These Destiny 2 Crucible tips should give you an edge in Destiny 2's PvP area. The Crucible is the perfect place for Guardians to test their might and hone their fighting skills, but competing against humans instead of non-playable characters in Destiny 2 can be daunting. So let's break down some successful traits and ways of thinking to increase the odds of winning and improving. Lord Shaxx says that the Crucible makes battles on the frontier easier for Guardians, and there's a good reason the top PvP players excel at raids and Grandmaster Nightfalls.
1. Mastering movement is more important than a good aim
Movement is the key to staying alive. Having amazing aim can only get someone so far, but the best players across all FPS titles have absolutely one thing in common: expert movement. If opponents can't hit their shots then it will be easier to hit yours, and maximize uptime in engagements. Find a sensitivity and DPI pairing that feels comfortable on mouse and keyboard, while the zero energy cost armor mod, Traction is recommended for anyone with a controller because it tightens the horizontal turn radius. Also, always remember that each class has unique movement tricks and abilities to cover ground so watch and prepare for that.
2. Use the Two Second Rule and avoid camping
In large playlists like Control and Clash, there's always someone around the corner. The two Second Rule is pretty simple to understand; if an angle doesn't have a threat within two seconds of checking it, move on to another area. With modes like Survival and Elimination the rule can be expanded to four or five seconds. The major takeaway is not to camp a spot for too long because enemy Guardians will use this inaction to surround you or take more advantageous positions.
3. Be unpredictable and you’ll be harder to hit
Watch your crosshair placement; make sure you rest at head level! How many times has this advice or similar sentiments been given? Since the default for Guardians is to aim at head level it's time to subvert their expectations. When playing from hard cover like a corner, sliding through the open space and taking a shot, before deciding what to do there, can often catch Guardians off-guard. The time it takes of them to track your movements they can already take damage from you and lose the fight.
In an even gunfight movement trumps aim again. Mixing in occasional crouch while alternating between short and long side-to-side strafes will juke people out of their shoes. Nothing is harder to hit than a Guardian that is unpredictable. This even applies when you’re not actually moving - never stand perfectly still, always have minor movements during idle times, we don’t always know who’s got us in their sights. Don’t be an easy target!
4. Losing is learning
Losing isn't fun, there's no deeper truth there. However, when you're learning maps or weapons, or honing a new skill, it should be expected to lose games because other areas of your play will diminish while you're hyper-focused on an area of improvement. Map knowledge and mastery of your loadout within your playstyle makes for a strong Guardian. We’ll cover these in a moment but basically, don’t get angry when you lose, take the moment to look at why it happened, and how you could prevent it in the next match.
5. Learn and control the maps to ensure victory
Every map in Destiny 2 has three major sections; the main area where conflict typically occurs and two flanks that surround it. Some maps have more subsections with similar structure but at the end of the day, every map has this three-lane design. One of the best ways to succeed is to orbit the main area of conflict and control the flanks. Creating a pincer by applying pressure from off-angles, while the rest of your team engages in the main fight (this is more extreme in 3v3 modes), puts your opponents on the back foot and wiping them is easier. Better players won't give up these flanks for free, so be prepared to use your abilities, cover, and movement to aid you in fighting for this strategic space.
Control is an example where, instead of planting on each captured point, winning teams patrol the spaces between them and “control the map” ensuring enemies spawn in one location, incapable of escape.
6. Try new loadouts to find your style
Everyone has their own playstyle and approach to combat, and a loadout is not a playstyle. Someone with a hand cannon and a shotgun can choose to take engagements completely differently. How you use your abilities, weapons, and movement is your playstyle. While you discover what works for you, take the opportunity to try different weapon and perk combinations. Don't assume a won or lost fight means the weapon is good or bad, keep testing your limits and try things. This battle experience will help your in-the-moment problem solving as you naturally outthink your opposition.
7. Increase your awareness and game sense to tilt the odds in your favor
Game sense and awareness are interchangeable. Knowing where people like to peek with snipers, common flank routes with shotguns, or even how many people are around a corner are all intangible skills that you need in the Crucible. By avoiding things like tunnel vision - when you get too focused on one area or opponent - and by questioning every death, you’ll be able to develop more awareness of danger and improve your problem solving skills in the second it can take to decide who wins a shoot out.
8. Don’t get tunnel vision use your radar to keep an eye on the bigger picture
When you're in a fight with someone and they start to run away as they're losing, it's normal to chase them. But often fights and games are lost as a result of this tunnel vision. Gaze control is the concept of checking your radar and surroundings using your peripheral vision to make informed decisions in the heat of battle. Practice glancing at your radar every few seconds until it is second nature. Pushing in one versus three or six is avoided by knowing where your team is on the radar relative to everyone else. The radar has different shades of whichever color you have it set to, based on the proximity, distance of, and the height of your opponents in relation to you. Crouching Guardians’ locations pulse on the radar so think carefully before you round a corner.
9. Question every death and learn from it
Everyone knows someone who blames their guns, or assumes their opponents don't have skill. This is known as a Scrub Mentality but we're here to learn. Whenever you die, think to yourself about how you could have avoided that situation. Was there a better angle to hold? Did we forget the 2 Second Rule? Are we using the right weapons in their right ranges? Did we peek at the sniper for no reason? Making adjustments in real-time as you play, trains your brain to self-correct in the moment and keep your kill, assists and death ratio as high as possible. The best way is to record gameplay and personally (or ask a third party) review each death and the decisions that led up to them. Jot down or make a mental note of one or two things to work on and keep them in mind before each play session.
