Players of Grand Theft Auto Online proud of their shooting skills might wish to test their luck in the game’s Drop Zone Mode. This Adversary Mode is the Grand Theft Auto Online equivalent of Capture-The-Flag, where players have to score as much points in a match by keeping control of certain points in an area.
However, based on how crazy GTA Online could get, it makes sense for some players to feel a bit stuck when trying to play this mode properly. Thankfully, new and veteran GTA Online players could rely on some handy tips and tricks to dominate Drop Zone Mode.
Drop Zone Mode: The Basics
Before players proceed on becoming pros of the Drop Zone Mode, it might help to have a firm grasp of its mechanics before deep-diving into how to manipulate them to the player’s favor. At its core, the Drop Zone Mode is a dedicated PVP Mode within GTA Online. Drop Zone, in particular, was added back in the January 2016 Update.In terms of mechanics:
- Setup: Up to 16 players are divided amongst two to four colored teams (Green, Orange, Pink, Purple). As the name implies, they get into separate Team Cargobobs above a target area, after which they have to jump out and parachute into the location.
- Gameplay: Once they’re in their designated zone, the game plays out like a typical capture-the-flag scenario. Players get points for as long as they stay within a target area, and gain no points if they get killed or stay out of it.
- Endgame: A team wins once they’ve captured the target drop zone within the time limit. If no team does this, the game enters a Sudden Death Mode where everyone has 1HP. The last surviving team then wins the match, regardless of the score.
Mind The Loadout
One of the most interesting aspects of Drop Zone is how GTA players don’t necessarily engage in combat without being prepared. In fact, the game already gives participants preset equipment to use throughout Drop Zone that can give them advantages in combat. At its core, it seems players have a primary weapon for long-range, a secondary weapon for shorter-range, as well as a grenade to complete their arsenal. Here’s the full list of the equipment:
- Fist: A last-resort, melee option generic to the characters.
- Micro SMG: A mid-range solution to most incursions.
- Assault Rifle: A more powerful long-ranged primary weapon.
- Grenade (1): A damaging burst projectile.
- Body Armor
- Parachute (2)
Stay On Center
It’s essential for participants to stay inside the Drop Zone to ensure the maximum point advantage throughout the match. When players drop off from the parachute, it’s important to stay on course and have a set target “area” within the Drop Zone through which they can set up vantage points according to their strategies.
Like GTA's gorgeous locations, the Drop Zone maps vary in size and composition. Here are some basic approaches to staying on target: Chances are, the main target in any Drop Zone is at the center of the map. It’s ideal to secure this location especially for players on the defensive, since it’s much easier to defend a point when going outward instead of inward.
Maximize The Timer
When starting a match, players have around 10 minutes to either defend the Drop Zone or steal it from the enemies. Players should try to maximize their timer as much as possible, especially since opponents can get a surprise upset either at the last minute or if players try to rush in too fast without a plan. Here are considerations:
- Take time for security: Sometimes, a good way to maximize the timer in Drop Zone is to take a bit of time to secure either the offensive or the defensive. Player characters who lure in opponents into a false sense of security can ensure teammates grab essential drops or even establish defensive points.
- Blast through the timer: Another approach to the timer in Drop Zone is to go fast and loose to ensure enemies are too overwhelmed to fight back. This likely means leaving someone to hold the fort while the rest vicious try to hunt down opponents even from outside the ring.
Defenders Run, Attackers Snipe
Players on the defensive should still keep on running even while holding down the fort. Remember, being out in the open means players can essentially be hit from multiple angles, and someone with a Sniper Rifle can take out defenders quite easily if they stay put. In this regard, defenders should keep themselves on the move and try to at least be within reach of easy-to-access covers.
Likewise, attackers should try to find vantage points such as above containers and the whatnot to get a clear shot of opponents. Securing the Sniper Rifle early on can allow them to pick off opponents who aren’t paying attention to their surroundings.
Always Have Backup
Remember, the capture-the-flag mechanic applies to all players, which means any participants is sufficient to secure the Drop Zone if they sit there long enough. Theoretically, one player is enough to hold down the fort while another enemy player tries to take it. This is an important stipulation in the mechanics, since this essentially makes having backup a surprise lifesaver for GTA players.
Important especially for the defender side is how backups can make for a surprising victory in crucial moments. If defenders are eliminated quickly, a backup just hiding outside the area can take the win for the team. In terms of attackers, having backup at the ready means there’s always someone who can dish out covering fire and get into the fight if needed.
Defend From The Outside
Just because the Drop Zone is secured from the inside doesn’t mean the open area at the center is the only way to defend it. Defenders have to play smart when it comes to protecting such a sensitive area, especially since it’s much easier to focus fire in a single point.
To counter this vulnerability, players may want to start protecting the zone from the outside as well. Having a couple of people protect the zone proper can be enough to stave off an offensive assault, and defenders rotating out of bounds to take out enemy targets can help remove threats before they even get inside the area.
Attack From The Inside
While it’s true that it’s not that easy to penetrate the Drop Zone with enemies clustered within it, that doesn’t mean attackers always have to attack from a distance. Sometimes, players need to do a bit of psychological warfare against opponents, and a mounted offense towards the inside of the zone can stagger opponents with confusion.
After all, why attack such an obviously-defended position? Since players will respawn when killed, a “sacrificial lamb” approach isn’t an impractical way to secure the position. Players assigned as bait can rush into the Drop Zone to disorient enemies into focusing fire on them, while backup can rush in second to kill off enemies who aren’t looking their way.
Stop The Jump
When players die in Drop Zone, they immediately respawn in their respective Team Cargobobs and have to parachute their way back in. This gives them some time to reposition themselves and land in a chosen area, giving them some control over their approach even before fighting again. Thing is, players can take advantage of this situation, as parachuting is a vulnerability.
At its core, players can simply shoot at the parachutes of enemies descending from their cargobobs. This will definitely put them out of course and get into areas they don’t prefer, possibly dealing damage during the crash. Players in this situation will have to detach immediately and wear their spare chute to avoid getting as much damage as possible.
Secure Pickups
Just because players have a default arsenal in Drop Zone doesn’t mean they have to rely on them exclusively. In fact, Drop Zone offers a multitude of drops and pickups that can make the difference in combat when used properly by players.
For instance, GTA Online players can secure additional weapons such as Proximity Mines, Sniper Rifles, and Special Carbines to enhance their arsenal. Not only that, Health Packs scattered around the zone can help them replenish health reserves to fight another day without necessarily having to respawn through death.
Grand Theft Auto Online is available PC, PS3, PS4, PS5, Xbox 360, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.