Combat Tactics
While anyone can merely fire a weapon, you must learn how to use your weapons effectively and use your brain if you want to succeed. The Sprawl is a deadly place, and you can't survive by just blasting away at everything. You will run out of ammo or be overwhelmed by enemies. Therefore, it is vital that you learn combat tactics to give you an edge against the Necromorphs.
Choosing the Right Weapon
First off, you must choose the right weapon for the job. You need a balanced loadout of weapons in your inventory, and you must know which weapon is effective against different Necromorphs and situations. The ripper is great for fighting up close, while the seeker rifle is designed for attacking at long range.
The pulse rifle has a high rate of fire but does not inflict a lot of damage per round, while the contact beam will blow apart most Necromorphs but requires you charge it before you fire a blast. Once you know about the weapons, you need to know your enemies.
Each Necromorph has its weaknesses and an efficient way to kill it. By combining this knowledge with a mastery of the weapons, you will know what weapon works best against each enemy and in which situations. Study the following two chapters that cover Necromorphs and weapons, respectively.
Situational Awareness
As you advance through the Sprawl, it is important to think ahead and be prepared for surprise attacks. As you enter an area, look for duct vents on the walls and ceilings through which a Necromorph might jump out at you. Search for items and alternate paths to reach your destination.
For example, if you must move through a large open area, consider moving along the edges to prevent becoming surrounded. Select an appropriate weapon for the situation. For narrow corridors, choose a close-range weapon; in open areas, a longer-range weapon is often best.
Finally, consider where you can run to if necessary. Is returning the way you came feasible, or should you just try to rush ahead to the next door and get through?
Using the Environment
As a part of situational awareness, it is important to know how to use the environment to your advantage. Look for obstacles that block movement. Search for objects you can throw at enemies to hinder them or objects you can use as weapons with the help of kinesis.
Since some enemies have ranged attacks, you also need to consider cover. What can you move behind to avoid getting hit by acid or other attacks? Some objects, such as stasis and explosive canisters, have additional effects when you launch them at enemies.
Also locate stasis stations in case you need to recharge your stasis during a fight. In addition, use the area's terrain to your benefit. Look for alcoves or narrow corridors where you can set up defenses such as detonator mines to help protect you.
These spots are also great for holding out in so enemies can't surround you, allowing you to focus your weapons and firepower in one direction, killing anything that comes into your sights.
Combining Your Abilities
While each of your abilities is great individually, they become even more effective and powerful when combined. Always consider how you can use stasis, kinesis, and weapons together. As mentioned earlier, stasis is an important ability and the sooner you learn how to use it in battle, the better off you will be.
Hit enemies, either in groups or individual, powerful Necromorphs, with stasis to slow them down. This gives you time to pick up an object with kinesis and launch it or to use a weapon to dismember or destroy the Necromorph while it is caught in stasis.
Stasis alone can't kill, but it gives you an advantage when using other abilities. Another way to combine abilities is to shoot off an explosive sack from an Exploder or a Crawler, then pick it up with kinesis and launch it at other enemies. With a little bit of practice, using abilities and weapons together will become second nature.