Gears of War Lessons Series - Episode 17 (How to use the Digger) is now LIVE!

[Skyllus vBi]

Update (11/01/11): Episode 18 is now live - part lessons video, part ranting about how ineffective the Retro Lancer feels to me. Next week will be about the DLC/any TU's we see.


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Introduction:

This video series is intended to help both new and experienced players become better, more lethal Gears of War players. I firmly believe that the game is more fun when you're getting kills and your team is winning, and I hope these videos will help people do a bit better when playing. The videos are a pretty eclectic mix of topics but I believe that players at every level can get something from each video.

For those that don't know me, my gamertag is "Skyllus zYn" and I'm a competitive gamer who played in MLG tournaments in Gears 1 and Gears 2 with team vBi (GoW1) and AmazYn (GoW2). Myself and arCtiC zYn run a Youtube channel and are Machinima Directors (Youtube Link: http://www.youtube.com/arcticvbi ). We're pretty active in the community and are trying to interact on these forums a bit more leading into GoW3's release.

I'll be producing these lessons videos every week and releasing them on Tuesday mornings. Expect a wide range of topics - competitive play, basics, mechanics, map breakdowns, and more. I generally just like to cover whatever is on my mind that particular week. That said, if a topic is in high demand I'll try to accommodate it.

Please leave any feedback/thoughts/experiences from watching the videos. I do my best to respond to any messages/questions on these forums or XBL. Hope you enjoy the vids.

Episode List
Episode #18 - How to use the Retro Lancer [HD]: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Ls7zXkAPO8
Episode #17 - How to use the Digger [HD]: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vjC8WbRJF0
Episode #16 - How to Control Power Weapons [HD]: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cEGPzmqtgnU
Episode #15 - How to Lancer [HD]: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVqSlzmk-uc
Episode #14 - Weapon Damage Breakdown [HD]: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zzBPcavSSsI
Episode #13 - How to Shotgun [HD]: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wY6VCHZxhO8
Episode #12 - Positioning [HD]: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C6ZuaIsRE30
Episode #11 - Weapon of Choice [HD]: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w5j1dd78Cow
Episode #10 - Intro to Team Deathmatch [HD]: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5PDvWxdA9A
Episode #9 - How to Wallbounce (GoW2) [HD]: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YnjihXkjcoU
Episode #8 - MLG River / Resource Management (GoW2) [MLG]: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CAjW6hkyRsc
Episode #7 - Basics and Mechanics (GoW2) [HD]: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5w2Ciqop_Dg
Episode #6 - PAX GoW3 Vid Analysis: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BihlDu-oh0Q
Episode #5 - Dealing with Host (GoW2): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8SrDgyKR6A
Episode #4 - Adjustments and Metagame (GoW2) [MLG]: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hlXhLhkfeNc
Episode #3 - Public Annex (GoW2) [HD]: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wlSmpxuSt9c
Episode #2 - Communication (GoW2): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZhGdxCXrjSs
Episode #1 - Pushes, Fakes, Grabs (GoW2) [MLG]: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2b7jpt9Y8M4

[Deltafang]

Yeah, I found your How to Shotgun techniques useful. Thanks so much for posting this again. Honestly, I kinda just eyeballed it for the past 5 years, haha.

Edit: FIRST!

[3o5TiLLIDiE]

Glad this thread has a solid home now.

Amen, and I would like to Thank zYn Gaming for their Lesson Series too.
Also, Thank you for all BETA Gameplay you guys have uploaded to YT. AmazYn work!

[Skyllus vBi]

Will go ahead and note this here as well while we're on the first page still:

We're going to be releasing videos on the channel every weekday in a consistent schedule. I think it's looking something like this:

Monday - arCtiC Commentary
Tuesday - Lessons Series
Wednesday - VLog/Question of the Week/Non-Gears Gameplay
Thursday - "Listen In" (zYn scrim with voices)
Friday - Calinorth streaming live on Youtube that evening, potentially also releasing a strategy video

Calinorth also streams regularly at http://www.twitch.tv/calinorth and you can follow over there to know any time he goes live.

[3o5TiLLIDiE]

Thanks for the Info Skyllus.

[Popogeejoe]

I love these.....the one on POSITIONING really helped me out

[Skyllus vBi]

I love these.....the one on POSITIONING really helped me out

Good to hear That's the one which I refer people to first if they are struggling. Most important thing in Gears in my opinion and it's something you can always improve on

[LegendaryMarvel]

Nice, I had heard of these before but didn't exactly know where to look to find them. I plan to give these all a good watching at least once. I'm hoping they'll help me step up my game.

[Tesco Jeans]

Great thread. Amazing work with the episodes.

[Popogeejoe]

Good to hear That's the one which I refer people to first if they are struggling. Most important thing in Gears in my opinion and it's something you can always improve on

Completly agreed...didnt realize what I was doing wrong, then I watched the vid.

[NeroRevolver]

Requesting an episode dedicated to the uses of Grenades.

Each type.

tired of hearing people saying the new ink is horrible.

Cringe + AR fire = Free kill

[Skyllus vBi]

Requesting an episode dedicated to the uses of Grenades.

Each type.

tired of hearing people saying the new ink is horrible.

