PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds is tense Battle Royale arena game, requiring skill, luck, and even more luck to survive against everyone else. But there are ways to tip the balance.
We've compiled a boatload of tips to help you get going! You will lose many games in PUBG, but down feel too down about it. Many other players (there are around 400,000 playing at times) are in the same boat. If you're just getting started out, we've got you covered with some top tips that will help out in future matches.
What is PUBG? Basic Gameplay
In PUBG, the objective of the game is to survive as long as possible. You're dropped from a plane onto an expansive open world, filled with randomly generated weapons, armor, and vehicles. Every few minutes, a circle will appear on the map and start to close in on the players who are still alive.
Everything outside of the circle will take continuous damage. It shrinks more and more until the play space is tiny, forcing the remaining survivors into close quarters combat. Those are the absolute basics. But here's a run down of our best tips for staying alive in this exciting game.
PUBG is available right now on Windows PC for $29.99, and will hit Xbox One in the coming months.
Diving from the plane
- Get to know heated combat areas. Towns tend to pack more action in the early game but often offer better loot.
- It's absolutely necessary to land as quickly as possible. Do not linger in the air unless you're stretching to a far location.
- The electric barrier of doom will do more damage as the game progresses. Try to avoid it in later stages.
- Working off the above tip, don't freak out in the first circle if the barrier passes over you. Keep looting and boost up.
- All healing (aside from the rare medkit) will only take you up to 75%. Beyond that, you'll need to use energy drinks and pain killers to boost.
- This game is all about sounds. Listen out for movement and hold Ctrl to move carefully.
- Be careful in vehicles. They can act strangely should you hit objects or uneven terrain.
- You have map markers for a reason. Use them!
- Keep an eye on doors. They can be a good indicator someone has either been in that building or is still inside.
- pubgmap.io is a solid way of learning the map.
- The boost bar represents bonuses — the first section lands you 25% increased sprint speed, health regeneration, and then 35% sprint speed.
Making a move
- Ctrl + T will mute voice chat. This can be handy, but remember to re-enable it in-game to catch those who forget to switch voice to "team only".
- Hitting Q and E will allow you to lean around corners to see if any enemies are attempting to make a move.
- Using X to sheathe your weapons allows you to run faster.
- Holding Alt while moving the mouse will let you look around without turning.
- Submerge yourself in water by hitting C.
- Move to the driver seat in a car quickly by hitting Ctrl + 1.
- Space + C allows for a slightly higher jump.
- When opening doors in the later game stage, quickly move left to avoid any potential fire.
- Never focus on a location or enemies for too long. Keep track of any movement in other directions, so you don't get jumped on.
- Grass may look like it provides cover. It does, but only for a certain distance. Those some way away will just see you prone as the foilage stops being rendered by your opponent's computers.
Getting the kill
- Do not stand still.
- Do not prone when under fire.
- If your teammate has a silencer, allow him to fire first.
- Should you come under fire when at sea, simply dive to avoid incoming metal.
- Hitting B will alter the firing mode.
- Hold right-click for more accurate hip fire, or single press to look down sights.
- Ignore enemies you knock out in duo or squad fights. Focus on their allies.
- Holding shift while aiming will use breath to more accurately aim.
- Don't be that guy who picks up a shotgun and hides in the toilet. You won't learn the game.
- Don't open fire on enemies in the distance if you likely won't make contact. Those nearby will hear your shots.
- It's generally a good idea to boost with drinks or pain killers if you're entering a big fight.
- Use bandages to get back up to 75% health if you have the time to save first aid kits.
Many other helpful hints will make it much easier to get into a top 10 situation (and even a few wins). Got your own tips to share? Sound off in the comments!