Ready or Not Multiplayer Guide (March 2026) Squad Setup
Ready or Not multiplayer transforms the intense tactical shooter experience into a coordinated team operation where up to 5 players work together as an elite SWAT unit in the crime-ridden streets of Los Sueños. To play Ready or Not multiplayer, select “Multiplayer” from the main menu, enable crossplay when prompted, then choose between hosting a public/private game or joining an existing lobby. The multiplayer experience requires flawless communication, strategic loadout coordination, and disciplined tactics to successfully complete missions ranging from hostage rescues to high-risk raids.
| Multiplayer Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Max Players | 5 players per lobby |
| Crossplay Support | PC (Steam/Epic), PS5, Xbox Series X/S |
| Game Modes | Host Public, Host Friends Only, Find Public Game |
| Account Linking Required | Yes, through Epic Games account |
| Voice Chat | Built-in team communication |
Ready or Not Multiplayer Guide
Getting Started with Multiplayer
The multiplayer component of Ready or Not elevates the tactical experience beyond what’s possible with AI teammates. When I first jumped into multiplayer after spending hours in single-player, the difference was immediately apparent – human teammates bring unpredictability, creativity, and most importantly, reliable communication that transforms every mission.
To access multiplayer, you’ll need to navigate to the main menu and select the “Multiplayer” option. The game will immediately ask if you want to enable crossplay – I highly recommend selecting “Yes” to expand your potential player pool across all platforms. This decision can be changed later in the settings if needed.
How to Enable Crossplay in Ready or Not?
Crossplay functionality is essential for playing with friends across different platforms. Here’s my step-by-step process for setting it up:
- From the Main Menu, select Options
- Navigate to Gameplay Options and scroll to the bottom
- Find the Multiplayer section and locate “Account Linking”
- Click “Link Epic Account” – this connects your game to Epic’s crossplay infrastructure
- Follow the on-screen prompts to create or link your Epic Games account
- Enable the Crossplay toggle in the same menu section
This process takes about 2-3 minutes and only needs to be done once. After linking, you’ll have access to the full crossplay ecosystem, allowing seamless play between Steam, Epic Games Store, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S players.
How to Host a Multiplayer Game in Ready or Not?
Hosting gives you complete control over mission selection and lobby management. I’ve found three distinct hosting options, each serving different purposes:
Host Public Game:
- Select “Multiplayer” → “Host Public Game”
- Choose your difficulty (Casual, Standard, or Hard)
- Enter the LSPD precinct lobby
- Your game appears in the public server list
- Random players can join without invitation
- Use ESC → Lobby Manager to kick disruptive players
Host Friends Only:
- Select “Multiplayer” → “Host Friends Only”
- Enter the precinct with privacy enabled
- Press ESC → Lobby Manager → Invite Friends
- Send invites through platform overlay (Steam, Epic, etc.)
- Only invited players and friends can join
- Perfect for coordinated squad play
Mission Selection Process:
- Walk to the briefing room (right side of main lobby)
- Approach the mission table near the bulletin board
- Press F to open mission selection
- Choose from all 26 available missions
- All players must press Y to ready up
- 10-second countdown begins once everyone’s ready
How to Join a Multiplayer Game in Ready or Not?
Joining games offers two primary methods:
Find Public Game:
- Quickest way to jump into action
- Select difficulty preference
- Automatically matches you with open lobbies
- No control over mission selection
- Great for quick sessions or meeting new players
Join Friends Directly:
- Open platform overlay (Shift+Tab on Steam)
- Find online friends playing Ready or Not
- Click the arrow next to their name
- Select “Join Game”
- Loads directly into their lobby
Essential Multiplayer Tips and Tactics
After logging hundreds of hours in multiplayer, I’ve learned that success depends on more than just good aim. Here are my battle-tested tips for dominating Los Sueños:
Communication is Non-Negotiable
The difference between a successful breach and a squad wipe often comes down to communication. I always ensure my team calls out:
- Suspect positions (“Two tangos, left corner”)
- Trap locations (“Tripwire on door”)
- Civilian status (“Civ secured, moving up”)
- Ammunition status (“Reloading, cover me”)
- Room clear confirmations (“Blue room clear”)
Coordinate Your Loadouts
My most successful squads always diversify equipment. Here’s my recommended distribution:
- Pointman: Ballistic shield + Five-Seven pistol
- Breacher: Battering ram + M1014 shotgun
- Support: GA416 rifle + extra flashbangs
- Rear Guard: MP5/10mm + door wedges
- Flex: SR-16 + Mirrorgun
This setup ensures you have tools for every situation without redundancy.
