Xarkanoth at 17:03, 7 July 2026

2026-07-07T17:03:36Z

Maintenance script at 01:22, 9 February 2026

2026-02-09T01:22:23Z

New page

<div class="hf-relpage">
{{Release_page_header|title=Auxiliary}}
<div class="hf-relpage-body">
{{Release_TOC|content=
<div class="hf-toc-category">On this page</div>
<div>[[#overview|Overview]]</div>
<div>[[#musicians|Musicians]]</div>
<div>[[#surgeon|Surgeon]]</div>
<div>[[#sapper|Sapper / Engineer]]</div>
<div>[[#controls|Console & PC Controls]]</div>
<div>[[#era-roles|Era Modes & Auxiliary Roles]]</div>
}}
<div class="hf-relpage-content">

{{Release_section
|id=overview
|title=Auxiliary Class
|content=
The '''Auxiliary''' is a collective term for several support classes in Holdfast: Nations At War, providing critical buffs, healing, and utility to the main fighting line. Auxiliary classes are essential for maintaining morale and endurance on the battlefield, especially in line battles where every soldier counts.
}}

{{Release_section
|id=musicians
|title=Musicians (Fifer, Drummer, Bagpiper, Violinist)
|content=
Musicians primarily serve to boost the combat effectiveness of nearby friendly troops.

{{{!}} class="wikitable"
! Class !! Faction Availability !! Special Notes !! Role / Buff
{{!}}-
{{!}} '''Fifer''' {{!}}{{!}} All Nations (Land) {{!}}{{!}} Can crouch while playing. {{!}}{{!}} Provides an accuracy/reload speed boost to nearby allies.
{{!}}-
{{!}} '''Drummer''' {{!}}{{!}} All Nations (Land) {{!}}{{!}} Works with Fifers to increase the total boost. {{!}}{{!}} Provides an accuracy/reload speed boost to nearby allies.
{{!}}-
{{!}} '''Bagpiper''' {{!}}{{!}} British only (Land) {{!}}{{!}} Boost does not stack above the maximum 12% bonus. {{!}}{{!}} Provides an accuracy/reload speed boost to nearby allies.
{{!}}-
{{!}} '''Violinist''' {{!}}{{!}} British & French (Naval) {{!}}{{!}} Naval-only class. Has the 'Light Swimmer' trait, increasing swim speed by 35%. {{!}}{{!}} Provides an accuracy/reload speed boost to nearby allies.
{{!}}}

'''Key Mechanics:'''
* '''Musician Buff:''' While playing, a musician grants an increased reload speed and accuracy boost to allies within range. The visual indicator for a buffed player is a '''purple outline''' around their team/regimental circle. The maximum boost is around '''12%''' when multiple musicians are playing the same tune in unison.
* '''Equipment:''' All Musicians are equipped with a '''Pistol''', a '''Sword''', and their respective '''Instrument'''.
}}

{{Release_section
|id=surgeon
|title=Surgeon
|content=
The Surgeon is the dedicated medical class, responsible for preserving "tickets" (reinforcements) by healing injured soldiers.

{{{!}} class="wikitable"
! Class !! Faction Availability !! Abilities !! Equipment
{{!}}-
{{!}} '''Surgeon''' {{!}}{{!}} All Nations (Land) {{!}}{{!}} Medicine (Heal Friendly), Bandage (Self-Heal) {{!}}{{!}} Pistol and Sword
{{!}}}

'''Key Mechanics:'''
* '''Healing Friendlies (Medicine):''' Surgeons can view the health bars of nearby friendly troops. To heal an injured ally, face them and perform the 'Medicine' action. This is the primary way to save injured allies and prevent a loss of a reinforcement ticket.
* '''Self-Healing (Bandage):''' A Surgeon can heal themselves, with a typical cooldown of around '''one minute'''.
* '''Tactics:''' Since musket fire often results in one-hit kills, a Surgeon is most effective during long-range engagements where injuries are more common, or after a large close-quarters engagement to quickly stabilise the remaining troops.
}}

{{Release_section
|id=sapper
|title=Sapper / Engineer
|content=
While often categorised separately, the Sapper or Engineer class provides essential Auxiliary support by constructing and demolishing battlefield fortifications.

