The Dreaded PUBG Circle of Death

Mention the words “circle” and “death” in the same breath and you’re sure to conjure up images of the infamous Xbox fiasco from over a decade ago. Nowadays, there is another circle that’s making waves in the gaming world. Though not as widespread as Xbox’s Red Ring of Death, PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds’own version of the Circle of Death is as well-known as it is detested.

However, as loathed as it is by some, it is a component that’s intricately woven into PUBG’s gameplay and core identity. You simply have to live with it and, if possible, use it to as leverage if you want to get the most of the PUBG experience. Here’s a look at all the things you need to know about the notorious Blue Circle otherwise known as the PUBG Playzone.

It has a Purpose

As much as you might detest it, the Blue Circle does indeed serve a purpose in the game. Fighting in an expansive area for an inordinate amount of time can get stale. Chances are, people will just crawl into their own hiding spaces and wait for the less patient players to come out into the open. This makes for easy pickings, after all. That’s exactly what the Blue Circle is for! It forces the action to take place rather than just waiting for player-to-player engagement. That’s also what makes the game so much more exciting. It’s the long buildup—knowing you’ll inevitably have to face all other surviving players to be the last man standing—that makes you edgy and sweaty with anticipation.

You Can Use the Circle to Your Advantage

Much like the way you use PUBG items to win, you can use the Blue Circle to your advantage. It’s all about time-awareness and positioning. You can’t just shoot your way out of every encounter if you wish to be the last man standing. Sure, it’s a fun way to play, but it doesn’t assure success—in fact, it even lessens your chances to bring home the much-coveted chicken dinner. Play smart by being aware of when the circle will close in and you can have an ally on your side instead of an ominous deterrent. As much as possible, position yourself in the middle early on and try to move toward the edges later.

How and when you make your move is essential. Engage your opponent too early and you risk giving your position away. This will leave you in quite a predicament should you be cornered in a tight spot once the blue circle starts to shrink. To avoid this rather difficult situation, you need to develop a keen sense of awareness in order to use the circle to your advantage.

There are certain things that conjure up a strong sense of urgency. PUBG’s Circle of Death is certainly one of them. Few things force players to snap back into focus and bring their A-game the way the dreaded Blue Circle of death can. Love it or hate it, the Blue Circle is here to stay. It’s up to you to adjust your strategy around it so you can get the ever-elusive chicken dinner.