Paragon: Tips for New MOBA Players

Welcome, PS Plus members! I’ve spent a lot of time jamming on Paragon, Epic’s new PS4 MOBA. As a newcomer to the MOBA genre (I’m old), I thought it might be helpful to throw together some handy tips to help get you started — please leave your own tips in the comments below!

Basic Terminology

• Lanes: Basically, the path you take to the enemy’s Core. There are three lanes: left, right, and middle. Depending on your strategy, you and your team can concentrate down one, or split up across several lanes and fight several battles at once. Lane strategy is a defining gameplay feature of Paragon.
• Minions: Both teams get an endless supply of these meat shields. Minion packs drive forward constantly, targeting other minions, Towers, and players they encounter along the way. They’re easily killed, but present a constant threat because they autospawn in waves every 30 seconds or so.
• Towers: Along each lane lie several dangerous towers that will inflict humongous damage if you get too close. Your goal is to destroy Towers in a lane so your Minions and teammates can keep pushing towards your opponents’ core. You have to get fairly close to a Tower’s crystal to inflict damage, which puts you in harm’s way. Watch your crosshairs: when they turn red, you’re in attack range.

Hero Highlights

• Gideon is an awesome Hero to try if this is your first MOBA. His primary ability (Square) provides you with a meteor that clears out minions and heroes alike. If you ever find yourself in a pinch, he can teleport out using his Torn Space (Circle) and slow enemies with his Burden ability (R1). He also comes equipped with the ability to tear space and time creating a Black Hole with his Ultimate (Triangle) sucking enemies in and dealing damage in a large area.
• Twinblast is another popular choice for beginners. His basic attack (R2) allows you to steadily peck away at enemies and Minions, while his Ultimate ability (Triangle) brings the pain. Remember to amp up his attack speed by triggering Nitro (Square), and dodge enemy attacks using R1.
• Sparrow is also worth a try. Like the other Ranger heroes, she dishes out high damage with her basic attack (R2). She lacks durability, and her other abilities don’t pack quite the punch of the Casters. But if you play defensively and remember to stick and move, she will lay waste.

@PlayStation during the beginning, get health and level cards. Stay back until an opportunity comes up, but protect your tower.

— Downfall (@NsideUnityGames) March 27, 2016

Don't worry about being a super star. Worry about working as a team. @PlayStation

— Vid (@vid_icarus) March 27, 2016

@PlayStation in MOBA games, dying is worse than not killing a tower. Your life matters more. Know when to hit your opponent and when not.

— EVADE (@newelcd) March 28, 2016

@PlayStation learn how to last hit! While being near a minion when it dies gives cxp, landing the killing blow gives a lot more!

— Glenn Smith (@GlennsGuitar) March 27, 2016

@PlayStation @Paragon If you are playing Gideon, make sure you build up his attack and mana. Itll let you clear lanes with his primary atk

— Ω (@Allion300) March 25, 2016

@PlayStation @Paragon watch the tutorial video for your hero and play your damn role! Also always have your right eye on that map. Be aware!

— ProReapzxX (Mike) (@Reapdemkilz) March 25, 2016

Other Tips

• Minions serve as the heartbeat of a Paragon match. They respawn like clockwork, and their constant waves apply pressure to a lane. They can hold ground against an enemy offense until player heroes can reinforce the battle lines.
• When you’re on the offense, help push your team forward by efficiently squashing enemy Minions and driving forward to gain ground.
• If you can crush the Inhibitor near your enemy’s core, your team’s Minions in that lane will get much stronger and more fearsome — it can easily tip the scales in a heated match.
• The Tower will always* target your Minions first — allowing you to get closer to the objective and hammer it. When approaching a Tower, let your Minions enter attack range first so they soak up damage.
• *The one exception is important! If a player attacks an enemy hero while that hero is under the enemy turret, the turret will immediately target the aggressor. Avoid damaging enemy players while they are protected by their turrets.
• The lanes are loosely connected by a jungle, allowing you to cut across from one lane to another. The jungle is home to many tight, twisty corridors, so it’s not a great place to get caught unprepared.
• Always keep an eye on other lanes — it’s quite possible to cut away from a big battle and quietly push down a lane your enemy isn’t expecting.
• Some heroes are sneakier than others. Gideon, for example, can teleport himself and teammates to other locations in his lane. Kallari can cloak to get close to enemies, leaving them vulnerable to her devastating melee strikes.
• But stealth can benefit any hero. Look for the Shadow Pads in the jungle near the lane shortcuts. Stand in one to mask your presence from enemy players, letting you get the drop on them.
• Paragon is notable for its many mind games. Pretending to run off, only to lead your pursuers into a trap, is a common technique.

I hope some of these are helpful! Give your own tips in the comments below.