PLAYERUNKNOWN’S BATTLEGROUNDS is the most recent hit in the battle royale genre, where up to 100 players duke it out on a massive, semi-randomized map. And while PUBG boasts nearly infinite weapon, vehicle, and play zone spawn variety, it lacked weather variety. Up until now, PUBG only had three weather states for the map: cloudy, fair, and rainy.
But with PUBG‘s September patch, players will finally be introduced to a new and unique weather effect: fog. And it stands to fundamentally change the game’s strategy and combat.
It’s safe to say that, like rain, fog will only come rolling in on about 10% of maps (and maybe less if Bluehole decides to lump together with rain for a shared 10% probability rate for any inclement weather). But when it does arrive, you’ll want to be prepared with a few new strategies and weapon choices that will help ensure your survival.
Shooting in the Rain
To set things up for the incoming fog, let’s quickly talk about why rain changes the way PUBG is played. Typically, there’s really no way to move completely silently in PUBG, making stealthy approaches tactically unwise unless your intended victims are already preoccupied with another fight (or you just really trust your shotgun).
So, after the initial looting period has ended, engagements in PUBG tend to happen at a distance of hundreds of meters (sometimes even kilometers), rather than within earshot of your enemies. And if they’re up close, they’re often raucous, chaotic affairs.
But what makes rainy weather so unique in PUBG is that it’s not just an aesthetical change to the map, but also a strategic one. The rain is loud enough to mask a lot of noises in your vicinity, making it much easier for players to quietly pick off enemies.
Fog enhances that.
Foggy With a Chance of Bullets
Much like when it rains, you’ll find yourself in far closer quarters during skirmishes because you just won’t be able to see as far. But rather than merely encouraging those close-range firefights, fog in PUBG makes stealth the optimal way to engage your enemies.
Not only will you be able to move quietly by crouching and slowly tapping the walk button, you’ll be able to do so with increased confidence. In short, you’ll be less likely to get picked off from a distance or get quickly overrun.
Which Weapons to Use in PUBG’s Fog
The fog is almost reminiscent of Silent Hill‘s fog — thick, obscuring, and impenetrable. As such, you’ll find yourself trading that scoped Kar98k for an S686 and a shotgun choke far more often now. Here are some of the other weapons best suited for foggy weather:
Any Shotgun
Compared to most shooters, shotguns in PUBG have good range, and they still hit just as hard. Of course, PUBG‘s map is also massive, so you’ll often still find your shotgun outranged… nless something stops them from using those longer-ranged weapons.
Vector
The Vector has one of the highest TTK’s in the game, balanced by poor range and a pitiful magazine size. However, if your aim is true, the Vector will shred anyone in a fraction of a second.
Micro UZI
If you’re looking for an alternative to the Vector SMG, the UZI is your next best option. Though it sports worse bullet damage and spread, the UZI’s base magazine is nearly twice as large.
AKM
While ARs are the most versatile class of weapons, the AK is best suited for close-range encounters, as the 7.62mm round has low flight speed compared to the 5.56mm ammo that all the other assault rifles use. The trade-off is that the AKM has the highest damage per round, as well as a TTK to rival the Vector.
Miscellaneous Tactics
Another important thing you might want to consider is minimizing your usage of vehicles in the fog. While it’s generally safer to travel through fog because of low visibility, you have to keep in mind that just because they can’t see you, doesn’t mean they can’t hear you (or your vintage Dacia). It also means you’ll have more trouble seeing your enemy, giving them more chances to sneak up on you — or for you to run right into a group of them.
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One of PLAYERUNKNOWN’s BATTLEGROUNDS‘s greatest strengths is how varied and dynamic the gameplay can be, forcing players to adopt or explore new strategies on the fly. And now with the incoming foggy weather, players might have to learn how to play the game in an entirely new way.
That’s all you need to know about playing in the fog with this new update. But to ensure your survival in any mode or weather condition, make sure you check out our other PUBG guides! Here are a few to get you started:
- How to Get the Mini 14 Sniper Rifle
- Finding the Best Loot Locations in PUBG
- How to Bind Crouch Jump in PUBG
- How to Get Crate Keys
- PUBG Pioneer Crate Guide: What’s Inside, and When You Get Them
- How to Parachute Better and Faster in PUBG