* '''Role:''' Build and repair fortifications (gabions, earthworks, palisades) to create defensive positions or block enemy movement. They can also destroy enemy fortifications using their sledgehammer.
* See the [[Defences]] page for full details on building, deconstructing, and repairing.
}}

{{Release_section
|id=controls
|title=Console & PC Controls
|content=
The console version utilises Radial Menus to access class-specific abilities. While the exact button mapping may be customised, the primary inputs are as follows:

{{{!}} class="wikitable"
! Action !! PS5 Controller !! Xbox Controller !! PC
{{!}}-
{{!}} '''Movement''' {{!}}{{!}} Left Stick {{!}}{{!}} Left Stick {{!}}{{!}} WASD
{{!}}-
{{!}} '''Look / Aim''' {{!}}{{!}} Right Stick {{!}}{{!}} Right Stick {{!}}{{!}} Mouse
{{!}}-
{{!}} '''Fire''' {{!}}{{!}} R2 {{!}}{{!}} RT {{!}}{{!}} Left Click
{{!}}-
{{!}} '''Melee (Attack)''' {{!}}{{!}} R2 {{!}}{{!}} RT {{!}}{{!}} Left Click
{{!}}-
{{!}} '''Block / Aim Down Sights''' {{!}}{{!}} L2 {{!}}{{!}} LT {{!}}{{!}} Right Click
{{!}}-
{{!}} '''Reload''' {{!}}{{!}} Square {{!}}{{!}} X {{!}}{{!}} R
{{!}}-
{{!}} '''Melee Mode Toggle''' {{!}}{{!}} Circle {{!}}{{!}} B {{!}}{{!}} X
{{!}}-
{{!}} '''Jump''' {{!}}{{!}} Cross {{!}}{{!}} A {{!}}{{!}} Space
{{!}}-
{{!}} '''Use / Interact''' {{!}}{{!}} Hold assigned button {{!}}{{!}} Hold assigned button {{!}}{{!}} E
{{!}}-
{{!}} '''Primary Ability Menu''' {{!}}{{!}} D-Pad Up {{!}}{{!}} D-Pad Up {{!}}{{!}} Q
{{!}}-
{{!}} '''Musician — Play Song''' {{!}}{{!}} Radial Menu, then select song {{!}}{{!}} Radial Menu, then select song {{!}}{{!}} Q (opens menu), then Left Click
{{!}}-
{{!}} '''Surgeon — Heal Friendly''' {{!}}{{!}} Hold assigned button while facing ally {{!}}{{!}} Hold assigned button while facing ally {{!}}{{!}} Hold E
{{!}}-
{{!}} '''Surgeon — Self-Heal''' {{!}}{{!}} Hold assigned button {{!}}{{!}} Hold assigned button {{!}}{{!}} Hold Q
{{!}}}

'''Note:''' Class abilities like playing music or self-healing are typically accessed by holding or tapping a button to bring up a '''Radial Menu''', where you can select the specific ability.
}}

{{Release_section
|id=era-roles
|title=Era Modes & Auxiliary Roles
|content=
The role of the Auxiliary classes shifts dramatically between the two major eras in Holdfast.

'''Napoleonic Era (Nations At War)'''
* '''Setting:''' Early 19th Century warfare, focusing on line battles, formations, and disciplined fire.
* '''Musicians''' are arguably the most crucial auxiliary class here, as the accuracy and reload speed buffs are vital for winning prolonged musket engagements and minimising the impact of long reload times.
* '''Surgeons''' are critical for preserving the limited reinforcement count (tickets) during the slow, deliberate pace of line battles.

'''Frontlines Era (World War I)'''
* '''Setting:''' Early 20th Century warfare, featuring trench warfare, bolt-action rifles, machine guns, and artillery.
* The Napoleonic Musician and Surgeon are replaced by the more modern '''Combat Medic''' and '''Engineer''' classes, designed to address the needs of WWI battlefields.
* '''Combat Medics''' carry rifles and smoke grenades to provide cover while attempting to revive or heal soldiers under fire.
* '''Engineers''' focus on building and using heavy weapons like machine guns and mortars, alongside constructing fortifications and trenches.
}}

</div>
</div>
</div>

Auxiliary - Revision history

Xarkanoth at 17:03, 7 July 2026

Maintenance script at 01:22, 9 February 2026