Skip to content
MELEE                 | 5
Gears of War 3

MELEE | 5

Learn the ins and outs of melee combat in Gears of War 3. This guide covers essential techniques, tips, and strategies to dominate close-quarters battles and take down your enemies.

By ···10 min read·Multi-source verified
1 reading this guide  

Learn the ins and outs of melee combat in Gears of War 3. This guide covers essential techniques, tips, and strategies to dominate close-quarters battles and take down your enemies.

Hey there! So you're looking to get up close and personal in Gears of War 3, huh? Melee combat can be super effective when you know what you're doing, but it's also a quick way to get yourself killed if you're not careful. This section is all about mastering those brutal close-quarters takedowns.

Think of melee as your last resort, or your surprise attack. It's incredibly powerful, but you need to pick your moments. Rushing in blindly is a recipe for disaster, as you'll be wide open to enemy fire. The key is to use cover, flank your enemies, or catch them off guard.

Walkthrough
  1. 1
    Where to Use Melee: You'll find opportunities for melee attacks throughout the campaign. Look for enemies that are isolated, distracted, or reloading. Also, if you manage to flank an enemy and get behind them, a melee attack is usually a guaranteed kill.
  2. 2
    The Basic Melee Attack: This is your bread-and-butter. When you're close enough to an enemy, press the melee button (usually [B/Circle]). Your character will perform a quick, brutal attack. This is great for finishing off weakened enemies or taking down those caught unaware.
  3. 3
    The Bayonet Charge (if applicable): Some weapons, like the Lancer, have a bayonet. If you sprint towards an enemy and press the melee button, your character will charge forward with the bayonet for a more powerful, longer-range melee attack. Be careful, though, as this leaves you vulnerable if you miss.
  4. 4
    Executing Downed Enemies: When you knock an enemy down, don't just leave them there! Move up to them and press the melee button to perform a gory execution. This not only looks awesome but also prevents them from being revived by their teammates.
  5. 5
    Melee in Cover: Sometimes, you can perform a melee attack on an enemy who is right next to your cover. If an enemy gets too close, you might get a prompt to melee them. This is a great way to defend yourself without leaving your safe spot.
Tips
  • Listen for Cues: Enemies often make noise when they're reloading or distracted. Use these sounds to your advantage and close the distance for a melee attack.
  • Use Grenades to Distract: Toss a grenade near a group of enemies to draw their attention, then use the chaos to flank and melee.
  • Chain Melee Attacks: In some situations, you can chain melee attacks if you take down one enemy quickly and can immediately move to the next. This is especially effective against weaker enemies like Grubs.
  • Know When NOT to Melee: If you're facing a heavily armed enemy like a Theron Guard or a Berserker, a direct melee charge is probably a bad idea unless you've got them completely surprised or cornered. Stick to your firearms in those cases.
  • Practice Makes Perfect: The timing and range for melee attacks can be tricky. Don't get discouraged if you miss a few times. Keep practicing, and you'll get a feel for it.

100% Human-Written. AI Fact-Checked. Community Verified. Learn how AntMag verifies content