Splitgate Arena Reloaded is a fast-paced first-person shooter that blends classic arena gunplay with portal-based movement. For new players, the portals can feel overwhelming at first, but once you understand how they work, the game opens up in exciting and creative ways. This Splitgate Arena Reloaded Beginner Guide is designed to help beginners learn the fundamentals, set up the right controls, and start using portals confidently in real matches.
Splitgate is a high-speed arena FPS built around portals. While shooting mechanics feel familiar to fans of classic shooters, portals completely change how you move, position yourself, and engage enemies. Instead of relying only on sprinting or sliding, you use portals to instantly reposition, escape danger, or surprise opponents from unexpected angles. This makes Splitgate enjoyable for casual players while still offering a high skill ceiling for competitive play.
Splitgate Arena Reloaded Beginner Guide
First-Time Settings You Should Change
Getting your settings right early will make learning much easier.
Sensitivity Settings
A medium to high sensitivity is recommended. You need precise aim for gunfights, but you also need fast camera movement to place portals quickly and react to threats. Spend some time adjusting until aiming and turning both feel comfortable.
Key Bindings
Portal A and Portal B should be bound to keys that are easy to press without interrupting movement. Many players prefer keys near WASD or mouse buttons. You can also bind portals so they alternate on a single key if that feels more natural.
Melee attacks should be bound to a key you can press instantly, since melee is extremely strong in close combat.
Other Important Options
Turn auto-sprint on to keep movement fluid.
Adjust enemy, ally, and crosshair colors so they stand out clearly.
Lower or raise graphics settings based on your PC performance to ensure smooth gameplay.
Core Gameplay Knowledge
Understanding these basics will give you an immediate advantage.
Power Weapons and Items
Power weapons and special items spawn during matches and can completely change fights. Learning their spawn locations and timing is a key part of improving in Splitgate.
Melee Attacks
Melee deals 50 damage, and player health is 100. Damage increases with movement speed, meaning fast melee hits can be deadly. If your health drops below half, a single melee can instantly kill you, so always be aware of close-range threats.
ADS vs Hip Fire
Aiming down sights only provides zoom. Bullet accuracy does not change between hip fire and ADS. However, some power weapons behave differently when ADS is used, so test each weapon to understand its mechanics.
EMP Grenades
EMP grenades destroy enemy portals within range and temporarily lock portal walls so only your team can use them. This is extremely useful for cutting off enemy escapes or controlling key areas of the map.
Portals
Portals are the heart of Splitgate, and learning their uses is essential.
Movement and Positioning
Portals let you reach strong positions, grab power weapons, flank enemies, chase opponents, or escape dangerous situations instantly. In Splitgate, portal movement replaces traditional abilities like dashing or sliding found in other shooters.
Line of Sight and Combat
Bullets travel through portals. This allows you to shoot enemies who cannot normally see you. From the enemy’s perspective, they may only see a glowing portal while taking fire, giving you a major tactical advantage.
Portal Overload (Blocking Portals)
Placing both Portal A and Portal B on the same portal wall prevents anyone else from using that wall. This can block enemy pursuit routes or secure powerful positions. Be careful not to block your teammates’ movement or escape paths.
Portal Master
Mastering portals takes practice, but following these steps will help you progress steadily.
Step 1: Always Have a Portal Ready
Keep either Portal A or Portal B placed somewhere on the map at all times. This gives you an instant escape option if a fight turns bad.
Step 2: Emergency Escapes
When under pressure, place the opposite portal on a nearby portal wall and retreat immediately. This only works if you are aware of portal walls around you, so map awareness is critical.
Step 3: Basic Portal Travel
Place Portal A at your destination, then Portal B on a nearby wall, and move through. This is the foundation of portal movement.
Step 4: Triple Portal Technique
After moving through a portal, place the opposite portal on a new wall you can see, move through again, and repeat. This allows rapid chaining of portals to cross large distances or outplay enemies.
Step 5: Increase Speed and Awareness
Practice executing the previous step faster. Improving your decision-making, portal placement speed, and map knowledge is what separates average players from true portal masters.