10 things you need to know about PUBG on mobile

What do you need to know about PUBG on mobile to dominate the game?

PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds PUBG), the hit game on PC (and Xbox One) that popularized the battle royale genre, has made its way to Androidand iOS devices. For a game as complex as this one, it’s a surprise that it runs as well as it does on your phone.

However, the difference in platform comes with changes to the gameplay as well. We’ve compiled a list of things you need to know about PUBG on mobile so that you can keep feasting on that chicken dinner.

1. Customise your controls

By default, you move with a virtual control stick on the left, while using your right thumb to control your aim. You fire, aim down sights, crouch, go prone and access your backpack with virtual buttons on the right side of the screen.

However, you can customize the layout of the virtual buttons by sliding them around and changing their size and transparency. You can even save multiple layout presets. Find the button layout you’re most comfortable with so that you can bring your best game to the table.

2. Take advantage of your map

In the mobile version, instead of simply placing markers on the map, you also have a dotted line directing you straight to your marker from your current location, as well as the distance you are from it. By observing your marker line while you’re still in the plane, you’ll find out when is the best time to jump to get to your desired location.

Furthermore, you’ll want to pay special attention to the minimap in the top right of the screen during regular play because it can track gun fire and approaching vehicles. With this, you are constantly alerted on upcoming dangers which will help you stay safe while you flush out your enemies.

Go to School to skip straight to the action

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3. Keep moving, keep alert

When you hold down your left thumb as you move your character around, a running icon will pop up. Slide your thumb over the running icon and your character will be locked into sprinting mode without you having to continue holding down the button.

While you have auto sprinting on, you can grab and hold the camera/eye icon below your map and drag it around to free look without changing the direction you’re running towards. This is a good tip to help check your horizons for opposing players while making yourself a hard target to hit.

4. Looting gets more efficient

By default, you automatically pick up weapons and items in the mobile version of the game. When you find compatible gun attachments, it snaps those to your weapons cache for you. It’s a really helpful feature that eliminates hassle, especially early on in a game when you’re scrambling for supplies.

However, make sure to keep moving when you’re picking things up or managing your backpack as staying put can get you shot!

No more standing in place to get new equipment

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5. Directional feedback

Whether you’re on PC or mobile, sound is crucial in PUBG. PUBG makes use of directional audio relative to the direction your camera is facing. So if you hear footsteps just in your left headphone, you know that there's an enemy nearby to your left.

If you don't have a pair of headphones handy, don't fret. PUBG Mobile gives you additional visual information rather than simply having to rely on audio cues. If you’ve been shot, a hit-marker in the center of your screen indicates which direction the bullet came from.

6. Shoot with both hands

When you’re in combat, you’ll notice that you have a button to fire your weapon (represented by a bullet in a circle icon) on both the right and left side of the screen. They both serve the same function, so it’s really up to you which side you prefer. Although, chances are you will (and should) be using both because it can get pretty frantic.. Having the two buttons also makes it easier to shoot with one t hand while you aim with the other.

Left! Right! Doesn’t matter, just shoot!

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7. Move your phone to aim

Speaking of which, if you prefer a different method of aiming, you can go into the settings and turn on the gyroscope. This lets you play the game like Splatoon on the Wii U or the Nintendo Switch, where you move your entire screen around to aim your weapon. Having the gyroscope on is actually extremely useful for those moments where you’re sniping, when you need tiny, controlled movements.

8. Healing’s quick and easy

Down by the lower left of the screen, right next to your weapon, you actually have a button for quick access to your healing items. This button also automatically shows you which is the most useful healing item at that time. So if you’re really low on health and you have a Med Kit, you can quickly use that; if you’ve only suffered a little damage and you want to top up on health, you can quickly whip out bandages you may have.

They’ll shoot at you, but they’ll probably miss

PUBG CORP/TENCENT MOBILE

9. It’s not all about that chicken dinner

At the end of a game, PUBG Mobile gives you a more comprehensive stat breakdown than the PC version,including the number of kills you gained, damage dealt, survival time, health restored and revives. So even if you didn’t get that chicken dinner, don’t worry. You can still feel proud of that SSS-ranking.

10. Watch out for AI Bots

Games in PUBG Mobile are populated with its fair share of bots (often dressed in red shirts). While this may kill your satisfaction in a battle royale game, it’s a good way for newer players to test their weapons and learn about the game. Just be careful about boasting your victories if you got them from defeating bots.