The secret to using phantom

(SirSwag) #1

It has occurred to me lately that phantom doesn’t actually have much going for him. His cloak is easily detectable, and his katana is only slightly better than the cricket bat. So what’s the secret to using him? Besides not running out into the open trying to get melee kills. What’s the secret to using him effectively?

(Someordinaryguy) #2

Flank, pick off lone wolf players/HVT targets (Medics, Engineers), be unpredictable.
NEVER EVER rush the group of enemies unless they’re distracted (and distraction is not only fighthing your team, it’s also repairing the EV/generator/defusing C4 etc.)
Also having a C94 Excellent Operative loadout will be the best pick, since you get the KEK-10 (which is the best smg according to the majority of playerbase) and augments perfect for katana Phantom: Chopper (which allows you to 1 hit kill with m2 attack everyone up to Phoenix/Vaseline [103 dmg while they have 100HP]), Undercover (which increases your cloak duration).

Speaking of katana, use m2 attack on enemies who are moving slightly/not moving at all, since it’s hitbox is wonky. In other situation 2-3 m1 attacks are enough to kill everyone except Rhino. Also keep in mind katana has only slightly bigger “reach” than the bat, despite being a giant-ass sword (thx nerf kids)

(Jostabeere) #3

Not using him since he is underpowered af. He used to be strong and then people cried about him so SD nerfed him into oblivion.
“But muh KEK” - Use Bushwhacker or Phoenix.

(Yes) #4

He’s weak, but fun. The shield is so easy to see, there’s little point in trying to use it as a cloak, especially when you are near enemies. He’s pretty weak at melee, compared to what some other mercs can do.

(N8o) #5

He used to be overpowered as hell, but they nerfed him FAR more than he needed. The thing most people don’t do now is use their gun since at launch all they ever did was use his katana. Thankfully, they sorta fixed the melee and he’s a lot weaker now.

The secret is staying really sneaky and picking people off. You’re not a Rhino, don’t act like one.

(XavienX) #6

He used to be too effective, but now he got nerfed and you have to be overtactical to actually us his ability appropriately which is way harder to use now compared to other mercs’ abilities. Also his katana’s lunge attack STILL has a bug where it’s range is actually shorter than the slash attack (primary attack).

(LifeupOmega) #7

Remember that you have a god damn gun and you’re not going to kill a team waving your stick around.

(gg2ez) #8

Phantom used to be good but now in order to use him you’ve gotta be a god at strafing and wall jumps.

(modernBlast) #9

His cloak ability works better on the night-time map Chapel. One good way is to stand hiding in corners where you know the enemy will run past. Sure they will check the corners CS style - but this is a time based game, so often they do a quick sweep and move on. That’s when you move in behind them. Standing still with the cloak is under-rated, moving with it often sucks and makes you too visible. Also Consider just ganking with your KEK using headshots - moving the last 3m to “just get that stab in” can get you shot-gunned to the face.

The M2 attack is screwy now, it’s really short so be careful. If you miss or mess up the attack you can die easy. For example Aura will start hopping around and will shotgun you if you try to melee her. Also mercs like Aura can run back faster than you, they will LOL and kite you - so if you don’t get the 1 hit kill, pull out the KEK to finish.

On maps like Chapel the most useful thing you can do to help your team is to gank Skyhammer and healers. If you are not getting 2:1 kill ratio or killing Skyhammers then Phantom is a liability to the team.

(watsyurdeal) #10

The secret to using Phantom…is being an asshole

(Tanker_Ray) #11

Instantly kills poor Vassilies and other squishy female mercs (exept nader) with right-click katana stabbing + Chopper augment.

damage 90 x 1.15 = 103.5

poor Vassili.

(Maverix) #12

Stay in corners and don’t move until you can safely close the gap. Moving around will get you noticed. Get one stab in, then switch to your primary to finish off the kill. Most players will start running backwards after the first stab, making it very hard to catch up to make a final blow. Use your armor to get away from bad situations. It may slow you down a little while you activate it, but it will allow you to soak up a lot of damage as you run away. And avoid Rhino as much as possible.

(watsyurdeal) #13

These people don’t know what they’re talking aboot

Here’s what you do laddie

  1. If you wanna use that there Sword, wait until you can see the white in their eyes before you lunge. This way your armor takes all that damage and you’ll actually hit somethin.

  2. Speaking of armor, use that there gun of yours in close range, and go for single targets or weak ones like that Aura, Kira, or Sparks.

  3. Kill Vasillis, freaking Russians

  4. Get one of three cards, all of them have undercover and Katana, just 2 other augments and different primaries, nothing else matters ya hear?

  5. Aim down sights a lot, so you get the super perfect accuracy and melt people quicker than steel beams.

  6. And of course, don’t forget to be regular cunt, people hate stealthy cunts.

(Amerika) #14

Yesterday’s change buffed my style of playing with him to almost hilarious levels.

(gg2ez) #15

Sight fuel can’t melt steel beams. @Watsyurdeal

(Sorotia) #16

Is he a lot harder to detect when he isn’t running fast?

(Someordinaryguy) #17

Is he a lot harder to detect when he isn’t running fast?[/quote]

Yup

@Watsyurdeal Vaseline is British, not Russian

(Amerika) #18

Is he a lot harder to detect when he isn’t running fast?[/quote]

Yeah. I typically will stop and crouch or move slow to setup my next shot on people and hope they don’t notice me first (usually all the time needed) and now it’s like I’m not even there for the most part. You can easily take out the first guy with headshots in a quarter of a mag and then take on 1-2 more and either finish them or run. It’s pretty great.

(YeOldeButtcheek) #19

Hope the enemy team has cataracts.

(TheOrangePhantome) #20

The secret is that there’s no secret. DON’T be a lunatic who tries to get katana only kills and instead use those cool weapons of yours. Also how does phantom play out after the update cuz i haven’t played the game recently after the patch.