Around the fight · fundamentals

Awareness

Knowing what's going on: where your team and theirs are, what you can hear, who's looking at you, and which enemy ultimates are ready.

At every rank

Know where everyone is

Before each fight, know where your team is and where every enemy was last seen. Keep asking during it. Most surprise deaths are an enemy you'd stopped thinking about.

Use your ears

Play with headphones. Footsteps, a teleport, a tank charging in and every ultimate's voice line tell you what's happening behind walls and behind you, often before you can see it.

Build a checking habit

  • Each time you reload or step into cover, glance at your team and at whoever is threatening you.
  • Note when you last saw each enemy ultimate. One you haven't seen in a couple of minutes is probably ready.
  • Look at the most dangerous enemy, not the biggest thing on your screen.

At your rank

What matters changes as you climb. Pick your rank to open that section. We'll remember it next time.

Bronze–Silver Gold–Plat Emerald–Diamond Master+
Bronze and Silver1 tip

Look around

  • Get a headset and turn the game's sound up: flankers and teleports are loud.
  • Look behind you now and then; tunnel vision on what's in front of you is how flankers get you.
  • Before the fight, know where every enemy is.

By role

  • TankKeep track of every enemy before the fight starts, and keep asking where they are.
  • DamageListen for flankers, and turn around when you hear one.
  • SupportLook around more; your job needs a wide view more than precise aim.
Gold and Platinum1 tip

Team checks and their ults

  • Check where your team is on every rotation; don't assume they'll follow.
  • Keep track of the enemy's ultimates and when you last saw each one used.
  • Listen for your tank taking fire, watch for the enemy turning to your team, then go.

By role

  • TankTrack their ultimates and when you last saw each one used.
  • DamageCheck your team before you push an angle.
  • SupportTurn and check your team each time you reload.
Emerald and Diamond2 tips

Count who's looking at you

If three or more enemies are shooting you, get out of sight; nobody is built to take five people's attention. If none are, that's the moment to peek and shoot.

Spot the one out of place

  • Notice the enemy who's wandered off alone, even before you can act on it.
  • Respect an ultimate you hear: back off with your team instead of challenging it.
  • Peek out of cover to see; hugging the wall keeps you safe but blind.

By role

  • TankCount how many are shooting you; three or more, hide.
  • DamageKnow which enemies near you have an escape or a cleanse before you commit.
  • SupportPeek more, so you see shield drops and your team's plans.
Master to Champion1 tip

Read the fight you can't see

  • Don't assume nobody is on an angle because you can't see them; assume someone can reach your backline from there.
  • Read the fight by sound: who's charging in, who's shooting, who's walking up.
  • Ask whether a teammate is worth helping where they are. One far out of the fight is not your job to fix.

By role

  • TankLook at the enemy that can actually hurt your team, not the biggest one.
  • DamageUse sound to know the fight before you arrive at your angle.
  • SupportKeep your eyes on the threat to you until you're sure it's gone.

Take it into your games

Hardstuck reviews every match you play and shows what keeps coming up. This guide is in the app too, opened at your rank.

Join the waitlist All fundamentals

For a hero's own matchups and counters, see the hero guides.