Just Cause 3: 8 Beginner Tips and Tricks for Maximum Destruction

Just Cause 3 is one seriously insane game. Set in the island country of Medici, homeland of our protagonist Rico Rodriguez, players will have the ability to cause destruction in pretty much whatever way they want as they try to overthrow yet another dictator. Filled to the brim with mayhem and explosions, there are a lot of things that players will need to get the hang of before they can become the one-person army that they need to be.

Building on the foundation of the previous games Just Cause 3 is bigger, crazier, and a lot more dangerous. In order to get you ready for this deceptively beautiful world we’ve put together some handy tips that will have you parachuting, driving, diving, and flying (yes, flying) in absolutely no time. So sit back and relax as you prepare for what is sure to be nothing less than video game insanity. 

Take Advantage of Boom Island

Unlike most games this generation, Just Cause 3 doesn’t start installing until you actually go into the game. On PlayStation 4 it takes a solid 15+ minutes to do so (unsure about the other platforms) which can put a huge damper on your crazy fun time. Luckily, the folks over at Avalanche already thought that would be a downer and included Boom Island. This is a deserted location (as long as you don’t count animals as people) that exists solely for you to get a feel for the controls.

Use this opportunity to get a hang of the new Wing Suit that lets you majestically glide through the skies as you rain hell upon your adversaries. If it’s been a while since you’ve played the last game, you may want to brush up on your Grappling Hook/Parachute combo to rule the skies like the dangerous beast you are. Also, try out driving and basic traversal since those will play major parts in the story and challenges to come.

Boom Island is a much better alternative then going in completely blind. It’s easy to stay alive in Just Cause 3 as long as you know how to move. Don’t become another statistic on the Island of Medici.

Complete the Mission “With Friends Like These…”

So there’s a chance that you purchased Just Cause 3 with nothing more than Chaos in mind. You have no care for the story and it’s characters, nor for the innocent civilians running for their lives as you tear through the streets. Heck, General Di Ravello could stroll right past you and you probably wouldn’t even care. You just want to set the world on fire.

The developers do a good job of throwing you right into the open world. After the first mission (which begins as soon as you start the game) you’re set free to do as you please. But, you should probably do a few more missions if you want to make the best of your stay in the tropical world of Medici. Play the story until you complete the mission “With Friends Like These…” and you’ll be set for hours of mayhem. This will ensure you unlock the newer Grappling Hook (with multiple tethers), the Wing Suit, Rebel Drops, and Fast Travel. The world is absolutely huge so just the act of getting around could be a pain. Having all of the tools of the trade will make life much easier.

If you’re worried about this taking too long, don’t be. It shouldn’t take much longer than an hour to complete all of the objectives necessary. 

Liberate Map Locations, Get Awesome Gear

Just like previous entries to the series, Just Cause 3 will allow you to “liberate” positions on the map. We use the term liberate loosely because it solely entails blowing everything to high hell. Either way, you’re going to want to do it because it does nothing but benefit you.

Clearing out these locations unlocks new opportunities and gear for Rico. New weapons and military vehicles are unlocked this way (and only this way), as well as challenges, and other missions. So do what you do best and blow everything up.

Challenges!

In Just Cause 3 Rico, the suave protagonist that he is, is able to upgrade is gear through Mods. These are not things you can purchase, though. They must be earned by unlocking Gears, which is done by competing in challenges scattered throughout the world.

Challenges are unlocked by liberating positions on the map and they come in several forms: Destruction Frenzy, Crash Bomb, Shooting Gallery, Scrapyard Scramble, Wingsuit Course, Land Race, Air Race, and Sea Race.  Each type grants Gears that can be used towards a specific Mod tree. For instance, Wingsuit Courses earn you Gears towards Traversal Mods, allowing players to get through the world quicker and easier without the need of a vehicle.

While some of these are rather challenging, you can still scrape up enough points to earn the Mods you want across all of them. So get out there and challenge yourself. 

You’re Rico, Use That to Get Help

Rico Rodriguez has got a lot going for him. Healthy hair, some awesome gear, an aversion to safety, and the fact that people are willing to ride to their deaths with him. You may as well use that to your advantage when out in the open world.

When in a vehicle and you happen to see some rebels nearby, honk your horn. As long as there is room they will jump in and join you in whatever ridiculous endeavor you have planned for the day. It can be taking over an encampment, or just jumping off of a cliff, they will follow you anywhere.

This is especially useful when you know you’re about to go up a rather nasty group of military. Just lead your lambs to slaughter as you sneak around back and do your thing. 

Steal a Lot of Vehicles

Rebel Drops are used to call in anything that you own. Military vehicles are unlocked by clearing bases, but some of the fun, more sportier, sets of wheels, wings, and sails must be commandeered. That’s when you need to get on your GTA V way of playing.

See something you like? Take it and return it to a garage you’ve unlocked. That will make it available to be called in when you’re out Just Cause 3’s open world. It will also give you the added bonus of equipping any vehicle mods you have activated to the vehicle you call in. So a nitrous powered, jumping sports car can definitely be part of your future. 

Complete Random Encounters Whenever You Can

Random Encounters are fun little excursions that you can come across as you play Just Cause 3. They can range from helping a rebel escape a firing squad to pulling someones car into a gas station (we kid you not), and all are relatively quick and easy.

You may want to pass them over for bigger and better things, but you shouldn’t do that. Random Encounters can replenish your Beacons and Flares which are used for Rebel Drops and Fast Travel respectively. If you don’t have either, you’re pretty much alone in the world and can’t call for help. So stop and help that stranger so that you can blow up his/her home later on in your effort to save them. 

Save Bullets, Use Tehters

Tethers are a fun way of eliminating anything you come across in the Just Cause 3. Simply hold down the grapple button to connect any two items and then watch the mayhem ensue as you let them reel into each other.

Want to take out two armored guards? Connect them and watch their skulls collide at high speed. A canister looks lonely? Attach an enemy to it for an explosive embrace. You can even slingshot enemies clear across the island if you position your tethers just right and release them at the perfect time (the game even keeps track of how far you’ve thrown them).

Tethers will be your best friend in a pinch and are arguably the best way t deal with all of life’s troubles.

These tips will have you dominating Di Ravello’s military in no time. You will be the master of mayhem you always knew you could be. If you’re enjoying yourself, why not share some of your chaos success stories in the comments below?