DesertStorm Your First Raid

Your first raid in DesertStorm [EXTRACTION] sets the tone for every future stash. Deploy too heavy and you panic; deploy blind and you donate kit. This walkthrough takes you from menu to successful first extract with minimal risk — the goal is confidence and a fuller stash, not highlight kills. Read how to play first if menus still feel unfamiliar.

Step 1: Learn controls (five minutes)

Before queueing, open controls and test in a safe area:

• Tab or Caps Lock — inventory and loot transfer
• M — main menu and raid queue
• K — squad invite or leave solo
• J — tasks (accept one simple fetch if available)

Muscle memory under stress saves first raids. You should open inventory without looking at keyboard.

Step 2: Build a budget loadout

Copy a cheap kit from budget starter builds. First raid requirements:

• One reliable weapon with two mags minimum
• Basic meds — bandages or equivalent
• Light armor if affordable; skip if broke
• No irreplaceable task items unless required

Check weapons tier list for starter-tier recommendations. Avoid experimental guns on raid one.

Redeem any active codes for starter rubles or consumables before buying gear.

Step 3: Pick a low-risk map area

Open the map guide and choose an outer spawn path toward an always-available extract. First raid rules:

• Avoid central hotspots and boss POIs from boss fights
• Plan primary extract plus one backup from how to extract
• Set mental time limit — leave early if loot is modest

Step 4: Spawn and immediate movement

On spawn, move away from other players within ten seconds. Sprint briefly to break line of sight, then crouch-walk. Listen for footsteps and distant gunfire — both mean reroute.

Do not shoot AI unless necessary. Gunfire advertises position. If you must fight, finish fast and reposition.

Step 5: First loot priorities

Loot containers along your extract path, not across the map. Value order for beginners:

1. Meds and ammo you will use this raid
2. Small high-value items that fit tight slots
3. Quest items for your active J task
4. Everything else — skip if it slows rotation

Press Tab or Caps Lock often to keep rig organized. Dump junk early so boss-tier pickups fit later — though first raid should avoid boss zones entirely.

Step 6: First contact discipline

If you see a player:

• Hide first — bush, corner, or vertical break
• Identify numbers — one versus squad changes everything
• Disengage default — first raid success is extract, not duel

Read PvP survival after your first extract when you are ready to fight back.

Step 7: Reach extract early

Arrive at extract with time to spare. Begin channel from cover with angles cleared. Do not chase last-second loot near timer anxiety.

Hold channel unless fire is lethal. Leaving zone resets progress — a common first-raid failure covered in how to extract.

Celebrate only after extract confirmation. Until then, assume a camper watches.

Step 8: Post-raid stash routine

Back in menu (M):

1. Sell vendor trash; keep upgrade pieces
2. Rebuy ammo to preset count
3. Repair or replace damaged armor
4. Accept or progress one trader task — see traders and tasks
5. Rebuild same budget kit for raid two

Repeat until two consecutive extracts land. Then gradually push inward on the map for better loot using make money routes.

Use the raid checklist

Before every follow-up deploy, open raid checklist and use the on-page checklist tool to verify ammo, meds, extracts, and task items. First raid teaches basics; checklist prevents regression on raid ten.

Video walkthrough

Community overview showing HQ stash, extract HUD, and first-raid pacing:

Common first-raid mistakes

Mistake	Fix
Over-gearing	Stay on budget builds until extracts are routine
Looting too long	Path loot along extract, not away from it
Fighting every player	Disengage — extract is the win
One extract only	Always plan backup extract
Ignoring tasks	One simple task adds direction and rep

After your first success

You are not done learning — you are done panicking. Next reads:

• How to extract for contested zones
• Make money for efficient routes
• Alpha wipes so progress loss does not surprise you

First raid is proof you can beat the desert. Everything after is optimization.