10 Tactics to Keep You Alive When "Titanfall" Drops

Just cause the beta is closed doesn't mean you have to get rusty.

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Complex Original

Image via Complex Original

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The Titanfall beta is over and March 11 can't seem further away.

Yes, the world seems a little dimmer now that we're no longer able to rodeo our way to happiness. But, anticipation makes the heart blah, blah, blah, we want to blow some shit up now. We hit our level caps, used up our Burn Cards, and came away a little wiser about the whole outing. We got stomped into paste and blown into a fine red mist and we came away hungry for more.

We also learned a lot. These tactics will help keep you alive once Titanfall drops and ensure that you aren't ground into meat jelly on day one.

10 Tactics to Keep You Alive in Titanfall

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10. Don't Hike Across the Map

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Since your Titan is on a cool-down/build cycle, make sure that you're not calling for a Titan fall while you're on the other side of the map. You're going to have to make your way through both enemy and titan fire to get to your cockpit. Keep your Titan close when calling and if you can't, set that bastard to follow mode and meet 'em halfway.

9. Your Titan is Awesome, not Immortal

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8. Cloak Hard, Cloak Often

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7. Buck That Bronco

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This where we spent most of the time in the beta. There was something so incredibly gratifying about rocket jumping onto the back of a Titan, kicking open the protective CPU casing and emptying your weapon into the Titan's brain. A few things to keep in mind: make sure you're on your primary weapon NOT your anti-Titan weapon, keep an eye on enemy pilots looking to snipe you off the back of the Titans, and some Titans will be armed with electric smoke as an anti-rodeo counter-measure, this will kill you.

If you find yourself getting overwhelmed in the middle of a rodeo, press X to let go of the Titan and quickly press the jump button. This will launch your pilot far into the air and let you either land on a rooftop or get enemy Titans. This technique, called the Super Bounce, is perfect when the tide of an attempted rodeo starts going south.

6. This Pistol is a Fucking Genius

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5. Burn the Decks

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4. Shields, They're Not Just for Titans Anymore

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3. Waste the AI

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Grunts and Spectres have caused no shortage of controversy.

Many thought though the AI controlled soldiers would be taking the places of actual players, but they serve a pretty crucial role while still allowing for 6v6 matches.

First, lower level players will be able to stack kills by wasting AI, especially if you're using a Smart Pistol.

Secondly, Grunt and Spectre kills count towards speeding up your Titan gauge. More experienced players should target Grunts to decrease the cool down rate of your Titan's construction time.

And lastly, if you're feeling particularly fiendish, you can escort platoons of AI soldiers to go after other player-controlled pilots. Think of AI as extensions of your tool kit as opposed to teammates.

2. Use Them Thrusters

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During the beta, players only got access to one of the three Titans that will be available once the full game launches.

The well-balanced Atlas Titan is a middle-of-the-road option that is equally mobile and armored. When the game launches, we're looking at the Stryder. Hard.

The Stryder's boost jets allow it to dodge quicker than both the Atlas and the heavily armored Ogre. The Stryder is going to be good for quick, guerrilla style battles. Avoid using the Stryder like it's just as tough as the Atlas and keep moving. 

1. Fire From a Knifehold

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One of the neater tricks in the game, and a perfect way to flank a pursuing enemy is the knife hold. 

During a wall-run, stab your knife into a wall and hang in place. This will allow you to pick off enemies with your sidearm. It's perfect for dropping down on a pack of enemies below, but keep in mind that you'll be very, very vulnerable. 

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