What the Merge changed
On 4 December 2023, the "Meet the new Enlisted" update — the Merge — replaced the old system of separate per-campaign progression with unified per-nation research trees. Progress that used to be siloed by campaign is now combined into one branching tree per nation, so what you earn carries across the fronts that nation fights on.
The two currencies
Silver is the main currency, earned in battle and spent to research and buy weapons, vehicles and equipment. Gold is the premium currency, bought with real money and used for premium squads, vehicles and convenience. You never need Gold to progress — it speeds things up.
Research trees
Each nation's tree branches across weapon classes, vehicles and a separate soldier branch, and you choose what to prioritise. Unlock what suits the front and Battle Rating you play, rather than trying to research everything at once.
Battle Rating
Every piece of equipment contributes to your loadout's Battle Rating (BR), and matchmaking uses it to pair you against similarly-equipped opponents — it also decides which maps you get. Keeping your BR consistent avoids being dragged into fights against much stronger late-war gear before you're ready.
Managing the grind
The healthiest approach is to pick one nation and front, build a strong loadout at a BR you enjoy, and progress steadily. Premium squads and the Battle Pass can accelerate things, but a focused free player does fine.