Getting started in Off The Grid can feel like being thrown into a warzone with jetpacks and cyber limbs strapped to your back, and that’s not far off. The game mixes extraction shooter mechanics with third-person BR chaos, making it feel more like a tactical mission than a traditional gunfight.
If you’ve just jumped into the game on PC, PS5, or Xbox Series X, the 9 best beginner tips will help you survive your first drops, extract valuable Hexes.
Learn the Loop: Drop, Loot, Extract, Win
The core loop in Off The Grid is simple on paper but intense in execution. You’re dropped into Teardrop Island with up to 19 other squads, each trying to loot weapons, find Hexes, and extract before getting wiped out. Winning the match gives you XP and currency, but your true progression comes from what you extract during the match.
Your main goal is to find Hexes, survive long enough to extract them, and avoid dying during extraction. Winning a match doesn’t allow you to keep your gear; only extracted Hexes will go into your inventory.
Loadouts: Don’t Ignore Them
You can either use a personal loadout or grab one from the random drop crates. Personal loadouts can be called in mid-match by spending in-game cash, which means early looting is crucial. Each weapon and attachment in your loadout increases the cost, so trimming unnecessary parts (like laser sights) can help you call it in faster.
Weapons range across multiple categories — Assault rifles, Shotguns, SMGs, snipers, and more. There are 6 slots to customize with attachments like sights, muzzles, barrels, and tactical grips, depending on weapon rarity. Higher-rarity weapons allow more attachment slots, giving you better control in firefights.
Hexes: Your Key to Long-Term Progress
Hexes are loot crates that contain the only items you can keep between matches. These items may include weapons, attachments, cyber limbs, cosmetics, and more. Once you find a Hex, you need to take it to an extractor and hold it there until the extraction process is complete. However, there’s a catch: other squads can interrupt your extraction and steal your Hex, so be prepared to defend it.
There are multiple ways to get Hexes: loot crates, Teardrop Ops (missions), PvP kills, or interrupting another team’s extraction. Always keep an eye on your minimap and listen for the extraction audio cue; someone might be about to finish extracting, and you can swoop in to take it.
Cyber Limbs: Build for Your Style
Off The Grid lets you equip cyber limbs that grant you active abilities. These can range from mobility-focused limbs like Hook Shot to offensive tools like Ripper and Paralyzer, or defensive options like Kinetic Shield.
You can mix and match left and right limbs, along with four different types of cyber legs. Right now, Leapers and Road Runners are top picks for movement-focused builds, while Phosphor Fury and Paralyzer arms are great for aggressive playstyles. The right combination can completely change how you engage in fights or move through the map.
Movement: Don’t Just Sprint; Use Everything
Movement is where Off The Grid truly stands out. Your jetpack never fully runs out but does slow down when damaged or overused. We recommend combining it with limbs like Hook Shot or Leapers to gain verticality fast or reposition in fights.
Additionally, utilise ziplines strategically placed throughout the map to quickly reposition and deploy your jetpack mid-zip. This keeps you from being an easy target and helps you get out of hot zones faster. Mastering movement early gives you a real edge in both PvE and PvP scenarios.
Play the Map: Choose a Drop Spot and Learn It
You won’t see the whole map at once during each game. Instead, each match uses a portion of Teardrop Island. Areas like Stork City, Little KYIV, and Saltie, Ocio have good loot density and extractor placement. Drop in the same area for a few games to get familiar with loot spawns, extractor spots, and high-traffic zones.
Knowing where to find Hex extractors, redeploy terminals, and supply crates can make the difference between a clean getaway and getting caught mid-loot.
Do Contracts (Teardrop Ops)
Teardrop Ops are optional side missions marked on the map, and they offer early-game cash to call in your loadout or buy upgrades. We recommend choosing missions like Drone Plunder or Hex Collector, as they’re great options for beginners due to their rewards.
These side ops don’t always appear until you’re close to them, so keep an eye on your minimap. Completing these early gives you a strong lead over other teams.
Backpack and Utility Management
Don’t ignore backpacks. There are five types, each with unique passive benefits like faster limb recharge, more inventory space, or reduced damage inside the grid. Having a few saved in your loadouts helps you adapt to different match situations. For instance, a Grid Shield backpack is a lifesaver in final zones.
You’ll also find useful consumables like Armor Plates and Adreno Shots. The former helps with survivability in longer fights, and the latter restores health fast. Always carry at least one of each.
Win Conditions and Final Zone
The game ends either when your squad is the last one standing or when the grid forces everyone into a final battle. You get infinite respawns early on, but once the timer runs out, teammates will need to redeploy you using terminals.
This final phase can get chaotic, so if you’re running a defensive build, keep a Grid Shield backpack on hand. It helps delay the damage from the closing grid and can win you the last few seconds.
