Quantum Break Guide: Combat Tips and Tricks

Quantum Break puts players in the shoes of Jack Joyce, a man caught in time after a horrible accident places the future in jeopardy. As you work to get to the center of what’s happening, you’ll have to crack a few skulls.

Like with other Remedy games (Max Payne, Alan Wake), combat in Quantum Break is a bit different when compared to other third-person shooters. You’ll still be relying on cover to avoid damage, as well as switching guns on the fly, but your new-found abilities will make up a healthy portion of your arsenal.

As the story progresses, Jack will gain greater control of time around him, allowing for new possibilities while engrossed in combat. Of course, not every skill is good for every situation. Allow us to help you out so that you can keep Monarch soldiers at bay.

Using Focus Time

Remedy Entertainment loves to slow things down while bullets are flying. One need only play Max Payne to see just how slick and game-changing Bullet Time is as a mechanic. Providing the player time to line up a perfect shot, it is a useful tool for dealing with aggressive groups or an enemy with a specific weak spot. Quantum Break brings that mechanic back, although it is now called Focus Time.

To use Focus Time in Quantum Break, you must trigger Time Dodge (LB) and then immediately aim afterwards (LT). This will stop time for a couple of seconds, allowing you to make your bullets count. 

Knowing Your Abilities

There are several abilities that you will unlock as you progress through Quantum Break. You’ll finish off Act One with the basics and you’ll get more powerful ones later on. Knowing what each one does is important, as simply spamming them when charged won’t do you any good. Here’s a quick rundown of each:

• Time Vision (Y) – Pressing “Y” will highlight enemies, interactions, and collectibles on your screen. Once you move, it will go away, but you can upgrade the skill to have the highlights last longer and to even increase the range.
• Time Stop (RB)  – Jack Joyce will fire a bubble at an area that freezes everything caught within it. Firing at these bubbles will cause a delayed reaction, drastically increasing the power of your weapons. You can fire two before needing a complete recharge. The size, strength, and another bubble can be obtained through upgrades.
• Time Dodge (LB) – A quick dodge in any direction that gets you out of harms way. Aiming at the end of Time Dodge will bring the player into Focus Time. You can upgrade the skill for increased Focus Time and an extra dodge. Time dodge directly into an enemy to knock them back and stun them.
• Time Shield (B) – A quick bubble that is thrown up to stop incoming damage. Staying in the bubble lowers the charge, but quickly stepping out allows you to maintain enough power to throw up more. Upgrades allow for quicker healing, slower time, and even a larger shield.
• Time Blast (Hold RB to charge, then release) –  A powerful grenade made out of time. This is the slowest charging skill in your inventory, even when upgraded. But it is also the most powerful, able to clear out entire groups of enemies with ease.
• Time Rush (Hold LB) – Ever wanted to run faster than bullets? Well, now you can. Time Rush allows you to close the distance between yourself and rapid fire enemies without taking damage. If you get close enough, you can press “B” for an instant takedown, although it doesn’t work against heavy enemies.

Basic and Armored Solidiers

Basic Soldiers are easy to take out and don’t pose much of a threat, even when in groups. Simple cover will keep you out of harms way as they rely primarily on pistols and SMGs. A single headshot will take one of these guys out.

Wasting any of your abilities on them isn’t necessary unless you find yourself off-guard. If that ever happens, your Time Shield (unlocked during Act One) will be very helpful. It pushes back weaker enemies, protects you, and slows down time a bit around you allowing you to line up perfect shots.

Armored Soldiers (we’re talking vests and helmets) are pretty much the same, though they take a bit more damage than their unarmored counterparts. They aren’t much of a reason to panic, so breathe easy.

Time Stop, the first power you unlock (not counting Time Vision), is also useful for just holding a few soldiers in place so you can either light them up or find cover. 

Strikers

Strikers are a special type of annoying. They wear special, Chronon enhanced suits that allow them to move through Stutters, and even use abilities similar to your own. This makes them a bit trickier to deal with.

They are armored, meaning they can take quite a bit of punishment. They can also avoid several of your abilities. Using Time Stop will do absolutely nothing, so you can’t take advantage of the increased damage. Time Shield, on the other hand, will slow them down momentarily, but will not knock them back, as will a Time Rush directly into them.

Your best bet is to rely on Focus Time to quickly dispatch these enemies. It will give you the opportunity to nail a few headshots before they start running again. Time Rush Takedowns can take Quantum Break’s Strikers down in one hit, but for some reason the cue doesn’t always trigger. It’s very hit-or-miss. 

Juggernauts

Juggernauts are huge, Chronon enhanced soldiers that come in two flavors. The first is your standard heavy that sports anything from shotguns, to gatling guns, to grenade launchers. The second is the same, only it has been outfitted with a Chronon Dampener. These items negate your powers and drain your charges.

The good thing, though, is that the dampeners are only effective at close range. So if you maintain your distance, you’ll be fine. Doing damage requires a bit of moving about though. Juggernauts only have a weak spot on their backs. Using Time Stop doesn’t provide much of an advantage, but Focus Time will gain you just enough time to deal some serious damage. Do not waste any of your other time abilities on these guys.

If there are any smaller enemies in the vicinity, be sure to clear them out first, so you can provide the proper attention to these armored behemoths. 

Using Your Environment

All combat areas have plenty of environmental objects that can help you out. Fire extinguishers, red barrels, Chronon barrels, destructible cover, vehicles, and more. Use these to your advantage.

Breaking down cover will force enemies to move. Explosions are big and bright, capable of chaining to other items and clearing out entire squads if your timing is right. Locking things in a Time Stop will create even bigger effects, so combine your abilities with the environment to cut down on fights.

Also, do not forget that there are ammo bags scattered around every combat area in Quantum Break. Your sidearm has unlimited ammunition, but it isn’t the most powerful weapon. Be sure to quickly replenish your rounds whenever you get the chance, you can even do so on the move and from behind cover.