help. Calling extract and watching rear gas improves public extract rates.
What loadout goes with Breach?
Shotgun or SMG primary, pistol sidearm, fast or block melee — see Breach Cleaner in Loadouts Tier List.
How do roles interact with the Live War Map?
Coordinated extracts push the shared front. Roles reduce wipes, increasing consistent map progress.