PAPERHEAD is a fast-paced shooter that combines aggressive combat, weapon switching, and movement mechanics to keep you constantly on the move. If you enjoy games like ULTRAKILL or POSTAL: Brain Damaged, you will probably feel right at home because the game rewards quick reactions, smart weapon choices, and creative ways to move around each level.
In this post, we will tell you everything you need to know to get started with PAPERHEAD, including the basic controls, all the main weapons, useful interactable objects, and movement techniques that can help you survive fights more easily. We will also cover some handy tips for dealing with tougher enemies and making the most of your available resources.
If you are just starting your first few levels or looking for ways to improve your movement and combat skills, this quick-start guide will help you understand the important mechanics. So, let’s get started and look at everything you should know before jumping into the action.
PAPERHEAD Beginner Guide – Controls, Weapons, Movement
The first thing you should learn in PAPERHEAD is the control scheme. The game features fast movement, double jumping, sliding, kicking, and several weapons that you can switch between during combat.
If you have played similar movement shooters before, the controls should feel familiar. You can also customize the key bindings if the default settings do not suit your playstyle.
Keyboard Controls
Here is a breakdown of the main keyboard and mouse controls in PAPERHEAD.
| Action | Controls |
|---|---|
| Move | W, A, S, D |
| Look Around | Mouse |
| Jump | Spacebar |
| Double Jump | Press Spacebar again while airborne |
| Crouch | Left Ctrl |
| Slide | Hold Left Ctrl while moving |
| Kick | Left Shift |
| Shoot | Left Mouse Button |
| Alternate Fire | Right Mouse Button |
| Weapon Select | Q |
| Next/Previous Weapon | Mouse Wheel Up/Down |
| Alternative Weapon Switching | [ / ] |
| Quick Weapon Select | Keys 1–7 |
| Pencil Melee | C |
| Throw Bombs | X |
The weapon selection key slows down time, giving you an opportunity to choose the right weapon without losing track of the action.
One of the most important controls to learn early is the slide. Holding crouch while moving allows you to slide across the level, making it one of your most reliable ways to travel quickly.
The kick is equally important because it deals melee damage and can launch you forward in the direction you are looking. You can also use it as part of several advanced movement techniques.
PAPERHEAD Weapons Guide
PAPERHEAD offers several weapons, and each one has a different purpose. Some are better for dealing with individual enemies, while others are more effective against groups or heavily armored targets.
Learning when to switch weapons is essential because relying on just one weapon can make certain encounters much harder than they need to be.
1. Pistol
The Pistol is a reliable weapon for picking off weaker enemies and dealing with smaller threats.
It is particularly useful against enemies that have been left behind during a fight, as well as bomb dogs that you want to eliminate before they become a problem.
Alternate Fire: The alternate fire can help target ranged enemies because it tracks targets to a limited extent.
The Pistol is a good option when you want to conserve ammunition from your more powerful weapons.
2. Shotgun
The Shotgun is one of the most useful weapons in PAPERHEAD. It delivers reliable damage at close to medium range and has a generous ammunition supply.
For most encounters, the primary fire is a dependable choice. It is particularly effective when enemies get close and you need to deal damage quickly.
Alternate Fire: Fires two shells with a wider spread, making it useful against larger enemies.
Although the alternate fire is presented as an option for crowd control, the primary fire can sometimes be more effective when you need to clear nearby enemies quickly.
If you are looking for a dependable weapon for everyday combat, the Shotgun is an excellent choice.
3. Machine Gun
The Machine Gun is another solid option for dealing with groups of enemies.
It offers consistent damage and has a reasonably plentiful ammunition supply, making it useful when several enemies are attacking at once.
Use it when you need to maintain pressure on multiple targets without constantly switching to a more specialized weapon.
The Machine Gun is especially helpful when you want a straightforward option for sustained combat.
4. Railgun
The Railgun is designed for precision and long-range damage. It is particularly effective against elite enemies and can also serve as an alternative for crowd control.
One of its biggest advantages is its ability to deal with tougher targets efficiently.
If you encounter an elite enemy that is difficult to approach safely, the Railgun is worth considering. It can also be a strong alternative to the Rocket Launcher, depending on the situation.
5. Rocket Launcher
The Rocket Launcher is commonly presented as a crowd-control weapon, but it can also be useful for stripping armor from enemies.
It works particularly well when combined with the Pencil’s bombs, allowing you to use explosive damage as part of your approach to tougher encounters.
Instead of treating the Rocket Launcher as your answer to every group of enemies, consider using it strategically against armored targets.
6. The Lighter (BFG)
The Lighter is essentially your room-clearing weapon. When you need to deal with a dangerous group of enemies, it provides a powerful way to unleash devastating damage.
However, you should pay attention to elite enemies with armor. Removing their armor before using your strongest attacks can help you get more value from your damage output.
Save this weapon for situations where its power can make a real difference rather than wasting it on enemies that your regular weapons can handle.
7. The Pencil (8O8)
The Pencil is a special weapon that functions similarly to a grenade launcher.
It fires explosive projectiles and is particularly useful for crowd control. It also serves as the game’s true melee weapon, giving it more than one purpose during combat.
The Pencil is especially valuable because it provides another way to obtain ammunition beyond purchasing it from the shop or using the relevant barrel upgrade.
Useful Pencil tips:
- Use its explosive attacks against groups of enemies.
- Combine its bombs with other weapons when dealing with armored targets.
- Try to parry its bombs, as this is a possible mechanic.
- Take advantage of the bombs’ limited homing behavior when appropriate.
Once you become comfortable with the Pencil, it can become an important part of your combat strategy.
