Summary
Free-to-play shooters have been dominating over recent years, whether it be the fast-paced action ofOverwatch 2,the battle-royale fun ofApex Legends, or the precise, strategic gameplay ofValorant.But where players have seen a number of similarities in a few recent games, the newly releasedSpectre Dividetruly demands to stand out, delivering a refreshing change of pace of its own.
As a 3v3tactical shooter,Spectre Dividemay not sound too out of the ordinary, but its gameplay is like nothing players will have seen before. With each player given their own ‘spectre’, a second controllable body they can swap between throughout matches, this 3v3 plays a lot more like a 6v6 with plentiful strategic opportunities. But with such complex new skills to learn, let’s take a look at the best place to begin.
6Spectre Placement
Pre-Match Planning
Spectre placement is one of the most important details when it comes to playingSpectre Dividewell, but sometimes that can feel overwhelming, especially when players are just beginning. On defense especially, players need to be pre-planning their moves, and the handy map placement mechanic is perfect for that.
After purchasing weapons, players should open up the map and choose where they want to place their real bodies and spectre bodies, even being as specific as to rotate their characters' exact positions. As teams are limited to just 3 people with 2 objectives to cover, it’s important that players ensure one of their characters is positioned on one objective, and the other on the opposite objective or middle lane. Doing so ensures a vantage point for the action regardless of where it is, swapping between them and ensuring the best line of sight possible.
5The Buy Menu
Two Different Characters, Two Different Guns
Something that’s unique toSpectre Divideis how guns work between characters, with the buy menu specifically playing a big part in choosing how players want to play. As each body has their own unique weapon, players will be buying weapons specific to each side, whether one wields a shotgun or the other wields a sniper in the same match.
While weapon choices are specific to players' tastes, something else that’s unique about buying throughSpectre Divideis how loadouts can be bought in halves. Whether two teammates buy a half of the other player’s loadout, or one player pays for half, it makes it a lot easier for teammates to support those with less cash to spend.
4Spectre Utilization
A Key Mechanic
Much of the strategizing inSpectre Dividecomes through learning spectre placement, and fully utilizing the swapping mechanics between characters throughout. Learning to play both sites and scan middle lane is integral in keeping track of where the enemies are, and gaining intel to communicate with teammates. Spectres can also be used to reach higher locations or vents, reaching new positions that otherwise wouldn’t be possible.
When players aren’t in control of their spectre, they’ll be prompted with warnings about nearby noise, as well as danger for more urgent swap-back requirements. This means that players don’t need to be constantly worrying about their other character, instead gaining intel passively andcommunicating that with their team.
3Keep Moving
And Keep Your Spectre Close
With the limitations of playing 3v3, players should be constantly on the move, making sure their spectre isn’t ever too far behind. That way, any unexpected plants of the zeus can be tackled as a full team, with plenty of time to diffuse. Handling combat is also completely unique throughSpectre Divide, as in any fights where one of their characters takes severe damage, players can unexpectedly repeak through their second body taking enemies by surprise.
A large benefit for keeping on the move and maintaining a grouped-up focus with players' own spectres also comes while planting or diffusing, as the swapping mechanic can also be creatively used while mid-planting or diffusing, allowing players to give covering fire for themselves.
2Map Tools
Take Note Of Map Opportunities
The maps themselves have plenty of opportunity inSpectre Divide, particularly with areas marked by large green circles. If players want to quickly throw out their spectre, these spots will do it almost instantly, changing up the opportunity in plenty of fights. This ability can also be replicated by one of the different factions, throwing out a similar green glowing circle for their teams to utilize.
Another map mechanic comes in the form of moving walls, as well as scan walls. These different walls will either scan players that are in the zones for the enemy teams to constantly track, or limit where players can travel on the map. Both of these will change up the flow and give teams much-needed intel, so just be sure to keep track of it.
