CQB Hell Guide: Getting started
About
OverviewCQB Hell is a close-quarters battle game by FREEDOM TO KILLART STUDIOS where every run plays out on a randomly generated map against aggressive enemy AI. You push through stages, take down bosses, and use whatever weapons, grenades, and medkits you find along the way. This guide covers how to get started, how the boss progression works, and the special kills worth going for.
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Contents
Getting started
StepCQB Hell drops you into a roguelite structure, meaning the map is randomly generated each time and you adapt as you go. The environment punishes reckless play, so take a moment to grab weapons, grenades, and medkits before pushing forward. Beating the game from start to finish unlocks the Escaped! badge.
- Load in just entering the game for the first time earns you the Welcome to Hell badge.
- Check the mode select the game offers different modes, so pick one before your first run.
- Grab supplies weapons, grenades, and medkits are available in the sandbox; take what you need before engaging.
- Target Alik first the Starter Boss is your opening objective and the natural first test of the game's combat.
- Stay aware of the map because it generates randomly, you will not know the layout in advance, so keep moving carefully.
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Boss order and what each one guards
TableWork through the stages in sequence. Note that the Sawmill Boss badge is currently disabled, so Sequoia cannot be defeated at this time.
| Boss name | Stage | Badge earned | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alik | Starter | Kill Allik | Active |
| Patsyuk | Sewer | Kill Patsyuk | Active |
| Gunk | Kill House | Kill Gunk | Active |
| Sequoia | Sawmill | Kill Sequoia | Disabled |
| Smiley | Laboratory | Kill Smiley | Active |
| Melnik | Metro | Kill Melnik | Active |
| Kevin | Silo | Kill Kevin | Active |
| Armata | Trench | Kill Armata | Active |
| Viper | Observatory | Kill Viper | Active |
| Ascalon | Cargo Ship | Kill Ascalon | Active |
| Mi-28 | Office | Kill Mi-28 | Active |
Special kills worth going for
TipsThree unconventional kill methods reward you with badges and open up new ways to approach each fight. Keep them in mind during normal runs so you pick up the badges without grinding separately.
- Shoot through a wall to hit an enemy and you earn the Just what Alik intended. badge.
- Bounce a bullet off a surface to score a kill and the Boing! badge is yours.
- Hit someone with the backblast of a rear-venting weapon and you unlock Back Blast is NOT Clear.
- Find and use the AKM Recoil Spring to earn its dedicated badge — the description calls it better than bread.
The lobby safe zone and the Murderer badge
WarnThe lobby has a designated safe zone, and pulling off a kill inside it unlocks the Murderer badge. The badge description even asks how you managed it, which signals it is an intentional secret achievement.
Group benefits and developer meetings
SummaryTwo sources of bonus progress sit outside the normal run loop. The group boost applies passively once you join, and developer encounters happen in live sessions.
- Group XP boost joining gives you a 10% increase to XP and Points earned.
- Group marketplace perk you receive one extra Marketplace Slot.
- Met Killart_Groupholder badge earned by being in a live session with the lead developer.
- Met Uangker badge earned by being in a live session with that developer.
Platform support and epilepsy warning
CheckBefore you start, confirm your setup and take the visual effects warning seriously. The game contains frequent muzzle flashes and intense lighting that can trigger seizures in susceptible players.
- Confirm your platform is supported PC, Xbox, and mobile all work with the game.
- Read the epilepsy warning flashing lights and muzzle flashes occur throughout every run.
- If you or someone nearby has photosensitive epilepsy, decide carefully before playing.
- Exploits, EMR, and inappropriate clothing result in an immediate ban with no appeal.
Glossary
Glossary- Roguelite
- A design style where the map changes each run and dying sends you back to the start.
- CQB
- Close Quarters Battle — combat in tight, confined spaces at short range.
- Wallbang
- Firing a bullet through a wall so it hits an enemy on the other side.
- Ricochet
- Bouncing a bullet off a surface so it curves into a target.
- Backblast
- The rearward explosion or force produced by certain weapons, capable of killing enemies behind the shooter.
- Sandbox
- The pool of weapons, grenades, and medkits available to pick up freely during a run.
Common questions
FAQCan I still get the Kill Sequoia badge?
No. That badge is currently disabled, and the Sawmill Boss cannot be defeated right now. Skip Sequoia and focus on the other ten bosses.
What happens when I finish the game?
Completing the full run unlocks the Escaped! badge. The game frames it as a question — beaten the game? — which hints that reaching the end is not easy.
Do developer encounters happen automatically?
Yes. If the lead developer Killart_Groupholder or developer Uangker joins the same live session you are in, you receive their badge just by being there. You do not need to do anything specific.
Is the Murderer badge obtained by breaking the rules?
No. Killing someone inside the lobby safe zone is a hidden achievement the developers intentionally included. It is distinct from the actions — exploiting, EMR, inappropriate clothing — that result in an immediate ban.
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