Master the Stack and Clear
The fatal funnel (doorway) is where most casualties occur. My proven breach sequence:
- Check: Mirrorgun under the door
- Stack: Team forms up on both sides
- Bang: Toss flashbang if hostiles detected
- Breach: Dynamic entry or quiet peek
- Clear: Slice the pie, cover all angles
- Hold: Secure the room, check corners
Utilize Non-Lethal for S-Rank
Achieving S-Rank requires zero casualties and all suspects arrested. My non-lethal loadout includes:
- Primary: Pepperball gun (VKS) or Beanbag Shotgun
- Secondary: Taser
- Grenades: CS Gas (requires gas masks)
- Equipment: Zip ties, door wedges
Remember: the beanbag shotgun is lethal on headshots, so aim center mass!
Advanced Multiplayer Strategies
The Two-Team Split
For larger maps, I divide my 5-person squad into:
- Red Team (3 operators): Primary assault element
- Blue Team (2 operators): Rear security and support
This prevents flanking and allows simultaneous room clearing.
Morale Shock Tactics
Hard breaching with C2 or battering rams causes “morale shock” – suspects are more likely to surrender immediately. I use this on rooms with multiple hostiles to minimize firefights.
The Mirror Dance
When facing a door with unknown threats:
- Player 1 uses Mirrorgun
- Player 2 prepares flashbang
- Player 3-4 stack for entry
- Player 5 watches rear
This coordinated approach has saved my squad countless times.
Squad Roles and Responsibilities
The Pointman
- First through every door
- Carries ballistic shield for team protection
- Makes split-second shoot/don’t shoot decisions
- Requires nerves of steel and quick reflexes
The Breacher
- Manages all entry tools (ram, C2, shotgun)
- Decides entry method based on door type
- Secondary responsibility: trap detection
- Must understand door mechanics perfectly
The Support Gunner
- Provides covering fire during breaches
- Carries extra tactical grenades
- Handles long-range engagements
- Often designated marksman for open areas
The Rear Guard
- Prevents flanking attacks
- Places door wedges on cleared rooms
- Manages team’s six o’clock
- Usually carries mission-specific equipment
Multiplayer Mods and Enhancements
While the base game supports 5 players, the modding community has created solutions for larger groups:
AI Teammates in Multiplayer
Want to fill empty slots with AI? Here’s how:
- Download the AI multiplayer mod from NexusMods
- Install both required .pak files to your Paks folder
- Only the host needs the mod installed
- AI teammates follow host commands
- Bots use single-player loadouts
Increased Player Count
Some mods allow up to 16 players:
- Requires all players to have the mod
- Best paired with larger custom maps
- Can impact game performance
- Changes tactical dynamics significantly
Platform-Specific Considerations
PC (Steam/Epic)
- Best performance and mod support
- Full graphics options
- Keyboard/mouse precision
- Largest player base
PlayStation 5
- Adaptive trigger support
- Stable 60 FPS
- Quick loading times
- Voice chat through PS party
Xbox Series X/S
- Game Pass availability
- Smart Delivery support
- Quick Resume feature
- Xbox party integration
Common Multiplayer Issues and Solutions
Connection Problems:
- Verify game files
- Check firewall settings
- Ensure crossplay is properly enabled
- Restart game and platform
Voice Chat Not Working:
- Check in-game audio settings
- Verify microphone permissions
- Test platform voice settings
- Consider Discord as backup
Lobby Crashes:
- Host should have stable internet
- Limit lobby to same region
- Reduce graphics settings
- Verify all players updated
Best Maps for Multiplayer
Based on community feedback and my experience, these maps offer the best multiplayer experiences:
- Port Hokan – Multiple entry points, vertical gameplay
- Neon Nightclub – Tight quarters, coordination essential
