When it comes to battle royale games, few titles come close to Player Unknown’s Battlegrounds. It offers a grounded, realistic approach to the genre, and it’s an excellent choice for players looking for a new way to play. It’s also free to play, and it’s the perfect opportunity for newcomers to get a feel for what the genre has to offer.

There are some things you should know before you jump into PUBG, however. These tips and tricks will help you to get the most out of the game, no matter your skill level.

1. Don’t Open Fire on Oblivious Targets

One of the most appealing aspects of PUBG is the fact that you can kill a player without actually seeing them. Having someone oblivious to your presence is an easy temptation to take advantage of, but if you’re playing aggressively, you need to fight that urge.

2. Be Mindful of Your Environment

A big part of PUBG is navigating the map and understanding what weapons are best for specific situations, where you’re likely to find them, and where other players are likely to congregate. This isn’t something that’s easily learned, though.

3. Use Supply Crates

PUBG drops supply crates in the middle of each island, and they’re full of useful gear. This includes tommy guns, health kits, and suppressors.

4. Load Up on Medical Supplies

Damage is an inevitable part of PUBG, and the game makes it easy to survive by giving you health kits and bandages that replenish your health bar automatically. This is an important strategy, as it’s very common for you to be hit by bullets and throwables in PUBG.

5. Swim Underwater

While it’s rare for a gun to shoot through water in PUBG Mobile, swimming across rivers or other bodies of water is an effective tactic for getting out of a dangerous situation. The game also offers a variety of grenades that can be used underwater, so it’s a good idea to load up on them.

6. Go Procrescent

Another great tactic for a newcomer is to go prone. This will make you the smallest possible target, and it can often lead to a quick win.

7. Know the Map

Having a basic knowledge of the maps in PUBG is essential for surviving, and learning how to read maps like Erangel or Miramar will ensure you’re able to find supplies, spawn at strategic locations, and make it through the closing circle alive. This knowledge will give you a competitive edge over other players, and it will also make for a more enjoyable experience.

8. Be a Teamplayer

If you want to succeed in PUBG, you need to have a strong team. This means you need to be able to communicate well with your teammates and have them work together to help you out.

9. Be a Good Listener

While PUBG has great spatial audio, it’s still not as accurate as a high-end headset. This is especially true in the sniper mode where you’ll have to be able to pinpoint distant gunfire. You’ll need to have good surround-sound headphones with Dolby Atmos or Windows Sonic to really hear your enemies, and to identify them from a distance.