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The extraction-based looter shooter Hunt: Showdown is as popular as ever. Despite coming out in 2018, the game just hit its highest player count ever! This is primarily due to a massive new event that has introduced a plethora of new weapons and mechanics. However, although there are more new players than ever before, the game is still ridiculously tough! Permadeath, ruthless AI enemies, and the ever-looming threat of other players means that Hunt has a steep learning curve. Here is the Hunt: Showdown beginners guide, along with a few vital tips and tricks to keep you thriving in the bayou in 2023.
Guide to Loadouts and Ammo Types
Right off the bat, it is essential to understand your loadout and equipment. Only a limited number of weapons will be available to newcomers, but that does not mean they are less effective. The truth is that there aren’t really any bad weapons in Hunt: Showdown, but just in case, here are a few solid early picks:
- Romero – This shotgun is available at rank one and has the best-in-class range. A top-tier pick for close quarters.
- Vetterli 71 Karabiner – Available early on at rank 6, the Vetterli is a phenomenal mid-long-range rifle.
- Winfield M1873C – What this rifle lacks in damage, it makes up for in ammo pool and ease of use. A fantastic pick for newcomers.
- Caldwell Pax – This medium ammo sidearm pairs perfectly with shotguns and rifles alike.
- Nagant M1895 Officer – This sidearm is unlocked a bit later at Rank 36 but is incredibly forgiving with a fantastic fire rate.
After selecting your loadout, you must also pick which ammo type they would like to equip with your weaponry. In our Hunt: Showdown beginners guide for 2023, we highly recommend sticking with the base ammo while you learn the game’s mechanics. However, if you are dying to take some special ammo into the bayou, just be sure to avoid incendiary.
Guide to Hunt: Showdown’s AI Enemies
Each AI in the game has its strengths and weaknesses. Figuring out how to tackle each enemy effectively is a matter of trial and error, so don’t be afraid to get your hands dirty! That being said, here is a brief beginner’s guide to the AI in Hunt: Showdown for your convenience:
| Enemy Type | Resistances | How To Kill |
| Grunt | None | Fire, Poison, All melee damage types |
| Armored | Gunfire | Fire, Poison, All melee types |
| Hive | Poison | Headshots, Fire, All melee damage types |
| Meathead | Melee attacks | Explosives |
| Immolator | Slashing, Piercing, Gunfire | Poison ammo, Blunt melee damage |
| Water Devil | Fire, Blunt Melee damage | Piercing/Slashing melee damage, Gunfire |
| Hell Hounds | Headshots (When wearing a mask) | Piercing/Slashing melee damage |
Tips and Tricks to Defeating the Boss in Hunt: Showdown
After tracking down all 3 clues and locating the boss lair, first enter dark sight to ensure that no enemies are in the compound with you. If the boss icon at the top left of your screen glows red, you know you are not alone. This can be done at any point during the boss fight and should be utilized repeatedly!
All bosses have distinct strengths and weaknesses, but melee attacks are practically always a good idea. World weapons such as the axe or hammer will take out massive chunks of health and keep you stealthy at the same time. However, if time is of the essence, consider bringing weapons such as the Bomb Lance or sticky bomb. These will absolutely annihilate all bosses except for the assassin.
Each boss also has an aggro phase it will enter each time 25% of their health is removed. This is usually accompanied by a sound queue and a noticeable increase in speed. As soon as this happens, immediately exit the boss lair and wait until the aggro phase ends before re-entering. Although it may feel like a waste of first aid, never attack a boss on low health.
Succeeding Against Enemy Players
PVP is, by far, the most challenging aspect of Hunt: Showdown. Winning those adrenaline-fueled gunfights is extremely tough, but it comes with a feeling of victory that few other games possess!
Engagements in Hunt: Showdown is all about who maintains the best angle. More often than not, gunfights end because one team was out of position. To avoid this, don’t initiate a fight when you are out in the open, and don’t challenge an opponent when you know you won’t win. Always try to get the high ground, and never peek the same spot twice!
Related:
Hunt Showdown Update 1.12 Patch Notes
Rotations are also vital to survival. Players who stay in the same spot for too long will frequently find themselves getting ambushed and face an early death. Our final piece of beginners’ guide advice for our Hunt: Showdown tips and tricks in 2023 is to take advantage of the training mode and firing range. These two game modes will drastically improve your feel for the game and set you up for success.