Cringe + AR fire = Free kill

Yeah, grenades are going to be really really critical in competitive play as well, so I'll be talking a lot about them. Once I get some specific scenarios will put out an episode.

[NeroRevolver]

Yeah, grenades are going to be really really critical in competitive play as well, so I'll be talking a lot about them. Once I get some specific scenarios will put out an episode.

Looking forward to it, honestly from thinking back to the beta you were an excellent team mate and I always enjoyed playing against someone else who played equally and strategic

(not trying to kiss ass )

lol, like I said though, looking forward to it!

[xXQBirdXx]

Thanks for the repost, Sky. These helped me a lot when I was first learning the ropes.

[EpicDoom]

Great guide man. Thanx for sharing it!

[Pulletlamer]

Good videos. I subscribed.

[Skyllus vBi]

Good videos. I subscribed.

Thanks We literally JUST hit 10K an hour ago. So pumped!

[Pulletlamer]

Thanks We literally JUST hit 10K an hour ago. So pumped!

Np man. Good stuff. I learned a lot from just watching the videos and I consider myself kind of a "gears vet". So thanks to you, in any case.

Keep up the good work.

[Burbs889]

posting this on my clan's forums, every bit helps....thank you!

[The Munkey]

Id just like to say nice videos. Pretty helpful, as well as realistic. "Sometimes the shotty just doesnt work, and thats Gow for you" words of wisdom.

Also, Thank you for not being a dbag and filling your videos with "yo im a killa and I beast ery-body up in this janx cuz I bounce and if youz dont bounce and shotty then youz a random noob and you need to gtfo!!!!"

Im not a fan of such people.

[deezneezy412]

nice videos. subscribed

[Skyllus vBi]

Id just like to say nice videos. Pretty helpful, as well as realistic. "Sometimes the shotty just doesnt work, and thats Gow for you" words of wisdom.

Also, Thank you for not being a dbag and filling your videos with "yo im a killa and I beast ery-body up in this janx cuz I bounce and if youz dont bounce and shotty then youz a random noob and you need to gtfo!!!!"

Im not a fan of such people.

Hehe, after the wallbouncing video I kept getting a bunch of video comments and messages on XBL that I don't "bounce as fast as them" and that I suck at wallbouncing. Still cracks me up.

Glad you enjoyed them

[Skyllus vBi]

Episode 14 - Weapon Damage Breakdown is now live!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zzBPcavSSsI

Added to original post. Also check out the spreadsheet: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/...hl=en_US#gid=0

[DangIGotSawedAgain]

Good stuff yet again

[Yonatan555]

Thanks for all your time & hard work; you'll give so much to the community, I appreciate it ; I saw in Ep 27(?) where you where getting footage for the Strafing video, Looking forward to it.

[KRiMeZ]

Skyllus, nice vid man. So whay has chnaged from TU1 to the sawed-off and the other weapons?

[Skyllus vBi]

Skyllus, nice vid man. So whay has chnaged from TU1 to the sawed-off and the other weapons?

All I know is the Sawed-Off changes. They didn't say anything else.

[xMalcolmx]

Nice vids. Your earlier ones really helped me and my team out. Can't wait to play some scrims in gears 3.

[Skyllus vBi]

Nice vids. Your earlier ones really helped me and my team out. Can't wait to play some scrims in gears 3.

Yeah me too, looking forward to some private matches today

[Helluminatus]

love what you're doing man, thanks

[Skyllus vBi]

Update: Episode 15 (How to Lancer) is now live. Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVqSlzmk-uc

Been using it a lot lately to deal with people running at me with Sawed-Off, so thought it would be a nice topic since I've already done "How to Shotgun". Might do Retro next, but I don't think it's as good as Lancer with how everyone is playing right now (see: running at you with Sawed Off out).

[Porshapwr]

Nice vid and great series. The Lancer is indeed a powerhouse.

[Skyllus vBi]

Nice vid and great series. The Lancer is indeed a powerhouse.

Thanks And it most certainly is. Been finishing 40/40 almost every game of KoTH using it.

[Skyllus vBi]

New Episode: How to Control Power Weapons - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cEGPzmqtgnU&feature=share

Check out the neat overlay Miiiiight start integrating this into our match videos on the channel.

[Crewdog00]

Thank You sir, please keep posting. I will continue to watch. I studied each video like i was gonna have a final exam. Level 15 noob here, brand new to gears overall. Fast Learning curve. Always looking to find ways to get better and to make the best out of the little time I have available to play.

[Corporal Baird]

Watched the new episdoe, sweet gameplay, gonna try that next time I get on.

[someguy00]

Great video to show people how OP the lancer is I guess, just spray and pray oh boy such strategy.

[Shockwave IIC]

Thanks for making these videos, I've watch from the Wall bouncing one (Though I think I skipped TDM) They're great to watch and they have given me hope with my Lancer.

Thanks

[Xplosive86]

Hey thanks Skyllus. I consider myself a above average player but i have room to improve and i believe your videos are very well explained and make alot of good points. Thanks for the info will definitly use the pointers.

[Skyllus vBi]

Thanks guys, appreciate the comments. Makes it a lot easier to justify the time spent making them if it's helping people out Won't be stopping any time soon.