- Valley of the Dolls – Large layout, requires team splitting
- Elephant – Time pressure creates intensity
- Hide and Seek – Complex layout tests communication
Multiplayer Equipment Priority
When building your loadout, prioritize in this order:
- Primary Weapon – Match to mission type
- Tactical Equipment – Mirrorgun is essential
- Grenades – Flashbangs save lives
- Armor Type – Balance protection/speed
- Secondary Weapon – Backup for emergencies
- Extra Equipment – Door wedges, C2
Communication Callouts
Standardize your team’s callouts for efficiency:
- “Stack up” – Form up for breach
- “Tango down” – Hostile eliminated
- “Civilian secured” – Non-combatant safe
- “Blue/Red clear” – Team sector cleared
- “Contact front/left/right” – Enemy location
- “Trap spotted” – Explosive device found
- “Moving” – Advancing position
Frequently Asked Questions
How many players can play Ready or Not multiplayer?
Ready or Not supports up to 5 players in standard multiplayer lobbies. While mods exist to increase this limit up to 16 players, the game is specifically balanced for 5-person SWAT teams.
Is Ready or Not crossplay between PC and console?
Yes! Ready or Not features full crossplay support between PC (Steam and Epic Games Store), PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S. You must link an Epic Games account to enable crossplay functionality.
Can you play Ready or Not multiplayer with bots?
In the base game, multiplayer lobbies cannot include AI teammates. However, popular mods available on NexusMods allow hosts to add up to 4 AI bots to fill empty slots in multiplayer sessions.
Do all players need the same DLC to play together?
No, only the host needs to own DLC maps. Players without DLC can join and play Home Invasion or Dark Waters missions if the host selects them.
What’s the best weapon for multiplayer?
The GA416 assault rifle offers the best versatility for most situations. For close quarters, the MP5/10mm excels, while the beanbag shotgun is essential for non-lethal S-Rank runs.
How do I improve multiplayer performance?
Lower shadow quality and disable motion blur for better FPS. Ensure stable internet (minimum 10 Mbps upload for hosting), close background applications, and consider using Ethernet over Wi-Fi.
Can you pause in multiplayer?
No, multiplayer missions cannot be paused. Make sure all squad members are ready before starting, as missions continue even if players disconnect.
What happens if the host disconnects?
Unfortunately, if the host disconnects, the entire session ends. There’s no host migration system, so choose hosts with stable internet connections.
Are there multiplayer-only achievements?
No, all achievements can be earned in both single-player and multiplayer modes. However, some are significantly easier with human teammates.
How do I find good teammates?
Join the official Ready or Not Discord server (over 250,000 members), browse Reddit’s r/ReadyorNotGame, or use the in-game public lobbies to meet like-minded tactical players.
Conclusion
Mastering Ready or Not’s multiplayer transforms an already intense tactical experience into something truly special. Whether you’re coordinating a perfect breach with friends or meeting new squadmates in public lobbies, the emphasis on communication, teamwork, and tactical decision-making creates memorable moments you won’t find in other shooters.
Remember: success in Los Sueños isn’t measured by your K/D ratio – it’s about bringing order to chaos while protecting innocent lives. Take your time, communicate constantly, and always watch your squadmates’ backs.
Now gear up, link your accounts for crossplay, and get ready to serve and protect the streets of Los Sueños. Your squad is waiting, Commander.
For more Ready or Not guides, check out our complete mission walkthroughs and weapon tier lists.