Skip to content
MELEE | 3
Gears of War 3

MELEE | 3

Learn the essential melee techniques in Gears of War 3. This guide covers basic attacks, executions, and advanced tips to dominate close-quarters combat and earn those crucial kills.

By ···10 min read·Multi-source verified
1 reading this guide  

Learn the essential melee techniques in Gears of War 3. This guide covers basic attacks, executions, and advanced tips to dominate close-quarters combat and earn those crucial kills.

Hey there! So, you want to get up close and personal in Gears of War 3, huh? Melee combat can be super satisfying when you pull it off right, and it's a great way to conserve ammo or finish off weakened enemies. Let's break down how to make sure your bayonet charges and chainsaw executions are on point.

Walkthrough
  1. 1
    Basic Melee Attack: This is your bread and butter. When you're close to an enemy, press the melee button (usually 'B' on Xbox) to deliver a quick, powerful punch. This is great for staggering enemies, interrupting their attacks, or finishing off someone who's already low on health. Don't underestimate it – a well-timed melee can save your life when you're out of bullets.
  2. 2
    Executions: This is where the real showmanship comes in. When an enemy is staggered or downed, you can often initiate a brutal execution animation by getting close and pressing the melee button again. The game will prompt you with the button to press (often a specific sequence or hold). These are incredibly satisfying, but be warned: you're locked into the animation and completely vulnerable if another enemy attacks you during it.
  3. 3
    Chainsaw Bayonet Charge: If you've got the Retro Lancer, you can rev up the chainsaw and charge! Hold the melee button to rev it, then release to charge forward. If you connect, it's an instant kill. This is fantastic for clearing paths or taking out a tough enemy, but it's also very risky. You're committed to the charge, and if you miss, you'll be left wide open.
  4. 4
    Melee in Cover: Sometimes, you'll find yourself right next to an enemy while in cover. You can still melee them! This is a quick way to deal with enemies trying to flank you or get too close to your position.
  5. 5
    Melee vs. Grenades: While not strictly melee, remember that meleeing an enemy who is planting a grenade can sometimes interrupt them or even cause them to drop it prematurely.
Tips
  • Listen for Cues: Pay attention to the enemy's audio cues. They often grunt or yell when they're staggered and vulnerable to an execution.
  • Know Your Enemy: Some enemies are more susceptible to melee than others. Drones and Theron Guards are prime targets for executions.
  • Practice Your Timing: Executions require precise timing. If you miss the window, you might just end up doing a basic melee or nothing at all.
  • Don't Get Greedy: It's tempting to go for every execution, but if the situation is too dangerous, stick to shooting. A dead player can't get any kills, let alone stylish ones.
  • Use it to Break Free: If an enemy grabs you, sometimes a quick melee button mash can help you break free faster.

100% Human-Written. AI Fact-Checked. Community Verified. Learn how AntMag verifies content