How to Get Good at First-Person Shooters

There's no video game as competitive and vibrant as a first-person shooter. Ever since Doom changed the world of gaming forever, the genre it created has developed a strong following. Now that we have titles such as HyperGun and other exciting releases, there’s no doubt that the genre is still as relevant as ever!

Whether you're a Gen X-er reminiscing about the time you evaded a sniper at de_dust or a PUBG noob who is still learning the ropes of being a camper, there's no doubt that first-person shooters maintain a fanbase that doesn't die down. In fact, it's just so difficult to imagine gaming without first-person shooter games.

If you haven't played a single FPS, then you might as well try it for yourself and see why it's so addictive!

 

And if you're planning to sweep the map clear of all your opponents, keep these tips in mind:

Practice hand-eye coordination

Although video games, in general, emphasize the need for better hand-eye coordination, shooter games belong to a subgenre that requires a great deal of it.

Aiming may seem like the most important skill to develop in an FPS, but it's actually secondary to agility. Players tend to move around a lot, especially in games that do not focus that much on tactical realism such as Call of Duty, PUBG, or Overwatch.

It's either you move or be killed, so it helps to practice maneuvering around the map and shooting at a target while moving and jumping. Your hand-eye coordination gets better and better as you go along.

Train for tactical shooters

While too many shooting games focus more on maneuverability, there's also a good helping of games that center on warfare simulation. It's these games in which jumping and shooting won't do you any good. Titles such as Squad, the historically-accurate War of Rights, and Post-Scriptum mirror actual warfare mechanics that involve mostly the application of certain tactics.

It's in these types of games where you have to take every little detail seriously, so focus on developing a tactical mind by first studying your surroundings. The second most important thing is knowing if you're able to take the enemy down with what little resources you have.

Ignore the toxicity

For all the praise it gets for being a genre that supports teamwork and communication, FPS is more notorious for having the most abusive fans. But you shouldn't be surprised when a kid as young as ten can insult your mother in ways no one else could.

But really, all other genres have toxic fanbases, considering how potent a strategy personally insulting someone actually is. If you're not used to such an environment, then consider it a rite of passage to play against people who are willing to go down the vulgar path just to distract you from becoming a better FPS player.

Learn from the experts

While it's always easy to come up with different strategies altogether, you may have to consider watching how professional gamers do it. Along these lines, you might as well attend live tournaments where you can watch them demonstrate their uncanny abilities.

Of course, you will need to know which teams and individuals to follow. For sure, you'd have better luck becoming a fan of people who have played. You may want to check out some Fortnite pro settings to see how it’s done. When you know how the experts do it, you can use those same professional tactics on unsuspecting players, granted that they have not learned about these tactics already.

Know your maps

It's interesting how many professional players are able to scour maps without getting lost. They can pinpoint the best positions for snipers as well as any and all helpful shortcuts. That's because these players have played these maps over and over again.

That said, you may as well get acquainted with the usual multiplayer maps you've been playing with your friends. Explore a bit more than you normally would and you might find the best hiding spots.

Concentration is everything

When it comes to gaming, every second count. And it holds very true for FPS games where there's action at every corner. You would want to be aware of your surroundings and keep an eye out for enemies who might be stalking you.

Awareness is everything, and you might want to develop your concentration by playing an FPS game in a quiet room. Get used to the silence and you'll be able to develop a mindset that won't get easily distracted in the heat of the action.

FPS games are demanding your time and attention and you might as well know how to get really good at them. Use the tips above and you can dominate your enemies wherever they lie!