Winning gunfights in Vigor—Bohemia Interactive’s intense, tactical looter-shooter—takes more than quick reflexes. With its punishing combat mechanics and risk-reward gameplay, each encounter is a test of situational awareness, loadout choice, map knowledge, and decision-making under pressure. Whether you’re a seasoned Outlander or just stepping into post-apocalyptic Norway, improving your gunfight success rate can significantly boost your loot haul and overall enjoyment of the game.
Here’s how to tilt the odds in your favor and come out of more gunfights victorious.
Master Movement and Positioning
One of the biggest mistakes newer players make is standing still or rushing blindly into fights. Movement in Vigor is more than just dodging bullets—it’s about positioning yourself to control the engagement. Always use cover effectively. Rocks, trees, and buildings are your friends. Peek, reposition, and flank when possible. If you can catch your enemy off-guard, you gain the first-shot advantage, which often determines the outcome in Vigor’s high-lethality environment.
Additionally, avoid sprinting in open areas unless absolutely necessary. Sprinting makes noise and exposes you visually. Crouching and walking minimize your audio profile, giving you a stealth edge. Always keep high grounds in mind; it offers superior visibility and makes it harder for enemies to shoot you from below. Don’t be afraid to disengage from a bad fight either—retreating to reset the fight can be the smartest play.
Choose the Right Loadout
Gunfights often come down to the gear you bring into the Encounter. Each weapon in Vigor has unique stats—damage, recoil, fire rate, and handling—all of which affect your performance. For example, SMGs like the MP5 are great in close quarters, but you’ll be at a severe disadvantage in a long-range shootout against someone with a G3 or Mosin Nagant.
Bring weapons that suit your playstyle and the map. On open maps like Fiske Fabrikk or Fjellkanten, consider bringing a rifle or marksman weapon. In tighter spaces like Grontheim Valley, SMGs and shotguns can dominate. Attachments and consumables like painkillers and iodine can also give you the edge mid-fight, allowing you to heal or avoid radiation zones while still fighting.
Pro tip: Don’t always bring your best gear. Play smart with risk versus reward. Try practicing with mid-tier weapons to build skill and confidence without risking your rarest guns.
Play the Audio Game
In Vigor, sound can be as deadly as any gun. Gunshots, footsteps, vaulting, looting—all of it can be heard if you pay close attention. Using high-quality headphones and adjusting the in-game audio mix can help you pinpoint enemy locations before they see you.
When you hear footsteps, take a moment to crouch and listen before reacting. Are they above you, below, or coming around a corner? This info lets you set up an ambush or avoid an unnecessary fight. Conversely, manage your own noise. Jumping, sprinting, or looting loudly can give away your position. If you must move quickly, plan your route so you don’t expose yourself unnecessarily.
Also, keep an ear out for environmental cues like barred house alarms or signal detectors going off. These can help you anticipate enemy movement and either prepare for a fight—or steer clear altogether.
Stay Calm and Control the Fight
The final and perhaps most important tip: stay calm under pressure. In Vigor, a single misstep can mean death and the loss of your entire loadout. Panicking leads to missed shots, poor decisions, and wasted opportunities. When you engage, commit smartly. Take a breath, aim carefully, and control your fire. Spray-and-pray tactics usually end badly unless you’re at point-blank range.
Try to dictate the fight. Don’t just react—make your opponent play on your terms. Force them into bad positions, bait them into traps, or flush them out with grenades. Use the map to your advantage. If you know the location better than they do, use that knowledge to box them in or escape if things turn south.
One way to build confidence is by watching your own replays or recording gameplay. You’ll identify mistakes and patterns—maybe you always peak right corners or rush loot after a kill. Small adjustments to these habits can yield huge improvements.
