Iron Nest Wiki

Iron Nest Wiki

Complete guide hub for the dieselpunk heavy-artillery simulator by Nick Nieuwoudt & Dominik Latos.

Out now — August 6, 2026 — Steam (PC)

IRON NEST on SteamStart with Beginner Guide →

Start Here

Beginner

Beginner Guide: How to Play

New to the Iron Nest? Learn the core loop — read orders, plot targets, calculate ballistics, load shells, aim and fire — plus every station inside the turret.

Updated: 2026-08-06

Map

Tactical Map & Measurements Guide

The complete guide to the 20×10 tactical map: the grid and sub-grid system, map tokens, colored pencils, the drafting compass and how to read spotter reports.

Updated: 2026-08-06

Targeting

How to Find Targets — Spotting & Triangulation

Pinpoint enemy positions from bearings, distances and vague intel: two-bearing triangulation, compass intersections and dead reckoning for blind fire.

Updated: 2026-08-06

Ballistics

Ballistic Calculator Guide

Every input on the ballistic calculator explained: distance, bearing, shell type, powder charges, target classification — and how to read the firing card.

Updated: 2026-08-06

Reference

All Shell Types — Full Ammo List

Every shell in the game: HE, HCHE, AP, S.T.A.R. illumination, smoke, phosgene and tear gas — with blast radii, costs and best use for each.

Updated: 2026-08-06

Progression

Requisition & Best Upgrade Path

How requisition credits work and the recommended upgrade order — build a machine you can trust before one that hits harder.

Updated: 2026-08-06

View All Guides →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is IRON NEST: Heavy Turret Simulator?
IRON NEST is a first-person dieselpunk heavy-artillery simulator. You operate a 5,000-ton walking turret alone: decoding orders from teleprinters, plotting targets on a tactical map, calculating ballistics, manually loading shells and firing into an alternate-history Spanish civil war in the late 1920s. It launched on Steam on August 6, 2026.
Do I need to know math to play?
No. The game does the hard math for you — the ballistic calculator converts range into elevation and powder charges, and the map tools display bearing and distance while you draw. The challenge is staying organized, not arithmetic.
Can I unload a shell after loading it?
No. Once a shell and its powder charges are rammed into the gun, they cannot be unloaded. Load the wrong ammo and you must either adjust your firing solution around it or fire it off. Always double-check before you ram.
How do I know if I hit the target?
You cannot see the explosion from inside the turret. Confirmation comes from radio feedback, red skull tokens appearing on your map for confirmed kills, and updated mission objectives. A blue skull means you hit a friendly unit.
How many shell types are there?
The game features 30 unlockable ammo types and abilities. At launch the confirmed shells are HE, high-capacity HE, armor-piercing, S.T.A.R. illumination, smoke, phosgene gas and tear gas.
Is there multiplayer?
No. IRON NEST is a strictly single-player experience — it is just you, the machine, and High Command. The challenge modes are solo runs for leaderboard scores.
How long is the game?
The full campaign features 15 regions with a handcrafted story and newspaper reports, while objectives are procedurally generated for endless replayability. A full-clear playtime has not been confirmed yet.
Is there a free demo?
Yes. The IRON NEST demo is available on Steam and received an Overwhelmingly Positive rating — it was one of the most-played demos of its Steam Next Fest.