Two for Tactics

Published March 18, 2008

In the Xbox 360® game ARMY OF TWO™, the whole focus is on cooperative tactics, rewarding carefully planned strategies and good communication while punishing any who might dare to run and gun blindly ahead. The following tips provide a clear understanding of how the game operates, and clues you in to a number of situation-specific strategies.

Good communication and the co-op riot shield … simply unstoppable.

The Aggro Swing

Proper use of the Aggro system is absolutely essential to a smooth tactical combat operation. Perhaps the simplest and most effective use of the system is to swing the Aggro naturally between the two players. Begin with one player establishing Aggro from a distance, allowing the second player to move strategically forward, flanking the enemy if possible, and eliminating them from relative safety as the "stealth" player.

When the second, non-aggro player begins pulling Aggro of his own, the first player should belay shooting and let the Aggro swing entirely to his buddy. This way, he will be free to move up on his own, advance in stealth mode and repeat the process.

The important point here is that you never compete for Aggro with one another. If you do, you'll essentially defeat the purpose of the system and make things a great deal harder on yourselves than need be.

Geared Roles

If you find that you enjoy building Aggro while your buddy loves to play the stealth role, or vice versa, modify your gear to accommodate one another.

For example, the Aggro holding player should "pimp" out all their weapons to increase their Aggro rating while the stealthier player should stick with a more standard design and purchase suppressors/silencers for their weapons to reduce any accidentally accrued Aggro. Likewise, if you need an explosive special weapon for your mission, the Aggro player should invest in the RPG or Stinger missile while the stealth player goes with sniper rifles.

If you have to be dragged, you may as well clear the way.

Blind Accuracy

Unlike so many other shooters, Rios and Salem are crack shots when aiming blindly around corners or above cover. While they're not as precise as when engaged with the Left Trigger, it's still worth your while to take out blatantly open targets while firing blind around cover. If you're engaged solely in building Aggro, where accuracy doesn't matter a lick, fire blind at all times so as not to expose yourself.

Trigger Aim

While firing blind can work wonders when behind cover, running and gunning will get you nowhere. Should you find yourself out in the open and in need of aim, use the Left Trigger to aim at all times. It's a smoother, much more precise mechanic than firing from the hip using only the right control stick to aim.

That said, if the enemy is running circles around you within a few feet, abandon aim of any kind and close in for a melee attack.

Co-Op Maneuvers

There are numerous occasions where ARMY OF TWO requires special co-op maneuvers to clear an area or defeat an enemy, but these sections are far from the only times to make use of your cooperative skills.

Use the GPS (press Back) system to locate Step Jumps during battle, many of which aren't required but nearly all of which offer a tactical advantage. Likewise, you'll find several enormous fuel tanks to trigger for explosive results via the co-op snipe ability. Take a close look at your surroundings at the beginning of every battle, before the firefight heats up so much you don't have the opportunity to line up a cooperative sniper shot.

That's right. Plan, then fight.

Swap it Out

Swapping weapons may initially seem unnecessary, but it quickly proves essential if one player is handling the bulk of the Aggro duties. Make sure the stealth player boasts a fairly long range secondary weapon (such as the MP7). This way, if the Aggro player runs out of ammo on their primary weapon, the stealth player can offer them their primary while still staying combat-effective with their secondary weapon.

Hold 'em Up

Any required step jump will be accompanied by a number of enemies waiting up top near the ledge you're going to climb. Make sure the top player clears the area entirely of enemies before climbing up and pulling up the bottom player. Remember too, that the bottom player can lower the top player down below the ledge's edge if they're taking too much damage.

Back to Back Quadrants

The few back-to-back moments in ARMY OF TWO aren't just for fun, but offer a rare opportunity to clear the area of most enemies before the battle proper begins. To help ensure you eliminate as many enemies as possible, be certain that you and your partner take responsibility for opposite quadrants. In short, you should never be facing the same direction as your ally.

Secondary as Primary

Throughout the game, you'll be granted access to a number of secondary objectives, nearly all of which offer substantial cash rewards upon completion. Secondary objectives rarely, if ever, get in the way of a primary objective, so go ahead and give them your full attention.

Make sure to check your Objectives on the Start menu from time to time. It's not uncommon for Murray to drop a secondary objective on you while you're in heated combat, so make sure you're up to date on the available tasks at hand. Likewise, take the time to scour each area and room for briefcases (there are three per level, not counting the first level), all of which offer cash bonuses.

With a commitment to teamwork—human or A.I.—the preceding tips and a few homebrew strategies of your own, only one thing is certain, victory. Good luck, soldiers!

Article by Ryan Treit