tips for moving up to HC free roam

[TheWanderingMystic]

I'd like this to maybe serve our posse as a place to post aiming and play strategies that can be used by those of us who are looking to play more HC free roam. I for one would love to, but my expert aiming isn't up to snuff yet.
So lets use this thread, if you think it's a good idea, as a repository for tips we can use to improve our game to expert level.


I for one have noticed that when you can't lock on (I believe the game disables auto locks for a target that's just respawned in normal free roam, giving him a slight advantage), the fights tend to be closer together. For beginners like myself, using a pistol with lots of ammo is a help: lemat revolver, semi-auto, mauser or high powered. The faster firing rate and larger clip can help a lot.
I've also found that strafing can be a good way to adjust your aim slightly. Good for nudging your crosshairs over your target. The disadvantage of this is that if you run in a predictable pattern, you will likely be shot.
The last thing I've noticed is that you should learn to use throwing knives. They can usually kill in one hit, make a good melee companion, and they're great when the fight comes in close. For me, at least, they also seem easier to aim against close-range, moving targets.

[TheWanderingMystic]

fast recap for easy reading of last post:
-throwing knives in close are easy killers. Good melee compliment too
-use a gun with more ammo as you want to minimize your reloads
-strafe to nudge your aim over your target


Some new tips I've been figuring out as I do more HC freeroam:
-play normal freeroam and practice manually aiming once L2 is down. If you start getting shot, release and press L2 again to cover yourself (use auto only when needed). Ween yourself slowly off autoaim.
-practice sniping. It will help with your aiming skills. Plus lots of people use snipers in HC

[TheWanderingMystic]

How to use Dead Eye better:

It's quick! One click and you're instantly reloaded. If you practice comboing your normal shots into a quick dead eye, you'll rarely have to spend time reloading. When you dead eye, just go for a single headshot, or even just release it without shooting. You'll reload (and with a nice sized clip, it's even better) very fast. Also, by doing a short dead eye, you reduce the chance you'll use up more bullets than you want targeting useless parts of the bandits you're trying to shoot.
You can also use this for quick reloads in a fight against another player.

This thing helping anyone so far, or should I just give up? Some feedback on these tips would be appreciated.

[Chikablam]

I never bother with HC.

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