Surviving Gears of War 3’s Horde Mode, What Fortifications Need Your Focus

One of the biggest features keeping players locked and loaded with Gears of War 3 is the game’s new Horde Mode 2.0. This multiplayer mode has players teaming up together as Gears to take on wave after wave of the Locust and Lambent scourge. With each oncoming wave, the enemies get tougher and grow in number. Players will have to depend on their fellow team mates to stay alive and defeat all that Myrrah has to throw their way.

Part of survival in Horde Mode is teamwork, but there’s an equally important factor that players need to keep in mind – fortifications. Fortifications come in the form of purchasable items that will help defend against oncoming enemies. Players can purchase barriers, turrets, decoys, and even Silverbacks in efforts to keep the onslaught of creatures at bay. With all of these options available to players, which are the best to choose for the best chance of survival?

After playing many of hours of Horde Mode for myself, I’ve come up with some tips for players on how to choose their fortifications wisely, and keep as much of that precious cash as possible.

• Choose the best starting area for your control point. Avoid areas that are easily surrounded, and choose a location with plenty of cover. In Thrashball, I usually go for the control point in the upper area, as it has three lanes of entry that can be watched. These come in handy when the Armored Kantus runs into the room as he is forced to a point of entry where all players can focus. When you’re choosing your location for the control point, keep these things in mind.
• Start off with barriers. These are your first line of defense and will always help trap enemies to offer an easy way to pick them off. Upgrade them as soon as possible, as they eventually become laser traps. These traps will damage enemies, making them weaker and easier to deal with. Make sure to repair these after each wave, to ensure they remain useful. It’s best to split the repairs among the team to help make sure the most barriers get repaired at once.
• With barriers in place, erect turrets. Make sure to select turrets that give the best range for fire and coverage area. After each wave, be sure to repair and replace ammo within the turret. As soon as upgrades become available, use them. They increase turret health and ammunition. Turrets are a great way to cut the beginning of the waves down as much as possible.
• Sentries are helpful, but with their low amount of health they become cumbersome in later waves. If you have the ability to get them up early, go for it. Later on in play, however, shift focus to turrets and barriers.
• Be intelligent with your cash. If a player on your team can afford a Silverback, it is best to conserve your cash so later in the game you can offer it to said player when boss waves hit. Communication is key when planning this tactic out, as you really have to sort out which fortifications to purchase and upgrade in order to save up for the Silverback beast.

Using these tips, you’ll be better able to survive during those later waves in Gears of War 3’s Horde Mode. Of course there are different ways of approaching this game mode, and weapon selection also comes into play, but fortifications play a key role in the Horde Mode’s backbone. If you’ve got any special tips, we’d love to know. The next time you enlist to take on waves of the Locust and Lambent menace, however, keep this advice in mind.