To build a mortar in WARDOGS, you need the Large Hammer, which unlocks at Support level 8 ($75,000 to unlock, then $2,400 per purchase in Season 1), plus a Forward Operating Base to build inside and supplies to build with. Once it is up, you aim it with WASD for heading and range and the mouse for fine adjustment, and feed it with ammo supplies delivered to the FOB.
BULKHEAD’s official posts confirm the hammer prices and unlock level; the building steps and controls below come from outlet coverage (PCGamesN, GameRant and Sportskeeda) and player reports, and we note where they are unconfirmed.
What You Need
- Support level 8 to unlock the Large Hammer. The official Season 1 changelog moved it from level 7 to 8 and set the unlock at $75,000 and the vendor price at $2,400. Our progression guide covers leveling Support.
- A FOB ($7,500 at the vendor). Mortars are a FOB buildable; our FOB guide walks through placing one.
- Build Supplies to construct it and Ammo Supplies to fire it. Outlets report ammo supplies need to be inside the FOB’s radius to reload built weapons.
How to Build a Mortar
- Place your FOB near, but not inside, the fight. The mortar needs range to the Control Zone, not a front-row seat.
- Equip the Large Hammer and open the build menu.
- Select the mortar, place it inside the FOB radius, and hold left mouse to build it. Hitting the yellow X markers speeds construction up, per multiple outlets.
- Stock ammo. PCGamesN reports mortar ammo is bought at your spawn base and carried in, or flown in by pilots. A helicopter supply run is the fastest resupply; see our helicopter guide.
How to Aim
Outlets and players agree on the basic controls:
- WASD adjusts the mortar’s heading and range.
- The mouse fine-tunes your aim.
- A compass at the top of the screen shows your bearing.
- A shell camera follows each round, so you can watch the impact and correct.
PCGamesN notes there is no map overlay while you are on the mortar, so you need to work out bearing and distance before you sit down.
Ranging Targets: The Method Players Use
GameRant describes the most detailed method we have seen, which players on the Steam forums also use:
- Ping the target (middle mouse by default) so it shows on the map.
- Read map coordinates for your mortar and the target. GameRant reports each map grid unit is 100 m.
- Work out the distance from the two coordinates, then set that range and the compass bearing on the mortar.
- Use spotted targets. GameRant reports that hovering over a target a teammate has spotted shows its exact distance, which is far quicker. A Recon teammate with binoculars makes a mortar far more effective.
Community-made mortar calculators exist for this; they are fan tools, not official, so sanity-check the first shell with the shell camera.
Maximum range is not official. Early reports put it at roughly 700 m, so for anything further you need to move your FOB or bring bigger guns: the Artillery Tank unlocks at Career level 90 for $500,000, per the official changelog.
Tips
- Pair with a spotter. Spotting pays cash for Recon, and spotted targets are easier to range.
- Hit the Hot Zone. Shelling the enemy stack in the Hot Zone swings both points and cash. Captured tower codes and drills can pull it to a spot you have already ranged; our tower guide explains how.
- Guard the FOB. A mortar crew is focused on the sight, so build walls first.
Frequently Asked Questions
What level do you need to build a mortar in WARDOGS? Support level 8, to unlock the Large Hammer that builds mortars.
How much does a mortar cost? BULKHEAD has not published a per-mortar cost. You pay for the Large Hammer, the FOB and the supplies used to build and fire it.
What is the mortar’s max range? There is no official figure. Early reports suggest roughly 700 m.
Can you use a mortar with a controller? Controller support is partial on PC; our controller guide covers what works.
Do mortars carry over to next season? Unlocks reset each season and the unlock order can change, per BULKHEAD, so you may need to reach the Large Hammer again. Our season reset guide covers what carries over, and the WARDOGS guides hub lists every guide.