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Although it is impossible to craft an unbeatable strategy for besting any opponent due to variations in circumstance and play style, here are five tips to keep in mind when considering the multiplayer portion of Gears of War 2.
The Golden Rule: Take cover or die. Gears of War is not a “run-and-gun” shooter, but rather a “stop-and-pop” affair. Running at your enemies with guns blazing is a good way to get cut down; you’ll have to use your surroundings as cover if you’re going to survive on the battlefield. Know when to keep your head down and when it is ok to pop up and fire (ex., if there’s a sniper across from you, or if there’s an enemy is charging a Torque Bow bolt, stay down). You first must learn how to use the cover system effectively to really excel.
Be a team player: One of the worst types of player in any team-based shooter is the Rambo; you know, the guy who goes off on his own at the start of the match seemingly convinced that he can single-handedly dismantle the entire opposing team. More often than not the lone wolf doesn’t succeed and is quickly killed off, leaving his team down one for the remainder of the round.
Teamwork is essential in Gears of War 2. A team won’t get very far if they all head off in different directions at the start of a round. Support each other. Communication is a must if a team is to work as efficiently as possible. Tell your allies when you spot an enemy; tell them where you saw this enemy, and what weapon they were carrying if you can. If you’re going to split off from the group to pick up a weapon, let them know that you no longer have their back.
Of course, a team that travels in a tight formation leaves itself open to total obliteration from a well-aimed Boomshot round or other explosive. For this reason, efficient formation is key; when you reach a chokepoint, spread out so you can hit your enemies from multiple directions. Be sure that one or more players are actively watching back entrances to avoid being blindsided by a cunning enemy.
Know the maps: Knowing the layout and weapon locations of each map is an important aspect of any competitive shooter. If need be, spend time away from ranked play to explore each map, taking note of the available weapons and where they spawn.
Knowing where you need to go to get your hands on some firepower is not the only benefit of memorising the weapon spawn points; it can also help you pinpoint an enemy’s location. A notification will appear in the bottom-left corner of the screen when an ally or enemy picks up a weapon, so you can determine the whereabouts of an enemy if you know where all of the weapons spawn.
This guide contains a section devoted to the weapon spawn locations on each and every map available as of this writing. Check out this section to better familiarize yourself with the weapons available on each map and their locations.
Know the hazards: There’s little worse than meeting an early end not by the hands of another player, but by an environmental hazard. Several maps have such hazards, which can easily quash players unfamiliar with the territory. The aptly named “Avalanche” is a good example of this; random avalanches will occur during some game types. When snow starts falling and the screen begins to shake, you’d better be in one of the spawning areas or on the main road to avoid being buried in the snow.
A yellow flash indicates that razorhail is on its way on the “Hail” map. Quickly get beneath some shelter to avoid being torn apart by the razor-sharp shards of ice. The laser grid in “Security” will dismember any player that it comes into contact with. The freight train that travels through the middle of “Tyro Station” is not just for show; stand in its way and you’re mush. The rising Imulsion levels in “Flood” will force players to seek higher ground to avoid being burned alive by the corrosive substance.
Choosing the wrong piece of cover can also lead to an easy kill for an opposing player; taking cover behind a truck that is carrying a fuel tank is not the brightest idea.
Get some experience: Even if you’ve played the prequel extensively, immediately hopping into an online multiplayer match after first opening Gears of War 2 may not be in your best interest. The new weapons and features introduced in the sequel have altered the multiplayer experience considerably. For this reason, it’s best to play through the campaign mode first to better familiarize yourself with the new weapons and features before delving into the multiplayer mode. It’s much tougher to learn how to use something in the heat of battle.