Controls

The basic controls are intuitive and simple to learn. Gears of War 4 is a third-person shooter that utilizes many of the same controls you’re likely familiar with from other games. Use the Left Trigger and Right Trigger buttons and Thumbsticks to control movement, aim, and fire your weapon. The Button controls the game’s trademark cover and movement system while the Button serves as your do-everything interaction button. The Button is used for melee attacks while the Button performs executions. There are additional commands and uses of these buttons, as listed in the table here.

Default Controls

Input Command	Action
Left Thumbstick	Movement; Click to Spot Enemy
Right Thumbstick	Look; Click to Zoom
Button	Roadie run (hold); Roll (press while pointing with the Left Thumbstick); Enter Cover (press near cover).
Button	Pickup (hold); Interact; Grab Meatshield (press while near downed enemy)
Button	Melee; Grenade Tag; Chainsaw (hold while Lancer is equipped); Retro Charge (hold while Retro Lancer is equipped); Kick (tap while near downed enemy); Counter against a vault-kick or yank-and-shank.
Button	Look at Point of Interest; Special Execution (hold); Curbstomp (tap)
LT	Aim Weapon
RT	Fire Weapon
LB	TAC-COM Display
RB	Reload; Active Reload
D-Pad	Weapon Select

The Gears of War franchise has always been known for the unique way in which characters—players and enemies alike—can utilize the available terrain for cover. This installment of the franchise adds several unique abilities that not only increase the fluidity of navigating the landscape, but also add to the threat of being attacked behind low cover. Read on to learn all about the new vault-kick and yank-and-shank mechanics.

Cover & Movement Techniques

Action	How to Perform
Roadie Run	Hold Button.
Right-Angle Turn	While Roadie Running, tap and hold Button while pointing Left Thumbstick left or right.
180-Degree Turn	While Roadie Running, tap and hold Button while pointing Left Thumbstick down.
Enter Cover	Approach cover and press Button.
Exit Cover	Point Left Thumbstick away from cover.
Cover Slip	Move to edge of cover, press up on Left Thumbstick and press and hold Button.
Cover Swap	While in cover, point Left Thumbstick toward another nearby piece of cover and press Button.
Mantle/Mantle Kick	While in low cover, point Left Thumbstick toward cover and press Button.
Vault/Vault Kick	Roadie Run toward cover then press up on Left Thumbstick and press Button to Vault or Vault Kick an enemy. During a cover slide, before touching cover, press up on Left Thumbstick and press Button to Vault.
Yank…	While in cover with enemy on the other side, press up on Left Thumbstick and press Button.
…and Shank	After yanking, mantle kicking or vault kicking an enemy, move toward stunned enemy and press Button for a Combat Knife execution.