Strinova has just launched globally, and while it shares similarities with other tactical shooters, it introduces several unique mechanics that will require you to adjust. The gameplay is similar in that attackers plant the bomb, and defenders attempt to diffuse it until one team reaches 9 points. But that’s where the similarities end. There are many new mechanics to get familiar with, and as someone who peaked at rank four on the Chinese version, here are five things you need to know before playing.
1. Third-Person Shooter
Strinova is a third-person shooter, which provides a significant advantage when peeking. Since your character’s camera is positioned on the right side of the player model, you’ll have a better view of enemies before they can see you. Keep this in mind when peeking or getting peeked at.
Because it’s a third-person shooter, you may catch information from your camera before you see it yourself. Anything the camera picks up is immediately shared with your entire team on the map, making map awareness crucial.
2. Paper Mode / Movement
In Strinova, you can turn into paper and stick to walls. Paper mode allows you to reach sneaky spots on the map and even evade sticky situations. A good use of the paper mechanic is when you’re reloading and need to buy time. In this clip, I get a quick kill but need to reload. The enemy sees this and aggresses me, but by turning it into paper, I negate a lot of their incoming damage.
Other uses include paper gliding. If you use paper mode while in the air, you’ll glide. This is useful not only when you’re rotating around the map but also because it makes it harder to shoot. Double jumping is important in Strinova. Not only do you jump really high, but your pivot point resets on your second jump. This lets you be very evasive during fights, as you can jump left and right to displace your enemies. Because of the mobility in Strinova, aim is also crucial.
3. Aim
Aim in Strinova generally tends to be tracking-heavy. If you’ve played Fortnite or Apex, you’ll find Strinova to be similar, rewarding players who can maintain smooth aim. The game has high verticality and jumping targets, so practicing in bouncing scenarios can be useful.
Something to note is that all the guns in this game follow a consistent spray pattern. You’ll need to learn to pull down in the opposite direction of the bullet path to center your shots when spraying, similar to Counter-Strike. The precision of the spray pattern depends on the aiming mode you use.
• Hip-firing is the least precise and should only be used at point-blank range.
• Shoulder aiming is more consistent and can be used at medium to close range.
• Aiming down sights (ADS) is the most accurate mode, providing extreme precision, even when jumping. This mode should be used for medium to long-range shots.
4. Buying
In Strinova, rounds are similar to the demolition mode in Counter-Strike. You earn credits based on whether you won or lost the previous round, as well as your damage dealt and kills achieved. With these credits, you can buy modifications for your guns, making them stronger, or upgrade your abilities. However, the most important purchase you should always make is armor—buy armor as soon as possible, particularly by round two. Most characters start with health, and buying armor can increase this up to a total of 200 health. Having more health increases your chances of winning fights compared to a small advantage gained from a damage upgrade, so prioritize buying armor early on.
As you continue upgrading, you’ll notice that the icons at the bottom of your buy menu will light up. With the right combination of upgrades, you can unlock Awakenings. These are powerful upgrades for your abilities that grant game-changing perks, which can shift the balance of the match in your favor.
5. Fighting
Strinova has a high TTK (Time to Kill), meaning it’s not easy to one-tap enemies unless you’re using a sniper. Character abilities play a significant role in securing kills, helping you convert damage into eliminations. In addition to abilities, every character has access to two grenades that can debilitate enemies. Some grenades can even prevent opponents from turning into paper, so be sure to use them strategically.
With so many factors at play, sticking with your teammates is key. By coordinating abilities and grenades, you can effectively push or retake objectives. There’s also a down mechanic similar to Fortnite, where downed enemies can be revived. This makes team play even more important. Try to confirm kills on downed enemies to prevent them from being revived or to pick up useful items like shield packs and grenades they drop. Remembering these fundamentals and combining them with map awareness are the stepping stones to mastering Strinova.
BONUS: Optimal Settings
Here are a few settings I recommend:
• First, make the map bigger. I have mine take up a third of my screen so I can assist my teammates and see where they are more easily.
• Since you’ll be using the paper mode frequently, I recommend changing the default control keybind for turning into paper if it’s not comfortable for you. You can also switch it from toggle to hold, depending on what feels best.
Overall, playing Strinova with an open mind will help you improve quickly. Even after a while of playing, I’m still learning new things from fellow players and streamers. And feel free to stop by my stream—I stream daily and am happy to answer any questions you might have. I also plan to make more in-depth videos covering advanced techniques in Strinova.
Let me know if you’d like further revisions or need more sections refined!
