What is circle strafing?
Circle strafing is a well known technique in many shooter games that involves the player circling a player whilst shooting them, a strategy that works particularly well in Respawnables due to the many weapons capable of doing this efficiently. It works because you move in a circle around the player, which will take you out of their sight and out of their weapon's firing range. If the player is able to keep up with your movement, the fact you are moving directly sideways to them may cause them to miss.
In the image to the left, the player in blue is using this technique against the red player. As you can see based on the movement of the shots, the red player is unable to keep up with the blue player's movement, and repeatedly fails to hit them. The blue player may then repeatedly hit them until they win.
In the image to the left, the player in blue is using this technique against the red player. As you can see based on the movement of the shots, the red player is unable to keep up with the blue player's movement, and repeatedly fails to hit them. The blue player may then repeatedly hit them until they win.
How to do it efficiently?
To circle strafe, you should do the following:
- Make sure you are at a close range to the target. Circle strafing only works this way, as the main idea is taking yourself out of the player's sight. If you are at longer ranges, you cannot do this, as you are easier to track and unlikely to trick the player the same way you could at close ranges.
- Move in a circular motion around the player. This is the obvious one. While doing this, remember to fire at the player and do not change direction.
- Keep doing this until someone wins the fight. Hopefully that someone will be you!
How to counter this technique?
One of the most efficient means of countering circle strafing is to stop following the player, move around in the opposite direction and wait for them to appear in front of you. You may then proceed to fire at them. This works as you have re-established the player's location, and your weapon is able to lock onto the player, which allows you to hit them.