Goon's Guide to PvP in Destiny. (Detailed)

I see a lot of people asking for advice, marveling at the ability of others or just referring to themselves as a poor player. I want to create a guide that people can reference to tap into their full potential as a PvP participant. This is not meant to be judgmental in anyway and everything that follows are my own personal opinions from my experience in FPS games. First and foremost, familiarize yourself with the general and specific mechanics of each class and the game itself. [b][u]1[/u][/b]. [b][u]Map Awareness:[/u][/b] Whenever I play an FPS online game I always scope out the layout of the maps. Both in game and if an eagle-eye view is available. This allows me to understand the geometry that I am working with. Line of sight, choke and capture points, high traffic areas, etc. This is crucial. An opponent that is more familiar with his surroundings has less to think about and can thusly act quicker than you can. [b][u]2[/u][/b]. [b][u]Sensitivity:[/u][/b] Sensitivity is unique for everyone. Personally, I play on the higher end of the spectrum which allows me more mobility and responsiveness. However, faster isn't always better. You need to find which sensitivity fits your play-style. I would recommend trying to progress towards a higher sensitivity when you become more confident as it does allow more freedom in your play. [b][u]3. Load-out[/u][/b]: Preparation for the match is just as important as your in game execution. Seeing as how Destiny has no true predecessor, this task becomes a bit more challenging. Personally, I base most of my decisions on obvious things like what I have available to use in terms of gear and weapons. However, you can think through it even more. For example, if I want more of an up-front approach I am going to rely on my shotgun and assault rifle while sticking to enclosed areas, controlling a special ammo spawn point and working small, angled routes within a structure or area. Vice versa, if I want to control longer "lanes" or vantage points I will run with a Scout rifle as opposed to my Assault rifle. I still like running with a shotgun if I'm going for this kind of approach as it allows for more utility when pinned down where a sniper rifle is, in my opinion redundant when I have a Scout rifle equipped. Heavy weapons are situational. Rocket Launchers and Machine Guns have their own merits. Find a good one and get comfortable with it. [b][u]4. Anticipation / Map movement[/u][/b]: Being able to understand basics routes on each map is a foundation to start from. See where people usually go. Understand how they got there, why they went there. Find a way to position yourself to either attack the situation or take a defensive line of sight. But you need to try and dictate their movements. To be able to control the flow of a match you need to be decisive and unpredictable. Adapt to the situation. Take note of your opponent's routines and favored spots and lanes. Understanding how someone thinks and how they execute that concept is the most useful skill that you can learn in a PvP setting. [b][u]5. Communication / context clues[/u][/b]: Another staple to becoming an accomplished PvPer is constant communication with your teammates. Knowledge of the map is priceless. Creating a camaraderie with your teammates allows for a heightened level of anticipation and confidence. If you find yourself on a team without mics or one that refuses to communicate you can use your teammates as a buffer between you and the enemy. Let them die or take point so you can gather the information you need to make informed decisions. [b][u]Summary:[/u][/b] [b]-[/b]Learn your surroundings. [b]-[/b]Find a comfortable sensitivity and work to increase it. [b]-[/b]Create a routine or general strategy and be able to adapt and change it over the course of a match. [b]-[/b]Optimize your load out for the type of play-style you want to use and for the particular map you are using it on. [b]-[/b]Learn to anticipate and dictate your opponents movements. [b]-[/b]Be decisive. [b]-[/b]Communicate There is more I can touch on but I think this is a good foundation to build from. Let me know if this helps and post any questions or concerns below. Goon