IRON NEST Beginner Guide — Your First Shots
IRON NEST is a heavy-artillery simulator, not a shooter. You do not aim with a crosshair — you read orders, measure a map, and calculate a firing solution. The game is solved in this order: read, locate, calculate, prepare, fire, and confirm.
The Firing Loop
Start with Calibration Fire
Read Every Page
A later paragraph can change the whole mission. Counter-Battery explains what triggers the CBT. Rock of Gibraltar says do not fire before 11:08. High Tide defines holding until 07:14. Read the whole order before touching the gun.
FAQ
Do I aim like an FPS?
No. You read a teleprinter order, find the target on the map, and calculate a bearing, range, and charge count. The turret does what the firing card says.
What is the single most important rule?
Separate finding the target from firing at it. If you have two believable target positions, solve the location problem before buying an expensive shell.
Which mission should I start with?
Mission 1, Calibration Fire. It strips away moving targets and timers so you can learn the basic Iron Nest → target → bearing → fire loop.