Mechanics and fundamentals - 4.6
After shooting: repositioning
In one line: Every time you shoot, the enemy learns where you are. After a kill or a duel, change your position or at least your angle instead of waiting in the same spot for the next enemy.
Why reposition
When you shoot, two things happen: you make noise, and if you kill someone a line appears in the kill feed. Nearby enemies hear where the shots came from; everyone sees who died, and the player who died saw where you were.
In other words: after shooting, your position is no longer a secret. The next enemy to arrive will know where to look. Stay there and you hand them the edge you had a moment ago.
Repositioning simply means: after a duel, change something (position, angle, height, timing) so the next enemy finds you where they do not expect.
After a kill
A kill is a good moment, but also a dangerous one: the enemy was often not alone. A simple sequence to make automatic:
- crosshair: bring it straight back to head height, on the edge the next one can come from (not on the body on the floor);
- information: say "one down" and where, in a few words;
- position: if you are exposed or made a lot of noise, move a few steps or change angle;
- reload: only once you are in cover.
Step 3 is the one people forget most. The dead enemy's teammate will come where the first one died, with their crosshair where you were.
After a lost or missed duel
You shot, missed or only hurt the enemy, and they ducked away. Now both of you know where the other is. The temptation is to re-peek straight away: exactly what they expect.
Usually the better options are:
- change angle by a few steps: they watch the spot you came out of, you appear half a meter further over;
- wait: if time is on your side, let them come out;
- use utility to force them to move (a molly where they hid, a flash);
- tell a teammate: they are hurt, so whoever finds them next can finish them easily.
A hurt enemy who hides is often an enemy afraid to come back out: give them time to do it in the wrong place.
On defense: moving between contacts
On defense repositioning matters even more, because the attack is looking for you. After first contact (you shot, used an ability, got a kill) the attackers know where you are. Stay there and the next attacker arrives with utility aimed at that exact spot.
A good defender often has two positions for the same site: a starting spot and one to move to after first contact. They also change from round to round: if you got killed somewhere, the attack will check that spot first next round.
Repositioning on attack
The same idea applies on attack, with one difference: you are often moving forward, so repositioning means advancing in a different way. After taking a kill at an entrance, the defenders know where you are coming from: instead of pushing straight on from the same spot, use utility, wait for teammates or enter from a slightly different angle.
In the post-plant repositioning is essential: after the first fight around the spike, whoever is left must change position, because the retaking defenders know where you shot from and will arrive with utility aimed at that spot.
Making it a habit
Repositioning becomes natural with a bit of practice. Two simple drills:
Remember
- Shooting gives away your position to anyone who hears it or reads the kill feed.
- After a kill: reset your crosshair, then reset your position.
- Do not repeat the same peek: the enemy is waiting for it.
- The second enemy comes where the first one died.
What not to do
Staying in the same spot after a loud kill.
Instead Move a few meters or change angle: the next enemy is looking where you were.
Repeating the peek where you just missed.
Instead Change angle, wait, or use an ability.
Reloading right after a kill while exposed.
Instead Get into cover first, then reload.
Looking at the dead enemy instead of the next angle.
Instead Bring your crosshair straight back to the angle the next one can come from.