PAPERHEAD Interactables Guide
Besides weapons, PAPERHEAD contains several objects and pickups that can help you during your run.
Some objects can be moved, kicked, or used to reach hidden areas. Others provide healing, armor, or additional resources.
Learning what these objects do can make exploration easier and give you more options during combat.
Movable Objects: Chairs, Boxes, and Fridges
You will find objects such as chairs, boxes, and fridges scattered around certain levels.
These objects can be useful for reaching secrets or accessing places that would otherwise be difficult to reach.
They can also be used as improvised weapons by kicking them into enemies. Depending on the situation, this can help you increase your score meter or deal with enemies without relying entirely on your regular weapons.
There is also an upgrade that allows you to carry objects around, which can provide additional utility.
Whenever you enter a new area, take a moment to look at the objects around you. Some of them may be more useful than they initially appear.
Barrels
Barrels are especially important during the early game because they provide a reliable source of explosive crowd control before you become comfortable using the Pencil.
They can help you clear groups of enemies, remove obstacles, and reveal hidden secrets.
If you are struggling with a large group of enemies in the early levels, look around for barrels before spending too much ammunition.
Their usefulness goes beyond combat, so it is worth checking your surroundings before moving on.
Explosive Panels
Explosive panels work similarly to barrels, but they are generally less useful and only appear in selected levels.
You can use them to create explosions and interact with certain environmental obstacles.
Since they are not as common as barrels, pay attention whenever you encounter one and consider whether it can help you clear an area.
White Boxes
White boxes are special objects that you can draw on with the Pencil.
Doing so can provide either a healing item or paperclips, making them useful when you need extra resources.
You can also erase the boxes up to three times before they break. If a box breaks without giving you anything, you will not receive a reward from that attempt.
Whenever you find a white box, it is worth interacting with it because the potential rewards can be useful during your run.
Health and Armor Pickups
Staying alive in PAPERHEAD requires you to pay attention to your health and armor.
Different pickups provide different benefits, so learning to recognize them will help you make better decisions during combat.
Health Drops
Health pickups restore health and can help you recover after taking damage.
Keep an eye out for them while exploring each level, especially if you have been involved in several difficult fights.
Bandages
Bandages restore a certain amount of health.
If you are running low on health, collecting bandages can help you stay alive long enough to reach the next encounter or find additional supplies.
Armor
Armor pickups provide 25 armor points.
Armor is particularly useful because it reduces burning damage and helps you maintain your combo ranking.
If you spot an armor pickup while moving through a level, consider collecting it before entering another difficult fight.
Paperclips
Paperclips are another resource you can find throughout the game.
Certain objects, including white boxes, can provide paperclips, while some special drops can produce them based on chance.
The mystery pickup described in the early guide can provide between 1 and 10 regular paperclips, with a rare chance of giving between 1 and 3 golden paperclips.
Since golden paperclips are rare, do not rely on receiving them every time you interact with these drops.
Best Movement Techniques in PAPERHEAD
Movement is one of the most important parts of PAPERHEAD. Simply walking through each level and shooting enemies will not always be enough, especially when you encounter tougher enemies or more dangerous situations.
The game features several movement techniques that allow you to maintain momentum, reach higher areas, and move around the environment more efficiently.
The following techniques are additional tricks beyond the basic movement mechanics taught in the game.
1. Triple Jump
The Triple Jump technique allows you to gain extra height by combining your regular jumps with a kick.
First, perform a double jump. While you are still in the air, use your kick to launch yourself forward and effectively gain a third jump.
Another reported method is to spam the jump button to buffer an additional jump.
This technique can help you reach areas that are difficult to access with a regular jump and can give you more flexibility when navigating the environment.
2. Ramp Jump
Ramp Jumping is a useful technique for gaining extra height without relying entirely on the Triple Jump.
To perform it, slide toward an upward incline. The slope can launch you into the air, allowing you to reach greater heights.
This is particularly useful when you need to climb over obstacles or reach elevated areas.
If a normal jump is not enough to reach a platform, look for a nearby ramp or upward slope that you can use to gain momentum.
3. Kick Hopping
Kick Hopping is a movement technique that helps you maintain momentum while moving across a level.
The basic idea is to time your kicks while bunny hopping so that you can keep your movement flowing instead of losing speed whenever you touch the ground.
This technique requires some practice because timing is important.
Once you become comfortable with it, Kick Hopping can help you move quickly through areas and maintain momentum between jumps.
4. Rocket Jump
Rocket Jumping allows you to use an explosion to launch yourself through the air.
You can use an explosive source to propel yourself upward or forward, helping you reach elevated areas and scale walls.
However, you need to pay attention to your position and the direction of the explosion to get the most out of this technique.
Rocket Jumping is particularly useful when ordinary movement options are not enough to reach a particular area.
PAPERHEAD combines fast-paced shooting with movement mechanics that reward experimentation. Once you understand the controls, learn how the weapons work, and become familiar with the different interactable objects, you will have a much easier time handling the challenges ahead.
For beginners, I recommend focusing on sliding, kicking, and learning the Shotgun before spending too much time mastering the more advanced techniques. You should also get comfortable with the Pencil and pay attention to explosive objects because they can provide valuable crowd control.
As you become more confident, start experimenting with Triple Jumps, Ramp Jumps, Kick Hopping, and Rocket Jumps. These techniques can help you move through levels more efficiently and discover new ways to approach the game’s environments.
This quick-start guide covers the essentials, but there is still plenty more to learn as you progress through PAPERHEAD. Keep experimenting with weapons, practice your movement, and make the most of the resources you find along the way.
