With Player Unknown Battlegrounds going free to play, it's a very good time for newcomers to start playing and for veterans to come back and play the battle royale that started it all. PUBG not only helped usher in this new genre, but it also changed the first-person genre for the better and inspired many games to have either a mode or to have their own battle royal.
Unlike other games the same genre, PUBG is grounded and a little harder to play because of how much it leans into realism. Weapons have recoil, things are a lot slower, aim matters, and a lot of things are simply harder. However, it's quite easy to learn. Battle royale games are quite simple with game mechanics, and PUBG follows suit with that. Since new players are jumping in, checking out these tips will help those trying out the free-to-play version.
5 Loot Only What's Needed
When playing PUBG, players will notice the wide range of weapons and ammo. While looting, checking what ammo type a weapon can take can save a lot of time. Not all weapons will take the same ammo type; what's more, players may have two weapons that take the same ammo type. If players loot everything, they won't have any space for things they actually need, like bandages, med packs, or empty slots.
Taking only what is needed will help players in a firefight, because now players won't be surprised while fighting. If players run of ammo, they can equip more, provided they looted enough of the right type. The game's UI tells players what type ammo is, so players should take time to read the information and takw only the ammo they need.
4 Upgrade In Safe Areas
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This mechanic is key. Upgrading weapons and gear makes the player safer, as well as more of a threat to everyone else. The main gripe is that everything is manually done, unlike games like Apex Legends where upgrades are automatically done when looted.
In PUBG, players need to go into the menu, unequip their gear, and attach the gear they want to upgrade. This alone takes some time, especially for console players. Players need to find cover or go into a building a quickly do this. Those who have played the mobile version of PUBG notice that auto upgrades are present in that version, and are calling for it to be implemented in the main version. Since it's not in the game, players need to take their time when upgrading and do it in a safe area.
3 Take Advantage Of Drones
A very popular feature in the other versions has made its way to the main version of PUBG, and that is drones. Drones are a part of a new category called Tactical Gear, which can be used in all modes. Drones provide a tactical advantage, as they can scout other enemy players and even pick up items without getting into a fight. Before going in on the drones, players should note that it will replace the primary weapon slot. This can open up exciting and creative ways to get rid of enemy teams, or make things a little harder since players have one less weapon to use.
In almost all cases, it's a good idea to have drones in player backpacks. It's best to use drones when watching two squads fight each other. The squad watching can anticipate moves between both squads and take them down quickly.
2 Hang Onto Medical Supplies
Since PUBG is a battle royale, all players have just one life and health does not regenerate. While players should cap how much ammo and items they need, things that make them survive longer, such as bandages, should be always in good supply.
Every time a player comes across bandages or medical supplies, they should snag a few. Even if they need to drop something, they should. Medical supplies are among the game's most important items, since they allow players last longer. Additionally, if players can get them, things like energy drinks and pills will suffice as well. They can hold players over till they have more supplies and usually can be stacked more than medical supplies.
1 Adapt To The Realism
As mentioned before, PUBG strives to be similar to real-world combat. From weapons to vehicles, everything is a lot more realistic, so players will require a lot of patience to understand the pace of the game. One of the reasons PUBG has stayed popular for players on many platforms like Steam is that it takes time for gamers master everything, and becomes is quite rewarding when players get it. Unlike other games in the genre, where players can zip around and get from one to another point quickly, Pubg is tamed with controlled chaos. Certain areas will get hot, while the more spaced-out places won't see any action until late game.
The slow pace and realism should be enough to attract new players. While it has a steep learning curve, the game takes its time teaching players what they need to know. This makes PUBG more appealing than other games with a realistic approach. It still uses gaming logic, so while the learning curve is steep, it's much more forgiving.
Player Unkown Battlegrounds is available now on Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PS4, PS5, PC, Stadia, and Mobile.