If your SPH-2 artillery tank won't drive after firing, it's almost certainly still stabilised — artillery deploys stabilisers to fire accurately, and the throttle does nothing until you unstabilise it (vehicle menu → Unstabilise). If WASD is dead even on foot after using it, that's an Early Access input-lock: press Esc, toggle the map (M) and scoreboard (Tab), or hop back in and unstabilise before exiting. Nothing's wrong with your PC.
The main cause: it's stabilised
The SPH-2 (and the buildable mortar) use a stabiliser — outriggers that plant the vehicle so shells land accurately. While it's Stabilised, the drive controls are locked; touching the throttle just starts retracting the stabilisers, and it won't roll until the readout says Unstabilised.
To unstabilise:
- Be in the driver's seat.
- Press F to open the vehicle menu.
- Select Unstabilise (hold F until the status changes).
- Wait for it to read Unstabilised — now WASD drives it again.
Get into the habit of unstabilising before you leave, not after. If counter-battery fire is already landing, you don't want to be sat waiting for the stabilisers to retract.
If WASD is dead even on foot
Leaving the vehicle while it's stabilised or mid-menu can leave your input stuck — an Early Access glitch where the game hasn't handed control back to your soldier. Try these in order; each is quick:
- Press Esc once or twice to close any menu or overlay that's still open in the background.
- Tap the map key (M), then the scoreboard (Tab) — opening and closing a full-screen panel often re-captures input and hands movement back.
- Re-enter the vehicle (E), unstabilise, then exit — the clean way to release the state you got stuck in.
- Check for a stuck key — tap Left Alt (free-look), Shift and Ctrl once each in case one latched during the menu.
- Alt-Tab out and back in — if the window lost focus mid-action, this can restore keyboard input.
- Last resort: redeploy (die or use the deploy screen). Cash is persistent, so you keep your bank — you only lose the loadout you were carrying.
Report it so it gets fixed
The on-foot lock is a bug BULKHEAD will want to squash. If you can reproduce it, note what you did just before (fired, opened the menu, exited while stabilised) and post it on the Steam discussions or the Community Pit. More reports, faster fix.
More artillery help: the artillery calculator for your firing solutions, and known issues for the live launch-bug list.
FAQ
Why can't I move my SPH-2 after firing?
It's stabilised. Artillery vehicles deploy stabilisers so they can fire accurately, and while stabilised the throttle does nothing. Open the vehicle menu (F) and choose Unstabilise, then it drives again.
Why is WASD dead even after I got out?
Usually you left the vehicle while it was still stabilised or mid-menu, and the input got stuck. Press Esc, toggle the map (M) and scoreboard (Tab), or re-enter the vehicle and unstabilise before exiting.
Is this a bug or intended?
Stabilisation locking the vehicle in place is intended. The on-foot movement lock afterwards is an Early Access input glitch — the workarounds below clear it.
Will I lose my stuff if I redeploy to fix it?
No. Cash is persistent in WARDOGS, so redeploying to clear a stuck input state doesn't wipe your bank — you only lose the kit you were carrying that life.
How do I avoid it?
Always unstabilise before you leave the artillery, not after. Get in the habit of F, Unstabilise, then exit.
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